A taster’s guide to Paso Robles’ Tin City
Most tasting rooms are open by appointment or chance; regular hours are listed if available.
Bold petite sirah from winemaker Aaron Jackson under the Aaron label, and single-vineyard pinot noirs and aromatic whites from coastal vineyards under the Aequorea label.
3050 Limestone Way
805-369-2037
Fri-Sun 11-5:30
Handcrafted brews in a variety of styles including sour and wild ales. Don’t miss the scenic beer garden, live music and weekend food trucks.
3055 Limestone Way
805-296-1128
Mon-Thurs 2-8, Fri-Sat 11-9, Sun 11-8
Sour beer facility under construction next door.
Intense reds from a second-generation winemaker who made his first wine at 13 years old at his parents’ winery, Dark Star Cellars. Look for Benson’s artwork on the walls and labels, and the killer view out back.
2915 Limestone Way
805-296-9463
Fri-Sun 11-5
Elegant high-end blends made from premium grapes meticulously farmed by Guillaume Fabre, who comes from a winemaking family in France.
3050 Limestone Way
805-369-2036
A range of wines showing artful detail inside the bottle and out. Winemaker Vailia Esh is a consummate explorer, continually experimenting with new vineyards, grapes and methods.
3060 Limestone Way
805-715-3910
Thurs-Sun 11-4
A range of crowd-pleasers from Andrew Jones, named one of Wine Enthusiast’s Top 40 under 40. Check out the popcorn machine and pingpong table, as well as his popular line of canned wine, Alloy Wine Works.
460 Marquita Ave.
805-503-9660
Daily 11-5
Italy meets California at Giornata, where Brian and Stephy Terrizzi grow and source premium Italian varietals. Broadside features value-priced cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay and a red blend.
470 Marquita Ave.
805-434-3075
Premium Rhone blends named for and made with help from Toft’s family members. That’s his grandmother’s 110-year-old Victorian house on the label and family treasures decorating the tasting lounge.
2929 Limestone Way
805-550-8007
Rhone-heavy blends made with fruit from Ballard Canyon and other Santa Ynez spots, Los Alamos and Santa Maria by Brett Urness, who first made wine in his native state of Idaho.
2975 Limestone Way
208-631-1612
Fri-Sun 11-5 and by appt.
Rhone-inspired, New World blends and single varietals from vineyards across the Central Coast. Find winemaker Tyler Russell in the back of Brian Benson Cellars, where he’ll throw a plank over a couple barrels and pour you a taste.
2915 Limestone Way
805-704-9859
Rhone-style wines from some of the most renowned vineyards in Paso Robles, which you can see in beautiful photos adorning the walls.
2945 Limestone Way
805-400-0039
Unconventional blends from a still-expanding estate vineyard on the west edge of the Templeton Gap. Visit the spacious, modern tasting room or arrange to visit the vines on a tour of the scenic estate.
2910 Limestone Way
805-434-5607
Rhone and Bordeaux blends barrel aged for up to three years, some of the grapes for which comes from Bill and Kim’s 10-acre vineyard in San Miguel. Bring Fido — the outdoor picnic area is dog- and kid-friendly.
3050 Blue Rock Road
805-434-8097
Fri 12-5, Sat 11-5, Sun 11-4 or appt.
High-end, mostly Rhone, wines from the Templeton Gap vineyard owned by winemaker Scott Hawley, who also makes wine for the luxury label Law Estate Wines.
2945 Limestone Way
805-550-2058
Flavored brandies made with juice from local wineries plus whiskey, vermouth, bitters and anything else this upstart distillery can concoct. Try the addictive hook and ring game in addition to the spirits.
3064 Limestone Way
805-286-4453
Fri-Sun 12-4 or appt.
Coming soon
These four locations are under construction with openings planned for spring or summer.
Value-priced cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sauvignon blanc from the winemakers behind Sans Liege and Field Recordings. Previously called Cane & Fable.
460 Marquita Ave.
805-503-9660
Affordable vineyard-designate wines on tap with plans for music and food trucks in the outdoor area out back. A collaboration of Garagiste Festival co-founder Stewart McLennan and Stangar Vineyards’ J.P. French.
2929 Limestone Way
Critically acclaimed but affordable Rhone wines from Curt Schalchlin, who’s developed a devoted following at his Pismo Beach tasting room. Make sure to note the dark, striking label art.
805-773-2770
Almost champagne-like dry cider available in cans and soon on tap at BarrelHouse and in growlers. A collaboration of the winemakers from Field Recordings, Sans Liege and Scar of the Sea.
460 Marquita Ave.
805-503-9660
This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 3:32 PM with the headline "A taster’s guide to Paso Robles’ Tin City."