Wine Harvest Season in Paso Robles, California
Vintage Tastings, Culinary Treats and Entertainment
Sep 10, 2008
During grape harvest season in Paso Robles, wine producers celebrate the success of the growing season through special events that culminate on the 3rd weekend in October. Members of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance host a festival in the downtown park where wine connoisseurs, amateur tasters, fun-loving grape stompers and musicians congregate. The wineries in the Central Coast region open their doors for sampling and offer educational wine production tours of their facilities.
Paso Robles, about midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, used to be a sleepy agricultural town where almond trees and cattle ranches dominated the hillsides. The Spanish named the area “The Passage through the Oak Trees”, for the gnarly trees that contrast dry brush land. The mature California live oaks still dot the landscape but today, the rolling hillsides are covered with perfectly aligned rows of trellised grapevines. Hot days and cool nights create an ideal arena for Zinfandel, Merlot, Petite Syrah and Cabernet varieties.
Events in Town
A two block park forms the center of the downtown area and is bordered by brick and sandstone buildings dating from the late 1800’s. During festival time, wine tasting booths fill the park. Jazz and country/folk musicians entertain in the wood framed gazebo. In the spirit of the Old World, grape stomping leaves a few spirited visitors with purple feet. Near the park, classy restaurants and casual cafes offer California cuisine. An olive oil tasting room, antique shops and boutiques line the downtown streets.
Directly across from the park, no driving required, sits the historic Paso Robles Inn. Originally built around the city’s hot springs, the Spanish style hotel feels like a rich hacienda. Wood paneling abounds and the adjacent Steak House Restaurant features grass fed Harris Ranch beef.
Wineries off Hwy. 46 East
From town center, Hwy. 46 (the Central Coast winery region’s main thoroughfare) heads east toward Bakersfield. In this direction, a large valley dominates the terrain and several nationally distributed vintners are directly off the highway. During the harvest season, wine paired dinners, barbeques (some feature tri-tip, a local specialty) and gourmet catered snacks add to the festive ambiance. Music choices from opera to folk guitar fill the courtyards. Family owned wineries also open their doors during the festivals and pour samples of limited production varieties.
Wineries off Hwy. 46 West
In the opposite direction, heading west towards Cambria, Hwy. 46 meanders through hillside vineyards where many small, boutique style wineries wait discovery. Hidden among the oak trees and a short drive from town, small production wineries can be found. Some invite guests into a room off their home or into their farmhouse for wine and appetizers. Farther up the road, hilltop estates celebrate the season in elegant style with multi-course catered dinners. The cooler coastal influence in this direction allows success of white varieties, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Voignier. The Wild Coyote B&B at the Manucci Winery (3775 Adelaida Rd.), a Southwest style retreat, offers a tranquil place to regroup after a day of sampling.
Tours and Drivers
The biggest drawback with wine tasting becomes the problem of a designated driver. Grapeline Tours (888-8-Winery) will take tasters in carefree style so that all can participate.
Paso Robles deserves its recent notoriety as a first class wine region. The tasting room doors are open and ready for us to discover new varieties, meet some local California vintners and share in the enjoyment of another successful harvest.
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