Until 2014, Paso Robles was the largest undivided AVA in the state of California – which I wouldn’t bother mentioning if it wasn’t absurdly amusing. The AVA has more soil types than Alsace, boasts 68 planted varieties (California has an estimated 90 in total), and spans climates that run from...
Paso Robles – the wines, part 1
Wednesday 18 October 2023
• 8 min read
Exploring one of California's most diverse AVAs. Gaps in the Santa Lucia Mountains separating the vineyards from the Pacific can have a dramatic effect on the local climate – and resulting wine styles. Above, the view towards Cayucos. See also part 2, the wines of Paso Robles' sub-AVAs, tomorrow.
Become a member to continue reading
This February, share what you love.
February is the month of love and wine. From Valentine’s Day (14th) to Global Drink Wine Day (21st), it’s the perfect time to gift wine knowledge to the people who matter most.
Gift an annual membership and save 25%. Offer ends 21 February.
Member
$135
/year
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
- Access 289,514 wine reviews & 15,907 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
Ideal for collectors
- Access 289,514 wine reviews & 15,907 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
- Access 289,514 wine reviews & 15,907 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
- Access 289,514 wine reviews & 15,907 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
More Tasting articles
Tasting articles
The last of three articles devoted to the 200-odd 2022 bordeaux tasted blind in this year’s Southwold-on-Thames tastings. See my...
Tasting articles
See this guide to our coverage of 2022 bordeaux, and our report on the 2022 bordeaux whites tasted during this...
Tasting articles
The first of three reports on this year’s blind tasting of significant four-year-old bordeaux. See Bordeaux 2022 – a guide...
Tasting articles
From crisp, mineral Muscadet to racy Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc, plus some Grolleau Gris and reds from Gamay and...
More from JancisRobinson.com
Wines of the week
A complex mountain-grown Greek Muscat that confronts our expectations. From $33.99, £25.50. Pictured above, Muscat of Spina vines at c...
Inside information
Part six of an eight-part series on how to pair wine with Asian flavours, adapted from Richard’s book. Click here...
Inside information
1947 first growths a-go-go. Things were very different when this annual tasting got off the ground. Above, at the prototype...
Mission Blind Tasting
What you need for a successful blind tasting, and how to set one up. For background, see How – and...
Free for all
It’s time for a reset from vineyards to restaurants, says Robert Camuto. A long-time wine writer, Robert recently launched Italy...
Free for all
This morning at Wine Paris, Dr José Vouillamoz and Seyit Karagözoğlu of Paşaeli Winery made a surprising announcement. Kolorko, a...
Nick on restaurants
Nick reports on a global dining trend. Above, diners at Hawksmoor in London. My frequent conversations with our restaurateur son...
Free for all
Jancis revels in the glorious 2025 Loire vintage, and her tasting of dry whites identifies some excellent 2024s, too. A...