“Free spirited and unpretentious with the sense of hometown and formality, you have found yourself in the paradise that is Paso Robles, California. It is a place that is alive with boundless activities, creativity, and itineraries for everyone who makes the trip. If you love wine, then you will undoubtedly fall in love with formidable flavors of Paso Robles during your Taste Wine Guides Experience. Paso is known for great wine and exhilarating activities, without the Napa crowds. With innovative dining and open roads, you can see, do, explore and discover endless Pasobilities. This is a unique wine region blessed with optimal growing conditions for producing premium and ultra premium wine. More than 60 wine grape varieties are grown in Paso Robles, ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne to Zinfandel, the area's most prominent wine variety. During a visit to Paso Robles wine country, you'll be blown away by award winning wines, a quaint historic downtown, delicious restaurants and breathtaking views. Every direction you look, there's something to please every palate. At 200 plus wineries, this wine country is a land of diversity and contrast that encompasses river bottoms to rolling hills and flatlands to mountains. Since the 18th century, wine has been a part of this region's rich history. It began with the Spanish Franciscan monks. Today, a new generation of skilled winemakers have made these soils their own canvas. It's time to connect to the old world. It's time to share the love of the craft. It's time to taste.”
Cass Winery
J Dusi Wines
Lone Madrone
Rava Wines
Sarzotti Winery
Sculpterra Winery
Tablas Creek Vineyard
Whalebone Vineyard
Sirena Vineyard Resort
Windward Vineyard
Tour Intro
“Free spirited and unpretentious with the sense of hometown and formality, you have found yourself in the paradise that is Paso Robles, California. It is a place that is alive with boundless activities, creativity, and itineraries for everyone who makes the trip. If you love wine, then you will undoubtedly fall in love with formidable flavors of Paso Robles during your Taste Wine Guides Experience. Paso is known for great wine and exhilarating activities, without the Napa crowds. With innovative dining and open roads, you can see, do, explore and discover endless Pasobilities. This is a unique wine region blessed with optimal growing conditions for producing premium and ultra premium wine. More than 60 wine grape varieties are grown in Paso Robles, ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne to Zinfandel, the area's most prominent wine variety. During a visit to Paso Robles wine country, you'll be blown away by award winning wines, a quaint historic downtown, delicious restaurants and breathtaking views. Every direction you look, there's something to please every palate. At 200 plus wineries, this wine country is a land of diversity and contrast that encompasses river bottoms to rolling hills and flatlands to mountains. Since the 18th century, wine has been a part of this region's rich history. It began with the Spanish Franciscan monks. Today, a new generation of skilled winemakers have made these soils their own canvas. It's time to connect to the old world. It's time to share the love of the craft. It's time to taste.”
San Luis Obispo
“You are now entering San Luis Obispo, a city that was founded by Spanish explorers in 1772, when Saint Junípero Serra established Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. How did they find this area you might ask? A party of Spanish missionaries on their way to Santa Cruz got lost on the Central Coast in the Alta-California exploration period. When they located the perfect spot along what is now known as San Luis Creek, one of the town's most important cultural hotspots, they built the first establishments.The town grew steadily through the Mexican period before a rapid expansion of San Luis Obispo, following the American Conquest of California. The earliest human inhabitants of the local area, however, were the Chumash people. One of the earliest villages lies south of San Luis Obispo and reflects the landscape of the early Holocene when estuaries came further inland. The Chumash people used the marine resources of the inlets and bays along the Central Coast and inhabited a network of villages, including sites at Los Osos and Morro Creek. The tribal site on present-day San Luis Obispo was named tiłhini, Obispeño for "Place of the full moon". Despite its reputation as a secure and crime-free city, San Luis Obispo has not always been such. San Luis Obispo had a poor image as a lawless town during the days of stagecoach robbers and cowboys. It was known as "Barrio del Tigre," or "Tiger Town" in the early 1800s. Robberies and murders, that left no witnesses, were carried out along the El Camino Real and around San Luis Obispo for several years. Finally a gang of eight men committed a robbery with three murders and a kidnapping at the Rancho San Juan Capistrano del Camote in May 1858, that uncharacteristically left two witnesses alive. This brought about the formation of a vigilance committee in the County which led to the killing of the suspected leader of the gang, Pio Linares.”
Santa Lucia Wilderness
“Off to your right and inland from Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo lies the majestic Santa Lucia Wilderness, Containing Chaparral-covered peaks that rise above stream-fed lowlands dotted with oaks and luxuriant greenery. The Santa Lucia Mountains, or Santa Lucia Range, is a rugged mountain range just off to your right, running from Carmel, southeast for 140 miles to the Cuyama River in San Luis Obispo County. The range is never more than 11 miles from the coast. The range forms the steepest coastal slope in the contiguous United States. Cone Peak at 5,158 feet tall and three miles from the coast, is the highest peak in proximity to the ocean in the lower 48 United States. The first European to document the Santa Lucias was Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542 while sailing northward along the coast on a Spanish naval expedition. Cabrillo originally named the southern portion of the range the Sierras de San Martín, as he was passing the area on November 11, the feast day for Saint Martin. He named the northern part Sierras Nevadas because of its abundance of snow capped peaks. The present name for the range was documented in 1602 by Sebastián Vizcaíno, who had been tasked by the Spanish to complete a detailed chart of the coast. Passing by the range around December 14, he named the range Sierra de Santa Lucia in honor of Saint Lucy of Syracuse, for whom many Christians celebrate a feast day on December 13. The first European land exploration of Alta California, was the Spanish Portolá expedition, who camped on the coast near Ragged Point in present-day San Luis Obispo County on September 13, 1769. The expedition was forced to bypass the inaccessible coast and travel inland through the San Antonio Valley. The rough trail required much improvement by the scouts, and it was September 24 before the party emerged from the mountains at the San Antonio River near today's settlement of Jolon. They traveled north through the Salinas Valley before arriving at Monterey Bay, where they founded Monterey and named it their capital.”
