This little hidden gem is very easy to miss while whizzing past on Silverado Trail. But don't overlook this one. You won't be disappointed. Some of the best zinfandel and very good cabernet sauvignon. It is a great value wine that will hold its own against some higher priced wines. This is a very small winery with limited production and only offers a few wines. You won't find this in too many stores so you will need to make a trip out there of go on-line.
Meet the Winemaker: Aaron Baer
Aaron Baer didn’t grow up in the vineyards, but he certainly learned the value of hard work. As the son of a general contractor and finish carpenter, his childhood was filled with the scents of sawdust and the rhythm of construction. While most kids were playing after school, Aaron was busy planning raw materials and sanding finishes, understanding early on that in a family business, a sick day meant heading to work.
His wine journey began serendipitously during high school, when his parents took on a project to build a condo atop a barn on a vineyard. There, Aaron got his hands dirty shoveling Petite Sirah grapes into a destemmer, igniting a newfound passion for winemaking. As they produced more wine in that makeshift winery, Aaron realized this wasn’t just a hobby—it was a calling.
With his family becoming shareholders in the vineyard, wine officially became part of their family business. Fueled by enthusiasm, he applied to Fresno State and Cal Poly, eventually choosing Cal Poly for its proximity to Paso Robles and its robust winemaking program. Graduating with a degree in Enology and a minor in Agricultural Business, he stepped into the world of wine with a ticket to Australia in hand.
In early 2015, Aaron found himself at Elderton Winery, working with 100-year-old Shiraz vines in the Barossa Valley. This eye-opening experience led him to a collaboration with Guillaume Fabre of Clos Solene, where he honed his skills further in the cellar. By spring 2016, Aaron was off to Bordeaux to work in the vineyards of Petrus, followed by a stint at Domaine La Barroche in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, soaking in the rich history and techniques of winemaking.
After returning to the Central Coast and spending time as a filtration technician, Aaron was eager to dive back into winemaking. He landed at Realm Cellars during a tumultuous harvest marked by wildfires, an experience that shifted his perspective and ultimately drew him back to Paso Robles to work closer to his family.
In 2018, he seized an opportunity at Sine Qua Non, applying techniques he had learned abroad. When his father sent encouraging reports about their family vineyard, Solana, Aaron couldn’t resist the urge to create a small batch of wine, which he named Un Petit Début.
By 2019, Aaron had fully returned home, producing a wine he aptly named Le Retour as a tribute to his journey. Each release is a nod to his French mentors, reflecting his appreciation for those who guided him along the way.
Aaron’s brand, ALLBAER, honors the unwavering support of his family, who have been his greatest cheerleaders. With every bottle, he not only shares his passion for California wine but also a heartfelt tribute to those who helped him along the way. New beginnings and the adventures that await in every glass!
Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso
Dover Canyon Winery is nestled on Vineyard Drive in the Willow Creek appellation of Paso Robles. Owner and winemaker Dan Panico has long believed that the calcareous soil along Vineyard Drive is ideal for cultivating Zinfandel and Rhône varieties. The estate vineyard showcases Organic, Dry-Farmed Zinfandel and Syrah, reflecting the winery's dedication to sustainable practices.
Focusing on small lots of artisanal wines, Dover Canyon often produces vineyard-designated selections that highlight the unique characteristics of each site. With a passion for the heritage grape of Paso Robles, the winery actively seeks out Dry-Farmed, Mountain Grown, and Old Vine Zinfandel from local vineyards, ensuring a commitment to quality and tradition in every bottle.
people enjoying wine - wine artist Agata Zaborowski
Buehler Vineyards is a small, family-owned winery located in the mountains east of St. Helena in Napa Valley. Situated north of Pritchard Hill and Conn Valley, near the base of Howell Mountain, this hillside vineyards are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller blocks of old-vine Zinfandel. Not the easiest winery to get to through the twisting Howell Mountain Road, but definitely worth your drive to enjoy the wonderful hospitality at this place. Their estate Cabernet is especially complex and very pleasing to the taste buds. If your looking for some new wines to try or just looking for an amazing experience... Go here!
The story of Copia Vineyards begins with the passion of Anita and Varinder Sahi, their shared love of wine, and the beauty of its source. The Sahis each had different paths to this world. He has an engineering and business background, and she is a restaurant and marketing veteran. He globetrotted for work and his love for wine grew. She worked with some of the finest restaurateurs and Michelin-starred chefs, cultivating her zeal for fine food and wine.
