Overheard at a bar tonight: "Do you know the score of the playoff game?" "Giants: 2, Losers: zero" More appellation adventures in this region.
Paso Robles
Graves
Discovered this wonderfully tasty wine on a roadtrip years ago and something about it lingered. I can’t even remember what varietal it was. But I remember the name, Graves, its blue label, and, of course, it’s deliciousness. It had the deep flavor that made you think...
KRUSH
Paso may not have pilates downtown, but they do have one thing no one else has. A radio station called KRUSH keeps you updated on wine events in the area, broadcasts interviews with winemakers, and plays pretty darn good music too. It has never been easier to feel...
Le Cuvier – Exquisite Wines & Distinctive Service
Le Cuvier lives the credo “it ain’t what you do it’s the way that ya do it.” They don’t just make an exquisite Chardonnay; they make it like a red. They ferment this wine on the skins giving it a rich golden color with the flavor and thickness of crème brulee. Le...
Amsterdam Coffee House
One step inside the Amsterdam Coffee House on any given Monday and you’ll see the huge demand for a public place that simply offers wireless internet access. I’d much rather be at a wine bar but none around here offer wireless access. Why they don’t is beyond...
Pappy McGregor’s
WERD, Pappy McGregor’s just gave me 10% off my dinner for wearing a Giants shirt. I’m told the owner is a die-hard Dodgers fan but agreed to offer this because the Giants are a California team in the play offs. What a guy! This is the kind of business you want to...
Harvest Weekend!
Harvest Weekend is a themed weekend that does not feature a single marquee event, but rather individual experiences at the area wineries. Here are some of the notable wineries I visited: DAOU Beautiful grounds and view. They also have an estate chef with a creative...
Villicana
Nothing’s as refreshing as someone who loves what they do. Especially if you can drink what they do. Alex Villicana is one of those people. He’s not only making delicious wine, he’s distilling it. To be fair, he’s distilling juice. Some of the juice becomes a...
Stomping Merlot with Ryan Render
Another beautiful day in wine country and I had the distinct pleasure of stomping Merlot grapes for Grey Wolf. I know it's called crush, but when you strap boots on and plunge into a juicy bin of fruit, "stomping" is a more befitting term. Can’t tell ya what it feels...
Paso Wine Centre
To find the flavors that represent any wine pocket, seek out a local wine bar that pours either wines from their favorite winemakers in the area or local wines that don’t have tasting room representation. Wine bars that stay true to their roots are ones owned and...