Last updated on August 3rd, 2025 at 04:34 pm
If you’ve never been to Paso Robles, let me set the scene: it’s where laid back charm, meets bold character. It’s rugged, yet refined. Rebellious yet elevated. There’s no other wine country like it – which is why I am enamored with Paso Robles and can’t stop exploring it. It’s scenic and unpretentious, with absolutely stunning wines. And somehow, even with more than 200 wineries and counting, it still feels like a hidden gem.
Paso Robles is where Rhône and Bordeaux varietals shine. Located in California Central Coast, it’s about 30 minutes north of San Luis Obispo. Once considered an “up and coming” wine region, Paso has fully arrived – though it still feels welcoming and small. And the downtown? It’s lively and bustling with fun bars, cute shops and delicious restaurants. I highly recommend spending at least a long weekend here to soak everything in. Keep reading to discover the best wineries, top restaurants and best places to stay in Paso Robles wine country. And don’t miss the shareable Google map at the end marking all of my Paso Robles recommendations.
Must-Visit Paso Robles Wineries
Law Estate
One of my absolute favorite stops of the weekend was Law Estate. Wow – impeccably beautiful tasting room and design, with even more incredible wine. Clean, refined, balanced and structured – their entire lineup blew me away. They focus on Rhone varieties such as Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. They’re a gravity flow winemaking facility (meaning no grapes are ever put through pumping tubes) and they ferment everything in concrete, which is very interesting, given most people use stainless steel tanks nowadays. Fun fact – their winemaker, Philp Pfunder, did a stint at Screaming Eagle in Napa – and it certainly shows in his wines! Oh, and hot tip, make this your first tasting of the day at 10 am, and get a free hummingbird show in the back – we enjoyed watching about 30 hummingbirds twirl around their flower garden – but they tend to hide once it gets too warm.
Adelaida
Let’s talk about stunning views – if you’re looking for an unforgettable, upgraded wine tasting experience – their Hilltop Tasting Experience is just that. Adelaida makes all different styles of wines ranging from Syrah to Cabernet to Pinot Noir – really there’s something here for everyone. When you’re doing the Hillside Tasting, they’ll drive you to the highest peak in Paso Robles which is at the top of their property – you can even smack the placard that’s in the ground 😉 I really enjoyed their Viking Estate Vineyard Cabernet and their Twenty Three Twenty Adelaida District, a Rhone style red blend.
Tablas Creek
Tablas Creek is a Paso Robles classic – they’re one of the original wineries here, and in fact, pioneers in bringing Rhone varietals to the region. They imported several clones of Mourvedre, Grenache Noir, Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Counoise and Picpul Blanc, where it then had to be quarantined at UC Davis for three years before they could even plant. That’s dedication! Wine was not new to them, as the founding partners were a part of the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Hass family of Vineyard Brands. The tasting room is quaint and charming – and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to see their llamas and sheep grazing in the nearby field. Their Rose is one of my absolute favorites and I also really enjoy their Esprit de Tablas and Le Complice, both Rhone style red blends.
DAOU Vineyard
What’s a visit to Paso Robles without stopping by DAOU? Yes, they are a large wine company but they offer beautiful estate driven wines for direct to consumer only, which you won’t find in the stores. And I must say, the views are TO DIE FOR. Incredible hospitality, insanely gorgeous views, hip vibe and the ultimate photo spot. Some of my favorite sips included the Soul of the Lion and Adelaida District Cabernet.
Epoch Wines
Epoch is well, truly epoch – from the property to the wines. The tasting room is set inside the historic York Mountain Winery which was established in 1892. Since then, it’s been renovated and opened as the Epoch tasting room in 2016. The marrying of history and modern elements is beautiful, and if you look up, you’ll see a vintage basket press that was used to crush grapes back in the day – something for the geeky winos to go nuts over. The wines are gorgeous. Clean, structured and built to age. However, they were so good I depleted mine rather quickly once I got home. Was hard to pick a favorite!
