As the vines turn golden and the air turns crisp, Paso Robles transforms into a vibrant hub of harvest festivities and fall wine tasting adventures. From charming farm stands and exciting harvest events to seasonal wine tasting offerings, there’s no better time to enjoy Paso’s beauty, hospitality and world-class wine.
With a cornucopia of wineries to explore, breathtaking views to admire and seasonal produce to savor, this curated travel itinerary makes the most of your fall visit to Paso Robles Wine Country. Your ultimate Paso Robles autumn wine adventure awaits.
Greet the Day: Morning Delights in Paso
With an array of great breakfast spots and cool coffee shops in Paso Robles, your fall wine tasting adventure is off to a flavorful start!
Brunch, but better
Discover a rainbow of morning flavors to match the changing vines. CaliPaso Winery serves up a lavish Sunday brunch that captures the essence of harvest season in Paso Robles. From veggie-stuffed omelets to crispy bacon, every dish is made fresh to order. Savor hand-carved meats paired with roasted fall vegetables or indulge in eggs Benedict draped in a velvety hollandaise—there’s so many a.m. treats to choose from! It goes without saying: This is no ordinary brunch, it’s a fall wine country experience.
In downtown Paso, the aptly-named Brunch, is another top option for an unforgettable fuel-up. Whether you’re craving a plate of classic French toast sprinkled with powdered sugar or eager to try a autumnal favorite (the “brunch hash” features tender pork shoulder, seasonal root veggies, farm-fresh eggs and pickled jalapenos, for instance), you’re sure leave pleasantly nourished.
Local Tip: Grab a cup of premium coffee or perhaps even a pumpkin-spiced espresso drink, ensuring your day of Paso Robles wine tasting adventures begins just the way you like it. Unique coffee shops abound downtown. Spearhead Coffee or JoeBella Coffee Roasters are local faves.
Peruse the Pumpkin Patch
Any fall trip to Paso Robles must include at least one time-honored pumpkin patch! Agriculture is a beloved tradition here—and we’ve got the fam-stands to prove it.
You pick!
Autumn unfolds in vibrant hues at Chesebrough Farm, where harvest season is a big deal, indeed. Explore a diverse pumpkin patch boasting over 60 varieties of pumpkins and winter squash. From classic orange to unique heirloom varieties, go gourd crazy! Yes, it’s a fabulous photo opp for all ages (plus, you might just come away with some just-picked produce). For a touch of Paso Robles fall whimsy, try your luck with the Chesebrough Farm “pumpkin cannon” — a playful nod to the region’s farming heritage. Check out more family-friend fun in Paso Robles Wine Country.
Local tip: Roll up your sleeves with a visit to Pasolivo Ranch, where you can tour the orchard and indulge in local olive oil tasting, Paso Robles style. From rosemary-infused to classic Tuscan, these award-winning extra virgin olive oils are the perfect souvenir for any home chef.
Sip and Savor: Paso’s Coziest Fall Tasting Rooms
Multicolored vines and undulating, oak-studded hillsides make fall wine tasting in Paso Robles dreamy. Chart your course for welcoming tasting rooms flush with fall vibes.
Taste the cozy
From wine tasting rooms with crackling fireplaces to fascinating wine cave tours, you’re sure to engage all your senses in Paso Robles this fall. Allow your palate to lead the way: Head to Tablas Creek Vineyard for estate-grown Rhône varietals, Halter Ranch for sustainable vintages or Opolo Vineyards for famous zinfandel in a festive hilltop setting. Plus, nearby Brecon Estate provides a boutique experience with small-lot, high-quality vintages that tell a story of the land.
Local Tip: With more than 200+ Paso wineries to choose from on your fall wine tasting adventure, a good map comes in handy. Download our handy map today! Whether you’re traveling with kiddos or Fido, find the best stops to fit your fancy. Don’t want to drive? There’s plenty of knowledgeable tour guides ready to take the wheel.
Game on at Chronic Cellars
Fall gets a funky touch at Chronic Cellars, known for unique blends, adventurous flavor profiles and playful Dia de los Muertos-inspired labels. Kick back at the Willow Creek AVA tasting room and sip bold blends that are as quirky as they are delicious. While plenty of Chronic Cellars wines are perfect for fall festivities, the winery’s popular Dead Nuts Zinfandel is something special. Savor the wine’s rich berry flavors with a hint of spice—then take a bottle or case home to enjoy over the holidays!
Local Tip: Challenge your crew to a round of horseshoes or billiards while you’re here. Chronic Cellars offers up all sorts of ways to entice your friends into a little friendly competition.
Find your Happy Place at Venteux Vineyards
Known for producing small-batch, handcrafted wines, this boutique Willow Creek winery offers an intimate tasting experience amidst breathtaking fall vineyard views. Yes, it’s certainly a favorite fall happy place to enjoy the little moments! Take in the golden scenery under Venteux Vineyards’ famous antique windmill, a peaceful spot for sipping the winery’s rich and spicy Syrah.
Local Tip: A quiet tasting is nice, but do check the Venteux Vineyards events calendar for plenty of live music, winemaker dinners and oodles of fall fun, too!
