Central Coast

Central Coast

Lusso Della Terra Winery & Vineyards

In San Miguel, California Lusso Della Terra, which name means "Luxury of the Land" makes its goal to live up to the name by drawing on the passion and love for both the land and the wine it produces. Winemaker Edward Cholakian starting from cellar rat, worked his way up the production later over time. His experience at well-know wineries such as Cakebread Cellars, Chateau St Jean, Monterey Wine Company, Fetzer Vineyards as well as serving as consultant for 30 other winereis has shaped Edward in creating his own style and winemakeing and shows in the wines of Lusso Della Terra.

Hours:

Monday through Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm

Ancient Peaks Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski

Ancient Peaks Winery Vineyard stands alone as the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region, tucked beneath the peaks of the Santa Lucia Mountains just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Here, the vines unfold along a rare array of soils amid one of the region’s coolest growing environments. The resulting wines express an unmistakable sense of place, with balanced structure and flavors that are native to Margarita Vineyard.

Tres Hermanas Winery

This is a great little winery along the Foxen Canyon trail. If you want a winery where the owners pour and you can actually talk about winemaking and the whole experience you get it here. Tres Hermanas does not make super jammy Central Coast wines but rather produces numerous wines in a more European style...lower in alcohol, higher in acid and basically more food friendly. I will have to say I enjoy 90% of what they produce.

Their Tres Hermanas Cuvee is incredible as is there Nebbiolo, Refosco, Syrah/Sangiovese blend and Muscat Cannelli.

Black Hand Cellars

We have enjoyed visiting Black Hand Cellars tasting room on several occasions and while communicating with Tom Banish the owner and winemaker we have yet to actual talk face to face.  The name Black Hand Cellars, evolved through many stories of the owners great Grandmother on the banished-side of the family would tell about the great wines her husband would make and how the Black Hand Mafia found a liking to his wine and would seek him out for it. With such an intriguing history the name for the winery was chosen and the roaring 20's theme set in motion along with hands stained from the harvest of their rich red wine varietals. Tom and his wife have done a great job with their wines and make it a fun experience all at the same time. Tom and his wife are very much into the entire experience and they have been known to stay a little longer even while closing to share the fruits of their labor and the Black Hand Cellar experience.~

Hours:

Mon-Sun - 12:00pm to 5:00pm

Adelaida Vineyards

Not only is Adelaida Vineyards' wine consistently wonderful, but EVERYONE who walks into their inviting tasting room is treated with superior customer service. The staff is extremely knowledgeable about varietals, flavors (and pairings), and the behind-the-scenes skill that goes into making their wines is outstanding!

Copia Vineyards and Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski

The story of Copia Vineyards begins with the passion of Anita and Varinder Sahi, their shared love of wine, and the beauty of its source. The Sahis each had different paths to this world. He has an engineering and business background, and she is a restaurant and marketing veteran. He globetrotted for work and his love for wine grew. She worked with some of the finest restaurateurs and Michelin-starred chefs, cultivating her zeal for fine food and wine. 

In 2017, the Sahis’ search for a special site to produce world-class Rhône and Bordeaux varietals was successful. They became the proud stewards of 50 acres of paradise-on-earth in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. It is now a veritable winemaker’s dream with nearly 40,000 vines planted in 24 distinct blocks. In 2022, their estate grew to include 26 acres of dramatic landscape in the Adelaida District. Both vineyard sites have breathtakingly beautiful slopes, calcareous soils, and strong marine influence. Simply put, the Sahis believe that these vineyards are legendary. The vines on the Copia Estate are now producing some of the most abundant, concentrated fruit with densely rich varietal characteristics.


The word Copia is a Latin root word that means abundance or plenty. It’s an apt name for a winery that is created by two people who have always chased the glass half full.

Bovino Vineyards

Painting by Agata Zaborowski

Dan Souza is the winery owner and an entrepreneur of many businesses who has found new passion in the fine art of viticulture and winemaking. He comes from a long line of farmers and cattle ranchers, and cultivating the land with extraordinary results is nothing new to him. Besides successful efforts in many of his ventures, he also greatly enjoys donating his time and resources to those who need it.

Bovino Vineyards is an 83.5-acre property with about 45 acres planted to grapes. There are 16 different grape varieties grown on the ranch. Some, like the sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon. The different clones were selected for the characteristics each brings to the finished wine. There are 27 separate blocks with different rootstock/clone combinations in each. Add this complexity to the fact that there are three primary soil types on the property loam, silt loam, clay loam, the elevation ranges from 1,020 and 1,125 feet above sea level, and the blocks have multiple exposures and sun tracks, and it makes the winemaker glad he does not also manage the vineyard.

Tantara Winery

Tantara was the name of a horse owned by Bill Cates some years ago. After Tantara was retired to pasture, she defied predictions of an imminent demise and lived to a ripe old age. Horses symbolize elegance, grace and power and in Tantara’s case, long life, all of which are qualities Tantara Winery has for their wines. 

Hours:

Members online purchase only at this time

Pear Valley Estate Wine

It started with 20 acres in 1999 and now Tom and Kathleen own 113 acres where they dedicate their energy and resources to providing the best environment for growing premium grapes. The vineyards are operated with sustainable farming practices to ensure that the best fruit possible will still be grown there when their grandchildren operate the farm.
The next phase of the dream began in the Spring of 2008 when they broke ground on a 14,000 winery and 5,000 square foot tasting room. Continuing the dedication to providing the best environment possible, the winery and tasting room were designed in partnership with PG&E through their “Savings By Design” program to design buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally sound.
In August 2012 Pear Valley officially achieved Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Vineyard Certification. Attaining SIP Certification demonstrates dedication to vineyard practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically-viable

Exceeded expectations are the best words to begin this review. The east side of Paso Robles is a place that at times does not receive the credit due or publicity that the west side has basked in for many years. Despite what some public opinion states there are a growing number of incredible attractively priced wines and well run establishments creating unique experiences all over the east and my recent trip to Pear Valley Winery was something that far and beyond exceeded my expectations.

Serving both Rhone and Boudreaux varietals, various blends, and well balanced wines all around they have something for the varying discerning tastes. Throw in some complimentary warm meatballs, a nice cheese spread, various cracker selections, and a friendly staff how could you not enjoy yourself.

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