In California's Central Coast, within San Luis Obispo County and halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, lies the fastest growing AVA (American Viticulture Area) in California: Paso Robles. And within the Paso Robles AVA are 11 other AVAs: Adelaida District, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek, San Miguel District, Santa Margarita Ranch, and Templeton Gap District. As a whole, Paso Robles is about the size of Napa Valley.
Paso Robles is Spanish for "Passing of the Oaks", and the area was given that name by travelers passing through on their way from one missionary to the next. It was the missionaries of the San Miguel Arcangel that would be the first to plant wine grapes here in 1787. This makes it one of California's oldest winegrowing regions.
(This article was written for GrapeBunch, our weekly wine periodical. Click here to read the original!)
It's also known as "California's oldest watering place" because of its underground hot sulphur springs and natural mud baths. Both this therapeutic water and the Gold Rush brought people to Paso Robles in the 1800's. In 1869 outlaw Jesse James' uncle Drury Woodson James bought a half interest in the town of Paso Robles, which the AVA surrounds, and it quickly became a safe haven for fugitives hiding from the law. When its first commercial winery was established in 1882, it immediately planted Zinfandel.
Paso Robles is HOT! Hot, hot, hot, sometimes getting up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit! Although, being a continental climate, it can drop up to 50 degrees at night. In the western portion it has a cooling influence from the Pacific, while in the eastern portion it has the altitude of its rolling hills. Still, the effects of the heat on the fruit is why Paso Robles has become famous for its big bold red wines, and its calcareous soil helps with making it outstanding quality.
From when it was first planted here in 1882, Paso Robles embraced the big, jammy, high-alcohol, highly tannic Zinfandel that its climate provided. Next was Petite Sirah in 1884, and in the 1920's Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from Paso Robles started winning awards. Yet even with its long history and pride in its Zin, it only makes up 8% of the plantings in the region today. The honor of being the most planted variety goes to Cabernet Sauvignon at a whopping 39%. These are big peppery Cabs with a rich texture and bright acidity. Chardonnay is the top planted white varietal at 5%.
What Paso Robles succeeds at more than anything, and is the most acclaimed for, are Rhône varietals and blends. This includes Grenache (6%), Syrah (9%), and Mourvèdre. Combining those guys together makes a Rhône-style blend, and is often referred to as a GSM. Paso Robles is FANTASTIC at making these. A long-time citizen of Paso Robles, Petite Sirah is still a very important single varietal and blender here. And the lands love of Rhône varieties crosses over to white varietals and white blends as well, with excellent Viognier and Roussanne being produced.
This wine is powerful and intensely aromatic out of the glass, presenting fragrances of blueberry, boysenberry and black plum. Secondary layers reveal elderberry, truffle, cocoa and cardamom spice accented by hints of eucalyptus, leather, cherry pipe tobacco and grilled meats. Broad and expansive on the palate, it bestows lush, generous flavors of black cherry, blueberry crème de cassis and damp forest floor. Hints of lavender, anise and black olive complement the rich, ripe fruit flavors. Massive in weight yet elegantly structured, this wine is a powerhouse that reveals itself gradually yet deliberately. It finishes smoothly with leisure and length, on notes of blackberry, espresso bean and pomegranate.
Joey Casco
Beverage Marketer
Certified Specialist of Wine
Certified Specialist of Spirits
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