Fall Flavors Al Fresco: Lunch like a Winemaker
Savor seasonal plates without ever stepping foot off the winery grounds! Paso Robles is home to award-winning wineries with stellar sit-down restaurants.
Dine amidst the vines
Whether you prefer a Michelin-starred meal made meticulously to order or prefer a more casual farm-to-fork flavor, find endless culinary delights in Paso Robles this fall. Discover Paso Robles Wineries with restaurants, including impeccable pairings at famed JUSTIN Winery and Restaurant, creative pop-up dinners at Niner Wine Estates and ever-changing European-inspired eats at Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery.
Local Tip: Ready to linger over an epic lunch? Cruise to CASS Winery, located in the scenic Geneseo AVA, for a delightful lunch at their popular CASS Café. You’ll find a seasonal menu brimming with fresh finds, from juicy burgers to top shelf charcuterie. Of course, you’ll want to pair it all with CASS’s exceptional Rhone wines.
Shop and Stroll: Downtown Paso Awaits
Boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and tasting rooms collide in downtown Paso Robles, a destination unto itself. From awesome antique shops to a park perfect for watching the world float by, this is your opportunity to slow down and enjoy the stroll.
Great gatherings start here
Aside from incredible shopping and dining, downtown Paso Robles reveals intimate places to gather with new friends and explore the region’s famous wine and craft beer offerings. From the modern industrial vibe of Hayseed and Housdon to the boisterous fun of The Backyard on 13th Street, you’ll experience so much more than what’s in your glass. Wherever you go, rub elbows with local winemakers, farmers and chefs. In Paso Robles, you never know just who’ll buy your next drink!
Local Tip: Downtown City Park is the epicenter of downtown Paso Robles, hosting community concerts and festive holiday events all season long. From the park’s grassy expanse, easily find great dining, shopping and the colorful Studios on the Park, where anyone can tour working artists’ studios.
Cozy Up to a Seasonal Supper
Farm-fresh fare is always on the menu in Paso. From chef-driven fare to comfort classics, explore restaurants serving the best of harvest bounty.
Real good rotisserie
Belly up to a table! Housed in a vintage brick hangout in downtown Paso Robles, The Hatch Rotisserie and Bar pairs a relaxed vibe with a menu of wood-fired rotisserie meats, seasonal vegetables and stick-to-your-gills sides. Start with pimento cheese and house-made salt and vinegar chips for the table. The highlight here? The Hatch vanilla and orange-cured Jidori rotisserie chicken (served nightly with limited availability!). Depending on the night, tuck into wood fired steaks, meatloaf, pot pie, pork chops or fab fried-chicken. With beautifully crafted, produce-forward cocktails and house made key lime pie, save plenty of room for all the fixings. Learn more about Paso Robles Farm-to-Table Dining here!
Local Tip: Night cap? Travelers may not know this (and that’s sort of the point), but Paso Robles is home to under-the-radar cocktail haunts designed to surprise and delight. This fall, enter a gauzy Gatsby dream at Eleven Twenty-Two Speakeasy & Cocktail Lounge. Or, go totally tropical at Cane Tiki Room!
More Fall Fun Ideas in Paso Robles
E-bike Vineyard Tours
Zip through picturesque vineyards as you take in stunning vistas and vibrant fall foliage. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a casual rider, vineyard bicycle and e-bike tours offer a unique way to experience the beauty of Paso Robles wine country.
Horseback Riding Through the Vines
Saddle up and explore the rolling hills of Paso Robles on horseback this fall. Wine Country Horseback Ride Tours lets you meander through lush vineyards, offering a serene and scenic perspective of the harvest season.
Harvest Wine Weekend (October 18-20, 2024)
Celebrate the fall season with special Harvest Wine Weekend tastings, tours and events across dozens of participating Paso Robles wineries. Experience the vibrant energy of the harvest with access to winemakers, delicious food pairings and festive activities that highlight the best of Paso Robles.
Farmer’s Market Fun
Stroll through Paso Robles’ bustling farmer’s market and discover a bounty of fresh, seasonal produce at your fingertips. From crisp See Canyon apples to just-baked bread, find everything you need to savor the flavors of fall. Enjoy live music, artisanal goods, and a vibrant community atmosphere weekly.
Check Out Paso’s Glowing Light Exhibit
Immerse yourself in a breathtaking display of light and art at Sensorio Paso Robles. This stunning exhibit features thousands of illuminated lights that create a magical landscape, perfect for an autumn evening of wonder and enchantment.
Wine Cave Tours
This fall, descend into the cool, mysterious depths of Paso Robles’ wine caves. Join a guided tour to learn about the winemaking process while surrounded by the earthy aromas of aging barrels.
Taste of Fall: Seasonal produce and Paso Wine Pairings
- Pumpkin and Butternut Squash: Pair with a rich Paso Robles Chardonnay
- Apples and Pears: Complement with a crisp Paso Robles Viognier
- Mushrooms and Root Vegetables: Enjoy with a robust Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cranberries and Citrus: Perfect with a Rhône white blend from Paso Robles