Atascadero
“You are now entering the town Atascadero. The town of Atascadero has the appearance and atmosphere of a sprawling rural area with a great deal of open space. The Spanish word atascadero loosely means "bog" or "mire", from the verb atascar, which means "to become stuck or hindered". On the other hand, in the Obispeño language, the site was named tsɨskikiye, which translates into a "place of much water". The area was originally home to the Chumash and Salinan Native Americans. In the half century between 1769 and 1823, the Spanish Franciscans established 21 missions along the California coast, including the nearby Mission San Miguel Arcángel, and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain, and California became the Mexican province of Nueva California (later Alta California). Edward Gardner Lewis, a magazine publisher from the East, founded Atascadero in 1913 as a utopian, planned colony. He had previously created such a community in University City, Missouri. After purchasing the Atascadero Ranch in 1912, Lewis put together a group of investors, paid J.H. Henry $37.50 per acre, and celebrated acquisition of the ranch on July 4, 1913. As investors came to homestead the land that they had bought with their down payments, the area was transformed into a "tent city", with tents situated on land now occupied by Century Plaza and Bank of America. Lewis employed the services of experts in agriculture, engineering and city planning to develop his dream colony for the anticipated 30,000 residents. In 1914 the land was surveyed and subdivided. Beginning with the 1914 deed, sale of all land in Atascadero was restricted to only whites. Thousands of acres of orchards were planted, a water system was installed, and construction began on 18mi road (now Highway 41 west) through the Santa Lucia Mountains to Morro Bay, where Lewis built cottages and a beachfront hotel named The Cloisters.”
Lake Nacimiento
“The initial purpose of Lake Nacimiento was to provide water for agriculture, as well as for flood control and recreational purposes. The construction of the Nacimiento Dam started in 1955, and it was finished and filled with water in 1958, at which point the lake was created. Lake Nacimiento also produces power from a turbine at the base of the dam. Lake Nacimiento also has a low fish population due to the high levels of mercury present in the lake. The runoff from the closed Klau and Buena Vista Mercury Mines, south of the lake are the reason for such high levels. Only a few fishermen manage to catch fish. Consumption of bass, crappies, carps, and catfish from the lake is dangerous, but bluegill and sucker fish may be eaten once per week safely. The lake is unique among California reservoirs in that it contains, among other species, introduced white bass, which thrive in the lake and spawn in the river and inflowing creeks in spring. In fact, the world fly fishing record for a white bass was broken in 1981 at Lake Nacimiento. The fish was caught by Cory Wells, a member of Three Dog Night. The record stood for over 27 years. Because of the unusual configuration of its rivers, coves, and meandering tributaries, Lake Nacimiento is sometimes referred to as "The Dragon." When you examine a map of the lake or an aerial photograph of the area, it will become immediately apparent how the lake received its name. The waterways have nearly 5,000 surface acres, 165 miles of coastline, and hundreds of inlets and bays that may be explored. As a result, there are many opportunities to discover secluded nooks and crannies in which to have a relaxing day.”
Paso Robles Wine History
“Lets dig into some history of the wine region in which you will spend most of your day, El Paso de Roblas, which literally translates to "The Pass of the Oaks,". The name of the town, which had previously been known as "Roblas," was changed formally to "Robles" on November 29, 1889. In the year 1787, wine grapes were first brought to the region around Paso Robles by Spanish conquistadors and Franciscan missionaries. Additionally, the priests who served at the Mission San Miguel were the pioneers of winemaking in the region. Winemaking on a commercial scale did not begin in this part of the world until the year 1882. Originally named the Ascension Winery, the establishment that is now known as York Mountain Winery was founded by Andrew York, an early pioneer from Indiana. The Paso Robles AVA is still acknowledged for its heritage grape, Zinfandel, but has gained recognition from a wider range of grape varietals as well. In the 1950s and 1960s, growers began to plant Bordeaux varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, in the area. Starting in the 1980s, there have been increased plantings of many Rhône varieties, including the first Syrah planted in California, as well as Viognier and Roussanne to name a few.The emerging popularity of the region's wines led it to become the first site of the bi-annual "Hospice du Rhône" conference on Rhône style wine. Today, Paso Robles Wine Country is receiving attention for its unique Paso blends. These wines are unique to the area, and with varietal make-ups that do not follow traditional rules and expectations of winemaking. The Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, now known as Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend, is a festival focused on the Paso Robles area's heritage grape, Zinfandel. This event is held by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, a non-profit cooperative marketing alliance.”
