Incredible Wine Tastings At Cardinale and Lokoya in Napa With Alex and Paige!
Amazing Wine Tastings In Paso Robles On The Way To LA For Thanksgiving!
November 30, 2024
No Better Way to Break Up a Long Drive to LA Than a Stop in Paso Robles
I’ve been on a two-week staycation from work, and it has been absolutely amazing—centering, relaxing, and de-stressing. Jason and I have spent a ton of quality time together, working on his website for Seven X Productions (his video production business) as well as this blog. Last week, we enjoyed wine tasting in Sonoma, and this week, we were fortunate enough to spend 24 hours in Paso Robles on our way down to Los Angeles for Thanksgiving with his family. Since we were driving from SF to LA, Paso Robles was the perfect midway point to break up the journey.
The Drive on the 101 Was Incredibly Beautiful
Normally, we take I-5 all the way down from SF to LA to get there as quickly as possible, but this time we opted for Highway 101, which is an incredibly scenic route. It had just rained, so while the sun didn’t make much of an appearance, the moistened landscape and verdant mountains provided a literal and figurative breath of fresh air. We’re incredibly happy that fire season is over, at least in Northern California.
Winery #1: Tablas Creek Vineyard
We made excellent time and quickly checked into our hotel, the Adelaide Inn. After setting down our bags, we headed out to Tablas Creek Vineyard, just a 15-minute drive from our hotel. The wines at Tablas Creek were incredible, as was our guide, Ray, who made the experience both fun and informative.
The varietals they grow are all from the Rhône Valley and are the same types found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines were light, nuanced, and incredibly pleasing to the palate. We enjoyed blends of Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, and even some Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah combinations—all bursting with flavor and character. Jason and I absolutely loved them.
Side note: The last time we visited Tablas Creek, Dolly (our dog) had a sneezing fit that lasted nearly five minutes, forcing us to cut our tasting short. This time, Dolly was happily at the sitter, so we could enjoy the experience undistracted!
Winery #2: A Quick Stop at Pasolivo and On to Thacher Winery
After a quick pit stop at Pasolivo to pick up some delicious artisanal olive oils (check them out, they are amazing!), we made our way to Thacher Winery, which was recommended to us by our friends AJ and Nancy. Thacher was about a 10-minute drive from Tablas Creek, and right away, we were impressed with the stunning scenery and serene landscape.
We spent a few hours at Thacher, chatting with the proprietor, Sherman Thacher, who took us through their wonderful wine tasting and even gave us a tour of the property. Thacher embodies everything we love about Paso Robles: accessible owners who are passionate about their craft. Hearing Sherman’s origin story and learning about his winemaking style firsthand made the experience truly special. Their wines are incredibly light on the palate, and so pleasing! Those that love a light to medium bodied wine, without sacrificing nuance and structure, this is the place for you!
Dinner @ Finca and Brunch @ Brunch - Paso Robles Is Beautiful with Great Food!
After Thacher, we carefully drove back to the hotel, as it was quite dark. Once we parked, we set out on foot for dinner. Walking around Paso Robles at night was a bit challenging, as the sidewalks are sparse and everything was still wet from the rain. Nonetheless, on a recommendation from our friends at Thacher, we made our way to Finca, a delightful Mexican restaurant. Jason declared their nachos “the best I’ve ever had!”—a big statement coming from him.
The next morning, after a Starbucks run, showering, and packing up, we headed to a restaurant downtown aptly named Brunch. The autumn colors in Paso Robles were on full display, evoking an East Coast vibe but in the best way. At Brunch, we shared a breakfast hash with pork and an outstanding breakfast burrito. Both were so good that we’re already planning to return. Afterward, we grabbed a cookie and croissant at Just Baked on the square before heading back to the hotel to gear up for our last tasting.
Winery #3: McPrice Myers
Our final stop in Paso Robles was McPrice Myers, a winery that stood out for both of us. We had visited once before, in 2015, after I first tried their “Les Galets” Syrah at a work dinner years ago.
This time, we sat outside under a clear blue sky and tasted the most incredible GSM blends, Syrahs, and Grenaches—all medium to full-bodied, just the way Jason and I like them. McPrice Myers himself was onsite and graciously spent time chatting with us about his passion for winemaking and the origins of his business. His down-to-earth demeanor made us love the wines and the Paso Robles community even more. We ended up buying quite a bit of wine and shared it with friends and family over Thanksgiving. We also joined their wine club—something we’re very excited about!
Back on the Road!
After wrapping up our tasting at McPrice Myers, it was time to hit the road to LA. The drive was breathtaking, with California’s iconic landscapes reminding us how fortunate we are to live in this incredible state. Our short stay in Paso Robles was a wonderful reminder of how much there is to be thankful for—living in a beautiful country, surrounded by amazing people, and sharing life with each other.
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to all! We love you!
