Castoro Cellars, which has been making wine in Paso Robles since 1983, was started by husband and wife Niels and Bimmer Udsen. Niels studied Ag Business at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. According to Bimmer, “When Niels graduated he wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to do but the wine industry seemed appealing.” He started working at Paso Robles winery Estrella River Winery, and says Bimmer, “immediately fell in love with the wine business.”

Niels began making his own wine, which he and Bimmer would sell to friends and family. This eventually led to Niels and Bimmer starting Castoro Cellars, which now produces around 30,000 cases annually. Bimmer says of Paso Robles, “Ending up in Paso Robles was truly a blessing as the region has grown immensely since Castoro Cellars began making wines.” Read more here: https://www.slovisitorsguide.com/paso-robles/30-years-of-family-winemaking-at-castoro-cellars

The Central Coast Cactus & Succulent Society will hold its annual show and sale May 27 and 28, 2023 (Memorial Day Weekend). The show features hundreds of cacti and succulents in 70 different classes. Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm, the Society holds an auction of show-quality plants that encourages lively bidding. For more information: http://www.centralcoastcactus.org.

The festival is an annual event held in SLO County. Attendees are transported to the Renaissance era with live entertainment, costumed actors, artisans, and food vendors. The festival features armored combat, live music, falconry, dance, and period comedy shows. 504 Madonna Road SLO, CCRenFaire.com, (805) 550-9177

The concept of Chronic Cellars came about in the midst of harvest in 2004. We had used the term “The Chronic” to describe likable objects before, but we had never considered it a suitable descriptor for wine. We sat alongside the crush pad one evening in our wine stained clothes and wet boots laughing about the idea of a wine that targeted a casual lifestyle.

Jake and I were raised in the heart of Paso Robles wine country. Wine and the art of wine making have been apart of our lives since the early 80’s. After graduating from college we both returned to Paso Robles and joined the team at Peachy Canyon Winery. After a decade each of immersing ourselves in all aspects of the wine industry we decided to do our own project. We wanted to try something new and put the tools we have gathered to work on our dream. We had a vision and a desire to make our statement in the wine industry that we could not deny. After four years we took our first step toward Chronic Cellars.

Claiborne & Churchill is a small, family owned and operated winery, founded in 1983 and located in the heart of the Edna Valley, just outside San Luis Obispo, California. Inspired by the wines of Alsace, we specialize in premium dry wines made from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris grapes, as well as handcrafted Pinot Noir from several nearby vineyards. We also produce small lots of other wines, including a Dry Muscat, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sparkling Brut Rose, and a Port-style wine.

The distinctive tasting room at Clautiere Vineyard is known to wine-lovers everywhere as a Paso Robles destination to relax, let your hair down and have a little fun with the wine-tasting experience. The tasting room has vibrant colors and patterns, winding garden paths, rock circles, metal sculptures, magical mosaic cubes and spheres. Visitors are encouraged to join the fun by selecting a brightly colored wig or hat to wear while experiencing the equally bold and beautiful current release wines. Experience the fun side of Wine. Visit Clautiere for a wine & gourmet cheese pairing plus excellent customer service in a fun atmosphere. The colorful décor and famous “Playroom” has a magical way of bringing out the “Child Heart” in everyone.

Tasting room hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11am-5pm or by appointment

Dairy Creek Golf Course and Event Center is located 10 minutes North of San Luis Obispo. This 9-hole links-style course has the best practice facility in SLO County with a driving range, short game areas, putting greens, and a new Toptracer Range. 2990 Dairy Creek Rd., SLO, dairycreekslo.com, (805) 782-8060

Demeter Family Cellars is a family owned micro winery producing small lots of award winning wines. Listen to music you choose from their collection of over 500 vinyl records. James and Diane will make your visit memorable in their mid-century modern tasting room. 6990 Kingsbury Rd., Templeton, demeterfamilycellars.com, (805) 712-0002

Ray and Pam Derby moved to the Central Coast area in the early 1990’s with the intention of retiring. In 1998, they purchased their first vineyard property, now known as Derbyshire Vineyard and their thoughts of retirement were replaced by the inspiration of being a part of the wine world. In the years following, Ray next acquired the historic Laura’s Vineyard (in east Paso) and then the Westside property, now called the Derby Vineyard. Needless to say, their plans of retirement never came to fruition.

After experiencing nearly a decade as a grape grower, the potential strengths of each property became apparent and in 2008, Ray and Pam launched Derby Wine Estates. They are extremely selective in terms of what goes into the bottle under the Derby label. The commitment to the land is appreciable, with only 20 hand-selected acres being used to provide fruit for their own brand. Grapes from the remainder (some 90%of their total acreage) are sold to some of the finest wine producers in California.

The history behind Donatoni Winery is apparent to any visitor to this Westside Paso Robles winery. Memorabilia and photographs from the owners’ history in the airline industry cover the walls and adorn the tasting bar. And, owners Hank Donatoni and Sandi Baird are happy to elaborate on the story that the tasting room theme tells. Though they are retired now, Hank and Sandi’s connection to the airline business is still strong. Many of their friends were once co-workers, and even members of the aviation community they have never met find their way to Donatoni through their shared histories. Read more about Donatoni Winery here: http://pasoroblesdailynews.com/donatoni-wines-take-flight/1305/

Established in 1991…Dunning Vineyards is family owned and operated. Located on the Westside of Paso Robles in the “Willow Creek” AVA District. We are well known for producing Premium Quality highly rated Estate wines featuring Estate Zinfandel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Meritage, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah and Grenache.

In 1982 the Eberle Winery production facility and tasting room were open for business and in 1994 Gary expanded underground, building the first wine caves in Paso Robles. Now, over 30 years later, Gary Eberle and his wife Marcy still greet guests daily with complimentary wine tastings, public tours of the production facility and 16,000 square feet of underground caves. They also play host to a variety of delicious and entertaining events held at the winery throughout the year.

1122 Cocktail Lounge is a new concept for Paso Robles, a speakeasy cocktail lounge. The lounge is located at 1122 Railroad Street in a mysterious large wooden door only marked with its logo nearby. Press the doorbell and a host will open a small window. If there is room available, they will seat you. If not they will let you know how many groups are in front of you and they will page your cell phone when a table is ready. They are not accepting reservations. The bar has been open to the public since June 8.

The concept was developed by the owners of Fish Gaucho and Pappy MacGregor’s and is located directly behind Pappy’s on the same property lot.

True to a speakeasy, the venue is fairly quiet with good background music. The menu is filled with delicious craft cocktails of all kinds.

Enjoy!

– Scott Brennan, Publisher

Phone: 805-238-4141

Location: 1122 Pine St, Paso Robles, Ca (Directly Behind Pappy McGregors)