85722 Thu May 13 20:47:13 -0700 2004 19 3 California 0 473926 We are planning a wine tasting day in Paso Robles over Memorial Day weekend and would appreciate any and all recommendations for wine tasting, as well as lunch (either sit down or a good place to pick up picnic items). We currently intend to visit Justin and Tablas Creek (which I think are both in northwest part of the region) and would like to add a couple more tasting stops and lunch. How is the restaurant at Justin (for lunch? Although we would prefer other wineries and a restaurant near the places we are already planning to visit, we are certainly willing to drive for something wonderful. Thanks! Thu May 13 20:47:13 -0700 2004 0 Jamie 1 473929 Turley... the most delicious wines Thu May 13 21:07:54 -0700 2004 473926 0 JeniH 1 473930 Linne Calodo (see link below) Small operation, owner/winemaker Matt recently split from a partnership to do his own thing. He's a geologist by training (the winery is named for the type of soil). Stopped by after the first of this year and picked up the last few bottles he had of the outstanding Cherry Red blend. Haven't tried the latest release but looking forward to any excuse to go back. Couple of others in the area, haven't visited but enjoy their wines: Domaine Alfred (Pinot Noir), Garrettson (E of Hwy 101), Laeticia (on Hwy 101 just south of 5 cities area). Peachy Canyon has received some good reviews for their Zins. Link: http://www.linnecalodo.com/ Thu May 13 22:04:07 -0700 2004 473926 0 PolarBear 2 473941 I second the rec. Intensely flavored, powerful reds. In my two trips to the region last summer, this was the place that was most distinctive. I like many of the other wineries there, but too many seem expensive for what you get or just good and not outstanding. Wild Horse and Peachy Canyon are also favs, not as outstanding as Calodo, but priced more reasonably. A person could also pack a lunch--I've heard there's a good deli in Paso--and many of the tasting rooms have picnic tables outside. Fri May 14 12:16:44 -0700 2004 473930 0 e.d. 2 473972 Totally agree re Linne Calodo. One of the three best wineries in the area, IMO. The other two are Garretson and Saxum. Garretson is on 46 east, very good Rhone-varietal wines. Saxum is the winery started by the former partner in Linne Calodo, Justin Smith. He makes his wines at the Garretson facility. Outstanding syrah. Laetitia and Domaine Alfred are both fine, but they're not in Paso--they're located further south, in the Edna Valley/Arroyo Grande area. A good 45--60 minutes south of Paso. If you get down that far, don't miss Talley, the best winery in that area, famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Sun May 16 18:12:58 -0700 2004 473930 0 BTraub 3 473973 Thanks for the ref for Saxum, look forward to trying it. On a recent trip I discovered another one from the Paso Robles area that I'd never heard of and have no idea what part of Paso it is in. Brucher Pinot Noir (NV), found it on the wine list BTG at Pelican Point Restaurant between Pismo and Arroyo Grande. Keeping this food related, the coconut shrimp was as good as Chef Rick's and the dipping sauce/salsa even better, not quite as sweet. The winemaker happened to be sitting at the bar that eve, I asked where I could purchase his wine and was told only there (the restaurant), the winery or a liquor/wine shop in AG, can't recall the name but it's about a mile north of the Grand Ave. exit on the west side of 101. Bought a couple at the wine shop (@ $20, same as the restaurant). Back in Fresno a couple of weeks later found a case at Old Doc's at about half the pricee. Another affordable decent value I think is Robt. Hall's 2001 Rhone du Robles, as before no clue as to where they are located. It's a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Coumoise (not familiar with the latter). Sun May 16 19:40:38 -0700 2004 473972 0 PolarBear 4 474008 Brucher is in Santa Barbara County. I've had their pinot noir before, and it's nice, but there's better in the area. Don't know much about the Robert Hall Winery, but they've got a website, just Google the name. BTW, Cunnoise is a minor player in the blend that makes up Chateauneuf du Pape in France, but it's rarely bottled on it's own, and very little is planted in California. Eberle Winery in Paso makes a nice rose from it. Saxum isn't easy to find, but you might spot a bottle in the area. It's fairly pricey, at $48 a bottle, but worth it IMO. You'll find a lot of the local stuff at The Wine Outlet in Atascadero. It's in a mall on El Camino. Best selection of Central Coast wines in the area. Mon May 17 23:54:00 -0700 2004 473973 0 BTraub 5 474036 Yup, just looked at the label, produced and bottled in Arroyo Grande. Thanks for the insight about Cunnoise and also the Wine Outlet. Up to now I've had to rely mostly on the Albertson's throughout the area for sampling other than winery visits. Tue May 18 20:53:13 -0700 2004 474008 0 PolarBear 1 473933 We found the Paso Robles wineries interesting. Not as plush as Napa, but friendly and enthusiastic people and some good wines. We liked Zenaida, Wild Horse and Clautiere. It is very