I have wanted to do some wine tasting in the Paso Robles area for a couple years now, and might just be able to do it before I get wrapped up in another project. I have not been through this area since I was a teenager. If I can swing it, we’ll target the third week of May.

I’m contemplating two different scenarios. 1) Fly into San Jose, rent a car, head west to highway 1 and take my time enjoying the drive to Paso Robles. 2) Fly into LA, rent a car, catch a Dodger’s game and then head to Paso Robles.

Anyone familiar with this area have some recommendations / thoughts?

I was in the area a couple Christmases ago. How you want to approach it is up to you, but I think flying in to San Jose and then driving to Santa Cruz on 17 to meet Highway 1 would be much more worthwhile. Northern California's coast is so much more picturesque than anything you can find south of Paso Robles.

If you get tired of wine on afternoon, you can mix it up and visit the Firestone Walker brewery:

http://www.firestonewalker.com/

The owners come from the wine business and their approach to beer is informed by that tradition. For one, the beers are aged in oak. I love their beer.

Also, if you haven't been there yet, Hearst Castle in Cambria is amazing.

Fun area, lots of things to see/do down there.

We were married in Morro Bay, near the big rock. Cambria is one of the small towns near the water, though not the closest to PR.

I think either of your flight plans would work, it's kind of in the middle to be honest.

Something I'd recommend is to add some BBQ into your plans. Apparently the area has some good ones, though we've never really had the chance to check 'em out. We have done Mo's in downtown SLO, which used to be good, not sure now. The fresh potato chips can't be beat.

Qupe Syrah is one of my faves, made in that area.

Peter beat me to it.

I agree with Peter and the others. The 1 is the way to go.

I've been wine tasting in Paso a couple of times. Here are my favorite vineyards to visit...I can't go near Paso without stopping at these three.

Dover Canyon
Tablas Creek
Opolo

I think if you call ahead and make an appointment Tablas can even offer a full tour of their facility and vineyards.

I'm jealous! Have fun!

Been through that area a couple times, Mike, but don't have much detailed knowledge. One thing that Peter suggested I'll second: take in Hearst Castle.

Thanks! I can't believe I've not heard of the Hearst Castle before. Looks incredible.

Any lodging recs? Places to eat?

For sure! You will go ape over the basement "hot tub." Extremely out of the way (right on PCH, near nothing), but worth the trip.

Most of the artwork is 3rd rate, but the excesses are astounding (and beautiful at times)

There are a lot of motels in San Simeon the town by Hearst Castle and in Cambria 6 miles south, both on the beach. Look for motels on Moonstone Beach Drive. Lots of good eats in Cambria also. Paso is 35 minutes over the mtn on hyway 46 from Cambria. Make sure you have some grilled TriTip while you are there. Also a lot of antique/unique/tourist shopping in Cambria. A bit north by Padres Blanca is a sea lion preserve.

I'd fly into SF, south thru Montery and Carmel and Highway 1 thru Big Sur to Hearst Castle and Cambria. Nepenthe's or Ragged Point for eats on the way down in Big Sur.

Reviving an old thread, the family and I went to Harvest Fest this last weekend in Paso to meet up with Michael his gal Sarah and his good friend Dwight. We spent a great 2 days with them tasting and just having some fun. I'm still feeling the effects of the weekend

Michael and gang drove down from SF and rented a house in Paso for a week, when I talked to him yesterday they were still going strong at the tasting rooms. We suggested they try to get up to Hearst Castle and if possible drive the coast back up, that being said there are several hundred tasting rooms in Paso and Michael and Dwight are serious about their wines, I learned more in a weekend about wine from them than I have in 10 years of drinking the stuff, so any wine reviews will be left to them when they get back.

And as it turns out we have to be in SF this weekend for a Medical conference so if everything works out we will be able to hang out again a couple times before they head back to Alaska.

Awesome. Drinking (a lot of) wine with Michael is on my bucket list.

Very cool! I'm jealous of both of you!

Did you take a break for Firestone Walker Brewery?

I believe they went there before we got there Sat. We've been there a couple times before and enjoyed it.

It was good to meet you and your family Michael. And I thought I was a dirty old man, till I met you and Suzan. I'm looking forward to having a good Dr join the staff at the local clinic. LOL

No Tom, we did not make it to the brewery. We were going to after having a couple pints of their stuff (very tasty), but just didn't make it happen.

Paso wine reviews will have to wait a spell. Two week vacations kill me for getting caught up with things. I would not have logged onto the Axiom sight for several more days or weeks if I did not have email notifications to respond to.

Lol, I'm afraid if we do make a trip up to Valdez Susan may like it too much, last thing I need is to live in a colder climate than I'm already in. And I think we are on equal footing when it comes to dirty old men.