Heinen’s Road Less Traveled: Discover the Wines of Paso Robles
If you’ve dabbled in the world of wine, you’ve like tried a bottle or two from Napa and Sonoma, but there’s another nearby California region making a name for itself on the shelves of The Road Less Traveled section in our Wine Department: Paso Robles!
Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles is part of the famed “Central Coast” of California’s grape growing region. Home to over 40,000 acres of vineyard and boasting over 60 different grape varietals, this viticultural area of California was first recognized in 1983 and has done nothing but thrive due it’s Mediterranean-like climate with warm, sunny days and cool nights.
The Paso Robles region is often overshadowed by its famous neighbors to the north (Napa and Sonoma), giving it the charm of an untamed region still being discovered and explored. At the same time, the top Paso Robles producers are creating world-class wines, recognized and applauded by collectors and critics alike. Our Wine Consultants are always excited to introduce customers to unfamiliar regions, and Paso Robles (Spanish for “Pass of the Oaks”) is no exception.
Paso Robles Varietals
Given its optimal growing conditions, Paso Robles is home to a variety of grapes. Featuring 11 sub-regions within its boundaries, Paso Robles winemakers have mastered the art of pairing each grape with its optimal growing region. Here’s an overview of a few of their most well-known varietals.
Syrah and Grenache
These red grapes are from the Rhone Valley in France. Syrah produces reds of power and spice with intense red fruit character. Like a blend of French and Australian Syrah, these wines often have black pepper aromas, and pair extremely well with char-grilled steaks or lamb.
Grenache, another red grape, is often blended with Syrah, similarly to France. The resulting wines are recognized as plush, ripe, and spicy. Grenache is also ideal for making rosé, given the thick skin and fruit-forward style of the grape.
Zinfandel
Did you know that Zinfandel is the third most popular grape in California behind Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon? Zinfandel grapes from Paso Robles produce red wines with intense dark fruit flavors framed by spice and bramble. The grapes thrive in the hotter climates of Paso Robles, allowing them to reach a ripeness that often results in higher alcohol content.
Soft, round, and very drinkable, we recommend pairing a Paso Robles Zinfandel with BBQ ribs or chicken and dry-aged cheeses.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon has recently become one of the leading grapes grown and produced in Paso Robles. It is the “king of reds” in California, as well as the most widely planted grape in Paso Robles.
While they share characteristics with Cabernet Sauvignon grown elsewhere, the Cabernets produced in Paso Robles tend to be intense and very fruit-forward. Due to the hotter days, the grapes ripen to higher levels, producing intense, concentrated Cabernets full of boysenberry and dark cherry notes.
Though still full-bodied, the supple and soft tannins make these wines far more approachable than some of their cool climate relatives. Generally, the value-driven Cabernets from Paso Robles feature a jammy, fruit-forward style without much tannin or complexity. Pricier Paso Robles Cabernets offer complexity and intensity like their Napa counterparts, but still at a fraction of the price.
Blends
Paso Robles is also home to exciting blends. Winemakers often blend red wines to enhance the final product. One wine may provide structure and intensity on its own, but when blended with a softer, more approachable wine, they can create a blend that is better than the sum of its parts.
Traditional red blends from France are often replicated in Paso Robles (combining Syrah and Grenache, or blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot), but there is also an exciting, “no-holds-barred” approach to winemaking in Paso Robles, which can make for incredibly unique styles of wine featuring grapes like Zinfandel, Tempranillo, and Petite Sirah.
Sauvignon Blanc
A parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, this white grape thrives in the heat of Paso Robles, producing wines of ripe citrus character and surprising depth. Contrary to the green grassy Sauvignon Blancs of New Zealand, Paso Robles Sauvignon Blancs often have tropical notes of guava, ruby red grapefruit, and passionfruit. The best ones retain their lively acidity, and although ripe, are still clean and fresh. These are excellent cocktail wines and taste delicious alongside simple salads or lightly grilled seafood.
Take The Road Less Traveled to Paso Robles
Though you may have never heard of it before, Paso Robles has been a pillar of quality wine production in California for decades. Its prominence in the wine community is growing with each bottle opened and we’re excited to be among the first to offer it in our stores! Discover Paso Robles and its rustic California charm in The Road Less Traveled section of our Wine Department today!
