When visiting Paso Robles, you’re pretty much in Rhone Ranger town. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre are as common here as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are along the Sonoma Coast. But if you’re looking to break away from the Paso-norm, maybe try a few obscure varietals, and have some outdoors-y fun while you taste, then your next stop is the family owned and operated Castoro Cellars: You’re in for some “Dam Fine Wine.”
On my last trip through Paso, I stopped by Zenaida Cellars, a winery I had come across when they kindly sent me a few bottles to sample. While their Syrah was outstanding, I truly fell in love with their Fire Sign red blend. But for some reason I held on to their GSM waiting for the opportune moment to pop the cork (or, this this case, twist the cap). And, honestly, I think it’s because of the name. I’m an itchy-twitchy girl who can’t hold still for more than a moment and wanderlust is something that’s truly in my heart. Well, I’ve come to a point in my life where I’m traveling — like, a lot. Admittedly, my recent travels are primarily taking me to various California wine regions, but in so doing I feel like I’m traveling to world as I learn and taste through each grape’s heritage, each winemaker’s journey. And so, now is the time to twist off the cap of Zenaida Cellars 2014 Wanderlust.
Only slightly off the beaten path of Highway 46 in the Adelaida district of Paso Robles is a quaint little family operation, Alta Colina. Here, upon a hilltop, the Tillman family has set up shop on their 130 acre ranch, 31 of which are planted to 15 blocks of vineyard. They have a unique plot of land, with sturdier soils (containing a high percentage of fractured shale amongst the loam) than even some of their closest neighboring vineyards. And being just out of reach of the cool, foggy air of the Templeton Gap, the vines are blessed with a moderately warm climate that can, in the summer, get down right hot.
It’s no secret that I like my wine, but when drinking hard liquor or making a cocktail, vodka is my spirit of choice. I was introduced to Re:Find Distillery when co-owner Monica Villicana kindly sent me a sample of her Re:Find Barrel Finished Vodka. (Click the link to read the full review. SPOILER ALERT: It’s awesome). So, when I made my pass through Paso Robles, home to Re:Find Distillery, I had to pop in and see this operation from the inside.
Four-legged friendly, fabulous wines, and food. When traveling through wine country, that last bit is pure gold. Well, you can get all three with a stop at Barton Family Wines & Grey Wolf Cellars, conveniently located right off of Highway 46 in Paso Robles.
The super casual tasting room is owned and operated by Joe Barton who’s carrying on the Grey Wolf Cellars family business, one his father, Joe Sr., started back in 1994. Today Joe (Jr.) has turned that family business into a family legacy, offering more wine types in his humble farmhouse-turned-tasting room than many major players in the area. To accommodate, he’s even created a secondary label, Barton Family Wines, which include wines of personal interest to Joe and are, admittedly, for the more discerning palates.
Barton Family Wines and Grey Wolf Cellars remains a boutique operation, producing just around 5,000 cases annually. That boutique feeling translates to the visit — there’s enough space at the bar to get one-on-one attention with your host, and enough seating, inside and out, to just hang out on your own. And with such a large library of wines, there’s something suitable to every tastebud.
The variety and quality of the wines are a testament to Joe’s winemaking philosophy. He’s a winemaker first — though he does have 7 acres of vines planted around his 15 acre property, he sources a most of his fruit from vineyards throughout the AVA. This way, he says, he can offer the full “Paso Robles expression.”
Whether a Barton Family Wines exclusive or a Grey Wolf Cellars daily drinker, each of Joe’s wine have a clear sense of time and place.
Thank you to Joe for hosting me on my visit to Barton Family Wines & Grey Wolf Cellars. For more information about the winery, the wines (and food), to plan your visit or purchase wines online, please visit the Barton Family Wines website.
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