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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.

Marin Wines

grape cluster - ai pixabay

Natural winegrowing for us means producing the finest quality wines while working in harmony with nature and protecting the health of the earth and its people. As a CCOF - Certified Organic winery, we encourage environmentally friendly practices at many stages, from conserving soils and water, managing pests and using a natural approach in winemaking

Opolo Vineyards

wine dancing in wine glass - Pixabay

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.

Denner Vineyards & Winery

Corks and glass - Pixabay

The Denner Winery was completed in time for the 2005 harvest. Ron and John believe that great architecture blends with the environment. Denner Winery, therefore is designed to fit into the rolling hills and is complementary to the geography and culture of the Central Coast and the wines they produce.

Adelaida Vineyards

people enjoying wine - wine artist Agata Zaborowski

You will find in the picturesque rolling foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains near Paso Robles, California, lies a contemporary gem of a winery owned by the Hoffman family. Operated by Dr. Stanley Hoffman and his two sons, David and Michael, this idyllic winery boasts 12-year-old vineyards perched at elevations of 1,400 to 1,800 feet, all dedicated to producing premium estate-bottled wines.

The story of this remarkable winery dates back to 1964 when Dr. Hoffman first planted French varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. He discovered that the unique climate, terrain, and chalky, lime-rich soil of his Central Coast ranch closely resembled the renowned viticulture regions of France.

In 1973, Dr. and Mrs. Hoffman made the bold move from Southern California to Paso Robles, setting out to create a winery focused solely on estate-bottled premium wines. That same year, they welcomed the legendary Andre Tchelistcheff, the “dean of California Winemasters,” as a consultant. With Andre’s expert guidance, the Hoffman brothers began crafting wines that soon garnered prestigious accolades, including a gold medal at an international wine competition in London in 1975.

Tchelistcheff praised the Hoffmans, noting, “Love, devotion, and self-sacrifice are rare in this day but essential for making great wines,” and he believed the Hoffman brothers embodied these qualities. He also referred to HMR Vineyards as “a jewel of ecological elements,” predicting that some of the best white and red Burgundies would emerge from this exceptional region.

For those who adore California wines, the Hoffman family's commitment to quality and their stunning vineyard is a true treasure waiting to be explored!

Vino Urbano Urban Winery

winery's logo

Our winery opened in 2016, our unique tasting room will offer a relaxed indoor and outdoor atmosphere with fresh Coastal breezes, featuring views of Spring Canyon and distant Mexico lights. Our wine styles are influenced by both California and Baja Mexico. Wines will be artisanal small production lots sure to please any palate. Currently open by appointment only for barrel tasting. Advanced purchase of our 2014 vintage release is now available.

Burgess Cellars

wine cellar - Pixabay

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.

Bartholomew Park Winery

corks and wine glass - Pixabay

The staff here was very friendly and inviting, I felt comfortable asking any and all questions I had. Would definitely recommend this, especially for a lunchtime stop so you can picnic. They even had some picnic type food items for sale. Bartholomew has an excellent hike, approximately 3 miles, which provides an excellent workout. Parts of the trail are challenging for novice hikers, with very steep ascents and descents, even a few stream crossings on rocks. It's a fun hike with an excellent vista view, and maybe you will see some wildlife.

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