Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • Who We Are
    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
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Sunset at Robert Hall Vineyards
There is excitement in the air, and it smells like wine.  Paso Robles, a dynamo of wine production, has become the fastest growing wine region in the world.  Energized by a maverick spirit and “color outside the lines” attitude from old and young winemakers, the sheer variety, intensity and quality of these wines are breathtaking.  World-class wines, rooted in America’s Wild West, beckons to wine lovers; it’s California’s new Gold Rush, and premier wine destination.
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J. Dusi Vineyard
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Austin Hope Vineyard
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Zinfandel clusters at Turley
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Denner Vineyards
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​Paso Robles has a storied past, but today it’s defined by its burgeoning wine scene.  Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, exponential growth has taken place in the past decade, doubling the number of wineries in the Paso Robles region.  What once was a single large AVA now has been refined into eleven distinct wine growing areas.  Fleshing out a complex mosaic, the sheer diversity of terroir and microclimates allows for many different wine grape varietals to be grown here.  More than 64 varieties are planted across the 40,000 vineyard acres that make up the larger Paso Robles AVA.  All these wine grapes benefit from the diurnal temperature swings, from 35-50 degrees Fahrenheit daily, that intensify their character while preserving their bright acidity.
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Syrah vines at Denner
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Alta Colina harvest
With a new generation of winemakers reinventing conventional knowledge, the classic Paso style is evolving, yet still reflective of the climate and sun.  Most wineries are smaller production, family-run businesses, and their location, whether the Eastside or the Westside of Paso, help define the wines.  For these winemakers, it’s the spirit of trying new things that makes the journey of wine so exhilarating, which in turn, invigorates and imbues the wines with an energy and identity all their own.
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(L-R) Dan Smith, Sherman Thacher, Jason Joyce, Steve Gleason, Mike Sinor, Kevin Willenberg, Blake Kuhn
A few months ago, I participated in the Wine Writers Educational Tour for Paso Robles, a deep dive into the geeky world behind Paso wine.  We began three days of intensive exploration with an introduction and comparison of the eleven AVAs at Viña Robles Vineyard & Winery.  Ten winemakers riffed about their “districts”, their philosophies and challenges, shedding light on a fluid and evolving wine region.
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Sherman Thacher of Thacher Winery and Vineyard, in the Paso Robles Highlands AVA, is a mad scientist of sorts, producing estate-grown Zinfandel but experimenting with sourced fruit to craft unusual varietal wines, like Valdiguie or Cinsaut Rosé.  Thacher brought an Own-Rooted Chenin Blanc from 50-year-old vines, and despite a lack of water due to California’s drought, the textured, mineral and densely flavored wine illustrated why Paso Robles is no longer just red wine country.
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​Mike Sinor of Ancient Peaks Winery, in the Santa Margarita Ranch District, brought a cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon.  The immense Santa Margarita Ranch, owned by three local winegrowing and ranching families, is home to Margarita Vineyard.  With its notable marine influence, making this AVA one of the coolest in Paso Robles, the growing season is long, and along with its diverse soils, Cabernet Sauvignon can find one of its “best expressions” in the region.
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​Jason Joyce of Calcareous Vineyard, in the York Mountain AVA and not technically included in the eleven sub-AVAs of Paso Robles, found that the “wild spirit is still alive” in Paso Robles.  Joyce brought a Carver Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, an older vineyard that lends itself to a different philosophy.  “Wine is supposed to have a soul, and we are coming back to that,” Joyce mused, and these old vineyards are rugged and raw.  Calcareous has been dry farming this plot for 8 years now, and with Mother Nature’s cooperation, ripe and dense wines are made, yet with structure and complexity.
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Steve Glossner of Per Caso Cellars represented the renowned Paso Robles Willow Creek District, where many of today’s star-studded wineries are making headlines, such as Saxum, Denner Vineyards and L’Aventure.  The highly fractured limestone and shale soils allow the vine roots to extract mineral character and moisture, and combined with the cool marine influences of fog and wind, result in high-octane wines that have captured high scores and popular palates.  Per Caso Cellars is Glossner’s pet project under PasoPort Wine Company and makes single varietal, blends and reserve wines.  He brought a Reserve Syrah from the Willow Creek District, a big structured wine that was decanted the day before!
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Philipp Pfunder explains terroir differences between the districts
Philipp Pfunder of LaW Estate Wines in the Adelaida District spoke of the human influence in Paso Robles winemaking, which makes the wine scene so dynamic.  The camaraderie among everyone in the industry, sharing advice and equipment, and supporting each other during the good and bad times, is part of the attraction for all, veteran and new talent, who pour their hearts and souls into the wine.  LaW Estate farms 80 acres of vineyards, all by hand due to the steep limestone slopes, and planted to Rhône, Spanish, and Bordeaux grape varietals. Pfunder describes himself as a “shepherd to guide things without a heavy hand”, using restraint to achieve elegant, impressive and complex wines.  He brought Sagacious to the party, a layered and structured GSM blend, the 2019 Mourvèdre dominant, with the percentages adjusted for each vintage year.  This wine needed extra time to breathe, and also was decanted the day before!