Booker
Booker is the definition of aesthetic. You feel cool just being here. Talk about an Instagrammer’s dream. However, it’s more than just a pretty winery, as the wines are something to talk about. Their Rhone style wines pack a punch and are a beautiful example of the Paso terroir. I especially loved the Fracture and Vertigo. If you’re lucky enough to catch a ride on the ATV, they’ve got some pretty incredible vineyard views. If you’re looking for more approachable, everyday wines, check out their sister label right on the same property, My Favorite Neighbor.
Denner
If you’re looking for a casual spot to enjoy a patio sippin’ style wine tasting, come to Denner. Was really surprised by their Zinfandel and their pinaccle, Mother of all Exiles, a Cabernet forward Bordeaux style blend. Denner also has a separate spot where you can sip and picnic – sometimes a rare find!
Clos Solène
Forewarning, you’re going to fall in love with this place and want to join the club. A quaint little tasting space, owned by a husband wife team from France, and in fact, Clos Solène is named after the owner and winemaker Guillaume’s wife. What a love story – can someone name a winery after me please? They focus on Rhone and Bordeaux varieties here – and I can say, their vineyard views are stunning. Some of the best I have seen in Paso! The wines – refined, clean, expressive, delicate yet robust. Truly wonderful wines.
Fulldraw Vineyard
What a small gem of a winery. I am so glad I found this place! It’s right next store to Booker – making it a convenient stop if you plan on going there as well. They started as grape growers but started making their own wine in 2016, then opened up their own tasting room in 2020. They have a 100 acre estate with 45 planted to vine. Beautiful wines – only about 1,500 cases produced. The labels are super fun and represent a story or memory of the owners.
Jada
Talk about a stunning winery. Located in the Willow Creek District AVA, Jada is not only beautiful but you feel extremely relaxed while tasting here. Their wines are *big* but delicious, showing off the power of some of Paso’s Rhone and Bordeaux varietals. Their fruit comes from 100% organic, estate vineyards. One of my favorites was the Sawbones – a Syrah, Cabernet blend.
Levo
Tucked inside Tin City, Levo is a gem not to be missed. First off – all of the people at Levo are super fun and cool and make you feel right at home. Talk about good vibes. No wine snobbery here. You feel like you’re just enjoying great wine, while hanging out. Levo’s winemaking philosophy leans into purity of varietal expression, letting the terroir speak for itself. The Grenache is stellar!
Copia Vineyards and Winery
Wow, I could have spent my entire day at Copia Vineyards & Winery. From the moment you arrive you’re invited by a gorgeous, modern winery and tasting patio facing sweeping vineyard views. The food and wine tasting at Copia is not one to miss. The beautifully curated bites are the perfect accompaniment to the wines, and showcase a glimpse into owner Varinder and Anita Sahi’s culture featuring Indian spices. Very small production, the wines are crafted with so much intention and are a beautiful portrait of how Rhone varietals thrive in Paso. Kicking myself for not bringing more wine home during my visit – especially their “The Cure,” Syrah dominant wine blended with Mourvedre and Grenache.
Torrin Wines
The moment I arrived at Torrin, my first thought was, can I live here? Torrin is a very boutique winery, started from a wild dream, grit and passion. Winemaker and owner, Scott Hawley had previously worked for many of the top Paso Robles producers before launching his own winery with his wife Viquel. The wines are gorgeous – perfect for those who are looking for new gems to lay down in the cellar.
Paix sur Terre
Light, crushable red wines isn’t something you hear often in Paso Robles. Well, Paix sur Terre delivers. If you need a break from the big Paso red wines – head here to enjoy crisp whites and sippable, chillable reds. Very casual tasting area – good spot to stop with a group on a whim!
BENOM
Another tin city treasure – BENOM is a must for those who love big, age-worthy wines. BENOM, sounds like bee-gnome, is a venture between two French brothers, Arnaud & Guillaume Fabre, who fell in love with Paso Robles. Guillaume also owns Clos Selene – if you find that you enjoy those wines, you’ll definitely like the wines at BENOM. The wines are inspired by Old World winemaking styles and their roots in Bordeaux and the Languedoc-Rousillon.
