It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of sparkling wine. This year, my goal is to uncover as many interesting, off the beaten path bubblies I can! Now that the search has officially begun, I found PasoSecco, right in my own backyard of Paso Robles wine country.
Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along Highway 101, Paso Robles is known for its “going rogue” attitude on the part of winemakers, winery owners and even consumers who embrace the spirit of the region. The Paso Robles American Viticultural Association (AVA) with 11 sub-AVAs is home to well over 200 wineries across 40,000 vineyard acres within 614,000 total acres. From wineries with small production to those with international distribution, innovation is the standard thanks to Paso Robles’ diverse climate, unique landscape and wine styles produced by the creatives who live here. Still an agricultural community with ranches and vineyards, once you visit and taste, you’ll always return. And this new kid in town, PasoSecco, gives you another reason to do so.
Photo Credit: PasoSecco
PasoSecco is an innovative new sparkling wine brand just released. The name sounds a bit like Prosecco from the Veneto region of Italy, right? But PasoSecco is from Grenache Blanc grapes cultivated in the rolling hills of Paso Robles’ Geneseo District, one of the sub-AVAs, and not Prosecco’s signature grape, Glera. However, it is produced using the Charmat method whereby the second fermentation is in stainless steel tanks – like Prosecco.
And there’s more. We may be pouring Prosecco-style sparkling wine from Paso Robles, but there’s another vibe of “cool” with each sip. Founder, Chris Kern, shares that a sip of PasoSecco harkens “our ideal of elegant, luxurious mid-century travel and the Mediterranean cool of Portofino crossed with the chic aspirational luxury of Palm Springs and Beverly Hills.” Portofino chic, Palm Springs cool – all in one delicious glass of wine? Leave the cowboy boots at home and pour a glass!
Currently, those in California can find PasoSecco by the bottle or by the glass at Wines on Main in Templeton, California and Vin 13 or Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ in downtown Paso Robles. PasoSecco should be licensed to ship into 10-15 states by mid February 2024 and those in Washington, DC will be one of the first to have their PasoSecco delivered. If you’re in Paso Robles in late February or early March, stop by the new PasoSecco tasting room at 1244 Pine Street for a glass or a bottle and a chat with founder, Chris Kern.
The website for PasoSecco will be up and running soon after this article is published, so don’t forget to add your name to the mailing list HERE. The site will give you all the information about PasoSecco and will allow you to purchase bottles and join the wine club. And oh yeah, I hear that soon we can get “merch” via the website, too!
Join me in raising a glass of delicious PasoSecco -The Best Bubbles in Paso, a welcome addition to the diverse and fascinating lineup of wines from Paso Robles.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
My online wine education course, Discover the Essentials of Wine (and choose it like a pro!) on Teachable is available until January 31.
Click HERE for information and to enroll.
