Page 106 - SLO Visitors Guide - Summer 2026

106 SUMMER 2026 slovisitorsguide.com
Wine Tasting
SUMMER 2026
MUSIC & FOOD
FRIDAY NIGHT
MUSIC SERIES
525 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles • (805) 238-6300
at Derby Wine Estates • 6-9PM
7/3 Joy Bonner • Del-Licous
7/10 Ultra • Get Yo Fil
7/31 Tennessee Jimmy • Chocos Mexican Grill
8/7 Monte Mills • Central Coast Cuisine BBQ
8/14 Graybill • Central Coast Cuisine Pizza
8/21 Earls of Tuesday • Chocos Mexican Grill
8/28 Joy Bonner • Del-Licous
From villainess to vintner, how Carol
Hoyt became an accidental winemaker
When Carol and Stephen
Hoyt were just married,
a stay at a working vineyard in-
spired them to have a vineyard of
their own. At the time, Carol was
a working model and actress, best
known for her popular character,
the Villainous Divatox, in the
Power Rangers series. Upon start-
ing a family, Carol took a break
from performing, and she and
Stephen moved to Malibu. There
they planted their first vineyard –
Where ‘wine
pairs best with
friends’
Hoyt Family Vineyards awarded ‘Best of Winemakers Dinner’ at the 2026 Best of Central Coast Awards.
in their backyard! Having no idea
of what they were getting them-
selves into, Carol soon discovered
they would have a lot of fruit, and
quickly learned to make her first
wine in their kitchen.
Long gone are the days of
making wine at home.
Carol now makes
wine and grows
all her grapes
in the heart
of Paso
Robles.
Nestled
in the re-
nowned
Willow
Creek
District,
Hoyt
Family
Vineyards is a
gem among local
wineries.
Hoyt Family Vineyards
Ranch is a unique experience.
“We are in the heart of some
of the best wineries, just a hop,
skip, and a jump from nearby
vineyards and tasting rooms. You
can have the experience of going
downtown to their tasting room
or book a vineyard tour right
there on the ranch,” said Carol,
who is the owner and winemaker
of Hoyt Family Vineyards.
The vineyard tour is like Mr.
Toad’s wild ride! Join the host,
and Co-pilot Riley, the winery
dog, on an ATV tour
around the 130
acres, learn-
ing about
viticulture
and what
it takes
to grow
grapes.
You
never
know
what
wildlife
you will en-
counter, from
quail, hawks,
turkey vultures,
owls even bobcats! Along
with feeding goats and picking
farm-fresh eggs, it’s a one-of-a-
kind experience!
“The views around Paso are
pretty spectacular, and we feel
lucky to have some that rival the
best! Truly amazing,” said Carol.