We Californians are blessed to live in a state with such an abundance of beauty and bounty. Friday morning, Laura and I took off for an afternoon and evening in Paso Robles enroute to see R.E.M. Saturday night at the Greek Theatre. We stopped for lunch in Santa Barbara, then finished the five hour and change drive to Paso Robles. If you've see tne move Sideways, you've seen some of the area. It is gorgeous and home of some of the best wines California has to offer.
Our first stop was at Zenaida Cellars. We were fortunate enough to be the only two visitors, so we has a nice visit with the hostess, sampled some very tasty Syrahs and Chardonnays and joined their wine club. From there we went to Dover Canyon Winery.
I'm a big fan of Zinfandel, and Dover Canyon makes some of the best I have tasted. Their wine label features a painting of a dog. The story goes that he saved the winery owner's life several years ago by pulling him from the surf.
(editor's note: I am resuming writing this post from Crofton,MD)
We Made stops at Peachy Canyon and Castoro Cellars and then drove into town for a visit to Anglim.
We stayed at the lovely Paso Robles Inn, and had a wonderful dinner there, starting off with an appetizer of grilled artichokes. Yummmmmmmmmmm.
The next morning, he headed off to San Francisco to meet Laura's daughter Emily, her husband Dan and their adorable daughter Mather.
It was freezing cold in San Francisco and we bundled up, got in the car and drove to Berkeley to see R.E.M. at the Greek Theatre. I had not seen them in concert before. If you like their music, I highly recommend you see them in concert if you get the chance.
Our whirlwind trip continued the next morning after a delicious brunch at home and a nice visit. We got in the car and decided to head right back to Paso Robles. We had heard there were some wonderful wineries off the beaten path. In fact they're referred to as the Far Out Wineries. Our first stop was at Justin. Their grounds are beautiful, their wine is excellent, but we found it a bit pretentious. We were rewarded by our next stop at Carmody McKnight Estate.
The winery is stunningly beautiful and we were blessed to have winemaker Greg Cropper on hand. Greg makes incredible wines and we sampled several of them. Their Cheval Rouge is simply incredible. With many miles to go, we had time for a few more stops. We hit Norman Vineyards for some great Zin, and then stopped at Opolo and Jada. Opolo was very nice and Jada is a relative newcomer, but their wine is superior and they pair their tastings with different cheeses. It was then time to bid farewell to the wine country.
We really loved our visit to Paso Robles and can't wait to return!
Murrieta Real Estate Expert – Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage – Active Rain Ambassador – (951) 907-9701
It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I’m very proud to call home.
Nice post, Tom! I will have to get your input on a great route to follow when I make my first visit to California. I love wine and can't wait to see the coast.
Tom I know if anyone knows a good bottle of wine here at AR it is you! I raise my glass to you my friend :)
Gorgeous area, Tom. And the wineries look amazing. I lived near the Napa Valley for several months a few years ago and spent nearly every weekend on wine tasting tours. That was a very cool time in my life and I attribute it to the beauty of northern California and of course, to the wine! ;-)
Tom, it's been about three years since I was last in California and went on a fun daylong winery hopping jaunt. Thanks for sharing your recent experience! Hope everything is going well.
Tom, it looks like you had such a nice trip. Really enjoyed the post and the photos.
Angela - Please get in touch with me before you go. I'd be happy to share our favorites.
Bill - And I toast you in return. Thanks.
Steve - It really is gorgeous. I've been to both areas and I actually prefer PR to napa Valley.
Brian - Everything's going great. Hope you'll come out for a visit.
Lisa - Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
Tom, great post and I love the pictures. Thanks for sharing that great trip with all of us. Give Laura a HUG from me!!!
Hi Tom,
That's quite the tour! I'm glad to hear you sounding so happy and getting out there enjoying all of the wonderful wineries and scenery.
Beautiful pics and I enjoyed reading about each winery very much.
Jo
Hi Tom,
So you are "on the road again", I sure do like way you savor life and it's tastes. As always, your photos are wonderful.
Tom ~ As always, beautiful pictures! You are just all over the country this year, aren't you? Maryland now. I love artichokes and Zinfandel, my mouth was actually watering.
Tom, hope you and Laura are having a great time in Maryland and New Jersey. Thanks for calling me this morning to wish me a Happy Birthday!!! It has been a fun day with lots of emails and phone calls filled with Birthday Wishes!!! :)
Judi - Happy Birthday!!! It was great hearing your voice this morning. Take good care.
Jo - We enjoyed every minute. I'd love to be your tour guide when you come visit!
Cynthia - I tend to be on the road a bit, don't I? Thanks for the kind words.
Kathy - The grilled artichokes were incredible... steamed 1st, then sliced in half, the "hair" removed and served with dip. The Tobin James Zinfadel was mouth-watering!
Tom - sounds like you are indeed having a wonderful time!!! Save a glass of that wine!
Tom, Tom, that is my kind of trip! Mather is soooo cute! Where's Laura? Don't we get to see her pic to sometimes? Where's my mememememem? Inquiring minds want to know. Later in the rain~Deb
Barbara-Jo - I'll open a fresh bottle for you ;-)
Deb Deb - Your meme is coming... patience, dear. Here's Laura...
Tom & Laura, Hi again!!! :)
Tom: Great post and pictures. We have a couple of wineries here but nothing like California. Who could beat California for sure. Looks like a great time.
Tom, Tom, Laura is so bright and lovely. Her smile just lights up the screen! She had better take good care of you my friend or, or, or, well....she just better.
I'm looking forward to meeting both of you in July! Later in the rain~Deb
Judi - Hi again to you!
Donna - Many thanks. Hope you can come visit so I can show you around.
Deb - She's a doll and she takes great care of me. See you in August ;-)
Beautiful pics!!! WOW!!! I've always wanted to go to Healdsburg. We purchase a bottle of Souverain on our honeymoon and for our 25th anniversary he spoke with the owner and purchased a special case for me... romantic.
Sounds like fun, you are lucky to live in such a beautiful area.
Eleanor - I love Chateau Souverain. You have good taste!
Cindy - I feel blessed living where I do.
Tom, what lovely photo's! We've had our nose to the grindstone for too long. Maybe we can hit a winery or two this weekend. Great post, beautiful area.
Debbie - I was just in your state last week... paid a very quick visit to Richmond. Hope you get away this weekend!
Now that is what you do when you have 48 hours in CA! I love it!