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Kevin Willenberg of Viña Robles Vineyards & Winery
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Viña Robles Barrel Room
Kevin Willenberg of Viña Robles Vineyards & Winery addressed the intense color of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, a result of potassium levels in the soils, which keeps the pH low.  He believes in “terroir”, and that the key to Paso’s structured and world-class wines is the fruit profile and color.  These permeate the wines with high quality tannins that remain stable, imparting a fat and creamy mouthfeel while retaining structure and body.  Viña Robles owns and farms six estate SIP Certified Sustainable vineyards in five of the sub-districts in the greater Paso Robles AVA, producing a wide range of wines, although they are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, which Willenberg feels “really shines in Paso Robles”.  His contribution to the discussion was a Mountain Road Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, a blend of small lots of limited production Cabernet with a splash of Petit Verdot to enhance the structure.
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Steve Gleason of Four Lanterns Winery
Steve Gleason of Four Lanterns Winery represented the Templeton Gap District, and although his winery and vineyard are in the Willow Creek District, his wife, Jackie, has her vineyard in the Templeton Gap.  There is a dramatic climatic effect here, with every mile west, it is one degree cooler and receives more rain as you get closer to the coast.  Four Lanterns is a family business, specializing in Rhône, Spanish and Bordeaux wines, but Gleason brought a Tempranillo from Jackie’s Vineyard, which he considers an up and coming grape for the region.  He feels that Tempranillo is a perfect fit for Templeton Gap, it’s sensitive to too much heat but needs heat for rich color, perhaps it’s the Goldilocks syndrome, not too much, just right.
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​Alex Frost of Sextant Wines in the El Pomar District embodies the spirit of experimentation.  The word ‘sextant” refers to an old world seafaring instrument used to explore uncharted lands, and Frost is divining what is possible in Paso Robles through 28 varietals and different series of wines, such as the ever-changing X-Series.  He finds huge diversity in the Paso Robles AVA, and puts his estate plantings where his mouth is, yet Paso’s reputation was made on Cabernet Sauvignon.  He poured his El Pomar Reserve Cabernet, a small production that is reserved to showcase the exquisite expression of the District.
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​Kevin Willenberg returned to speak of the Creston District, and how it is the perfect fit for their Viña Robles Petite Sirah.  Creston has a long growing season, which produces rich, ripe fruit and tannins.  Willenberg finds the boysenberry, cola, meaty and vanilla expression in sync with the “color and creaminess”, giving the wine a “spicy complexity”, among the structure and velvety tannins.
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​Blake Kuhn of Clayhouse Wines in the San Juan Creek District brought soil samples of the 50-year-old, sustainably dry-farmed Red Cedar Vineyard where his Petite Sirah was reared.  Inky in color, intensified by the optical sorter used during harvest to detect only the pure blue fruit, savory notes coarse through its body, aromatically complex with fruit and spice, structured yet silky with a lingering mouthfeel.
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​Dan Smith of Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery in the Paso Robles Estrella District, the largest of all the eleven sub-AVAs, farms 12 Bordeaux and Rhône varietals on over 130 estate acres, finding many micro-climates within to produce his wines.  Smith chose to showcase his Alicante Bouschet, an earthy, intense wine whose color is so deep, it almost appears black.  Layered with red fruit and spice, the dense body and luscious mouthfeel reflect a lot going on in this wine.  For those not familiar with Alicante Bouschet, it is considered a “teinturier” grape, meaning that the skins and the pulp are both red, versus regular red wine grapes having red skins and clear flesh.  Alicante Bouschet is only one of a handful of teinturier grapes in the world, and makes for an intense wine drinking experience, but Smith deftly handles it with his “concept of balance”, and notes that it is one of his favorite wines to make.
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​There was one sub-AVA not individually represented, the Paso Robles Geneseo District was explored another day at Eberle Winery.
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​It might seem that there is a steep learning curve where Paso Robles wine is concerned, but think about how Bordeaux and Napa Valley have defined their wines.  While many wine lovers may associate the region with Cabernet Sauvignon and big red wine blends, the delineation of soils and climate is allowing winemakers to craft exciting and thrilling wines that represent the best of each District, and add to the complexity of the wine tapestry.  There has been a spirited debate on placing these Districts on the labels, and while those wineries who have made their reputation on old Paso for the past few decades might like to remain one large AVA, the newer generation is embracing their differences, so that everyone, from the consumer to the producer, can “make their own kind of music”, or as Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure says, “a crazy Paso blend”.