Category Archives: Paso Robles

Dog Friendly Wineries in Paso Robles – Part 2

Posted on January 29, 2013 | 7 Comments

In my ongoing quest to have our dog with us on most – if not all – of our wine tasting adventures, I’ve uncovered more incredible, dog-friendly wineries in Paso Robles.   As a rule of thumb when tasting with dogs, always bring a leash, make sure the dogs remain well-behaved, and remember to be respectful of other tasters.

Below is a list of some of my recent favorite dog-friendly spots…

Alta Colina

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery

  • Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery
    2725 Adelaida Road
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Phone:  (805) 227-4191
    Fax:  (805) 541-8025
    email:  info@altacolinawine.com
    Tasting room hours:  11AM – 5:00PM Thursday through Sunday
    Notes:  At Alta Colina, dogs are very welcome inside the tasting room while their owners try some of the winery’s award-winning wines.  If the tasting room is crowded or there are tasters who have allergies, you may be asked to taste outside as a courtesy.
Our happy dog Booker relaxing on the cool tasting room floor at Edward Sellers

Our happy dog Booker relaxing on the cool tasting room floor at Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

  • Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines
    1401 West Highway 46
    Paso Robles, CA 93446
    Phone: (805) 239-8915
    Email: info@edwardsellers.com
    Tasting room hours: 11AM – 5PM Daily
     Notes:  Edward Sellers is a very dog-friendly winery where our dog Booker was invited inside the tasting room with us.  He was given a bowl of water and quickly made friends with one of the resident tasting room dogs.  The two of them played inside as well as outside on the beautiful grounds. 
Booker & Per Cazo's resident winery dog,

Booker & Per Cazo Cellar’s resident winery dog Rosie playing tug of war

  • Per Cazo Cellars
    5325 Vineyard Drive
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Phone:  (805) 227-4949
    Fax:  (866) 252-5962
    email:  dteckman@percazocellars.com OR lteckman@percazocellars.com
    Tasting room hours:  BY APPOINTMENT.  Wine tasting is complimentary.
    Notes:  Our dog absolutely loves Per Cazo Cellars.  Not only is their gorgeous Creekside Bed & Breakfast dog-friendly, but Booker had a blast playing with the winery’s resident dog Rosie while we tasted some delicious wine outside.
Our dog Booker enjoying the beautiful grounds at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Our dog Booker enjoying the beautiful grounds at Terry Hoage Vineyards

  • Terry Hoage Vineyards
    870 Arbor Road
    Paso Robles, CA 93446
    Phone: (805) 238-2083
    Email: info@terryhoagevineyards.com
    Tasting room hours: 11AM – 4PM Thursday through Monday
    Notes:  At Terry Hoage Vineyards, dogs are welcome inside the tasting room as long as they remain leashed and are well-behaved.  There is also a beautiful outdoor area where owners sip wine while their dogs watch water birds swimming in the pond.

More to come!…

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Central Coast / Monterey, Paso Robles, Rhone, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Terry Hoage Vineyards – Paso Robles

Posted on January 6, 2013 | 1 Comment
Terry Hoage Vineyards

Terry Hoage Vineyards

Tucked away on an idyllic parcel of land on the Westside of Paso Robles lies the Terry Hoage Vineyards and tasting room.  In the rustic winery perched right across the small parking lot from his home, Terry Hoage and his wife Jennifer are hand-crafting some of the finest wines to come out of Paso Robles.

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry and Jennifer learned the art of winemaking from some of the artisan trailblazers in the area, particularly Justin Smith of the famed Saxum Vineyards.  Justin made wine for Terry Hoage Vineyards and oversaw the winemaking process from 2002-2003 until Terry and Jennifer released their first vintage in 2005.

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

The Hoage’s take a very minimalist approach to making wine and do not incorporate any racking, fining or filtering.  They personally oversee every step in the process, producing bold, juicy Rhone varietals that are 100% organically farmed and estate grown.  You can taste the quality, creativity, and attention to detail in each sip.