In 2017, the Sahis’ search for a special site to produce world-class Rhône and Bordeaux varietals was successful. They became the proud stewards of 50 acres of paradise-on-earth in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. It is now a veritable winemaker’s dream with nearly 40,000 vines planted in 24 distinct blocks. In 2022, their estate grew to include 26 acres of dramatic landscape in the Adelaida District. Both vineyard sites have breathtakingly beautiful slopes, calcareous soils, and strong marine influence. Simply put, the Sahis believe that these vineyards are legendary. The vines on the Copia Estate are now producing some of the most abundant, concentrated fruit with densely rich varietal characteristics.
The word Copia is a Latin root word that means abundance or plenty. It’s an apt name for a winery that is created by two people who have always chased the glass half full.
Winemaker Peter Kirilov, and Kukeri Wines is based out of Sebastopol. Peter has sourced the grapes for his 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder of the Mayacamas Mountains that separates Sonoma from Napa. The clay and volcanic soils that are characteristic of this area produce small, intense fruit. A rich, ruby red color, the wine is remarkably smooth and balanced considering its relatively young age. Though Kirilov has just recently launched Kukeri he’s no stranger to wine making or the wine industry. He’s a full time wine-maker for two other wineries and founded VinoEnology.com, an industry website that offers winemaking solutions for vintners, including calculators, tools and marketplace. This boutique winery and winemaker is a good one to keep an eye on. Small production wines with the fire of the winemaker’s passion for the wines he makes. Peter offers a Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
Tom Burgess established Burgess Cellars in 1972, but these Howell Mountain slopes were first planted in the 1870s by Italian-speaking immigrants from the Swiss canton of Ticino. The Poncetta & Rossini families, in the way of their Alpine homeland, cultivated vines on the rugged mountainside at extreme elevations. With the same ambition and imagination, Lee Stewart planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah grapes on Howell Mountain’s steep hillsides, naming his winery Souverain, meaning “sovereign.” Subsequent Napa Valley greats also saw the high promise of the land. Before starting the historic Stag’s Leap and Grgich wineries, Warren Winiarski and Mike Grgich each learned his trade at the Estate known today as Burgess.
Bokisch Ranches has been in the business of developing vineyards and selling grapes to other wineries throughout California since 1996. Bokish management company farms 1,000 acres of winegrapes within the Lodi Appellation. Bokisch Ranches grow several white varieties including Albarino, Pinot Grigio, Verdelho, Johannesburg Riesling, Viognier and Chardonnay. Our red grape varieties include Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Graciano, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon and customizes their farming to match theirr buyers needs. Bokisch Ranches partners with small and large wineries located in many wine regions throughout California including Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Amador, Santa Cruz and, of course, Lodi!
Rick Quinn and David Nichols started as neighbors, became friends, and eventually joined forces to fulfill their shared dream of creating a winemaking legacy in Paso Robles.
In 1997, Rick and David began planting vineyards, and by 1999, they established their family winery in the coastal mountains of the Willow Creek District. They chose the name Opolo to honor Quinn's Serbian heritage, referencing a rosé-style wine native to the Dalmatian Coast.
Although the modern winemaking era in Paso Robles was just beginning, Rick and David recognized the region’s immense potential. They focused on Zinfandel, a heritage grape of Paso Robles, as well as Bordeaux and Rhône varieties that would come to define the area's reputation.
Since then, Opolo has become a cornerstone of the Paso Robles experience, known for its widely acclaimed estate wines, warm hospitality, and legendary wine club. Today, Opolo offers a diverse selection of wines, including the iconic Mountain Zinfandel, limited-release reserves, and vineyard designates. Visitors are invited to explore the world of Opolo at their tasting room.
The Stanton family has been growing grapes in the Napa Valley since 1947. They began making their own wine in 1999. For this first vintage and the next three they used grapes exclusively from our Oakville vineyard. In addition to the Oakville property, the Stanton family owns two vineyards in St. Helena.
In 2002, acclaimed winemaker Dave Phinney, joined the Stanton team, lending his talented hands to the ’02 vintage, creating a wine that quickly captured the attention of critics and wine afficianados. A fan of Petite Sirahs, Doug decided to dedicate some of their Petite Sirah production to introduce their first vintage in 2004.
Stanton Vineyards remains, and will remain, a boutique winery, producing about 800 cases total (625 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 180 cases Petite Sirah) under their Stanton Vineyard label. This small production, which accounts for less than 7% of the grapes grown on their properties, allows them to focus on producing both grapes and wine of great character. Because, as Doug, his father John, and grandfather Jesse all agree, the grapes and the soil come first.