San Miguel
“You will shortly be passing the quaint town of San Miguel. The Spanish founded the settlement at San Miguel on July 25th 1797, when Fermín Lasuén established the Mission San Miguel Arcángel, under the authority of the Franciscan Order. The site of the mission was specifically chosen due to its proximity to the large number of Salinan villages in the area. The interior of the mission church features murals executed under the direction of the famed artist Esteban Munrás in the 1820s.The mission's location between Mission San Luis Obispo and Mission San Antonio de Padua provided a stop on the trip that had previously taken two days. In 1803, the mission reported an Indian population of 908, while its lands grazed 809 cattle, 3,223 sheep, 342 horses and 29 mules. That year's harvest included about 2,186 fanegas of wheat and corn (A fanega was about 220 pounds or 100 kilograms). Most of the mission burned, while still being developed, in 1806. It was then rebuilt within a year.The Rios-Caledonia Adobe was built in 1835 just south of Mission San Miguel as a home for the overseer of mission lands.On July 15, 1836, following the Mexican secularization of the missions, Mission San Miguel Arcángel was acquired by Ygnacio Coronel, a noted Californio ranchero and politician.In 1846, Governor Pío Pico sold Mission San Miguel Arcángel for $600 to Petronilo Ríos and William Reed. Reed used the Mission as a family residence and a store. In 1848, Reed and his family were murdered, leaving the Mission vacant for a period of time. The Mission was a stopping place for miners coming from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and, consequently, was used as a saloon, dance hall, storeroom and living quarters.In 1859, President James Buchanan returned the mission to the Catholic Church. In 1878, after 38 years without a resident priest, Padre Philip Farrelly became the first pastor of Mission San Miguel Arcángel since the secularization. In 1928, Mission San Miguel Arcángel and Mission San Antonio de Padua were both returned to the Franciscan Order, which led to their restorations and repairs.The 2003 San Simeon earthquake caused severe damage to the sanctuary at Mission San Miguel. The Catholic Church considered closing the parish due to the extensive damage and the estimated $15 million cost of repair; however, the work has since been completed and the mission has since reopened.”
Williams Hill Recreation Area
“If you look off to your right hand side you will see The Williams Hill Recreation Area. The Williams Hill Recreation Area is near the very end of Monterey county's southernmost tip. This parcel of land owned by the Bureau of Land Management is found in the Salinas Valley. It extends to an elevation of more than 2700 feet and has both rolling hills and mountainous terrain. Visitors will be able to take in breathtaking vistas of the Salinas Valley and its surroundings. Within its wooded surroundings, the Williams Hill Campground provides overnight parking for RVs ranging in size from compact to quite spacious. Pfeiffer Big-Sur State Park, located to the west of the BLM Williams Hill Recreation Area, Pinnacles National Park, located to the north, and Los Padres National Forest, located to the south, all provide a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation. There are also three main types of hunting available in Williams Hill Recreational area, including upland game bird, small game, and big game like deer and wild pigs. Varmint (non-game) hunting is also allowed. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates the hunting seasons for different species and the types of firearms allowed for use. Please be aware that this region is home to the California Condor, an endangered species with only around 500 left in existence. If you do spot a California Condor, be sure to take in the moment, as you may never get the chance to do so again.”
Salinas River
“Off to your left hand side you may be wondering what that river you’ve been driving along is? That river is the Salinas River. The historic increase in agriculture and settlement in the area, and the related increased water consumption demands have had a significant impact on the Salinas River. The river now typically remains dry and / or without flow for the majority of the year, and downstream (north) of King City remained fully dry or with zero flow during the years 2013–2016. During the Spanish / Mexican / Mission period, the river was named El Rio de Monterey. When first encountered by the Spanish Portola Expedition on 27 September 1769, the members of the expedition at first suspected that they had found the Carmel River, which had been discovered earlier by Vizcaíno. One of the party members, Father Crespi, then proposed that the Salinas river might be a different river, and that it should therefore be given a new name, however he appears to have been overruled by the other members of his party at the time. The first agreed upon name for the river, as it subsequently appeared on many Spanish and Mexican maps, was Rio de Monterey, presumably being named after the newly founded nearby town of Monterey, the capital of Alta California. The earliest recorded use of this name for the river was a reference made by Pedro Font on 4 March 1776. This name continued in use as late as 1850. After the American annexation of the area, it was renamed the Salinas River. The river was apparently renamed the "Salinas" river by an American cartographer in 1858, ten years after the 1848 American seizure of Alta California from Mexico. In 1858 the newer name "Salinas" first appeared on an American-made map as the Rio Salinas, most probably so renamed after the nearby American-founded town of Salinas, which in turn appears to have first been named in 1854 after the old Rancho Las Salinas land grant, parts of which included the city.Want to know a fun fact about the Salinas River?The Salinas River, known fondly as the “upside down river,” is the longest underground river in the country, flowing both above and below ground for about 175 miles from its headwaters in the Los Padres National Forest to the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.”
