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
• 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 or log in to continue reading
Member
$135
/year
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
- Access 294,698 wine reviews & 16,077 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
Ideal for collectors
- Access 294,698 wine reviews & 16,077 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 294,698 wine reviews & 16,077 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 294,698 wine reviews & 16,077 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
A close look at three of Zaragoza’s most important projects. Above, Fernando Mora MW (left) and Mario López of Bodegas...
Tasting articles
To celebrate Aragón’s new map in the upcoming World Atlas of Wine , Ferran explores the wines of Zaragoza. Above...
Tasting articles
Red, white, young, old – there’s no shortage of diversity or deliciousness available in Swiss wines. You just need to...
Tasting articles
Reasons to drink more Riesling; best buys; and far-flung finds – highlights from a month of tastings. Above, Mount Ararat...
More from JancisRobinson.com
Free for all
4 June 2026 In advance of the 2026 Old Vine Conference on June 8, we’re republishing this overview of our...
Don't quote me
Foreign parts feature heavily this month, including the villa above overlooking Tangier. But that’s far from all. I hope you...
Nick on restaurants
An exciting new addition to the East London restaurant scene. Above, Sally Abé. Everything is on the small side at...
Free for all
As our Sam Cole-Johnson and 216 others prepare to take the MW exams next week, we look back at the...
Free for all
Great wine and pie in the Shires. Charlbury is pretty much the first stony outcrop of the Cotswolds that you...
Free for all
A look at Anglo-French love through the lens of wine. Plus a guide to the UK’s fine-wine traders. A shorter...
Wines of the week
A traditional, versatile and inexpensive white port that is both dry and sweet – and doesn’t take itself too seriously...
Free for all
28 May 2026 Breaking news – Alecia Moore, aka P!NK, will be our guest judge for this year’s WWC. Moore...