Central Coast

Central Coast

Cheateau Margene

Cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Atop the rolling hills just outside Creston, Michael & Margene Mooney began the fulfillment of their dream to plant a vineyard, build a winery and establish their home. The family took up residence on the property in the Summer of 1998 and planted the 5.5 acre estate vineyard in the Fall of 1998. Chateau Margene’s first wine was their 1997 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, with grapes sourced from a vineyard in Paso Robles’ west side Templeton Gap area and another vineyard off Airport Road in east Paso Robles. The first wines off the estate were the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2006 GSM & 2007 GSM both sold out very quickly at the two tasting rooms, as did the 2007 Syrah & 2008 Mourvedre. After producing Pinot Noirs from Paso Robles from 2002 to 2007, Michael and Margene researched the cooler weather climates of California and chose to acquire grapes from Monterey County for their Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. The 2008 and 2009’s both sold out immediately. Chateau Margene at Limerock Orchards Tasting Room hours: Daily from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (except major holidays) 6996 Peachy Canyon Road (Corner of Vineyard Drive & Peachy Canyon Road) Paso Robles, CA

Tres Hermanas Winery

glass of wine

This is a great little winery along the Foxen Canyon trail. If you want a winery where the owners pour and you can actually talk about winemaking and the whole experience you get it here. Tres Hermanas does not make super jammy Central Coast wines but rather produces numerous wines in a more European style...lower in alcohol, higher in acid and basically more food friendly. I will have to say I enjoy 90% of what they produce. Their Tres Hermanas Cuvee is incredible as is there Nebbiolo, Refosco, Syrah/Sangiovese blend and Muscat Cannelli.

Zenaida Cellars

grape cluster - ai generated - Pixabay

It all started back in 1988 when Eric’s parents purchased the land where the winery and vineyard sit today. Eric was still attending Cal Poly earning his BS in Ecology and Systematic Biology at the time but helped his dad by designing and planting the vineyard. After getting the vineyard planted and producing, Eric began to expand his wine knowledge. Biologist as his day job, Eric went back to school, attending UC Davis’s enology extension courses. Eventually, landing his first wine job with Ken Volk at Wild Horse Winery in Templeton and then moving into a position with Kendal-Jackson Winery. Eventually in 1998, Eric made the first official vintage of Zenaida Cellars and has been working on developing the wines ever since.

Herman Story Wines

person standing in front of winery

Russel From releases is limited production wines twice a year in the spring and in the fall. All wines are allocated via a membership list or by dropping in to the tasting room which is open Thursday through Monday.

Cinquain Cellars

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

2006 marks the first vintage of Cinquain Cellars, one of the newest wineries in the Paso Robles appellation.  Cinquain Cellars is focused on estate grown reds, including Bordeaux, Rhône, and Port varieties, as well as, sourcing fruit from select vineyards for white varieties.  It is run by David and Beth Nagengast, with David tending to the vineyard and winemaking while Beth manages the sales and marketing.

Lions Peak Vineyards

cluster of grapes - ai generated - Pixabay

In 1990, it was a road trip that led Jennifer Soni and her family to the Central Coast. At that time the Central Coast was, “horse country to the finest thoroughbreds and vineyards were just coming on board.” Having grown up in the farmlands and horse country of West Texas, country life was not new to Jennifer Soni. The Soni Family kept returning to the Central Coast for the overall lifestyle experience. It was on one of those trips that a vineyard property in the Northern border of the Paso Robles AVA was discovered. As result it was that the 128-acre farm with 40 acres of own rooted Cabernet Sauvignon became the Soni Family Vineyard Home in 1992.

After 30 years Lions Peak has had the legacy of producing award-wining reds and white wines. The Estate produces Cabernet Sauvignon and numerous other Bordeaux and Rhone red and white varietals. Today Jennifer continues wine making and producing award winning wines from her Estate and from grapes that she sources from the Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and Monterrey AVA’s.

 

Cinquain Cellars

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - Woman enjoying wine

Ciento Cellars is a charming boutique winery with an incredibly small yet dedicated team: Dave, Tonia, Jake, and their beloved dog, Oakley! While they may be few in number, the beauty of their wines and the quality of their fruit are the results of a collaborative effort that extends far beyond their small crew.

At the heart of their success are the tireless vineyard crews led by second-generation grape growers Mia and Juan Nevarez, whose hard work nurtures the vines that produce Ciento's exceptional grapes. Equally important are the mentors, teachers, and friends from the vibrant Paso Robles community, whose wisdom and support have shaped their winemaking journey.

And let’s not forget the families and friends whose love and encouragement fuel their passion for winemaking year-round. Ciento Cellars’ estate vineyard spans 14.4 acres, nestled between 1,200 and 1,400 feet above sea level. Here, gently rolling terrain meets steep hillsides, creating a diverse landscape that enhances the complexity of their wines.

The vineyard's soils are rich in calcareous limestone shale, characteristic of Paso Robles' westside terroir. With just the right amount of clay to retain moisture and loamy soils that provide essential nutrients, the ground is perfectly suited for growing premium grapes. Wine lovers are invited to visit the tasting room and check out samples of the limestone shale that contributes to the unique character of their wines!

Most of Ciento's estate vineyard was planted in the spring of 2019, with the Cinsault and Petit Verdot blocks added in 2021. As these blocks come into production in 2024, the team is thrilled to introduce new, intriguing components to their wine portfolio. The Viognier block, situated just below the tasting patio, was planted in 2023, so it will be a couple of years before this block begins to yield fruit.

For those seeking an intimate wine experience filled with passion and community spirit, Ciento Cellars is a must-visit destination in Paso Robles!

Pianetta Winery

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Pianetta winery is located on the vineyard, fourteen miles north of the downtown Paso Robles tasting room. The majority of the grapes harvested are sold to a major premium winery. Their success with Pianetta Estate grapes as well as their encouragement inspired Pianetta to develop a small winery so as to identify the wine from this vineyard.  
The first vintage yielded 370 cases of 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  Since then, Pianetta has grown to a 2700 case production and added Shiraz, Syrah, a Syrah/Cabernet blend, and a Rose style wine to their Estate wines, as well as Sangiovese, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, and a Tuscan style blend from the Paso Robles appellation. 

Bethel Road Distillery & Winery

people enjoying wine - painting by wine artist Agata Zaborowski

The path to Bethel Rd. has been one of passion, experimentation and homage to the tradition of spirit making from around the world. Since Niels Udsen’s time living in Italy, making Italian-style Grappa has been something he dreamed of. After acquiring one of the first distilling licenses in the county and an Arnold Holstein Bavarian still, the dream has finally become a reality.

In its first phase of production, Bethel Rd. has created two outstanding Grappas, a Gin and a two-year barrel aged Brandy that is both rich and complex. You will also find top notch small batch wines made from Estate Grown Organically farmed grapes. This is only the beginning of the journey and many more spirited experiments are in the works.

The distillery and winery is run by the Udsen family of Castoro Cellars, who are pioneers of Paso Robles wine country. Creativity and community are at the center of the Bethel Rd. mission with the goal being to manifest a space that is both inviting and inspirational.

Thursday - Monday: 11:00am - 5:00 pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
Spirit Tasting Flight $20
Wine Tasting $20
Club Members Taste Free!

people enjoying wine - painting by wine artist Agata Zaborowski

Fiddlehead Cellars

Pinot Noir, Gruner Veltliner & Sauvignon Blanc nurtured in the vineyard, respected in the winery and aged to distinction. Admiration for tradition and Old World style married with New World sensibilities. Browse around this site to share my love, my passion & ultimate satisfaction captured in the bottle. 

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