Come on, get happy! Let your hair down, kick your boots up and watch your cares melt into that perfect glass of wine. Forget the overpriced beach resort or hectic amusement park. Paso Robles Wine Country is the best place to throw your worries to the wind. With casual tasting rooms, unstuffy winemakers and a general sense of natural wonder and whimsy, stress is no match for a day wine tasting through pastoral Paso Robles. Here’s 5 laid back tasting rooms sure to obliterate any lingering sense of unease, no matter how many emails are waiting for you back in the real world.
1. Chronic relaxation at Chronic Cellars
Chill: Make room and play. Few tasting rooms are as relaxing as Chronic Cellars, where you can play a host of grown-up lawn games or even shoot some pool while shooting the breeze. Bring the kids, the dog and the whole gang—you’ll want to linger for hours throwing the frisbee, comparing tasting notes or just tossing the bean bag around.
Tasting room: www.chroniccellars.com/visit
Try: Rosé is the official drink of “off the clock.” Raise a rosy hued glass to your empty agenda (and throw on a pair of proverbial rose colored glasses) at Chronic Cellars. Overflowing with fresh watermelon and strawberry bliss, the winery’s 2018 Pink Pedals Rosé will inspire you to lose yourself in the lushness of the moment.
Mapping and Directions to Chronic Cellars click here
2. Mingle to the max at Hope Family Wines
Chill: At Hope Family Wines, you’ll enter a modern tasting room crafted for lounging, mingling, and (of course) stellar sipping. Say hello to new friends and find your perch for the afternoon. With comfy couches and lively community tables, you’ll find good conversation and smiling faces around every corner! Sip at your own pace or head to the vineyard for an impromptu picnic. Look at you, barely checking your phone!
Tasting room: www.hopefamilywines.com/austin-hope/visit
Try: Sip on the sunny side of the street. Layers of peach and bright citrus elevate classic Chardonnay to a fresh, light outlook. Yes, this 2018 Austin Hope Chardonnay is your ticket to a golden moment in the Paso Robles sun. Bask in it!
Mapping and Directions to Hope Family Wines click here
3. Cowboys, bikers and winemakers at Iron Oaks Winery
Chill: Corrugated steel, rustic barn wood and an American flag on the wall make Iron Oaks Winery’s tasting room feel more like a roadside cowboy hideout than a fancy tasting room. That’s by design, darlin! Dougie, owner and winemaker, is the real deal. Boot scoot up the tasting bar and you’ll sip Doug’s fabulous wines as approachable and awesome as the atmosphere.
Try: Bite into the best! Featuring locally raised, sustainable beef sourced from Doug’s family’s DD Cattle Co., you’ll savor robust reds at this rustic roadhouse (and can take home rockin’ beef to throw on your barbie). Plus: enjoy live music, sports on TV and a pet friendly vibe, irreverent games and a shoot the boot contest too with Dougie there to urge you on to victory.
Mapping and Directions to Iron Oaks Winery click here
4. Just Peachy at Peachy Canyon Winery
Chill: Not only can you relax under a clear blue sky at Peachy Canyon Winery’s Old School House Tasting Room, you can also check-in to nostalgic comfort. Located on a hill surrounded by nearly 50 acres of vines, you’ll find a cozy vineyard cottage. With two bedrooms, two and a half baths, living room, family room, kitchen, pool table, barbecue and panoramic views, even your extended family will want to take a few vacation days.
Chill: www.peachycanyon.com/The-Canyon-Inn
Try: Perk up! Peach-pink in color, Peachy Canyon’s 2018 Rosé smells of strawberry, guava, and lychee. Bright, acidic and flavorful on the palate, give in to a wave of strawberries, peaches, nectarines, and mandarin orange. If this dreamy offering doesn’t lower your blood pressure a few points, we don’t know what will.
Mapping and Directions to Peachy Canyon click here
5. Leave the planning to Penman Springs
Chill: Get back to what really matters. A warm, hospitable atmosphere at Penman Springs makes it easy to relax and enjoy the sweeping vineyard views. Plus—with abundant events this spring and summer, you’ll never need to plan a thing. Stop by the tasting room during Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend (Friday, March 21 noon-4 p.m.) for live music on the patio from Bear Market Riot, delicious bites and one killer glass of wine.