Our dog Booker enjoying the beautiful grounds at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Our dog Booker enjoying the beautiful grounds at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Seating area at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Seating area at Terry Hoage Vineyards

During a pre-holiday trip to Paso, I had the pleasure of spending some time with Evan and Kellie in the Terry Hoage Vineyards tasting room.  Aside from the Hoage’s, Evan and Kellie are the only other official employees at the winery, which made it feel even more like a true family style operation.

Evan & Kellie of Terry Hoage Vineyards

Evan & Kellie of Terry Hoage Vineyards

We were taken through the current tasting flight which included 4 incredible reds, and also got to try a couple of wines from the upcoming 2010 release.

Before embarking on his career as a wine maker, Terry was a professional football player and spent 13 seasons in the NFL playing for 6 different teams.  He subtly pays homage to his football days through the names he give his wines (“The Pick”, “The 46″, “The Hedge”, etc).

Memorabilia from Terry Hoage's career in the NFL

Memorabilia from Terry Hoage’s career in the NFL

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Memorabilia from Terry Hoage’s career in the NFL

I thought all the wines at Terry Hoage Vineyards were outstanding and were on par with my favorites in the area (Booker, L’Aventure, etc).  I wanted to take a bottle of each home with me, but I managed to narrow my purchases down to a 2009 “The Hedge” (a deep red Syrah named after the hedges of UGA where Terry played), a 2010 “5 Blocks” (a Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache/Cinsault blend honoring the 5 blocked field goals Terry had in his college days), and a 2011 “Pik Pool” (a white Picpoul Blanc that tasted like summertime).

The Current Tasting Flight: '08 "The Pick" Grenache Cuvee, '07 "The 46" Grenache-Syrah, '09 "The 46" Grenache-Syrah, and '09 "The Hedge" Syrah

The Current Tasting Flight: ’08 “The Pick” Grenache Cuvee, ’07 “The 46″ Grenache-Syrah, ’09 “The 46″ Grenache-Syrah, and ’09 “The Hedge” Syrah

The 2010 Release - Currently available to wine club members

The 2010 Release – Currently available to wine club members

I truly can’t recommend Terry Hoage Vineyards enough and thank Evan & Kellie for sharing their knowledge, passion, and hospitality.  To quote Robert Parker, “This is the kind of wine the Central Coast should be producing more.”

The stunning views at Terry Hoage Vineyards

The stunning views at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Click here to visit the Terry Hoage Vineyards website.

TERRY HOAGE VINEYARDS
870 Arbor Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 238-2083
Email: info@terryhoagevineyards.com
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 4PM Thursday through Monday

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Central Coast / Monterey, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Rhone, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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2nd Annual Garagiste Festival – Paso Robles

Posted on November 27, 2012 | 1 Comment

By definition, the term “garagistes” refers to a group of innovative, renegade wine makers from the Bordeaux region who refuse to follow the strict French rules and instead, produce “Vins de garage” or “Garage wine”.

For the second year in a row, Paso Robles has celebrated the spirit of the garagiste movement by holding a festival focused solely on small production wines.   Local artisan wine makers – some familiar and some unknown – gather together for a long weekend, giving wine lovers from all over an opportunity to taste the fruits of their labor.

The Creekside Room at Creekside Bed & Breakfast – Per Cazo Cellars

This year was my first experience at the Paso Robles Garagiste Festival and I was thrilled to be part of it.  On this particular trip, we stayed at the Creekside Bed & Breakfast at Per Cazo Cellars.  I honestly can’t recommend Creekside B&B enough.  From the comfy bed to host Lynn Teckman’s delicious gourmet breakfasts that were delivered to our room each morning, the entire stay was perfect.  Creekside B&B was also very dog-friendly which made it extra convenient and comfortable.

The cozy Creekside Room at Creekside Bed & Breakfast

The cozy Creekside Room at Creekside Bed & Breakfast

The Creekside Room at Creekside Bed & Breakfast

Amazing breakfast #1: Egg & sausage scramble with fresh mixed fruit, fresh squeezed juice, and warm muffin

Amazing breakfast #2: French toast, thick bacon, and fresh berries

The Garagiste Festival opened on Thursday with a dinner at Thomas Hill Organics featuring the cuisine of celeb chef Ludo Lefevbre.  Unfortunately I did not attend the dinner, but having experienced Ludo’s pop-up restaurant LudoBites in Los Angeles, I’m sure diners had an unforgettable experience.