hot down there, so if you buy wines have something to keep them from roasting. Fri May 14 00:03:03 -0700 2004 473926 0 wally 1 473936 I like Hidden Mountain Ranch and Adelaida wines very much. Justin is good, but WAAAAAY out in the country. If you make it down to San Luis Obispo, make sure to stop by the tiny garage that houses Windemere/Cathy MacGregor wines and taste the Cathy MacGregor line...dang the woman makes some fine Pinot Noir and Zin. Link: http://www.pasowine.com/profile.php?winery=60 Fri May 14 09:56:46 -0700 2004 473926 0 snackish 1 473937 If you are in the area of Justin, be sure to visit Carmody-McKnight nearby. Along Vineyard Ave, south from Justin is Opolo for great Zins and Dover Canyon. BE AWARE!! This is the weekend of the largest bicycle event in California at the Fair Grounds and the Kustom Car Show in the Park. Fri May 14 10:24:02 -0700 2004 473926 0 Bruce in SLO 1 473939 We just went through this area on Monday to pick up some wine at EOS. We are in their wine club. First of all let me say that this area is a wonderful wine tasting region. At first I was apprehensive about hearing that Paso was "the next Napa" but this region produces some wonderful wine. Here are my favorites: 1. Meridian: this winery is gorgeous with a beautiful tasting room and picnic grounds. I know I have found their wines at Ralph's, but they make a very nice Sauvignon Blanc here that I recently had up at the Sierra House in Shaver Lake, CA. 2. Martin & Weyrich: another gorgeous tasting room and gift shop and a very nice Nebiollo here. They also have the famou Villa Toscana here that has been featured in many wine publications recently. 3. Peachy Canyon: a charming little white house and killer Zins. Incredible Red is wonderful and can also be found at Trader Joe's. Their siganture red, Old Schoolhouse is excellent and the pourer will tell you all about how it is made if you want to know. 4. EOS: My favorte in the region. If you love sweet wines, this is THE place for you. Wonderful muscat cannalli, moscato, etc. Beautiful grounds and very informative pourers. The Sauvignon Blanc is my all time favorite. Featured in Wine Enthusiast this month. We are in their Wine Club, it's been a lot of fun. 5. Mastant....... can't remember how to spell the whole name, produces some very good Zin and has a nice tasting room also. They distribute up in Huntington Lake where we have a condo so it's been fun seeing their ones up there. 6. Iron Horse, Eberle, many others which we haven't even tried, but here's a good start for you! Cheers! ***kim*** Fri May 14 11:30:43 -0700 2004 473926 0 kim c 2 473947 Iron Horse is near Sebastopol in Sonoma county, at laest 5 hours from Paso... Fri May 14 14:30:01 -0700 2004 473939 0 Tom Hall 3 473951 Make that Wild Horse, not Iron Horse. www.wildhorse.com for the Paso place. ***kim*** Fri May 14 19:19:12 -0700 2004 473947 0 kim c 1 473942 Justin and Tablas Creek are in an area called "far out" wineries. They are both very nice and are worth a visit. I enjoy having lunch at Justin-be sure and call ahead for a reservation. You can find out more about the wineries in the immediate area at www.faroutwineries.com. A couple of others I like in the immediate area are Le Cuvier and Carmody McKnight. Fri May 14 12:23:57 -0700 2004 473926 0 sgbslo 1 473948 Check the link. It has an excellent map to show where the wineries are. Link: http://www.pasowine.com/index.php Fri May 14 14:31:35 -0700 2004 473926 0 Tom Hall 1 473953 One I don't think I saw mentioned is Garretson. It's in an industrial park with a view of a highway, so not a place if you want to take a pretty photo. But they've got a wide selection of interesting Rhone style wines. Nice people. Turley's a good rec if you're into Big Ass red wines and are willing to pay about $10 to taste them. Wild Horse pours a lot of wines, most of which are mediocre. However, it is still worth visiting as there are usually at least a couple of wines that are good and likely of styles and/or grapes that you won't find elsewhere. Last time I was there, I found a very interesting and good Blaufrankish (an Austrian red grape). -Nick Fri May 14 20:26:36 -0700 2004 473926 0 nja 1 473955 If you're really interested in Paso Robles wine, you should be here tomorrow (Saturday) for the wine festival! You can try all the wines mentioned plus more all in the downtown park--no extra driving involved! Fri May 14 23:03:50 -0700 2004 473926 0 Mariko 2 473995 If you attended the Paso Robles Festival, please let us know what you thought! We spent Saturday at the Santa Barbara Vintners' Association Festival, which was unfortunately scheduled the same day as Paso Robles. I'll post my thoughts on that event separately. Mon May 17 17:07:17 -0700 2004 473955 0 Jamie 1 473992 Thanks to all for the great responses! The information about other events that will cause traffic snarls that weekend was a real bonus and we are making our plans with that in mind. The current plan is to visit Justin (for lunch and the Wine Club members tour), Tablas Creek, Linne Caldo and Turley, time permitting. I will certainly report back. Mon May 17 16:59:05 -0700 2004 473926 0 Jamie