Located in northern Santa Barbara County on the Sisquoc River 14 miles east of Santa Maria, Rancho Sisquoc is part of an 1852 Spanish land grant. The Chumash Indians called this area "Sisquoc", which meant "gathering place". Today Rancho Sisquoc is again a gathering place, this time for wine lovers.
In 2001, Jeff decided to venture out with the goal of making world class wines. Initially, he limited his production to Pinot Noir from Bien Nacido in 2003, he expanded his horizons a bit and added Pinot Noir from Solomon Hills Vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley. Jeff also wanted to produce a white wine so he added a Pinot Blanc from Bien Nacido in 2004 and a Bien Nacido Chardonnay in 2008. Jeff tragically passed away in 2010 just as he was coming into his prime as a winemaker. Remembered as a friend, co-worker, and extraordinary winemaker, the Miller Family, owners of Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Vineyards, purchased the J. Wilkes wine label with the intent of paying tribute to all of Jeff's accomplishments and continuing his legacy of making outstanding wines from the Santa Maria Valley.
Meet Niels and Bimmer Udsen, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind Castoro Cellars, a fun and inviting winery that has been making waves in Paso Robles since 1983. Their journey began with a simple dream: to create world-class wines from the beautiful grapes of the Paso Robles appellation.
Niels, a Ventura native, first dipped his toes into the wine business while studying Agribusiness at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. His passion for winemaking, combined with Bimmer’s unwavering support, led them to establish their very own winery in the heart of this thriving wine region.
But the path to success wasn’t conventional. The Udsens embraced what they fondly call the “backwards approach”: they started by making and selling wine, then acquired their own equipment, and finally built their winery and tasting room. Talk about an adventure!
You can visit Castoro’s charming tasting room in Templeton, right off scenic Highway 46 West, while their winemaking facility is located in San Miguel on the East Side of Paso Robles—both opened their doors in 1990. With the mentorship of Tom Myers, Castoro Cellars’ talented winemaker, the Udsen family has transformed from crafting a few barrels for friends and family into a thriving business.
Today, Castoro boasts over 1,400 acres of estate vineyards, all certified organic and SIP certified. Niels and Bimmer have built a brand that reflects their values, focusing on approachability and environmental consciousness. Niels' father, a Danish immigrant and successful businessman, instilled in him a deep appreciation for agriculture and entrepreneurship, which shaped their winery’s foundation.
Niels discovered his love for the wine industry during a senior marketing project for a local winery at Cal Poly. After marrying Bimmer in 1981, he honed his winemaking skills in the cellar of Estrella River Winery, learning every aspect of the craft for five years under the guidance of Tom Myers.
In 1983, armed with experience and a sense of humor, Niels and Bimmer launched Castoro Cellars, named after the Italian word for “beaver” (Niels’ long-time nickname). Their motto, “Dam Fine Wine,” perfectly captures their playful spirit!
Castoro Cellars isn’t just about great wine; it’s about family values, too. Their welcoming tasting room is family-friendly, even offering alcohol-free Zinfandel grape juice for the little ones. Plus, the Udsens prioritize a work environment that understands the importance of family flexibility for their employees. So, whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or just starting your journey, Castoro Cellars promises a delightful experience filled with laughter, warmth, and, of course, exceptional wine!
We had a very nice host that was pouring us all sorts of wine. She truely made us feel special because her mission was to find us a wine to like. It is a nice big tasting room with the big square bar, beautiful water fountain out front and some tables outside to enjoy the view. I never gave this place a fair chance because I have tried there wine at the grocery store and wasn't pleased. Well now that I have tried all there wines it is very good especially the reds! So give this place a fighting chance and it will not disappoint you.
"CIENTO" was born out of two inspirations. "Cielo" or heaven in Spanish and "Viento" or wind. In other words, "Heaven Wind." It also happens to be the number one hundred in Spanish, perfection in the world of wine. This is not about perfection, it's about joy, creativity, hard work, and family. If perfection comes someday, the team at Ciento will be doubly blessed.
The dream of Dave, Antonia, Sam, and Diego at this small family vineyard and winery started nearly 20 years ago. It was just a dream then, but took a big step toward reality when we purchased our property in Paso Robles, CA in 2012. It took seven long years of thinking, planning, raising a family, and dreaming before planting the vineyard in 2019.
Ciento is 14 acres under vine with eight grape varietals. The vines are thriving, producing beautiful, aromatic, and complex wines. The team at Ciento is excited to showcase their handcrafted, small-batch wines!
Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski
Barreto Cellars, founded by Michael and Joey Barreto, Barreto Cellars was established with the idea of becoming the leader in California producing high quality wines featuring grape varieties native to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). Because of relatives who migrated to America from these regions there is an obvious connection and desire to learn more about and develop wines utilizing these varieties. Many of these are unheard of in California except for a few elite growers and select winemakers. Currently we are creating wines in the New World style while trying to capture the truly unique characteristics each variety possesses. Each lot of wine is carefully hand-crafted from vineyard to bottle to bring the true sense of the vineyard to your glass. In an attempt to represent both Spain and Portugal equally, a red variety noted for each country is being produced.
Hunt Cellars is all about crafting wines that elevate every moment—whether it’s cozying up by the fireplace or pairing perfectly with your favorite meals. These wines are designed to enhance those special occasions and create lasting memories.
When the Hunt Family set out to chase their winemaking dream, they embarked on an adventurous journey, exploring premium wine regions in Oregon, Washington, and California. After extensive travels, they landed in San Luis Obispo County, drawn to Paso Robles for its diverse soils, exceptional growing climate, and unique winemaking styles, all infused with a spirit of graciousness and traditional American values.
After scouring numerous properties, they discovered a stunning 550-acre gem on Highway 41 in Creston. This picturesque land met all their criteria, featuring varied elevations and soil compositions that echo the world’s greatest wine regions—perfect for growing exceptional, intense fruit for their wines.
The Hunts decided to name their vineyard “Destiny Vineyards” in honor of their baby girl, Destiny, who arrived in 1996. And if you ask her today, she’ll proudly tell you which wines reign supreme!
The vineyard’s inaugural planting included an impressive lineup: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, and Zinfandel. To showcase their premium wines, the Hunts opened a charming tasting room in October 1999.
In 1997, they began producing their first memorable wine releases. The Hunt family quickly learned that great wines start with exceptional fruit. At Hunt Cellars, they pour passion and hard work into every bottle, ensuring that each wine embodies the varietal character, flavor, and velvety finish that has become their trademark.
So, whether you’re planning a celebration or just want to unwind, Hunt Cellars invites wine lovers to explore their delightful offerings and enjoy a taste of their journey!
people enjoying wine outdoors by wine artist Agata Zaborowski
This is way off the beaten path, but it is worth a stop if you're exploring the East valley or coming in from the 41. We stopped here on a whim after blowing through our wine budget at another winery down the road. I live to regret that. It's easy to miss and the road up to the tasting room makes you initially feel like you're in the wrong place, but the views are great at the top from the dinky building. It's remote, so you'll most likely be alone with your party, anyway. That's good because max capacity feels like it would be around six. The lady working the tasting counter is super cool. This is a no frills place, but that's what I love about the wine culture of Paso. They don't have a big selection of pours here, but what they offer is great. Half of the wines were cuvees, which I enjoy because there is something intimate about them, like enjoying the food of a chef you are a fan of. You submit to their palate. That being said, the Twisted wines are very good, especially the older of the two that were out for sampling. Hands down the best, though, is the cab. Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery Gallery | Agata Art Gallery
In 1989, well ahead of the Paso Robles vineyard boom Bob and Jan decided to plant a small vineyard. Pebble Smith, wine and vineyard expert and the father of world-famous winemaker Justin Smith, owner of Saxum, selected an entirely south-facing rocky hillside situated 1800 feet above sea level. Ten acres were ripped to four feet, yielding large calcareous rocks laden with whalebones and other marine mammal fossils – thus the origin of the vineyard and winery's name. The calcareous treasures trapped in the vineyard's broken shale and limestone were left behind after the underwater canyons and basins retreated, and when the earth shifted and folded during the Miocene some six million years ago. On this hillside reminiscent of a moonscape, the Simpson Family planted this distinctive property exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon. Our friend, noted cattleman Rex Swan, has an entire baby whale thorax and vertebrae intact in a rock now centered over his fireplace. The graphic on the back label was produced from that specimen. It became apparent to the Simpson’s that they had a very special vineyard. For over a decade, grape buyers have raved about the vineyard and its fruit. The terrain and coastal influence create a synergy that yields fruit that is crafted into rich and substantial wine. This distinctive area is no longer a secret, as evidenced by the purchase of an adjacent ranch by the Perrin Brothers of Château de Beaucastel and Robert Hass, after two years of combing California for the perfect spot to grow Rhone varietals.
David and DeAnn Taylor founded Cordant Winery in 2014 to produce Pinot Noir and Rhone-style wines that would become favorites in their cellar, and hopefully those of friends, family, and customers. Today the Taylors make about 3000 cases of wine per year, from Monterey County in the northern California Central Coast moving south through Santa Barbara County, a distance that covers almost 200 miles.