Windfall Farms – Paso Robles

We attended the Garagiste Festival on Saturday, which was the day of the big Grand Tasting.  We walked into the beautiful Stallion Barn at Windfall Farms where 48 independent and passionate wine makers were set up for tastings in the horse stalls.

Inside the Stallion Barn at Windfall Farms

It was difficult to decide where to begin, but I decided to head over to Liquid Farm.  On a rare occasion, I’ve seen Liquid Farm Chardonnay and Rose on menus at some of the finer restaurants in LA, but I had yet to actually try the wine.  Owners Nikki and Jeff Nelson took us through a tasting of two Chardonnays – both of which were unique and wonderfully balanced – as well as one Rose.  If you can get your hands on a bottle of Liquid Farm, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Nikki & Jeff Nelson of Liquid Farm

After Liquid Farm, we headed to Nicora Wine where winemaker Nick Elliot took us through some outstanding Rhones.  Right now, Nicora wines can be tasted by appointment only, but I highly recommend trying them next time you’re in Paso Robles.  I can’t wait to see what else Nick comes up with in the future.

Nick Elliott of Nicora Wine

From Nicora, we headed over to Cloak & Dagger where Ray Schofield walked us through his portfolio of exceptional wines – all of which are “handcrafted in secret”.  We were unsuccessful at uncovering any of the secrets of Cloak & Dagger wines, but we were very impressed with what we tasted.  We tried two Pinot Noirs, as well as a delicious 2010 Illuminatus Sangiovese and a 2010 Skull & Bones Zinfandel.

Ray Schofield of Cloak & Dagger Wines

After Cloak & Dagger, we headed to Red Zeppelin Winery where the eccentric Stillman Brown introduced us to a couple really good Central Coast red wine blends.  Finally, we ended our tasting with the latest offerings from our friends Lynn and Dave Teckman at Per Cazo Cellars.  The 2010 Epi Telos and 2010 Zing were so good that I had to take home a couple of bottles when we checked out of the Creekside B&B.

Stillman Brown of Red Zeppelin Winery

Overall, I loved being part of the 2nd Annual Paso Robles’ Garagiste Festival and feel like there were so many more amazing wines to try.  The wine makers who I met continue to inspire me and deepen my love for wine.  It was so wonderful to have the opportunity to taste new wines with the passionate people who are hand-crafting them.   I look forward to next year…

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Posted in Bordeaux, Burgundy, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Petit Sirah, Pinot Noir, Rhone, Rosé, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD, Zinfandel

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Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Posted on May 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

I’ve wanted to try Edward Sellers’ wines for years.  It was always on my list, however because the tasting room was located in downtown Paso Robles, it usually ended up at the bottom as a last place to visit before dinner.  Unfortunately after a day of wine tasting outside of town, we usually skipped more wine and focused on food.

Now Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines has a gorgeous tasting room on the Westside of Paso and during my last visit, I made it the first stop of the day.

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Driving down Highway 46 West, it’s easy to miss the entrance to Edward Sellers.  Although the tasting room is not far off the highway, once you turn down the unpaved drive and head onto the vine-covered grounds of the winery, you feel miles away from everything.

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

The tasting room at Edward Sellers is modern, yet it fits in perfectly with the natural beauty around it.  There is plenty of sunny outside seating that overlooks the acres of vineyards.  We got out of our car and were greeted by two friendly winery dogs who quickly made friends with our dog, Booker.

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Outside seating at Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Outside seating at Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines with a picture-perfect view

After soaking up some sunshine, we headed inside – Booker included – to try some wine.  The inside of the Edward Sellers tasting room is just as lovely as the outside with dark stone floors, a bright green accent wall, and big window behind the bar that allows you to peek inside the barrel room.

Inside the Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines tasting room

Inside the Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines tasting room

Inside the Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines tasting room

Our tasting included two whites followed by a series of reds.  Similar to other wineries in Paso Robles, Edward Sellers specializes in hand crafted American Rhone style wines.  However, what I think sets them apart is the fact that most of Edward Sellers’ wines were perfectly balanced and surprisingly food-friendly.  They had the classic, big Paso Rhone style that I love without being too big and bold to complement a meal.

