Star wineries founded this local Bordeaux booster.
In 2012, a group of wineries that included the owners of DAOU Vineyards & Winery and J. Lohr Vineyards founded the Paso Robles CAB Collective. Their goal: to raise the visibility of wines made from Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals, most notably Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.
In the Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area), which has 11 subappellations and spans more than 600,000 acres (more than 40,000 planted to grapes), Bordeaux varietals represent more than half of all grape production, with Cabernet Sauvignon by far produced in the largest amount. Despite this, producers here, who believe they craft some of the world’s best Bordeaux-style wines, feel overshadowed even within California by the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Closer to home, boutique Paso AVA producers of Rhône varietals such as Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvѐdre steal thunder as well.
Broad Range of Wines
One of the delights of touring the collective’s member wineries is experiencing the broad range of wines produced from grapes grown in the various subappellations. Some wines represent nuanced plays on traditional (i.e., French) blends, others exhibit the bold fruit-forward Californian characteristics that have attracted the interest of collectors and major wine critics.
Itinerary
Paso Robles CAB Collective member wineries Brecon Estate, Calcareous Vineyards, LXV Wine, Niner Wine Estates, and Sixmilebridge Vineyards appear in 12 Foolproof Paso Robles Wine Tasting Experiences.
More About Paso Robles
What to Do
8 Reasons to Visit Paso Robles Now
Where to Eat, Drink, and Sleep
Paso Robles Lodgings Cheat Sheet
Paso Robles Restaurants Cheat Sheet
Thomas Hill Organics
Facts and Info
This story first appeared online in 2017; it was fact-checked and updated in 2020.
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