6 Must Try Paso Robles White Wines
August 27, 2024
Are you ready to explore the world of white wine varietals in Paso Robles?
With rolling hills, sunny weather, and friendly people, Paso Robles is the perfect place for wine lovers to visit. The region is home to many different grape varieties and winemakers, which means there’s a wide range of flavors to discover.
Although Paso is frequently recognized as a red wine region, the often-overlooked white wines are well worth exploring. With so many great white wines to choose from in Paso Robles, it is nearly impossible to highlight just a handful, but we did our best. Each of these wines has its own special taste and story. Some are from winery names you know, and others are from smaller brands that are sure to become your new favorites. You’ll learn where you can try these wines, what foods they go well with, and what makes them stand out.
Paso Robles is not just about great wines, it’s also about the experience. Whether you’re a wine expert or just starting to explore, Paso Robles offers a warm welcome and unforgettable wine tasting adventures.
Let’s dive in and discover some of the best white wines our charming region has to offer!
6 of Our Favorite White Wine Varietals in Paso Robles
1. Viognier
Halter Ranch Viognier
Halter Ranch Viognier is a bright and aromatic wine with notes of apricot, marmalade, and honey. Its silky mouthfeel makes it a standout choice for those seeking a flavorful and elegant wine. The Halter Ranch tasting room offers a lovely setting to enjoy this wine, surrounded by the natural beauty of the area.
This Viognier is perfect for pairing with spicy dishes, grilled vegetables, or fruit-based desserts. Its versatile nature makes it a wonderful companion for a variety of foods. The winery’s commitment to organic farming adds an extra layer of appeal, making Halter Ranch Viognier a wine that’s not only delicious but also thoughtfully produced.
Calcareous Vineyard Viognier
Calcareous Vineyard Viognier is a fresh and lively wine with notes of citrus, honeydew, and grapefruit. Its vibrant flavors make it a joyful choice for those who enjoy aromatic wines. The stunning setting of Calcareous Vineyard provides a perfect backdrop to enjoy this wine, enhancing the overall experience.
This is an ideal wine for pasta primavera or wood-fired pizza filled with finds from your summer garden. The focus on terroir-driven wines and the picturesque beauty of Calcareous Vineyard make this wine a must-try for those visiting Paso Robles. It’s a wine that captures the essence of the region and delights the senses.
Eberle Winery Viognier
Eberle Winery is one of the iconic founding brands in the Paso Robles region. Gary Eberle is renowned for being the first to create a varietal Syrah in the U.S. and the winery has upped its white wine game with the addition of Winemaker Chris Eberle (no relation). This acclaimed wine has a nose of floral jasmine and zesty tangerine notes followed by hints of jackfruit and lychee on the palate.
The deck at Eberle Winery overlooks the Geneseo District with inspiring views of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. Sipping on a Viognier, or any other of the white wines on offer at Eberle while watching the sunset over the mountains is a perfect way to enjoy a chilled glass of Paso Robles white wine.
2. White Rhône Blend
Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Tablas Blanc
Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Tablas Blanc is a delicious blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Picpoul Blanc. Roussanne provides the core richness, minerality, and flavors of honey and spice, while Grenache Blanc adds green apple and anise flavors, lush mouthfeel, and bright acids. Picpoul Blanc adds pineapple brightness and saline minerality, Bourboulenc provides limestoney, citrusy lift, and Clairette Blanche brings clean fruitiness and chalky minerality. You can experience this exceptional wine at the Tablas Creek Vineyard tasting room, where the welcoming atmosphere adds to the enjoyment of your visit.
If you’re looking for food to pair with this wine, it goes wonderfully with seafood dishes like fish or grilled scallops. Creamy dishes like a carrot, leek, and potato soup are also a great match. What makes Esprit de Tablas Blanc truly special is the vineyard’s commitment to sustainable farming practices and their focus on Rhône varietals.
Opolo Vineyards Willow Blanc
Opolo Vineyards Willow Blanc is a delightful wine with Viognier and Roussanne. This eclectic Rhône Style blend from Opolo is made from selections from their finest vineyards. The grapes were crushed and left on skins for an extended period before being pressed, barrel fermented, and sur lie aged in both acacia and French oak barrels. The skin contact and barrel aging contribute both freshness and subtle hints of crème brulee. A wine to be savored!