Field of Lights
“Here is a cool sight to see if you’re staying in the area. At 4380 Highway 46 East there is a remarkable creation where you can find the Field of Lights display. The convergence of art, technology, and the natural world has produced a breathtaking entertainment destination that is situated in the middle of Paso Robles wine country. An internationally renowned British artist named Bruce Munro was the visionary of Sensorio. He wanted to design a sensory experience that went beyond the realm of visual art and provided tourists with amusing, orchestral, and physical entertainment as well. He envisioned an art display that would make the natural topography of the area shine by using nothing but lights and the terrain itself, and shortly after, he was able to make his vision a reality with the creation of Sensorio. In 2019, Munro was the one to release Sensorio, and its debut title was The Field of Lights. This 15-acre light exhibit that visitors may stroll through, illuminates the scenic look of the surrounding countryside on a huge scale. It is spread out over the undulating hills of Paso. This is Munro's biggest installation to date, and it is completely powered by solar energy. It consists of more than 58,800 stemmed spheres that are illuminated by fiber optics.”
James Dean Memorial Junction
"The "curse" of James Dean's car, the "Little Bastard", has become part of America's cultural mythology. Before the car had been involved in any crash, the curse may have already started. In his 1985 autobiography, Blessings in Disguise, British actor Sir Alec Guinness relates that on his first night in L.A, on Friday, September 23, 1955, after leaving a restaurant with no table available and setting out to look elsewhere, he and his friend Thelma Moss met James Dean, the famous Hollywood actor, who invited them to dine with him at his table at the place they had just left, and showed them his Red Porsche, with Dean saying "It's just been delivered". A hungry and exhausted Guinness then warned Dean to never go into the car: "Please, never get in it. It is now ten o'clock, Friday the 23rd of September, 1955. If you get in that car you will be found dead in it by this time next week." The following Friday, his prediction would come true. James Dean was killed in a tragic vehicle accident on the same spot that is now Highway 46 on September 30th, 1955. A sculpture constructed of concrete and stainless steel that is encircling a tree can be seen only a short distance away from the accident site. It can be found outside of the "post office" in Cholame and the Jack Ranch Cafe. The car “the Little Bastard” was produced in Japan in 1977, and Seita Ohnishi was responsible for the whole of the production. In September of 2005, the location of the actual accident site, which is at the crossroads of Highways 41 and 46, was officially designated as the James Dean Memorial Highway. The Blackwells Corner General Store, also known as James Dean's Last Stop, can be found farther east on Route 46, near to the tiny village of Lost Hills, at the junction of the highway with Highway 33. It is said that James Dean bought himself an apple and a Coca-Cola when he was last there.
Arroyo Grande
“You are now about to pass a town rich with history, Arroyo Grande. Francis Ziba Branch, originally from New York, saw this area, Arroyo Grande, on a hunting expedition during the period when California was apart of Mexico. Branch married María Manuela Carlón. This marriage entitled Branch to file a claim for a Mexican land grant. In 1836 he, his wife, and baby moved onto Rancho Santa Manuela. They were managing a successful cattle ranching operation when California became a U.S. territory, and then a U.S. state. But some years later they suffered financial difficulties during a drought. Many cattle died. They were then forced to sell off smaller parcels of land to settlers.In 1862, the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors established the township of Arroyo Grande. Businesses developed along a road called Branch Street to serve local agriculture. A railroad depot was built in 1882. The city of Arroyo Grande was incorporated on July 10, 1911.Arroyo Grande experienced rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s, partially due to the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, under an EPA Clean Water Grant, that removed a growth constraint. This federal grant program required preparation of an Environmental Impact Report, which provided much of the initial environmental database for Arroyo Grande. Arroyo Grande is located in a coastal ecosystem within the California floristic province, and the native habitats include coast live oak woodland, central coastal scrub, willow and mixed riparian along Arroyo Grande Creek and numerous tributaries, native bunch-grass grassland, coastal prairie, dunes and intertidal zone, and non-native and agricultural areas.It is one of the cities on the Central Coast known as the "Five Cities". Currently, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano, Pismo Beach, and Shell Beach are generally considered to make up the "Five Cities". However, the following cities are the original Five Cities: Grover Beach, previously known as Grover City, Fair Oaks (later absorbed by Arroyo Grande), Arroyo Grande, Oceano, and Halcyon.”
Tour Intro
“Free spirited and unpretentious with the sense of hometown and formality, you have found yourself in the paradise that is Paso Robles, California. It is a place that is alive with boundless activities, creativity, and itineraries for everyone who makes the trip. If you love wine, then you will undoubtedly fall in love with formidable flavors of Paso Robles during your Taste Wine Guides Experience. Paso is known for great wine and exhilarating activities, without the Napa crowds. With innovative dining and open roads, you can see, do, explore and discover endless Pasobilities. This is a unique wine region blessed with optimal growing conditions for producing premium and ultra premium wine. More than 60 wine grape varieties are grown in Paso Robles, ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne to Zinfandel, the area's most prominent wine variety. During a visit to Paso Robles wine country, you'll be blown away by award winning wines, a quaint historic downtown, delicious restaurants and breathtaking views. Every direction you look, there's something to please every palate. At 200 plus wineries, this wine country is a land of diversity and contrast that encompasses river bottoms to rolling hills and flatlands to mountains. Since the 18th century, wine has been a part of this region's rich history. It began with the Spanish Franciscan monks. Today, a new generation of skilled winemakers have made these soils their own canvas. It's time to connect to the old world. It's time to share the love of the craft. It's time to taste.”
