TRAVEL


DAOU Vineyards


Laid-back charm and more than 300 wineries make this community a must-visit. ::


H


alfway between los angeles and San Francisco, Paso Robles is the


California wine destination you may never have heard of but need to visit.


With prices and crowds in Napa and Sonoma out of


control these days, Paso off ers a low-key alternative where you can taste great wine and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants for about half the price.


Home to a community of cowboys, surfers, innovators, and


winemakers, this small town bordered by coastal Highway 1 and Route 101 has laid-back charm, nearby beaches, and more than 300 wineries.


Another top tasting


DAOU was hands-down my favorite wine tasting experience in Paso Robles. The winery has a large


tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating. I recommend booking outdoors. Set atop a mountain,


the views are as impressive as the wine. Curated wine and


culinary pairings are what to try here. Owned by two brothers,


DAOU is known for its big reds, including world- class cabernet sauvignons. The Soul of a Lion is their signature bottle and included in the house wine tasting fl ight.


78 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | JULY 2023


experience in the Paso area is Tablas Creek.


It is the fi rst winery to introduce Paso to Rhone grapes. It is also the fi rst winery to earn the coveted international Regenerative Organic Certifi ed standard.


Tablas off ers mixed, red, and white tastings served in two fl ights of three, each including their fl agship Esprit de Tablas. Tastings are just $25 per person and the fee is waived with a two-bottle purchase.


Copia Vineyards and Winery, Kukkula, Ledge Vineyards, Top Winery, Avenales Ranch/Shell Creek Vineyards, Hubba Wines, and Thacher


Winery are also worth a try.


For something


slightly diff erent, head to Kiler Ridge for olive oil tasting. The family-owned and operated farm produces superior California extra virgin olive oil and off ers tastings.


I loved how fresh


the diff erent varieties taste, each with its own unique fl avor.


starred restaurants along with three


others recommended by Michelin in its most- recent guide.


Six Test Kitchen is the town’s most-decorated restaurant, earning


Michelin stars two years in a row. The tiny place serves a beautifully


curated, multicourse menu with one nightly seating.


B Y B E C C A B LOND


For such a small town, Paso boasts two Michelin-


VINEYARDS/HTURNER/SHUTTERSTOCK / DAOU/BLACKBIRDFLY/ SHUTTERSTOCK / GLASS/UDOVICHENKO HENNADII/SHUTTERSTOCK


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