Booker enjoying the cool stone floor at Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

All the wines we tried were consistently good which made it difficult to pick our favorites.  We decided to leave with a couple of bottles of 2011 Grenache Rose – a juicy, strawberry-filled rose that is perfect for summer.  We also took home a bottle of 2007 Vertigo (71% Grenache, 16% Mourvèdre & 13% Syrah) which was slightly tart with a nice hint of smoke.

I’m so glad we finally tried Edward Sellers.  It is one of our new favorites and will be a regular stop on our visits to Paso Robles.

Click here to visit the Edward Sellers Vineyards website.

EDWARD SELLERS VINEYARDS & WINES
1401 West Highway 46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 239-8915
Email: info@edwardsellers.com
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 5PM Daily

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Petit Sirah, Rhone, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Booker Vineyard Release Party – Paso Robles

Posted on May 8, 2012 | 3 Comments

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Booker Vineyard’s annual member release party and I wanted to share some photos of what ended up being an incredible day.

The wine, food, music and setting couldn’t have been more perfect.
Pier 46 Seafood Market and Thomas Hill Organics catered the event and provided a delicious assortment of finger foods, including fresh oysters.  I also had the opportunity to introduce our dog Booker to his namesake.  I’m proud to be an allocation member and am already looking forward to next year…

Booker Vineyard private release event – May 5th, 2012

Booker Vineyard release event

Winemaker Eric Jensen’s wife, Lisa greeting incoming guests

Guests enjoying a perfect day at Booker Vineyard

Delicious oysters from Pier 46 Seafood Market in Templeton, CA

A yummy assortment of appetizers from Thomas Hill Organics in Paso Robles, CA

A picture-perfect day at Booker Vineyard

Our dog Booker relaxing in the shade at Booker Vineyard

Click here to visit the Booker Vineyard website.

BOOKER VINEYARD
640 Anderson Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 237-7367
Fax: (805) 237-7368
email: eric@bookerwines.com OR orion@bookerwines.com
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 5PM Thursday through Sunday

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Chumeia Vineyards

Posted on October 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Chumeia Vineyards

Last month, we drove up to Paso Robles for a long overdue visit – this time with our brand new wine tasting companion, Booker.

Our new travel companion, Booker, at Chumeia Vineyards

As a newbie to the world of dog ownership, I did some research before we left Los Angeles to see which wineries are dog friendly.  As excited as I was to taste some new wines, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the little guy cooped up in a crate.

One winery I found online that seemed very dog friendly was Chumeia Vineyards.  My dad and I had first experienced Chumeia wines about 5 years ago when I was living in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  A little wine bar in town had it on their list and – while I hadn’t had it since then –  I remembered it being very good.  I was excited to check it out again with our new little pup.

Little did I know, but Chumeia Vineyards ended up being one of the most pleasantly surprising and enjoyable wine experiences I’ve had in a long time.  Chumeia is located on the east side of Paso Robles – an area that is dominated by larger, high production wineries.  We didn’t know too much about the east side, so we made a list of a few other wineries in the area and decided to leave Chumeia as our last stop.

Chumeia Vineyards

After a day of visiting crowded wineries with limos and tour buses lined up in their parking lots, I was so happy when we pulled into Chumeia Vineyards.  Strange as it sounds, I was thrilled to see the driveway to Chumeia was an unpaved gravel road that crossed over into a protected wilderness area.  The parking lot was pretty empty with not a bus or limo in sight.

Chumeia Vineyards

Entry to Chumeia Vineyards' Tasting Room

Chumeia is very dog friendly. Just be sure to bring a leash...

We parked and were immediately greeted by a large golden retriever, who we soon learned was Cristo – one of Chumeia’s winery dogs.  Booker followed Cristo into the tasting room where they became fast friends.  The dogs played fetch on the big, beautiful lawn the entire time we were there.

Booker and his new friend, Cristo

While the dogs played, I went into the tasting room to check out the wine.  The tasting room was great – just a casual counter in the winery with stainless steel tanks in the background and a several award ribbons displayed on the wall. Nothing fancy… just comfortable and welcoming.