Paso Robles Wine History
“Lets dig into some history of the wine region in which you will spend most of your day, El Paso de Roblas, which literally translates to "The Pass of the Oaks,". The name of the town, which had previously been known as "Roblas," was changed formally to "Robles" on November 29, 1889. In the year 1787, wine grapes were first brought to the region around Paso Robles by Spanish conquistadors and Franciscan missionaries. Additionally, the priests who served at the Mission San Miguel were the pioneers of winemaking in the region. Winemaking on a commercial scale did not begin in this part of the world until the year 1882. Originally named the Ascension Winery, the establishment that is now known as York Mountain Winery was founded by Andrew York, an early pioneer from Indiana. The Paso Robles AVA is still acknowledged for its heritage grape, Zinfandel, but has gained recognition from a wider range of grape varietals as well. In the 1950s and 1960s, growers began to plant Bordeaux varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, in the area. Starting in the 1980s, there have been increased plantings of many Rhône varieties, including the first Syrah planted in California, as well as Viognier and Roussanne to name a few.The emerging popularity of the region's wines led it to become the first site of the bi-annual "Hospice du Rhône" conference on Rhône style wine. Today, Paso Robles Wine Country is receiving attention for its unique Paso blends. These wines are unique to the area, and with varietal make-ups that do not follow traditional rules and expectations of winemaking. The Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, now known as Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend, is a festival focused on the Paso Robles area's heritage grape, Zinfandel. This event is held by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, a non-profit cooperative marketing alliance.”
Paso Robles Wine History
“Lets dig into some history of the wine region in which you will spend most of your day, El Paso de Roblas, which literally translates to "The Pass of the Oaks,". The name of the town, which had previously been known as "Roblas," was changed formally to "Robles" on November 29, 1889. In the year 1787, wine grapes were first brought to the region around Paso Robles by Spanish conquistadors and Franciscan missionaries. Additionally, the priests who served at the Mission San Miguel were the pioneers of winemaking in the region. Winemaking on a commercial scale did not begin in this part of the world until the year 1882. Originally named the Ascension Winery, the establishment that is now known as York Mountain Winery was founded by Andrew York, an early pioneer from Indiana. The Paso Robles AVA is still acknowledged for its heritage grape, Zinfandel, but has gained recognition from a wider range of grape varietals as well. In the 1950s and 1960s, growers began to plant Bordeaux varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, in the area. Starting in the 1980s, there have been increased plantings of many Rhône varieties, including the first Syrah planted in California, as well as Viognier and Roussanne to name a few.The emerging popularity of the region's wines led it to become the first site of the bi-annual "Hospice du Rhône" conference on Rhône style wine. Today, Paso Robles Wine Country is receiving attention for its unique Paso blends. These wines are unique to the area, and with varietal make-ups that do not follow traditional rules and expectations of winemaking. The Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, now known as Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend, is a festival focused on the Paso Robles area's heritage grape, Zinfandel. This event is held by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, a non-profit cooperative marketing alliance.”
Terroir Term
It's impossible to go wine tasting without talking about the word terroir. Terroir is comprised of four components climate, soil, terrain and tradition, starting with climate. Wine regions can basically be divided into cool climates and warm climates. Wine grapes from warmer climates will generate higher sugar levels which produce higher alcohol wines, whereas cooler climate wine grapes generally have lower sugar levels and retain more acidity. The second component of terroir is soil. There are hundreds of types of soil, rocks and mineral deposits in the world's vineyards. Most vineyards can be sorted into about five or six different types of soils that can affect the flavor of the wine. It's almost as though some types of soil acts like a teabag from water as it passes through the vines. The third component is terrain. Believe it or not, altitude is an increasingly important focus for quality vineyards. Besides elevation, things like geological features, mountains, valleys being located far inland, other flora plants, microbes and trees and large bodies of water all affect how in particular region tastes. Lastly, tradition traditional winemaking and vineyard growing techniques can contribute to a wine's terroir. Even though tradition has a human interaction, ancient winemaking methods tend to be highly dependent on the region's climates, soil and terrain.
Terroir Term
It's impossible to go wine tasting without talking about the word terroir. Terroir is comprised of four components climate, soil, terrain and tradition, starting with climate. Wine regions can basically be divided into cool climates and warm climates. Wine grapes from warmer climates will generate higher sugar levels which produce higher alcohol wines, whereas cooler climate wine grapes generally have lower sugar levels and retain more acidity. The second component of terroir is soil. There are hundreds of types of soil, rocks and mineral deposits in the world's vineyards. Most vineyards can be sorted into about five or six different types of soils that can affect the flavor of the wine. It's almost as though some types of soil acts like a teabag from water as it passes through the vines. The third component is terrain. Believe it or not, altitude is an increasingly important focus for quality vineyards. Besides elevation, things like geological features, mountains, valleys being located far inland, other flora plants, microbes and trees and large bodies of water all affect how in particular region tastes. Lastly, tradition traditional winemaking and vineyard growing techniques can contribute to a wine's terroir. Even though tradition has a human interaction, ancient winemaking methods tend to be highly dependent on the region's climates, soil and terrain.