This wine is a perfect example of the creativity and quality that Paso Robles winemakers are known for.
L’Aventure Estate Cuvée Blanc
L’Aventure Estate Cuvée Blanc is a unique blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Viognier. This wine boasts floral and citrus aromas with a mineral-driven taste, making it a fascinating choice for wine lovers. Stephan’s mission for each vintage is to make a food-friendly white wine that focuses on salinity and minerality.
This wine complements a variety of flavors beautifully, adding a touch of elegance to every meal. The blend of varietals in this wine showcases the creativity and craftsmanship that L’Aventure Winery is known for, offering a taste experience that’s both unique and delightful.
3. Sauvignon Blanc
Graveyard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Wines from Graveyard Vineyards offer “a little taste of heaven while you’re waiting to get in,” and their Sauvignon Blanc is no exception. It captures the crisp aromas of grapefruit and pineapple. Flavors of mango, lemongrass, and tropical dreams, with a tangerine zest finish, allow you to relax and enjoy the lovely finish.
The tasting room sits on a hilltop, next to a historic 1865 graveyard, and they pride themselves in small production wine with big flavors. This California winery has a very relaxed atmosphere with a beautiful picnic area next to the fishpond. Bring a fishing pole, a picnic, get a bottle of wine, and sit on the dock and enjoy the summer in Paso Robles wine country.
JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc
JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp and refreshing wine with a variety of citrus and tropical fruit flavors. It’s a wine that instantly refreshes the palate and delights the senses.
This Sauvignon Blanc pairs wonderfully with shellfish, salads, and goat cheese, enhancing the flavors of these dishes. Its popularity and consistent quality make it a standout choice for those looking to enjoy a top-notch Sauvignon Blanc in Paso Robles. It’s a wine that captures the spirit of the region, offering a taste that’s both lively and enjoyable.
Kiamie Wines Sauvignon Blanc
Kiamie Wines has a vision to create truly distinctive wines not limited to a predefined wine style, but instead made from the best fruit Paso Robles has to offer. The Kiamie Sauvignon Blanc, crafted from organically farmed fruit on Paso’s West Side, bursts with refreshing notes of melon and white peach. A crisp palate tinged with aromatics like lemongrass and lime culminates in a clean, mineral-laden finish. It is an expression of uncompromising quality.
Crisp, bold, and refreshing, this white wine is versatile and pairs well with a range of flavor profiles such as tart vinaigrettes, fresh summer vegetables like zucchini, and grilled chicken.
4. Vermentino
Paix Sur Terre Vermentino
The Paix Sur Terre Vermentino is an homage to the greatest white wine of the Mediterranean. Vermentino has a nose of fresh sea spray, lime zest, and perfectly ripe summer melons with tension and minerality akin to great Chablis. This wine is an incredible textural experience like biting into that perfect summer melon and picnicking by the ocean while fresh grilled fish tacos with lime spritzed over the top awaits. The Paix Sur Terre Vermentino epitomizes Spring and Summer.
Thibido Winery Vermentino
Thibido is a boutique winery making handcrafted wines available exclusively online and shipped directly to you. The Thibido “Second Date” Vermentino offers delightful aromas of citrus zest and a tropical palate in a light straw shade with a bright complexion. A versatile white wine; while delightful on its own, the acidity in the wine makes it a brilliant food pairing partner.
The lush palate and pleasant acid pair nicely with salty seafood dishes like shrimp paella, ceviche, or oysters. This white wine is also capable of standing up to heartier dishes like spicy green curry or herbed lemon chicken with a goat cheese and strawberry salad. Ultimately, it’s the perfect complement to long lunches in good company.
Giornata Vermentino
Vermentino is typically associated with the islands and the area of Tuscany close to the Mediterranean Sea. While it can be made into a rich and full wine, Giornata prefers to pick a bit earlier for a cleaner and crisper style. You can smell melon, lavender, poached pear, key lime, and guava, with a palate of lime zest, pineapple, lemongrass, almond, and pink grapefruit.
They produce a balanced, palate-friendly white wine that’s perfect for Spring and Summer weather and light appetizers. It pairs wonderfully with prosciutto and hard cheese, spring vegetables, and salsa verde.