Chumeia Vineyards Tasting Room

A section dedicated to furry friends in the Chumeia Vineyards tasting room

Well-deserved awards displayed at Chumeia Vineyards

We started our tasting and were fortunate to have Lee Nesbitt – the winemaker at Chumeia – personally pouring for us.  We took our time with the tasting and enjoyed great conversation with Lee indoors, as well as time outside with the dogs on Chumeia’s beautiful grounds.

Winemaker Lee Nesbitt chatting with tasters at Chumeia

Chumeia Vineyards

Chumeia Vineyards

The wines we tasted at Chumeia were delicious, each one having its own unique and complex flavor profile.  In fact, there wasn’t one that I didn’t like.  I ended up taking home a few bottles of the ’08 Odyssean – a fantastic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Syrah and Malbec.  I also bought a couple of bottles of the ’09 Estate Petite Sirah, Iron Man Vineyard which was unique and so tasty.  Only 100 cases of Petite Sirah were produced.

I also love that Chumeia Vineyards was so pet friendly.  In fact, Chumeia hosts an annual “Cause for the Paws” event and has a wine club called “Whiskers & Paws” that proudly supports Woods Humane Society.

After spending a wonderful evening at Chumeia, we loaded up our car with the wine we purchased and took a few more photos to remember our experience.  Unfortunately we locked our keys in the car in the process.

Even though they were trying to close up for the day, Lee and his father were gracious enough to let us hang out and wait for AAA to open the car.  In fact, they had to leave before AAA arrived and entrusted us to lock up the vineyard.

Leaving Chumeia Vineyards...

Even with our car lock out, Chumeia Vineyards was an amazing experience and a “must see” for anyone visiting the east side of Paso Robles.  A beautiful winery, great wine, and incredibly warm and friendly people.  It has a small winery feel and meticulously crafted wines in an area known for large production.  We can’t wait to head back…

Click here to visit the Chumeia Vineyards website.

CHUMEIA VINEYARDS
8331 Highway 46 East
Paso Robles, CA  93446
Phone:   (805) 226-0102
Fax:  (805) 226-0104
Tasting room hours:  12PM – 5PM Monday through Thursday.
11AM – 5PM Friday through Sunday (excluding select holidays).  Call ahead during the holiday season.

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Posted in Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, CALIFORNIA, Merlot, Paso Robles, Petit Verdot, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Calcareous Vineyard

Posted on October 2, 2011 | 2 Comments

Calcareous Vineyard

We hadn’t been to Calcareous in a few years and decided to stop for a tasting during our last visit to the area.  Perched up on a hill overlooking Paso Robles, I remembered Calcareous being really beautiful with picture-perfect views.  After our last visit however, I think Calcareous might possibly be one of the most beautiful wineries in Paso.

Lloyd’s Lookout – the gorgeous tasting room at Calcareous Vineyard

We drove up the long driveway to the winery and arrived at the parking lot.  From the tasting room with floor to ceiling windows to the perfectly landscaped grounds dotted with tables where tasters can sit and take in the views, Calcareous was stunning.

Lloyd’s Lookout – the gorgeous tasting room at Calcareous Vineyard

The view at Calcareous Vineyard

The hilltop tasting room opened in 2008 and was named Lloyd’s Lookout, in honor of the winery’s cofounder, Lloyd Messer.  We found the perfect table outside and I went in to set up our tasting.  I was immediately offered a big bowl of cold water for our dog and was given our first pour – a wonderful 2009 Viognier/Marsanne.  It was full of refreshing citrus and great to drink outside on a warm day.

Calcareous Vineyard

The view at Calcareous Vineyard

The priceless view at Calcareous Vineyard

Calcareous Vineyard had a consistently good portfolio of wines with quite a few stand outs.  Since our last visit, they have broken into 2 proprietary labels – Calcareous and Calcareous Twisted Sisters.

Bocce ball court at Calcareous Vineyard

Booker enjoying the bocce ball court at Calcareous Vineyard

The glorious view at Calcareous Vineyard…

The view at Calcareous Vineyard

The winery’s signature and primarily estate grown wines fall under the Calcareous label while the Twisted Sisters wines are made from several different local vineyards.  All the Calcareous Twisted Sisters wines retail for $20, which makes it nice if you’re searching for high quality wines at reasonable prices.