Tasting Room Tips
Here's some tasting room etiquette and tips as you make your way to the next stop. First, be sure to remove any gum as this will ruin the flavor of the wine. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated throughout the day.Know that visitors arrive in waves so having to wait for service will be normal, especially on weekends when it is your turn for service. Feel free to ask your tasting room, associate any questions. You'll notice that in most wineries there will be a set list of the selection they will be pouring today. Taste through all of them and don't go out of order and skip. The staff has worked hard to put that list together, so enjoy the session the way it was intended. In between pours, eat some crackers to help your palate adjust to new flavors. Many, but not all, wineries provide complimentary crackers. It's not recommended to smoke or vape as it can negatively alter the flavor of the wine. But if you do, be sure to keep it in designated areas. Finally, don't pack too much into the day. We, along with most people in the industry, agree that 3 to 4 wineries in one day is the most you should try and visit. We don't recommend doing more than that.
Tasting Room Tips
Here's some tasting room etiquette and tips as you make your way to the next stop. First, be sure to remove any gum as this will ruin the flavor of the wine. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated throughout the day.Know that visitors arrive in waves so having to wait for service will be normal, especially on weekends when it is your turn for service. Feel free to ask your tasting room, associate any questions. You'll notice that in most wineries there will be a set list of the selection they will be pouring today. Taste through all of them and don't go out of order and skip. The staff has worked hard to put that list together, so enjoy the session the way it was intended. In between pours, eat some crackers to help your palate adjust to new flavors. Many, but not all, wineries provide complimentary crackers. It's not recommended to smoke or vape as it can negatively alter the flavor of the wine. But if you do, be sure to keep it in designated areas. Finally, don't pack too much into the day. We, along with most people in the industry, agree that 3 to 4 wineries in one day is the most you should try and visit. We don't recommend doing more than that.
Tasting Room Tips
Here's some tasting room etiquette and tips as you make your way to the next stop. First, be sure to remove any gum as this will ruin the flavor of the wine. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated throughout the day.Know that visitors arrive in waves so having to wait for service will be normal, especially on weekends when it is your turn for service. Feel free to ask your tasting room, associate any questions. You'll notice that in most wineries there will be a set list of the selection they will be pouring today. Taste through all of them and don't go out of order and skip. The staff has worked hard to put that list together, so enjoy the session the way it was intended. In between pours, eat some crackers to help your palate adjust to new flavors. Many, but not all, wineries provide complimentary crackers. It's not recommended to smoke or vape as it can negatively alter the flavor of the wine. But if you do, be sure to keep it in designated areas. Finally, don't pack too much into the day. We, along with most people in the industry, agree that 3 to 4 wineries in one day is the most you should try and visit. We don't recommend doing more than that.
Wine Basics
Whether you're brand new to wine or a seasoned pro, it's always good to brush up on terminology in the wine world. Wine grapes take an entire season to ripen, and thus wine is produced just once a year. This is where the term vintage comes from. Vintage stands for winemaking, and age implies the year it was made. So when you see a vintage year listed on the label, that's the year the grapes were picked and made into wine. If there's no vintage, it's referred to as non vintage and can include wine grapes that are blended together from different years. The harvest season in the NorthernHemisphere, i.e. the United States and Europe, is from August to September. It's important to note that during this time, wineries are especially busy.
Press Crush
Today, most wineries use a pneumatic press to crush their grapes. These presses contain a large plastic balloon that gradually inflates to break gently. The grape skins juice slowly drains, a.k.a. beneath the press, which rotates to get every drop of juice out. Over the course of several hours, the press turns and inflates again and again, steadily removing every drop of juice and leaving winemakers with a pile of dry skins and seeds.
Left on Union Rd.
Left on Geneseo Rd. Directional
Right on to Linne Rd. into Cass Winery parking lot
Off Route-Turn around and head towards Rava Wines
Continue on Geneseo Rd. for 2 miles
Turn right on to Creston Rd.
Turn Left on to Showdown Way
Off Route - Past Union Rd.
Off Route- Past Creston Rd.
Leaving Rava Wines - Turn left on to Creston Rd.
Optional Route-Either Sarzotti or Sculpterra
Left on El Pomar Dr.
Left on Bella Ranch Rd.
Continue on to Creston Rd. to S El Pomar Rd.
Leaving Sarzotti - Right on El Pomar Dr.
Leaving Sarzotti-Right on S EL Pomar Rd.
Left on Creston from S El Pomar
Continue on Creston Rd for 3 miles
Right on to Beachwood Dr.
Right on to Meadowlark Rd.
Left on to Airport Rd.
Right on to Linne Rd.
Turn Right onto Sculpterra Driveway
Wine Terminology Color
The color of the wine actually comes from the skin of the grapes. Different groups have different sizes, so a small grape berry like Petite Sirah is going to have more skin contact. The skin of the grape is where the tannin and dryness comes from. So a small berry is going to have more skin contact. Ergo is going to be drier. The color of the wine in your glass is also going to indicate which grape it came from, as well as how long the skin was in contact with the juice.
