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Tasting Room Hours
Open Sunday-Wednesday 12 – 7:30pm
Thursday- Saturday 12 – 9:30pm
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 Atascadero Historical Society Colony House, 6600 Lewis Ave. behind the city parking lot across the street from the City Administration Building, is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 1 – 4 p.m. Talk to a docent about the history of Atascadero.
They say good fences make good neighbors, but it was a love of wine and winemaking that was the connection between Opolo proprietors Rick Quinn and Dave Nichols.
Their two families have lived side-by-side in Camarillo since 1996. As Nichols remembers, “I knew Rick to say hello to, but that was about it. Then one day, he said to me, ‘Hey Dave, I just planted 10,000 grapevines!’” And so began the evolution of Opolo, one of Paso Robles’ premier labels. Quinn and Nichols have been neighbors in two counties since 1997 when Nichols bought vineyard property adjoining Quinn’s. Together they now own and farm nearly 300 acres of vines on the east and westside of Paso Robles.
Opolo’s estate vineyards were established from 1994-1996, with sites on both the west and east side of Paso Robles. The topographically diverse, coastal landscape of the westside vineyards provides for an intense and unique flavor profile. The heat and dryness of the east side vineyard make it an ideal microclimate for growing Bordeaux varietals. Home to a wide range of varietals, the estate vineyards help allow the team at Opolo to create many unique single varietals as well as award winning blends.
SUSTAINABILITY
At Opolo we believe a strong, cooperative relationship with the land and our environment is crucial. We practice sustainable methods in both the winery and vineyard operations in order to preserve our environment, water and local wildlife. Opolo is a “SIP” Certified operation as well as certified organic by “CCOF” in our 64 acre walnut orchard. We continue to be great stewards of the land and invite you to come to our vineyards and see our operations!
Row Crops
We grow barley between the planting rows in order to hold moisture in place and prevent erosion during the winter rains (when there is rain) and instead of cutting and removing the barley, we simply mow it in place to add beneficial nutrients back to the soil.
Owl Boxes
Owl boxes make great homes for nesting owls, as well as provide a natural rodent and pest control in the vineyard.
Constructed Wetlands
Water is recycled at Opolo through our two-tank wetlands’ system, which uses marine plants to filter the water so it can be reused in the vineyard. The wetlands also provide a habitat for beneficial microorganisms, insects, and birds.
As you drive along Highway 46 on the west side of Paso Robles you can’t miss the impressive stone buildings of Niner Wine Estates. Adjacent to them is a group of old oaks that rest in the depression between two hillsides, forming the shape of a heart. This is the vineyard known as Heart Hill and it was something to do with the heart that begins our story of Niner Wine Estates. Read more here: https://www.slovisitorsguide.com/paso-robles/niner-wine-estates-winemaking-with-heart
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
Stephen Ross was founded on the principles of working with quality vineyards and hand-crafting the best wines possible from the grapes they yield. The winery started small, grew as financial resources allowed, and we stuck to our principles in winemaking and business – great, small production wines, solid business practices, and a nice, engaging place to work for our crew.
In mid-town Cambria the quaint shops include several beautifully curated shops: Cambria Garden Shed, garden and home grown rare and exotic succulents; Lily’s Coffeehouse, refreshments; Ocean Heir, woman’s apparel and greeting cards; Simplistic Home, home décor and gifts; and, Cayucos Cellars Winery. cambriagardenshed.com, (805) 927-7654
More Info: https://www.slovisitorsguide.com/cambria-san-simeon/the-marketplace-at-the-garden-shed
The classically elegant wines you’ll taste at Bianchi Winery and Tasting Room in Paso Robles are the culmination of the dreams of three generations of one California family spanning four decades. The late Joseph Bianchi was an innovator and renaissance man who experimented with wine-in-a-can and wine coolers, well… before they were cool.
Glenn Bianchi held strong to a vision of producing ultra-premium varietal wines that delivered finesse and complexity. The Paso Robles terroir helped him realize that mission when he purchased the 40 acres that you will see on your next visit. State-of-the art winery, fireplace-equipped wine tasting room and the Koi-stocked Lake helped him complete the picture and translate his dream into your experience. Today it is considered one of the best Paso Robles wineries to visit. Read more here: https://www.slovisitorsguide.com/paso-robles/tom-lane-makes-wine-with-character
Nestled in the heart of Edna Valley, overlooking rows of vineyards and a 40-mile stretch of the Santa Lucia mountain range is Autry Cellars. Owner and artisan winemaker Steve Autry and his tasting room staff pour wine varietals, brandy, and grappa borne from some of the best grapes selected from across the region, along with his signature apple brandy.
Autry Cellars’ informal, unpretentious tasting room is, “decorated in early American warehouse” style, jokes Autry. However, don’t be deceived by the modest décor. In this tasting room visitors can experience superb wine varietals ranging from best selling Petite Sirah to Malbec and Viognier. In addition, you can taste gold medal best-in-class grappa and silver medal winning American oak and Hungarian oak brandies, awarded by the California Mid-State Fair.
With over 18 years of winemaking experience, Autry became a commercial winemaker 10 years ago and a fully licensed brandy distiller in 2012. A visit to Autry Cellars is about discovery. He says people who visit his tasting room, “come for the wine and discover the brandy.” At Autry Cellars, visitors gain access to impressive wines and brandies that are available exclusively in the tasting room. Every wine is unique, and each is produced only in small quantities.
Visit Autry Cellars tasting room at 5450 Edna Road in San Luis Obispo; open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call (805) 546-8669 or see autrycellars.com.
