The Low-Profile Neighbour of Napa Valley
Paso Robles is a wine region located in San Luis Obispo County, roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. For decades, it lived in the shadow of its famous neighbors to the north (Napa and Sonoma), but it has firmly established itself as a world-class appellation in its own right, celebrated for its innovative spirit and exceptional value.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the king in Paso Robles. The wines are typically richer, denser, and more opulent than their Napa counterparts. They are known for ripe, dark fruit flavors (blackberry, cassis), soft, velvety tannins, and often a distinctive note of cocoa powder or dark chocolate due to the unique soils. Meanwhile, Bordeaux-style blends, known locally as "Meritage" (pronounced like heritage), of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot are where many wineries create their flagship, top-tier wines.