Wine Terms - General
Tour Outro 46E
Wow what a trip. You are probably reflecting on a few of your favorite wines and some of the views and fantastic experiences you had, and hopefully you joined a wine club or two. Remember, if you have your wine in your car, keep it inside of your car. Heat is the enemy of wine and if the car has a/C this will help keep the wine cool in warmer months. Also, remember to crack the windows if you stop anywhere on your way home. If you're staying multiple nights in a warm or hot area, take the wine into the hotel room and do not leave it inside your car. We recommend parking in the shade whenever possible as well. There is nothing more civilized than wine. It is a liquid art. Poetry and an amage to theLand. You may not have heard of some of the grapes that you tried today, but never stop exploring wine. It's a glorious, noble and endless pursuit, as every year the grapes change. The wine you like is the wine you like, but never rule out a single grape, because next year it's going to taste different, and that same grape planted in a different area, will also taste different. Remember your experience may also be different at home, which will affect your senses. Things like sitting versus standing, the lighting in the room, the food that you're eating, the music that was on and most importantly who you're with, all affect the flavor and experience. Please tell your friends and family about your amazing trip today, and rate us on the app store. We look forward to seeing you again on your next Taste Wine Guides experience.
Exit 228 Left on Green Valley
Left into J Dusi Parking lot
Leaving J Dusi-Cross to Arbor towards Windward
Left on Live Oak Winward on Right_
Leaving Winward-right on Arbor to Green Valley Rd
Right on Green Valley to Lone Madrone
Continue on Green Valley Rd for 3.2 Miles
Right in to Lone Madrone parking lot
Leaving Lone Madron right on Vineyard Dr.
Continue on Vineyard dr for 7.6 miles
Left into Whalebone
Leavin Whalebone, Left on Vineyard to Tablas
Left into Tablas Creek
Leaving Tablas Creek-turn right on to Adaledia to Sirena
Left on to Adaledia Rd.
Tour Outro leaving Sirena Vineyard Resort
Wow what a trip. You are probably reflecting on a few of your favorite wines and some of the views and fantastic experiences you had, and hopefully you joined a wine club or two. Remember, if you have your wine in your car, keep it inside of your car. Heat is the enemy of wine and if the car has a/C this will help keep the wine cool in warmer months. Also, remember to crack the windows if you stop anywhere on your way home. If you're staying multiple nights in a warm or hot area, take the wine into the hotel room and do not leave it inside your car. We recommend parking in the shade whenever possible as well. There is nothing more civilized than wine. It is a liquid art. Poetry and an amage to theLand. You may not have heard of some of the grapes that you tried today, but never stop exploring wine. It's a glorious, noble and endless pursuit, as every year the grapes change. The wine you like is the wine you like, but never rule out a single grape, because next year it's going to taste different, and that same grape planted in a different area, will also taste different. Remember your experience may also be different at home, which will affect your senses. Things like sitting versus standing, the lighting in the room, the food that you're eating, the music that was on and most importantly who you're with, all affect the flavor and experience. Please tell your friends and family about your amazing trip today, and rate us on the app store. We look forward to seeing you again on your next Taste Wine Guides experience.
Continue on Adelaida Rd. for 6.4 miles
Turn Right in to Sirena Vineyard Resort
Off Route- Missed Exit 228
Off route- Leaving Winward
Off Route- Missed Roundabout exit to Vineyard Dr.
Off Route - Passed Tablas Creek
Exit 232 to Spring St.
Right on 24th
At Fork stay Right onto Naciemento Lake Dr.
Left on Adelaida
Left into Sirena Vineyard Resort
Continue on Adelaida for 7 mi to Tablas Creek
Right into Whalebone Vineyard
Continue on Vineyard dr for 7.6 miles
Roundabout 3rd Exit to Lone Madrone
Left on to Kostas Pl.
Turn right in to J Dusi Wines
Tour Outro- Leaving J Dusi Wines
Wow what a trip. You are probably reflecting on a few of your favorite wines and some of the views and fantastic experiences you had, and hopefully you joined a wine club or two. Remember, if you have your wine in your car, keep it inside of your car. Heat is the enemy of wine and if the car has a/C this will help keep the wine cool in warmer months. Also, remember to crack the windows if you stop anywhere on your way home. If you're staying multiple nights in a warm or hot area, take the wine into the hotel room and do not leave it inside your car. We recommend parking in the shade whenever possible as well. There is nothing more civilized than wine. It is a liquid art. Poetry and an amage to theLand. You may not have heard of some of the grapes that you tried today, but never stop exploring wine. It's a glorious, noble and endless pursuit, as every year the grapes change. The wine you like is the wine you like, but never rule out a single grape, because next year it's going to taste different, and that same grape planted in a different area, will also taste different. Remember your experience may also be different at home, which will affect your senses. Things like sitting versus standing, the lighting in the room, the food that you're eating, the music that was on and most importantly who you're with, all affect the flavor and experience. Please tell your friends and family about your amazing trip today, and rate us on the app store. We look forward to seeing you again on your next Taste Wine Guides experience.