Calcareous Vineyard

We found both labels to be equally good and could have easily purchased 1 bottle of everything.  We narrowed it down and purchased two wines from each label. From the Calcareous label, we took home an ’07 Cabernet Sauvignon and an ’07 Cabernet Franc which was full of dark cherry, strawberry and a touch of oak.  From the Calcareous Twisted Sisters label, we chose an ’08 Main Squeeze – a perfectly balanced blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel – and an ’07 Syrah which earned 92 points in the World Wine Competition.

Our dog Booker running around with one of the winery dogs…

Overall we were very impressed with the wines of Calcareous Vineyard and could have easily spent the entire day relaxing on their beautiful grounds.  Calcareous is a must-see for anyone looking for a truly memorable Paso Robles wine experience.

Click here to visit the Calcareous Vineyard website.

CALCAREOUS VINEYARD
3430 Peachy Canyon Road
Paso Robles, CA  93446
Phone:   (805) 239-0289
Fax:  (805) 239-0916
Tasting room hours:  Open daily 11AM – 5PM

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Paso Robles, Rhone, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD, Zinfandel

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Dog Friendly Wineries in Paso Robles

Posted on September 29, 2011 | 23 Comments

I just recently took my first wine tasting trip to Paso Robles with my new dog, Booker.

Booker having a great time at Chumeia Vineyards

Before my visit, I did some extensive searching online to see which wineries allow dogs – either in the tasting room or outside – and was surprised by how little information is available.

I contacted several wineries in Paso Robles and was pleasantly surprised by how many welcome dogs with open arms.  I wanted to share my findings with other dog lovers and have listed the wineries I spoke to below.  I plan to expand this list with each visit…

  • Chumeia Vineyard
    8331 Highway 46 East
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph:  805-226-0102
    Hours: Monday through Thursday 12PM – 5PM, Friday through Sunday 11AM – 5PM
    Notes: Chumeia is an extremely dog-friendly winery where leashed dogs can be brought into the tasting room.  There were water bowls available and a huge grassy area where dogs can run and play.  Booker spent most of our visit playing with Cristo, the winery dog.  In 2007, Chumeia formed a partnership with Woods Humane Society of San Luis Obispo to help raise money for the homeless animals in the county.
  • Calcareous Vineyard
    3430 Peachy Canyon Road
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph: 805-239-0289
    Hours: Open daily 11AM – 5PM
    Notes:  Calcareous is very dog-friendly and has a few winery dogs of their own.  I didn’t ask if dogs are allowed in the tasting room, but they are very welcome to run and play on their big, beautiful grassy area.  The incredibly friendly tasting room staff brought Booker his own bowl of water.

    Booker playing with the winery dogs at Calcareous

  • Bianchi Winery
    3380 Branch Road
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph: 805-226-9922
    Hours:  Open daily 10AM – 5PM
    Notes:  The grounds are absolutely gorgeous at Bianchi and dogs are very welcome as long as the owners have a leash available.  We sat by the Koi filled lake and Booker enjoyed water from his very own bowl.

    Fascinated by the Koi fish at Bianchi

  • Treana and Hope Family Wines
    1585 Live Oak Road
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph: 805-238-4112
    Hours: Friday & Saturday 10AM – 4PM, or by appointment
    Notes:  This beautiful little winery had a great outdoor patio where dogs are welcome to relax.  Booker was given his own water bowl.