Monday – Thursday by appointment
Friday 12 – 5 pm
Saturday 11-5 pm
Sunday 11-4 pm
We are a tiny winery located on a Westside hilltop in Paso Robles. We craft wines that are a fascinating marriage of power and elegance. We take what comes from the vineyard and keep it simple and pure. Our grapes are always encouraged to speak for themselves, and if you treat them with the utmost of care, they will always quietly reveal from where they came. We follow old-world farming and winemaking techniques and our boutique vineyard is purposely geared to produce tiny yields of highly flavoured fruit. We use minimal intervention during the winemaking process, and let the fruit expose its story within the glass.
There are only two of us, and we personally handcraft all of our wines in extremely small lots. Production is low in quantity, and large on quality. Wine is our artistry; one of our greatest creative pleasures. You will discover our attention to detail and exclusive signature within each and every wine; flavours that are deeply intense, velvety rich, and thoroughly elegant. We strive to make the kind of wines that leave an enduring memory on your palate.
We believe that you will find something different about our wines. Something tangible, unique. We think it is because you’ll discover a little bit of love in every glass.
We truly appreciate you – thank you for your enthusiasm for our wines,
~Proprietors Brock & Michelle Waterman
Home of the Baseball Wines. Taste our All Star Line Up.
As a small family owned vineyard and winery, we consider ourselves fortunate to be part of a “New World” of wine exploration. Our passion goes into creating an exceptional vineyard, using intensive growing practices resulting in richly handcrafted wines. Come join us, and taste the complex flavors of Rio Seco wines. We are one of first wineries in the Paso Robles AVA. And one of the few that can boast its own vineyard.
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!
Phone: 805-238-4141
Location: 1122 Pine St, Paso Robles, Ca (Directly Behind Pappy McGregors)
Wild Coyote Winery is famously known as the House-Of-Reds (big, bold, non-filtered) wines. Limited estate grown, dry farmed, and producing; Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Mourvedre, Tannat, Tempranillo, Rose’-of-Syrah, Late Harvest Syrah, and Zinfandel Port.
Wild Coyote Estate Winery is a true wine country retreat, also home to a unique Santa Fe style Bed & Breakfast (B&B) right in the heart of the Paso Robles West-side wine region of Central Coast, California. Also newly added, a guest house vacation rental (House-Of-Zin) for families and larger groups. We can also hold private events, weddings, and corporate functions.
History
Established in 1995
Our philosophy is to be a farmer first, and then a winemaker. As my grandfather used to say “if you grow good grapes, you’ll have good wines”. Since the old days of winemaking is long-gone, and most wines are now mass produced with emphasis on taste and price. We decided to trademark ourselves as “full blooded” meaning we do everything on one site and under our control; from growing the grapes, to harvest, processing, winemaking, storage, and selling, all from our tasting room only.
To us it is all about being small, but be the best at what we do. Even if it means that we focus on our (15) acres Westside Paso Robles grapes, and less than 2,000 cases in total production annually, then so be it. To us, quality is more important than quantity “and up here it’s all about pounds (of grapes) per vine not tons per acre.” https://www.slovisitorsguide.com/paso-robles/true-taste-of-place-at-wild-coyote
A deep and abiding respect for Laetitia’s estate-grown fruit is the mark of Eric Hickey’s winemaking. Beginning his hands-on training in the cellar at the tender age of 16, Eric has lived and breathed Laetitia all the way to the top, where he is now the Head Winemaker and the winery’s President. “I keep it simple,” he says, “and I stay eye-to-eye with Lino because the interplay between us is what determines the wines’ quality. Everything done in the cellar starts with what we do out in the vineyard.” While Eric makes a point of experimenting with small lots each vintage, his style is fundamentally built upon finding balance, finesse, and the essence of the fruit he has come to know for so many years. Read more here: https://www.slovisitorsguide.com/san-luis-obispo/laetitia-vineyards-home-of-diversity
The Rava’s own more than 1,200 acres of premium vineyards that span from the foothills of the Santa Lucia Range in Monterey County to the Rava Estate in the heart of Paso Robles Wine Country. Owner, Chad Rava oversees and manages all vineyard operations, new plantings and harvest decisions. By having a hand in all production processes, the Rava’s are able to focus on terroir driven quality and their signature sparkling wines.
Paso Robles Vineyards
The estate vineyards start with a 505 continuous acre property, located in the El Pomar District, one of 11 sub appellations in the Paso Robles AVA. Once home to an Arabian Horse Ranch, Rava Estate was established in 2016 by Chad and Lauren Rava.
Located adjacent to Rava Winery, the estate vineyard is planted to 15 signature varietals from Italian and French origins. You will find Grenache, Teroldego, Nebbiolo, Negro Amaro, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Calabrese, Tannat and Merlot.
The vineyard features warm daytime temperatures and cool marine breezes late in the day that flow through the Templeton Gap. The soils are a mix of loam, clay and limestone, providing excellent drainage and ideal growing conditions.
HOURS
Open Daily: 11am-5pm
Reservations required for 8+
The Nautical Cowboy offers sustainable seafood and some of the region’s finest cuts of meat. Located inside of the Historic Carlton Hotel in Downtown Atascadero, the Nautical Cowboy is open daily and features live music every Thursday-Saturday. Come enjoy a local fave! (805) 461-5100
The Rotta tasting room and winery is located in the Templeton hills, and features a unique blend of history and modern winemaking technology. One thing that’s definitely staying is the old redwood sign with “Rotta Winery” neatly hand stenciled in white paint. “I painted that sign when I was ten years old,” remembered Giubbini.