Paso Robles Wine Country Guide
June 12, 2022
Paso Robles is a hidden gem, and is yours to uncork, with a unique blend of beautiful landscapes, a laid-back vibe, camaraderie, diversity, and of course, amazing wines.
We are excited to announce our partnership with the world’s top online wine resource, Wine Folly. The Wine Folly Region Guides are a deep dive into the place, the history, and the wines that make each wine region so unique. We invite you to explore.
Explore Paso Robles
Paso Robles (Pass-oh Row-buhlz), meaning Pass of the Oak Trees, has over 60 different grape varieties and almost as many microclimates! This means that you’ll find outstandingly powerful-yet-refreshing red and white wines despite its very warm climate.
Innovation and a strong sense of community amongst the growers and winemakers mean this small close-knit region is a rising star in California and around the world with so much to offer.
From refreshing Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier to outstanding Rhône Blends, and of course elegant yet powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles has it all.
If you’re looking for something new and exciting from California, then Paso Robles is the place to be.
Fun Facts about Paso Robles
- Paso Robles has 11 nested AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), all with different microclimates
- York Mountain AVA, a neighbor of Paso Robles, shares similar soils and climates to some of the AVAs in Western Paso Robles
- Paso Robles is one of the few places in California with Limestone soils
- Paso Robles makes up about 9% of California’s vineyard area
- It has the greatest diurnal temperature swing in California at 35-50℉
- Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for almost 50% of all grapes planted here
- You can also find more obscure grapes like Lagrein, Picpoul, and Blaufränkisch
- 85% of Paso Robles wineries produce less than 8,000 cases
Wines
Paso Robles’ climate is perfect for bold and rich red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, but there’s so much more! Let’s explore the wines worth drinking.
California loves Cabernet, which is why Cabernet Sauvignon represents the largest vineyard area in Paso Robles. All told, you’ll find 60 wine varieties and over 40,000 acres planted–it’s nearly the same size as Napa Valley!
What wine is Paso Robles known for?
Cabernet Sauvignon may be the most planted grape, but you’ll find that people who collect these wines are also fond of Syrah and GSM Blends (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre). For white wines, you cannot miss Viognier.
Cabernet Sauvignon – You’ll be surprised by the bold fruit flavors and intensity of color in a glass of quality Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon.
Syrah – Some of Paso Robles’ highest-rated and most-collected wines include single-varietal Syrah.
GSM Blends – Paso Robles popularized the Rhône-inspired winemaker’s blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre in the United States.
Viognier – Rich, peachy, floral, and citrus notes waft off a glass of Paso Robles Viognier. This region champions this rarer white variety – a chameleon, much like Chardonnay.
Explore The Wines Of Paso Robles Directly From The Producers
Wineries
With a laid-back ethos, beautiful views, and a range of tasting experiences, Paso Robles wineries have something for everyone. Let’s explore them together.
With over 200 wineries and tasting rooms, Paso Robles has a lot to offer. On top of the variety of range and size of wineries, from very boutique to quite large, Paso Robles has a great diversity in landscape.
Whether you want to venture to a winery closer to the coast to feel the marine fog and wind rushing in from the Pacific, or if you want to climb high into the Cholame Hills to the east – you’ll find a carefree environment.
If you want to find amazing wines and have fun in a beautiful but relaxed space, then checking out some of the Paso Robles wineries is a must.
Paso Robles Winery Facts
- There are more than 200 wineries in Paso Robles
- Most wineries produce less than 5,000 cases a year – that’s tiny!
- 90% are run by families who live and work on the vineyard
- Paso Robles makes up about 9% of California’s vineyard area.
Discover Paso Robles Wineries
Terroir
Paso Robles, only 30 miles (50 km) long and 40 miles (65 km) wide, contains most of the world’s climates that are suitable for grapes. It’s possible to grow the cool climate-loving Sauvignon Blanc next to the sun-seeking Zinfandel in the same small region. Let’s find out why!
Situated between Los Angeles and San Francisco, sitting at the same latitude as Crete and Tunisia (35°N), you’d expect this area to be really warm and dry, and you’d be right! In some parts of Paso Robles, we find grapes that love the heat, like Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. But there are also cooler pockets where Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc also thrive.
The terroir in Paso Robles allows this small AVA to produce over 60 different grape varieties.
There are three main factors that contribute to Paso Robles’ terroir:
- Wind and Fog
- Diurnal Range
- Unique Soils
Understand the Special Paso Robles Terroir
History
Originally known for its healing hot springs, Paso Robles is now best known for its world-class wines. From the original Native American stewards of the land to the young vibrant community today, let’s discover the 200 years of winemaking history in Paso Robles.
Delve Into Paso Robles’ Rich History
Paso Robles AVAs
Paso Robles might be one of the best-kept secrets. This small but diverse region has many different microclimates, which means there’s something for everyone!
Paso Robles lies midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It’s in the heartland of the San Luis Obispo Coast District, also known as the SLO Coast. Despite being only 30 miles (50 km) by 40 miles (65 km) in size, this small region contains most of the different grape-growing climates that we see throughout the world. This means that they can grow everything from Pinot Noir to Zinfandel!
Paso Robles Wine AVA Facts
- 41,000 acres (16,500 ha) of vineyards are planted in the region
- 64 different grape varieties are planted in Paso
- There are over 200 wineries throughout the region
- There have been vineyards here since 1882
- Paso Robles AVA was established in 1983
- The most planted grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon
- The 11 sub-districts of Paso Robles were established in 2014
- Though Paso is an inland AVA, one point is only 6 miles from the ocean
- Paso Robles is one of the few places in California with Limestone soils
Learn All About The Paso Robles AVAs
Travel
Planning a wine vacation in Paso Robles? Check out this Paso Robles wine guide exploring the wineries and region to get the most out of your trip.
Located about 200 miles (320 km) from San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles (pronounced “PASS-oh ROH-bulz”) is still an undiscovered wine country.
For the connoisseur, it’s surprising to see this much wine quality in a 15-mile (24 km) radius. And, because so many of the wines get snapped up locally, it’s well worth making the trip.
Driving the 101 Freeway into Paso Robles from Los Angeles is epic. Eight-lane freeways out of LA slink down to 2-lane curving roads lined with California oaks. The 4 hour trip from Los Angeles is highly recommended in a fast car or on a motorcycle.
Paso Robles sits on the Eastern side of the Santa Lucia Mountain range, a low set of hills that stop the dank marine influence. In between these hills, tight valleys lay the scene of a wine region growing rapidly.