5. Chardonnay
Dunning Vineyards Chardonnay
Located deep in the Willow Creek District, Dunning Vineyards was established in 1990 by Bob and Jo-Ann Dunning who planted, among other varieties, Chardonnay in the high elevations of their 40-acre property. The Dunning Vineyards Estate Chardonnay takes advantage of the cooler growing environment by exhibiting a more Burgundian style with full barrel fermentation and sur-lees aged. The wine is ripe and creamy with layers of pear, citrus, nutmeg, and mineral flavors.
A chardonnay such as this is perfect for fish lovers who enjoy anything from a lemon-stuffed grilled branzino to a Mediterranean baked halibut with plenty of herbs and savory tomatoes, garlic, and olives that will elevate the fruity qualities of this chardonnay.
Midnight Cellars Chardonnay
The Midnight Cellars Chardonnay
In this wine of pale dandelion hue, a delightful melody of aromas and flavors awaits. Aromas of limoncello and freshly peeled lemon. Upon the palate, indulgent flavors of lemon meringue and golden honey intertwine, leading to a finish kissed by limestone minerality, adding depth and elegance to each sip. This wine is a testament to the beauty of simplicity, offering a refreshing and invigorating experience.
DAOU Vineyards Chardonnay
DAOU Vineyards Chardonnay is a rich and elegant wine with flavors of pineapple, guava, and a touch of oak. It’s a Chardonnay that offers a luxurious tasting experience, perfect for those who enjoy a wine with depth and complexity. DAOU Vineyards provides a picturesque setting to enjoy this wine, located in the beautiful Adelaida District in Paso Robles.
This Chardonnay pairs well with roasted chicken, creamy pasta, and lobster, making it a versatile choice for several different occasions. The winery’s commitment to crafting premium wines is evident in every glass, showcasing the quality and character that Paso Robles is known for.
6. Albariño
Bovino Vineyards Albariño
The Bovino Vineyards Albariño is a bright and lively wine with a delicate apple blossom nose, lemon zest, and apricot on the palate. A long finish lends this wine to pair perfectly with the fare of a leisurely Sunday brunch. Sourced from the El Pomar District, its unique expression of Albariño in Paso Robles is something to savor, offering a taste that’s both fresh and invigorating.
Bodega de Edgar Albariño
Bright saline aromas of ocean air, kefir lime leaf, and wet limestone notes introduce a fresh and zippy wine with lean citrus fruit components that give over to an austere minerality. Crushed chalk, wet slate, and lime pith carry throughout the palate, give it an appetizing and palate-cleansing effect. Bodega de Edgar ferments this wine in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to drive the aromatic profile and keep the wine fresh and light on its feet. At roughly 495 cases, this is one of their larger production wines.
Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery Albariño
Albariño flourishes in a Mediterranean climate, which is exactly what most of Paso Robles exhibits. The Vina Robles Huerhuero Vineyard gets plenty of sunshine and takes advantage of the afternoon cooling from the Templeton Gap to allow this thick-skinned grape to ripen at an even pace. With aromas of pear, peach, lemon, and lime, on the palate, you find citrus flavors, some minerality, and a crisp finish.
This wine is the perfect start to your cheese board party. Some funky cheeses, savory meats, salty crunchies, sweet dried fruits, and an Albariño with friends is a recipe for a perfect afternoon.
No matter what your knowledge or experience with wine is, you are worthy of kicking your feet up and enjoying a glass (or bottle) of wine in Paso Robles wine country.
Great White Wines from Paso Robles
Paso Robles is a wonderful place for wine lovers, especially those who enjoy exploring different types of white wines. The region offers a diverse selection of unique flavors and styles, from crisp Sauvignon Blancs to rich Chardonnays and aromatic blends. Each wine tells a story of the land, climate, and passion of the winemakers. These wines are just a glimpse of the amazing wine offerings available in our amazing home.
Visiting Paso Robles is not just about tasting great wines but also experiencing the beautiful scenery and warm hospitality that make this region so special. Whether you’re enjoying a wine tasting at a local vineyard or savoring a delicious meal paired with a perfect glass of wine, Paso Robles promises an unforgettable experience.
So why wait? Plan your visit to Paso Robles and discover the incredible white wines waiting for you. From the rolling hills to the welcoming tasting rooms, there’s so much to explore and enjoy. Raise a glass and toast to the wonderful world of Paso Robles wines!