I first visited Paso Robles in January and promised a return trip. I’m back sooner than expected and am already planning the NEXT trip! This visit is with a fun group–various wine writers and journalists from both coasts. We all converged on this beautiful area today…a bit weary from the air travel but excited about new adventures in this picturesque wine region.
Dinner tonight was in one of Paso Robles’ most respected restaurants – Artisan. Two brothers, Michael and Chris Kobayashi, are the proprietors. Michael is the GM and Chris the chef. Bottomline–the food is fabulous. We enjoyed a five course meal with the various wine makers/growers whose wines were paired with our food.
From the delicately fried razor clams to the wild boar tenderloin (from TEXAS), the meal was spectacular! But, I have to say I loved meeting the wine makers whose fruits of labor we celebrated tonight. Some were wonderful small producers whose wines you might not see in Texas like Steinbeck.
And then there’s Judy Starr with Starr Ranch Vineyards and Winery. What an amazing woman! She came here to Paso Robles in her late 50’s looking for her next adventure, and she found it. Winemakers like the esteemed Kenneth Volk use her grapes for their fabulous vinos. I enjoyed meeting Judy and hope our paths cross again…something tells me they will!
And yes, Paso loyalists…Gary Eberle was in our group. What a treat to not only taste his ’09 Cabernet but also his 1980 Cabernet! It was wonderful…Paso Robles wines obviously have staying power!
And as mentioned earlier….Ken Volk! I’m a huge fan of his pinots and tonight we tried his Touriga Nacional 2010, a Portuguese varietal. What a fun wine…plenty of fruit and a bright acidity! It was paired with a rabbit liver paté, and it managed the paté beautifully!
I’ll keep you posted on our adventures here. This is a special wine region–if you love full-bodied, bold Napa reds, this HAS to be your next destination!
Paso Robles isn’t an easy spot to get to…it’s smack dab in the middle of San Fran and LA. If you can nab a flight in to San Luis Obispo, grab it. That’s the easiest drive…only 30 minutes.
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BTW, I’m learning to shoot with a Canon 60D from Wolff Camera over at the Quarry.
If you have any shooting tips, lemme know ! 🙂
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