It may come as a surprise to many that this fall my husband and I are leaving the Chicago, Illinois suburbs where we’ve lived for decades for the Paso Robles, California. With a generous number of residents fleeing both states, it makes sense to pack up our bags and leave one. But settle in California? I understand… There are many issues in the Golden State and we’re already bracing for tax time. However, the abundant sunshine, proximity to the ocean with its beautiful sunsets and beaches, nearby mountains where we have a choice to enjoy snow activities (instead of shoveling it) and wine country beckon.
Without the big city vibe and volume of traffic is Paso Robles where we’ve decided to put down roots for our next big chapter. Located between San Francisco and Los Angeles and about 40 minutes east of the Pacific Ocean, Paso Robles is a bucolic town along Highway 101 with about 35,000 residents. It’s a quick drive from the airports in San Jose (2 ½ hours) or San Luis Obispo (40 minutes), the best little airport in the world (in my humble opinion).
And the wines! Bordeaux, Rhône, and an ever-growing list of Italian and Spanish grape varieties (60+ as a matter of fact!) are not only cultivated, but are thriving at over 250 wineries in the 614,000-acre Paso Robles AVA established in 1983. 40K+ acres are under vine as of 2021, making Paso Robles the third largest wine region in California. Further, there are 11 specific viticultural areas boasting a variety of soils, diverse microclimates, a broad diurnal shift of 40-50 degrees, and a range of altitude from 700 to more than 2000 feet. In essence, no two vineyards are alike.
How about wines from the San Luis Obispo (SLO) Coast AVA? This swath of land on the central coast of California from San Simeon in the north to Nipomo in the south encompasses this new designation that became official in March 2022. Only 30-minutes west from Paso Robles, there are beautiful cool-climate wines and wineries to explore.
This year, two articles about Paso Robles and the SLO Coast AVA were published in SOMMTV Online Magazine. Enjoy the read (click the titles for the direct link).
Insiders Guide to 7 Unique Paso Robles Wine Tasting Experiences
Photo Credit: Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Coast Meets Vines: The ‘Cool’ San Luis Obispo Coast AVA
Photo Credit: SLO Coast Wine
I continue to encourage friends and acquaintances to travel to these special places. Once they do, it’s only a few minutes before they see and taste the unique qualities that these regions have to offer. If you decide to visit, let me know!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
For more Grape Experiences and a free infographic “4 Keys to a Stellar Wine Pick” click here.
