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Morse Wines

clusters of wine grapes

Unconventional by Nature - Winemaker Robert Morse

Terroir is everything, but so as they say is location, and sometimes those aren’t the same place. We have chosen to stay at our vineyard, winery and estate tasting room to allow our customers to experience our unigue terroir. Opposed to what might seem apparent by the concentration of valley wineries, the best vineyard sites are not necessarily alongside the pre-existing major thoroughfares.

In the Foothills, we can grow any warm climate varietals but focus on those that perform at their best in granitic soils. Italian and Rhone varietals benefit from our consistently ideal climate. Our vineyard and winery’s location straddles ridgelines above an elevation of 2000 ft, benefitting from cooling afternoon breezes, abundant sunshine and low yielding rocky soils resulting in our unique terroir.

The Il Gioiello, “the jewel,” name comes from the final home of famed astronomer and scientist Galileo Galilei. Our 2 Roads brand name was inspired by my favorite Robert Frost poem and Morse is my name and most importantly the name of my parents. All three have inspired a slightly different approach to my choices and my respect for integrity, honesty and hard work.

Our wines and winery reflect these values; unpretentious, no concentrates or additives, just wine grapes and great value wines. In my life, the right wine has always been the wingman of a good meal, not the star of the meal. I recall great meals far better than other pleasures and that is why we make “food wines”.

As the French proverb says, “to have a great meal, one requires great hunger”. Having 17 unique estate varietals and clones allow us to create complexity and balance in our wines difficult to achieve with single varietals.

When asked about my favorite wine, the answer is always the same, “what are we eating”. If I’m having a glass of wine without the benefit of food, our 2 Roads blends Crossroad and La Strada are soft, fruity and complex.

photo - courtesy photographer Randy Caparoso

Saxum Vineyards

Saxum Label for Broken Stones wine

Saxum Vineyards focus is primarily with Grenach, Syrah and Mourverdre based blends from the Templeton Gap/Willow Creek area of Paso Robles, California. This Central Coast Winery produces 3,000 to 4,000 cases a year from these winegrapes.

Wilson Creek Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - man with pet dog and bottle of wine

Wilson Creek Winery is warm and friendly, comfortable yet exhilarating, simple yet elegant, all inspirations from the Estate wines, vineyards and Mount Palomar in the distance. What makes this Winery for me is the grounds. Tons of places to sit and enjoy your wine tastings. I think what makes it for me, is that I don't feel confined to standing at the tasting bar. I can walk around with my tastings. I don't particularly feel as free to do that at other Wineries. This winery has a lot to offer to visitors that are looking to do a little wine tasting in Temecula Wine Country.

Ripken Vineyards & Winery

Swirling glass of wine - saman teher - pixabay

We go down the road less traveled. We appeal to wine drinkers that wish to explore the joys of Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Carmine, Petit Verdot, Alicante Bouschet, Tempranillo, Graciano, Souzao, Touriga National, Grenace, Mourvedre, Montepulciano, Barbera, Dolcetto, or Corvina as blends or varietal wines.

Fore Family Vineyards

Painting of man sitting with dog and bottle of wine

Small, family owned winery with vineyards in Napa and Cobb Mountain, Lake County. Being primarily farmers, we are able to make our wines entirely from our own vineyards. The small percentage of grapes that we keep for our own label, totals to around 1000 cases annually. We are proud of our quality wines, and Lake County fruit! 

Hours: Sat & Sun | 12 pm - 4 pm

Anaba Wines

wine and cheese - pixabay

Anaba wines are handcrafted from the best Rhône and Burgundian grape varieties grown at our Carneros Estate vineyard and in selected outstanding vineyard properties throughout Sonoma County. Anaba Wines Rhône-style wines are artistic blends, inspired by the rugged earthiness of France's Rhône Valley and replicated in the rocky Sonoma soils.

Alta Colina Vineyards & Winery

people enjoying wine together - wine artist Agata Zaborowski

In 2003, after 35 years as an engineer by day, and a home winemaker by night, Bob Tillman found the 130-acre parcel in Paso Robles' Adelaida District that would become Alta Colina Vineyard. The 31 planted acres and 8 Rhone varieties that make up Alta Colina Vineyard hit the dirt in 2005 and his daughter, Maggie Tillman, came on in 2008 to help in the efforts. With a complete focus on estate-grown Rhones, Bob crafts about 2,000 cases a year and continues to sell the remainder of the fruit to other great Rhone winemakers throughout the Central Coast. Quality, legacy, and love of the land are Bob's signature.

Dark Star Cellars

wine and cheese

Dark Star Cellars is a rustic working winery and vineyard just of the West 46 and 5 min from Central Paso Robles. 

Dark Star is a rustic working winery and vineyard, conveniently situated just five minutes from central Paso Robles, off West 46 at Anderson Road and only two miles from the 101. Ample parking is available, and local ride services are just minutes away.

The winery boasts a spacious 3,000-square-foot tasting area featuring an indoor tasting bar with seating, as well as an outdoor covered patio with picnic seating and vineyard views. Visitors can choose between a regular tasting or enjoy wine by the glass to complement their own picnic.

Founded in 1994, Dark Star offers around twenty award-winning wines on any given day, including whites, rosés, creative red blends, and both common and unusual red varietals and ports. In the past four years, under new management, the winery has earned twenty-five awards, including ten gold medals with scores of 90 or above. Dark Star sources only high-quality fruit from the finest local growers and plans to introduce limited-edition estate wines soon. The winemaker selects grapes only when they have reached full maturity and flavor, ensuring that all wines are made, aged, and bottled on-site. With a limited production of approximately 3,500 cases per year, the winery maintains a close relationship with each of its 380 barrels, carefully tracking the maturation of its wines.

Renowned for its laid-back, family- and pet-friendly atmosphere, Dark Star offers tastings that include eight wines of the visitor's choice, or guests can allow the friendly and knowledgeable staff to guide them through the extensive menu. Many couples enjoy sharing side-by-side tastings to compare and contrast the nuances of different varietals or blends. Non-drinking companions can participate in activities like corn hole, observe the bee hive, or relax with the winery's cats and chickens. Depending on the day's activity level, vineyard, crush pad, and winery tours may be offered, and visitors might even have the chance to lend a hand during harvest season.

Dark Star takes pride in its quality-to-price ratio, with retail bottle prices ranging from $24 to $48. Club members receive a 30% discount at all times and enjoy 50% off case specials at least twice a year. The club commitment involves six bottles twice a year, typically costing around $150 per order, plus any applicable tax and shipping. Members can choose from the winery's selections or customize their orders.

Visitors are encouraged to check the winery's website for upcoming events. Spring and fall pick-up parties feature live bands, dancing, and buffets, while live music by local and traveling artists occurs once or twice a month. Additionally, open-mic/karaoke night takes place every Friday from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Dark Star is also available for private parties, small weddings, and charitable fundraisers.

Oak Mountain Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski women enjoying wine

Another stop on the DePortola Wine Trail. I wish I had the opportunity to walk around the grounds here and check them out, but time was pressing and we had more wineries to get to. Outside there is a very large patio with a wonderful view. There was a pizza booth to purchase a snack and a live band playing. I hope to stop by again next trip to the area. A really nice, friendly atmosphere to relax. Growing classic warm weather Mediterranean varieties of grapes which include Mourvedre, Viognier, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel and Sangiovese Brunello are keystone wines at this picturesque winery. Also included are some unique wine varietals such as Tempranillo, Primativo and our a Pinotage. I hope to meet the winemaker Stephen Andrews next time I am in Temecula Wine Country. Painting by Agata Zaborowski

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