Press Crush West
Today, most wineries use a pneumatic press to crush their grapes. These presses contain a large plastic balloon that gradually inflates to break gently. The grape skins juice slowly drains, a.k.a. beneath the press, which rotates to get every drop of juice out. Over the course of several hours, the press turns and inflates again and again, steadily removing every drop of juice and leaving winemakers with a pile of dry skins and seeds.
Terroir Term Yellow
It's impossible to go wine tasting without talking about the word terroir. Terroir is comprised of four components climate, soil, terrain and tradition, starting with climate. Wine regions can basically be divided into cool climates and warm climates. Wine grapes from warmer climates will generate higher sugar levels which produce higher alcohol wines, whereas cooler climate wine grapes generally have lower sugar levels and retain more acidity. The second component of terroir is soil. There are hundreds of types of soil, rocks and mineral deposits in the world's vineyards. Most vineyards can be sorted into about five or six different types of soils that can affect the flavor of the wine. It's almost as though some types of soil acts like a teabag from water as it passes through the vines. The third component is terrain. Believe it or not, altitude is an increasingly important focus for quality vineyards. Besides elevation, things like geological features, mountains, valleys being located far inland, other flora plants, microbes and trees and large bodies of water all affect how in particular region tastes. Lastly, tradition traditional winemaking and vineyard growing techniques can contribute to a wine's terroir. Even though tradition has a human interaction, ancient winemaking methods tend to be highly dependent on the region's climates, soil and terrain.
North American Wine History
As we approach the vineyards, it'stime for a quick history lesson. Wine has been a part of human life for longer than you might think. Proof of wine consumption dates all the way back to 60BC from sites in what is today the country of Georgia. In 2007, researchers from UCLA, working in Armania discovered what is believed to be the world's very first winery from around the year 4100 BC. Here in the US, however, the wine history is a bit more recent. Wine on the continent of North America can be dated back to as early as the 1560s when French Hugonauts attempted unsuccessfully to create palatable wine from the native grapes in what is today Jacksonville, Florida. In 1785, Thomas Jefferson was appointed as the ambassador to France. While there on diplomatic duty, Jefferson fell in love with French wine and was perhaps the first American to believe that we could make wine here in our country just as well as the French could. Before Jefferson had his visions of planting great American vineyards in his home state of Virginia, the party had already started in the Spanish territory of Alta, California, where wine culture was already taking root. Here on the west coast of North America, it's Spanish Franciscan monks that are credited for the birth of California wine. Father Junipero Serra arrived in what is now San Diegoin 1769 in order to create the first of an eventual 21 missions that would dot the California coast. The vines he brought along and planted produced the region's first wine. From there, the craft of winemaking made its way all the way up to California coast with the first winery opening in Sonoma, California, in 18 five.Today, wineries are still found along the California coast along the historic Camino Royale stretching from just north of San Francisco to San Diego.
Avila Beach
Pismo Beach
World Of Pinot Noir
Welcome to Taste Wine Guides
Welcome to Taste Wine Guides 101N
Welcome to Taste Wine Guides 46W
Baron Canyon
The Madonna Inn
Cuesta Ridge Botanical Area
Tasting Tips to Try
Wine Joke 1
Wine Grape Facts
Tasting Tips to Try
Wine Joke 1
Wine Grape Facts
Fun Facts About Wine
Wine Joke 2
Paso Robles Olive Oil
Canopy of Trees
Camp Roberts
Zinfandel
Zinfandel
Wine Grape Varietal Number
Fun Facts About Wine
Off Route - Geneseo Rd.
Off Route - Geneseo Rd.
Thank you for visiting Cass. Head South Geneseo Rd.
Wine Joke 2
Exit 231B then left on HWY. 46 East
Optional Tour- East or West
Wine Grape Varietal Number
Fermentation Process
Estrella Warbird Museum
Turn Right on to Union Rd.
What Makes a Good Zin?
Tour Outro 46E
Wow what a trip. You are probably reflecting on a few of your favorite wines and some of the views and fantastic experiences you had, and hopefully you joined a wine club or two. Remember, if you have your wine in your car, keep it inside of your car. Heat is the enemy of wine and if the car has a/C this will help keep the wine cool in warmer months. Also, remember to crack the windows if you stop anywhere on your way home. If you're staying multiple nights in a warm or hot area, take the wine into the hotel room and do not leave it inside your car. We recommend parking in the shade whenever possible as well. There is nothing more civilized than wine. It is a liquid art. Poetry and an amage to theLand. You may not have heard of some of the grapes that you tried today, but never stop exploring wine. It's a glorious, noble and endless pursuit, as every year the grapes change. The wine you like is the wine you like, but never rule out a single grape, because next year it's going to taste different, and that same grape planted in a different area, will also taste different. Remember your experience may also be different at home, which will affect your senses. Things like sitting versus standing, the lighting in the room, the food that you're eating, the music that was on and most importantly who you're with, all affect the flavor and experience. Please tell your friends and family about your amazing trip today, and rate us on the app store. We look forward to seeing you again on your next Taste Wine Guides experience.
