Renowned for its world class wineries and olive groves, the quirky California town of Paso Robles is the ultimate west coast destination for dedicated gastronomes. Indeed, in contrast to the sometimes-stuffy, Instagram-filtered vibe of Napa Valley, the town is everything one could hope for in a California wine country getaway.
If you’re planning a trip to Paso Roble any time soon, and are keen to join an organised wine tasting or tour during your visit, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. And so without further ado, here’s our selection of 5 of the best Paso Roble wine tastings and tours currently available.
Small Group Wine and Hearst Castle Tour
From $145 per group
Combine visits to award-winning Paso Robles wineries with a trip to Hearst Castle, one of California’s most historic landmarks, on this full-day, small-group tour. Starting with a pick-up from your hotel, you’ll traverse the Pacific Coast Highway, lined with jaw-dropping scenery, before arriving at the imposing castle where you’ll get to look around its grand rooms, pristine gardens and Roman pools. Back on the road, you’ll head to the nearby seaside town of Cambria for lunch and shopping before heading to Paso Robles for guided wine tastings at three local wineries. Here, you’ll also get to speak to the wine makers themselves and discover some of the secrets behind their craft, before your return journey home.
Deliciously Fun Educational Full-Day Wine Tour in Paso Robles
From $109 per person
Celebrating their 24th anniversary this year, Breakaway Tours is a hugely popular choice for the beginner to wine enthusiasts alike, keen to get a rich flavour of the region’s exceptional wine heritage. The longest running wine tour operator anywhere on the Central Coast, Paso Robles, SLO Coast and Santa Barbara County, the company offers both private and group tours, with this shared full-day tour providing fantastic value. Included in the price is a hotel pick up and drop off in a private vehicle, visits to four acclaimed wineries, a gourmet picnic lunch, and a friendly and knowledgeable guide to help provide a memorable experience you’ll cherish for years. Learn how to taste and appreciate wine as well as the unique geography and time-honoured wine-making techniques that make Paso Robles one of the most famous wine regions in the world.
Paso Robles Wine Country
From $79.95 per person
Self-styled as a totally unique concept in wine tasting tours, The Wine Line’s ‘hop on, hop off’ shuttle-style service is a hugely popular choice with wine connoisseurs visiting Paso Robles. Helmed by professional drivers, you’ll travel by van to as many or as few wineries as you desire, keeping you in full control of the itinerary. Vans run in a constant loop, picking up and dropping off guests at regular intervals at whatever wineries they wish to visit. You can stay for as long as you like too – just wait for another van to pass by and hop back on board for your return journey.
Full Day Wine Adventure: Paso Robles
From $121.20 per person
If you like the idea of a small, personalised tour, this full day experience could be for you. During the day you’ll visit several off-the-beaten-track wineries, accompanied the whole time by an experienced and friendly guide who will be your font of knowledge on all things wine. The tour price includes a vineyard picnic lunch and a full tour of a winery. For smaller groups, the day’s itinerary can also be customised to your group’s preferences and tastes.
From Paso Robles: Half-Day Wine Adventure Tour
From $70.30 per person
This half-day, small group tour invites wine enthusiasts to explore some of the region’s lesser known wineries while picking up plenty of knowledge about the wine making process. After pick up from your Paso Robles hotel, you’ll join up with your guide and the rest of your group before being taken on a whistle stop tour of the local sights and attractions, including several wineries. At each stop off you’ll be given a tour of the premises before sitting down to delectable wine tasting sessions (bank on 4-6 at each stop) before your return journey.