    Relaxing on the patio at Treana and Hope Family Wines

  • Villa Creek Cellars
    5995 Peachy Canyon Road
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph:  805-238-7145
    Hours:  Friday through Sunday 11AM – 5PM
    Notes:  Villa Creek is very dog-friendly and Booker was allowed in the tasting room as long as we kept him leashed (and he didn’t pee on the barrels).
  • Chronic Cellars Winery
    2020 Nacimiento Lake Drive
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph: 805-237-7848
    Hours:  Open daily 11:30AM – 5:30PM
    Notes:  Chronic Cellars is also very dog friendly as long as the dog is kept leashed.
  • Eberle Winery
    3810 Hwy. 46 East
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph: 805-238-9607
    Hours:  Summer 10AM – 6PM, Winter 10AM – 5PM
    Notes:  Dogs are very welcome, but they must be leashed and monitored in the tasting room.
  • B & E Vineyard/Winery
    10,000 Creston Road
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph:  805-238-4815
    Hours:  Friday through Sunday 11AM – 5PM;  Mon through Thurs by appointment
    Notes:  Although we didn’t make during our trip, Patti at B & E Vineyard/Winery was very open to having Booker stop by.  The wine at B & E is great and we look very forward to heading there on our next visit.
  • Booker Vineyard & Winery
    2640 Anderson Road
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Ph: 805-237-7367
    Hours:  Friday through Sunday 11AM – 5PM
    Notes:  I was thrilled to hear that Booker Vineyard & Winery – the winery after which my dog was named – is very dog friendly.  We didn’t have time to visit during our trip, but I can’t wait to introduce Booker next time we’re in Paso Robles.

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Per Cazo Cellars

Posted on March 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

Per Cazo Cellars

During my last visit to Paso Robles, I had one of my most unique wine tasting experiences to date. While researching wineries in the area to check out, I came across a review on Per Cazo Cellars.  This person had great things to say about it and I really knew nothing about the place so I added it to the list.

Per Cazo means “by chance” in Italian, which perfectly describes our visit. We decided to make Per Cazo Cellars our first stop of the day.  I hadn’t called ahead to make sure anyone was there to do a tasting, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

Sign at the entrance to Per Cazo and Creekside Bed & Breakfast

On the Per Cazo Cellars website it says “the gate is always open when we are home”, which was luckily the case when we arrived. We turned down the driveway and parked our car in the empty parking lot.  While we sat inside debating whether to call or just go knock on the door, I heard a light tap on my window.

It was Lynne Teckman – one of the proprietors – inviting us to come inside.  She literally welcomed us into her home, which serves at the tasting room at the moment, and led us to a table on the back patio.

The Teckman's home & current tasting room for Per Cazo Cellars

The surroundings and the day were absolutely gorgeous.  Lynne and her husband Dave also run a B&B called Creekside Bed & Breakfast which is located across the parking lot from their house and offers visitors a place to relax and enjoy the peaceful setting.  The creek cuts through the back of their property and a large, welcoming pool takes up a good portion of the backyard.

Creekside Bed & Breakfast at Per Cazo Cellars

A view of the creek that cuts through the back of Per Cazo

We made ourselves comfortable while Lynne began our tasting, pairing each wine with a hand-selected cheese or another accompaniment.  She is a true lover of wine and food, and believes in enjoying both in unison.  As food and wine lovers who are accustomed to tasting wine with a bowl of crackers or pretzels, we absolutely loved the added touch.

The backyard pool at Per Cazo Cellars

Once we had full glasses, Lynne sat down with us at our table and chatted with us about what we do, about our families, and about our shared passions for wine, food and travel.  I felt as if we were enjoying an afternoon with a good friend.

The back patio at Per Cazo Cellars where we enjoyed a long, leisurely visit...

Lynne’s husband Dave joined us a bit later and brought a barrel sample of ’09 Zinfandel which was absolutely delicious – unlike most Zinfandels I’ve tasted.  We chatted more with Dave about the wine making process and how they got into the world of wine.  It was such a relaxing and enjoyable experience, I didn’t feel like we were at a typical wine tasting at all.

The wines at Per Cazo Cellars are made in very small production and you can taste the attention to detail in each one.  While I enjoyed all the wines we tried, I thought the ’08 Epi Telos – a Rhone blend – was outstanding and walked away with 2 bottles.

Enjoying a wonderful wine tasting experience with Lynne and Dave Teckman of Per Cazo Cellars

From the warm hospitality we received from Lynne and Dave to the unique and tasty wine & food pairing, my entire experience at Per Cazo Cellars was both unexpected and truly memorable.  We ran into Lynne at L’Aventure Winery later in the day and it was like bumping into an old friend.  Hopefully the gate at Per Cazo Cellars will be open the next time you’re in Paso Robles…

Click here to visit the Per Cazo Cellars website.
Click here to visit the Creekside Bed & Breakfast website.

