Monday, September 24, 2012

RESOURCES (PART ONE) FOR PLANNING TOURS & TASTINGS


            Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (pasowine.com) – The PRWCA is the organization  that represents the largest group of wineries in the region. It is a membership group that markets the destination on a national basis and is responsible for several large wine events throughout the year. The web site is very well done and a great tool for those coming to area and locals alike. Tour planning, maps and in depth profiles of wineries are there as well as lodging options and dining recommendations. Details on events and ticketing is also included. There is so much to tell, I'll do a separate posting on the organization soon. When looking at the site, just know that only about 50% of the area wineries are members. There are four other Paso centric subset organizations, shown below.

            Far Out Wineries (faroutwineries.com) - This is a group that promotes nearly 20 wineries on the western fringe of the AVA or along the Adelaida and Peach Canyon roads the connect Paso to Vineyard Rd., the westernmost north-south connector. They offer a brochure specific to the touring of their "out there" neighbors.

            Paso chapter of Rhone Rangers (RhoneRangers.org & email pasorobles@ rhonerangers.org) - Is a state wide organization dedicated to Rhone varietals and Paso Robles is a major grower of the well and lesser known wine grapes they promote. There are over four dozen wineries in the area that focus on these wines and most are members of the local chapter. While many also make wine from non-Rhone types, they are a good resource for those seeking to focus on that style. A tasting pamphlet for the group is available.  

            Pleasant Valley Wine Trail (pleasantvalleywinetrail.com) – Pleasant Valley is in the NE corner of the Paso Robles AVA and is easily reached via San Miguel off Hwy 101. Most are small family operations and some have limited hours of tasting room operations. Check the web site. Currently, there are ten member wineries.

            Union Road Wine Trail (unionroadwinetrail.com) - This small group of wineries is located on a road parallel to E Hwy 46 and offers some quality wines that are often passed by due to the large number of well known wineries on the highway. A dozen wineries are in the group, including a port style producer. Close together, they are a great side trip from the beaten path, mostly small and quiet with sometimes limited hours. The exception is the locally popular and old-west-raucous tasting room at Tobin James, open daily and usually busy with multiple tasting bars.

            Cambria Wine Trail - Likely the shortest set of wineries to comprise a trail, the four wineries involved seem to no longer run a web site. But all are within a couple of blocks of each other in downtown for those enjoying the lovely beach village of Cambria. The individual wineries can be found at Black Hand, Moonstone, Red Poets & Skyhawk Lane.

            Paso Robles Wine Grape Growers Association (pasorobleswinegrapes.com) - This organization is a trade group and the local branch of the International Grape Growers, a viticultural group dedicated to improving the quality of wine grapes and farming practices. They are a good source of information in that field and on current methods in use in the Paso Robles AVA. They do have social events as well and non-members are welcome. These are posted on their web page.

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