I try to go back to Paso Robles quarterly to continue to bring you the best Paso Robles wineries, restaurants and places to stay. Next time I plan to visit I’d love to explore the wineries below, but let me know. your favorites in the comments!
If you’ve got time after tasting, visit the cute little downtown area – it’s lively and full of great restaurants and shops. Each time I visit Paso Robles I am so surprised by how many amazing restaurants keep popping up. My favorite so far have been S’Aranella, The Hatch, In Bloom and Il Cortile. Be sure to stop by the fun speakeasy before or after dinner, Eleven Twenty Two. The downtown is extremely walkable and has a cute little downtown square you can hang out in or sit and enjoy an after dinner treat + sometimes there’s live music depending on the day!
Where to Eat in Paso Robles
- Il Cortile
- S’Aranella
- Six Test Kitchen
- The Hatch Restaurant
- Della’s Wood Fire Pizzas
- Le Petit Canailles
- In Bloom
- Finca
- Thomas Hill Organics
- Alchemist Garden – for cocktails & snacks
- BL Brasserie
- Eleven Twenty Two – speakeasy bar
Where to Stay in Paso Robles
Geneseo Inn
If you’re looking for a unique stay in Paso Robles, this is it. They’re individual rooms made out of storage containers with vineyard views. Truly such an experience! There’s also a winery on property, Cass Winery, that serves up great wines and food from their tasting room. You could spend an entire weekend here and never leave!
Stay on the Vineyard
When visiting wine country, I feel like it just makes sense to stay on the vineyard, right? Hosts, Melanie & Jonathan Greer have two vacation rentals they run out of their beautiful Paso Robles wine country home. Very charming, relaxing and perfect for soaking in the Paso countryside. This Paso vacation rental is extremely welcoming and you’ll feel right at home, plus is the perfect location for exploring Paso Robles wineries. An extra bonus is the friendly vineyard kitties you get to wake up to each morning, I was personally infatuated with Cuvee, the cuddliest tuxedo kitty.
Copia Guest Homes
Again, I will always opt for staying somewhere surrounded by a vineyard – and this one did not disappoint. The owners of Copia Vineyards & Winery, Varidner and Anita Sahi, have two guest homes they rent out on one of their estate vineyard properties. While only 10 minutes from downtown and minutes from wineries, you feel like you are in your own world, situated on a hilltop surrounded by nothing but vineyards and nature. This is a great spot for a group, as it’s a full vacation home, with an incredible kitchen to cook from. I truly never wanted to leave! I also fell in love with their vineyard cat, Gita. The sweetest, lovable kitty.
What to do in Paso Robles besides wine
- Horseback ride through the vineyards with Central Coast Trail Rides
- Sensario – incredible light show, great for families or a date night
- Explore Tin City
- See a performance or concert at Vina Roble Amphitheatre
- Attend the Mid State Fair in July – lots of concerts!
- Explore the Paso Robles Distillery Trail
Top Tips for Planning your Paso Robles Trip
- Make reservations for wineries ahead of time, especially weekends
- Make reservations for hotels and restaurants in advance as well – Paso has become quite the destination
- Summer can be very warm – be sure to pack appropriately
- Visit during off season or during the week to get more affordable accommodations and easier winery appointments
- Bring layers – Paso Robles can have a high diurnal shift in temperature from day to night
- The wineries are spread out – be sure to block off enough time in between appointments
- Hire a private driver/transportation company – I highly recommend Central Coast Transportation
Paso Robles Map of Where to Wine Taste, Eat and Stay
Enjoy the below shareable map I continue to add to of my top recommendations for the best Paso Robles wineries, restaurants and places to stay.
Now you know where to drink, eat and play while in Paso Robles. I hope this guide is helpful when planning your wine tasting trip to Paso. Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
