tripledigitken - 3-15-2014 at 06:05 PM
My brother-in-law and girlfriend are visiting us in July. We are taking them to the Central Coast and we want to sample the local wineries. Any
suggestions from the wine aficionados here?
Cliffy - 3-15-2014 at 07:51 PM
Have sent an email to a friend of mine who lives there to see what he knows
Hope it works out.
tripledigitken - 3-15-2014 at 08:04 PM
Thanks Cliffy
rogbag - 3-15-2014 at 08:37 PM
Justin - in Paso Robles. Awesome vino tinte.
Tobin James is also pretty good.
And all the rest of them are pretty good - it's just pretty hard to stay sober enough to remember them all.
elgatoloco - 3-15-2014 at 09:35 PM
Opolo has some great Zins and a nice winery for picnic lunch. Norman makes some nice wine too. Pipestone is 'organic' and has some great values and
the owners are really nice folks. Tablas Creek is another that has a beautiful winery and vineyards. As mentioned Justin and Tobin James. Our absolute
favorite is wine from the region is Turley. They have a tasting room in Templeton. Fact is you can hardly go wrong in Paso area. There is plenty to
see and its all good.
elgatoloco - 3-15-2014 at 09:58 PM
We NEVER go thru the Paso area without stopping at the Albertsons on Niblick Road. Especially around the time the wineries get ready to bottle. The
wine buyer at the store gets some killer deals from the local vineyards trying to make room in the wineries for the 'new' stuff. We have found some of
our favorites for 40-50% off winery prices. The fall back is the great selection of local craft beers. Leave room in the trunk!
YMMV. 
Hook - 3-15-2014 at 10:21 PM
Tobin James is a fun location even if their wines aren't top notch. Worth doing.
Maybe the most impressive location I've been to and a great spot for a picnic is Daou. Stunning views. They had a decent viognier as I recall; dont
remember any reds being memorable.
I was disappointed in the wines from Turley that they were pouring last year. I think it was wines from the extremely tough 2010 vintage, so that
probably explains it.
Definitely like the wines from Tablas Creek, especially their Rhone blends in red or white.
I have heard that Denner is no longer open to the public for tasting.
And Brian Benson has developed an almost cult following and sells out so fast that he no longer needs to offer tastings to the public. That's too bad;
he makes great zins.
Epoch had a great tempranillo last year. It stood up to the zins and was being poured last, surprisingly.
The sleeper is Sextant. Go now, before they are the rage. Last time I was at Total Wine, the head wine guy/senior salesman at the main Phoenix store
was just learning about them and was floored with the few they were selling. Some of their best stuff is wine club only. Great chards, zins and cabs.
Also REALLY liked their grenache rose and a Cab called Kamal.
Cliffy - 3-16-2014 at 09:31 AM
You all are way beyond me now and my Oak Leaf White Zin :-) :-)
If you drive west of town out Klau Mine Road you'll get to Rangeland Wines.
http://talesofthecork.com/2012/08/05/rangeland-wines-and-ang...
The Marshall Sawyer they talk about in the article was a very close friend of mine and when he owned the property I spent 20+ years there just
wandering around on the weekends fishing and hunting. I know the place like the back of my hand.
Marinero - 3-16-2014 at 09:49 AM
Visit and roam. You will find some you love and some which is not to your taste. Be sure to taste whatever wine is featured. They are proud of it.
Cliffy - 3-16-2014 at 10:37 AM
U2U sent to OP
tripledigitken - 3-16-2014 at 02:40 PM
Thanks all for the great suggestions.
Martyman - 3-17-2014 at 08:44 AM
My favorite were the Rhone blends at each winery. Tablas Creek and Calcareous come to mind.