Events: www.penmansprings.com/events/
Try: Pack in the pleasure. Penman Springs 2014 Penman Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is as classic Paso as you can get. The dark ruby color, rich nose of cedar and berry, and a bright palate of plum, currant and spice make for a long finish (and longer moment of joy).
Mapping and Directions to Penman Springs Vineyard click here
This blog is written by flavor fiend Hayley Cain. Follow her @flavorslo on Instagram or at astoldbyhayley.com.
Looking for a place to stay in Paso Robles?
The Adelaide Inn is an iconic, lo
cally owned hotel known for its friendly staff and lush landscaping. With spacious rooms and a convenient location close to highway 101 and the event center – home of the California Mid-State Fair – this hotel is a great choice for most travelers. TOUR VIRTUALLY
Directions: speedfind.com/AdelaideInn
Majestically set among vineyards, olive groves and fruit baring orchards, the 20-acre Allegretto Vineyard Resort is a world unto itself, offering breathtaking settings that inspire and bring joy to all who choose this memorable wine country haven. Featuring 171 rooms and suites, on-site spa, grand ballroom, wine tasting room, and inspired culinary creations at Cello, the resort’s full service restaurant.
Directions: speedfind.com/Allegretto
Wouldn’t you love to wake up among the vines? Eden House at Carriage Vineyards Bed & Breakfast is on a real working vineyard and longhorn ranch in the Paso Robles Wine Region. Our rooms overlook vineyards, creeks and oaks, right in the Paso Robles Wine Country of Central California.
Directions: speedfind.com/edenhouse
Spend an idyllic getaway at Briarwood Cottage at ONX Estate Vineyards in an English-cottage inspired vineyard-side home. Guests may rent rooms in the main cottage, reserve the entire main cottage for a large group, or book the fully equipped apartment. Wake up to peaceful vineyard views and spend twilight hours sipping wine on the back porch of the cottage. It’s a time you won’t quickly forget. Contact us for pricing and availability (see form below). Case, 6 Bottle, and 4 Bottle Collective Members receive preferred pricing.
Directions: speedfind.com/BriarCottage
Hampton Inn & Suites Paso Robles is nestled in the Central Coast wine region, home to over 200 wineries, beautiful beaches, mountains and diverse attractions. Relax and revive in a comfortable guest room with all you need for a successful stay. You can count on Hampton to deliver value, consistency and service with a smile. We love having you here®
Directions: speedfind.com/PRWine.HamptonInn
Treat yourself to the ultimate Paso Robles wine country experience by booking your stay at The Inn at Opolo Vineyards. Guests enjoy our luxurious, spacious rooms and all of the sensory pleasures of Paso Robles in one destination. TOUR VIRTUALLY
Directions: speedfind.com/oploVineyards
Enjoy the elegance, style and natural beauty of California’s Central Coast at the JUST Inn®. Surrounded by vineyards, our JUST Inn Suites offer luxurious appointments like fireplaces, Tempur-Pedic®mattresses, Frette linens, hydro-spa tubs, and range in size from 600–1,200 square feet. An overnight stay includes breakfast and a tour of the winery and caves. TOUR VIRTUALLY
Directions: speedfind.com/JustinWine
La Bellasera Hotel & Suites is an elegant boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Central Coast Wine Country. Influenced by Mediterranean and Italian architecture, the luxurious accommodations reflect the aged sophistication of the Central Coast region and the relaxed nature of the California countryside.
Directions: speedfind.com/LaBellasera
Experience the pristine countryside of Paso Robles Wine Country at Lekai Ranch. Lounge on the porch of your private suite and lose yourself in the tranquility and stunning views of the vineyards and oak studded hills beyond. This vacation rental is located just minutes from some of the most distinguished wineries and a premier olive oil estate, and only 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles’ restaurants, wineries and shopping. TAKE AN AERIAL TOUR
Directions: speedfind.com/Lekai | vrbo.com/701796
Paso Robles Vacation Rentals, also known as PasoStay.com assists guests in creating memories and wonderful experiences by providing quality privately owned vacation home rentals in Paso Robles Wine Country. With over 90 vacation homes to choose from, small enough for a couple’s romantic getaway to large homes amongst local vineyards and olive orchards, PasoStay.com has the perfect option for you. Feel free to call 805-423-9174 to talk with a local expert or book online at PasoStay.com.
Directions: speedfind.com/PasoRoblesVacationRentals
