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7 am Long ride ahead so we on the road early. Driving steadily (and fast), we arrive in time to check in with The Oaks Hotel friendly staff, stash luggage and get a stretch before boarding The Wine Wrangler’s adventure shuttle bus. (Established 2004 by Coy Barnes and his wife Sarah, the WW was the first Paso Robles wine county tour company. Barnes, a winemaker himself is knowledgeable about Paso’s wineries and grapes so its not surprising that WW tours focus on education.) The WW shuttle does the driving so we can relax, taste fruits of the vines and enjoy the area.
191 miles
11:30 am lunch, speciality beer tastings, tour BarrelHouse Brewing Company
A short ride to Templeton where this local small batch beer is brewed. Sited in a rural industrial area, it has an outdoor water feature and umbrellaed picnic tables. Off to one side an antique truck and flatbed sport a soft rust coat. On weekends the flatbed is a musicians stage and the open area a tasters dance floor. At roadside a distinctive and beautiful sculpture set atop a tall pedestal is a signpost for the business.
Picnic tables are set for lunch — we head over and find seats. Chris Vaughn, one of the brewery founders, introduces us to Jillian from downtown Paso General Store. Known for enthusiasm for things tasty, lovely and useful, General Store is an artisanal producer of everything from letterpress stationary to pottery to olive oil. They’ve put together a dazzling tasting menu of locally produced products – variety of cheeses, several tapenades, fresh fruit, nuts, crackers and good bread.
Inside, we taste 9 brews from a portfolio of beers. Much like wine tasting each craft brew is unique, described by: ingredients, color, flavor, finish, alcohol level, drinkability. An example: TEMPLETON (beer name)- crisp, gooseberry, lychee – “crafted to be highly sessionable with a light balanced body and clean refreshing finish. Select malts and hops add subtle biscuit character with notes of pear and sauvignon blanc. We keep this beer low on alcohol and high on flavor so it pairs well with both work and play.” Owners and staff have no trouble coming up with new brews – but finding names for them is challenging. “Pale Ryder” is trending toward best seller and “Stout” grabbed a bronze in International competition. They have celebratory brews (once a year specials), some brews aged in rye or bourbon barrels, some unfiltered, some using dry hop method and a new “forager series”. Local honey, fresh clementines and fresh ginger used in some of their products.
1:30 pm visit Santa Margarita Ranch
Back downtown, we switch to the Zipline shuttle, for a trip through historic Santa Margarita Ranch – only 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean, tucked against the Santa Lucia Mountains. One of California’s oldest continuously operated cattle ranches, part of Father Junipero Serra’s famed Mission Trail in the late 1700s, with a unique place in Golden State history. Today, Ancient Peaks Winery, Margarita Adventures and Santa Margarita Ranch are jointly owned by 3 longtime local ranching and wine growing families who continue the early California rancho hospitality traditions. Possible ranch adventures: Santa Margarita Lakes kayaking; viewing the stunning rock formations, wildlife and birds.
2 pm zipline canopy tour Margarita Adventures
The zipline takes us soaring over vineyards and through an oak forest offering unique and thrilling Ranch perspectives. 5 distinct ziplines span more than 3,000 total feet. We start with an epic 1,300-foot valley crossing and finish with the new 1,800-foot Pinot Express zipline that flies right over a Pinot Noir vineyard. Walking from one zipline platform to the next we get to traverse the ranch’s remarkable natural features and enjoy the tree canopy coolness. Very safe, superb equipment and knowledgeable staff make for a fun time. No angst!
3:30 pm tasting, blending experience and tour Ancient Peaks Winery
On board the shuttle, following a route between various blocks of varietals our driver takes us to a vineyard high point, Oyster Ridge, where a barn and patio overlook the majestic Margarita Vineyard. A taste of white wine paired with light bites is shared in the dappled shade while Director of Winemaking, Mike Sinor, talks about the art of blending, a process which drives two signature wines of Ancient Peaks: Renegade and Oyster Ridge.
Today we make our very own wine blend! Inside the barn a station is set up for each person. 4 estate varietal components are lined up. We combine Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Using pipettes and vials we try various combinations while keeping an ongoing detailed log of our decisions. The experiments go on until a blend suits our individual taste. The blended formula is bottled, corked, wax sealed and labeled on site for us to take home! Such a rush to have the chance to make your own blend.
Ancient Peaks refers to the tall peaks forged by the collision of tectonic plates. Over time, geologic forces blessed the area with 5 distinct soil zones — ancient sea bed, rocky alluvium, shale, volcanic, granitic. This complex geology creates the distinctive “terroir” that adds a sense of place and natural complexity to Margarita Vineyard wines. Mike leads us on a tour down a trail alongside the vineyard block from which the Oyster Ridge wines are made. Part of the hillside has collapsed exposing an ancient seabed of gigantic fossilized oyster shells. Definitely truth in labeling!
Sustainable viticultural practices ensure natural wine quality. Deficit irrigation, natural cover crops, wildlife corridors, rotational groundwater usage, use of compost teas in place of synthetic fertilizers to promote healthy soil – earn Margarita Vineyard SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification.
5:30 pm check in The Oaks Hotel + brief property introduction from the general manager
Newish property, family owned, completed in fall 2012. Located out of the downtown area with lots of parking, it has easy access to highway entrance. The 3 story hotel has 90 spacious rooms and suites, a selection-rich bar and “Indulge”, the in-house restaurant serving hot breakfast. Ambiance combines elegant boutique design with modern finishes. Enjoyed the nice heated pool and fitness room. Provided are: guest laundry facility, business center, excellent high speed Wi-Fi, and electric vehicle charging station. Convenient to nearby attractions, local wineries, quaint family owned shops in downtown but mostly we liked the genuine hospitality, staff helpfulness and comfortable public spaces. Pet friendly.
7 pm sake mixology program followed by dinner Thomas Hill Organics
We begin at the wine lounge bar with a greeting from Debbie Thomas, owner, who describes the business’ development. Believing strongly in eating locally and organically she, with a partner, started planting field greens, fruit and nut trees. 900 trees and various row crops later the property is now Thomas Hill Farms – a producing CSA program. An abundance of produce led to the decision to open a restaurant. The result, Thomas Hill Organics: a local-driven fresh market bistro sourcing organic fruits, vegetables, locally-baked breads, and natural, grass-fed meats.
Debbie is debuting a new cocktail menu featuring alternatives to spirits that put a twist on classic cocktails. Their Mimosas and Bellinis are made with Cava, fresh squeezed juices. Sake, with a pleasant brothy and savory quality, is used in The Lemon Drop, the Margarita, the Mojito and the Ginger Grant. We taste a bit of each. Authentic! You could not tell these from the originals. Stuffed Peppadews with French Black Olive and local Goat Cheese Mousse and Duck Riletter on Mutigrain Crostini with Honey-Lavender Mustard are served with our cocktail tasting.
Every dining room table is occupied. Honest food creatively prepared makes this a popular destination for local foodies. Our reserved table fills immediately and we view our preselected menu. 3 courses and desert, each paired with a local wine. First Course: Rock Crab Cakes, Risotto Milanese, with saffron, Golden Delicious Apple, Paquillo Pepper Coulis, Micro Herbs. Wine: White Rhone Blend, 2011 Lone Madrone, POINTS WEST. You get the drift? Every description exquisitely detailed. As each course is served we note that the presentations are inventive, each dish carefully portioned, with very attentive preparation and service.
stay The Oaks Hotel
Fall asleep immediately – we were up very early and it has been a very full day.
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