Paso Robles, California
Overview
Encompassing rolling hills, flatlands and mountains, Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo county is one of the fastest growing wine regions in California. Once home to cattle ranches and almond farms, the central coast city blends a rural-suburban cowboy vibe with the youth and freshness of a college town resulting in a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere where tourists are welcomed like old friends. Only 27 miles from the ocean, the diversity of microclimates features hot, dry, sunny days which roll into cool, foggy nights, ideal for growing a variety of vines. With over 40,000 acres of vineyards and 200 wineries subdivided, Paso Robles or Pass of the Oaks, continues to be a rising star in the wine world.
History
Known for its hot springs and natural mudbaths even in the time of the Salinan Indians, Paso Robles was called Springs before the 1857 Paso de Robles or Pass of the Oaks land grant that separated the town-to-be from the cattle ranches. One of the town’s first buildings was the bath house that later became Paso de Robles Inn and is now the site of the municipal pool. The city’s therapeutic waters helped make it a railroad stop and baseball training center during different times in its history. Located on El Camino Real, Paso Robles was on the trail of the Franciscan Friars who introduced winemaking to the town in 1790. The region planted its earliest Zinfandel in 1882.
About Paso Robles AVA
Encompassing over 40,000 vineyard acres, the Paso Robles AVA spreads over 42 miles from east to west and 32 miles from north to south. The vast region spans microclimates that vary in elevation from 700 to 2400 feet and experience rainfall variations from 10-30 inches per year. To account for the extreme differences in growing conditions and better inform wine consumers about the origins of its vintages, Paso Robles AVA was divided into 11 subsections in 2014. Old Oak Ranch is part of the Willow Creek District differentiated by its high elevation, mountainous bedrock slopes across the Monterey Formation and patches of alluvial soil along its streams.
Visit Paso Robles
Offering a more relaxed, laid back ambiance for wine-tasting and winery visits than the busy Napa, Paso Robles has a quaint downtown, ruggedly beautiful countryside, and an infusion of new talent experimenting with a diversity of varietals. In addition to wine tasting and winery tours, eclectic tourism opportunities include healing hot springs, olive oil tasting, brewery tours, historic sites like the Mission San Miguel Arcangel and the Pioneer Museum, and family fun at the waterpark. Outdoor activities include bicycle tours and hiking, fishing, and swimming at Lake Nacimiento. Many places are kid-friendly, but appointments are recommended, so call ahead.