Per Cazo Cellars
5325 Vineyard Drive
Paso Robles, CA  93446
Phone:  (805) 227-4949
Fax:  (866) 252-5962
email:  dteckman@percazocellars.com OR lteckman@percazocellars.com
Tasting room hours:  BY APPOINTMENT.  Wine tasting is complimentary.

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Paso Robles, Rhone, WINERY/VINEYARD, Zinfandel

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Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

Posted on March 17, 2011 | 1 Comment

My recent visit to Alta Colina Estate Vineyard reminded me once again of why I love Paso Robles so much.

Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

The area has been the center of attention recently in the wine world.  This is largely due to the fact that Saxum Vineyards’ 2007 James Berry Vineyard just earned the #1 spot on the Wine Spectator top 100 most exciting wines of 2010 list, a perfect 100 score from Wine Enthusiast, and a score of 98 from Wine Spectator along with a photo of winemaker Justin Smith on the cover of the latest issue.

All the attention around Saxum has trickled down to other wineries in the area.  Brian Benson, Booker, and several other local wineries were also featured with glossy photos and rave reviews in the March issue of Wine Spectator.

Outside the tasting room at Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

The great thing is that even with all the buzz, high scores, and continuous accolades the wines of Paso Robles are receiving, the area still feels unaffected.  It is unpretentious, intimate, and clearly rooted in a true passion for winemaking.

Paso Robles is a place where on any given day, you may find the winemaker pouring for tasters while discussing the fruits of their labor and the process it took to get there.  It’s a place where wine makers are proud of the incredible reviews and attention they’re getting, yet it’s evident reviews and scores are not the reason they make wine.  Like true artists, they seem more focused on hand-crafting outstanding, expressive, world-class wines –  review or no review.

Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

This was definitely the feeling I got when I visited Alta Colina Estate Vineyard.  When we walked into the small understated tasting room, the entire family was present.  Winemaker Bob Tillman and his daughter Maggie were behind the tasting counter while his wife Lynn was chatting with guests.

Outdoor tasting area at Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

We were immediately welcomed to the counter, which was only occupied by 2 other tasters. Both Bob and Maggie walked us through the incredible portfolio of Rhone varietals, describing each one in detail including the quality of the harvest, how the elevation of the vineyard and the type of soil impact the grapes, and how they created the blends they were pouring.

I truly can’t say there was a wine on the list that I didn’t like.  Every wine at Alta Colina is 100% estate grown and produced.  Furthermore, production is kept very low, which results in carefully nurtured, handcrafted wines of exceptional quality.

I very much enjoyed the 2009 12 O’Clock High ($28) which is a blend of 69% Viognier, 18% Roussanne, 7% Marsanne, and 6% Grenache Blanc – a crisp wine perfect for a summer day.  Production on this wine was the second highest on the list at a mere 22o cases.

Inside the tasting room at Alta Colina Estate Winery

My favorite at Alta Colina was the 2008 Ann’s Block Petite Sirah ($48), of which only 125 cases were produced.  This wine earned a well-deserved score of 92 points from Robert Parker and 91 points in Wine Spectator along with a photo of Lynn and Bob Tillman in the March 2011 issue.  The ’08 Ann’s Block Petite Sirah is 100% estate grown Petite Sirah and has wonderful ripe dark fruit flavors balanced perfectly with a touch of smoke and spice.

Enjoying a wonderful afternoon with Alta Colina Wine Maker Bob Tillman and his daughter/Director of Marketing Maggie Tillman

One of the most memorable things about Alta Colina Estate Vineyard – aside from the wine – was the fact that it truly embodied the spirit of Paso Robles.  The entire family was so welcoming and friendly.  I loved having the winemaker himself pouring wine for us.  It was all about passionate people sharing incredible wine in a beautiful and down to earth setting.  Be sure to stop by next time you’re in Paso…

Click here to visit the Alta Colina Estate Vineyard website.

Alta Colina Estate Vineyard & Winery
2725 Adelaida Road
Paso Robles, CA  93446
Phone:  (805) 227-4191
Fax:  (805) 541-8025
email:  info@altacolinawine.com
Tasting room hours:  11AM – 5:00PM Thursday through Sunday
* NOTE:  Alta Colina is located upstairs at the Villicana Winery.

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Posted in Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Rhone, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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