Page 44 - Ma 2023 Galveston Monthly

home winemaker, Bob Tillman. He purchased the 130
acre property in 2003 and now Alta Colina is one of Paso
Robles’ most beautiful vineyards and one of the Central
Coast’s most acclaimed producers of Rhône-style wines.
Bob’s daughter Maggie is working towards even more
sustainability, pushing towards organic though not planning
on certification yet.
Adelaida is producing wine from their organically farmed
estate vineyards. Surrounded by organic walnut orchards,
the tasting room offers multiple elevated experiences
including the option to taste library wines on a hilltop
outdoor space with expansive views.
Daou vineyards Caliza Winery has a beautiful terraced 28 acre vineyard
on a 60 acre property and specializes in Rhône style wines
in the well-regarded Willow Creek District sub-ava. The
name Caliza is the Spanish word for limestone which is an
important component of the vineyard soils.
Bubble lovers can expect to find more offerings, too.
Paris valley Road, vino vargas, and Sextant Wines are all
producing local versions of traditionally made sparkling
wines using the same production method as Champagne.
Other top boutique producers include Lxv Wine, Brecon
Estate, Straight Out of Paso, High Camp Wines, and Le vigne
Winery which also owns a cheese company and offers wine
and cheese exploration tasting menus at the winery.
Some of the most exciting artisanal producers can be
found in Paso’s warehouse district called Tin City. Housed in
industrial style tin buildings are a mix of producers making
a variety of wines like the edgy Anarchy Wine Co with their
rock and roll tasting room to Giornata Wines which focuses
tin city in paso Robles on beautiful old-world style Italian varieties.
Also of note are newcomers Benom Wines, owned and
operated by the French Fabre brothers with a family wine
production and makes her own J Dusi brand wines which history in Bordeaux and the Languedoc, and Cordant Winery
include a Pinot Grigio that is a local summertime favorite, which is making wines from across the Central Coast.
a southern France-style Zinfandel-based rosé, and a wide Some wineries have expanded beyond wine and are also
range of reds. distilling spirits like Barton Family Wines which makes
Austin Hope maintains the Hope Family’s legacy of smaller production wines labeled as Grey Wolf Cellars and
sustainable farming practices and creating delicious, a range of liquor under Grain & vine Craft Distillery. Opolo
accessible wines. They have five brands including the is another option for tasting both wine and spirits at the
premium Austin Hope and the more affordable Treana and same site; Willow Creek Distillery is attached to their winery
Austin line which have been spotted here on the Island. allowing visitors a wider tasting experience.
Golfers may have seen Rory McIlroy celebrate his win on
the PGA Tour on the Netflix docudrama “Full Swing” with tastes of paso Robles found at Island restaurants
a glass of Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon on the final Look for Austin Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon on the
episode. wine list at the San Luis Steakhouse and katie’s Seafood
Hearst Ranch Winery invokes grand images of the Hearst House. Find Daou Sauvignon Blanc and “The Pessimist” at
Castle, but the winery is a partnership with the Saunders Riondo’s Ristorante by the glass or bottle, Daou Chardonnay
family; second generation Scotty Saunders has created a at Rudy & Paco’s, and Daou’s Cabernet at katie’s.
boutique brand called Arbuckle Ridge which has yet to be Refresh with Tablas Creek Dry Rosé at BLvD. Linger over Tin City image courtesy of tincityfilm.com
released but promises to be a favorite for future tasters at multiple tastes at Hearsay which has a few Paso offerings
the estate. Winemaker for Hearst, Soren Christiansen, also sold by the taste, glass, or bottle. If celebrating and looking
has a new brand called Anonimo. to splurge, try Patrimony Caves des Lions offered for $430 at
Alta Colina vineyard is the realized dream of former Riondo’s. GM

44 | GALVESTON MONTHLY | MAY 2023