Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from a vineyard in Paso Robles
If you like to sip on a little vino with your pooch by your side, Paso Robles, California is the place for you. Paso Robles is located in central California between San Francisco and Los Angeles, a short drive from either location. Red wines are the predominate style with Cabernet Sauvignon being the star. However, with warm weather and fertile soil, they are able to grow a wide variety of grapes. The region is also famous for its red and white styles of Rhone wines. So, there is a wine for every taste. Being located so far south, the wines are generally fruit-driven but are balanced by acidity from the cool foggy nights.
We spent four days exploring the area with our dog Merci. We found it to be a more relaxed environment than the popular Napa Valley where dogs are rarely allowed to visit the wineries. Paso Robles offers a number of dog-friendly wineries with patios and water bowls set out. We were even greeted by friendly vineyard dogs at several wineries. A group of winemakers got together to make an informative website about the region and were thoughtful enough to create a list of some of the dog-friendly wineries in the area. This shows Paso Robles commitment to allowing our furry little friends to tag along. Here is a list of six of our favorite dog-friendly wineries, and a few bonus stops where you can find hard cider and beer.
Castoro Cellars was established in 1983, by husband and wife, Niels and Bimmer Udsen. The winery was named Castoro after the Italian translation of Niels’ nickname, “Beaver.” This playful humor
The tasting room appears formal at first glance, but once you get to the counter, the friendly staff make the wine tasting light and fun. You can bring a picnic, or purchase snacks from the gift shop to enjoy. There are numerous patios throughout the grounds for lounging with your dog. They also host concert and events on the grounds. Don’t forget to check out the disc golf course located in one of their vineyards.
Hunt Cellars started with the Hunt family purchasing a 550-acre ranch in 1996 and opening their tasting room in 1999. One of the most amazing parts of Hunt Cellar’s story is the winemaker, David Hunt. When he was in his 30’s, he lost his sight. David was already blind when they purchased the ranch, but did not let that stop him. He believes his other senses were heightened to compensate which helped him to create beautiful wines. Hunt Cellars wines have numerous accolades, most notably for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Tawny Port. Other wines consist of Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Malbec, and Sauvignon Blanc. Their wines are bottle aged longer than most wineries. David only releases the wines when he thinks they are ready to drink.
Hunt Cellars was our favorite tastings during our time in Paso Robles. Dogs are allowed in the main tasting room, and they even greet each canine friend with treats and water at the tasting counter. The staff was excited to share the wines and customized tastings to customer’s personal preferences. We were able to try multiple vintages of the same wine, which showcased how the weather patterns of each year, and aging in the bottle effects the taste of the wine. The pours are small, but allow you to taste a broader spectrum of wines. We tried 22 wines by the time we left. It was amazing!
Justin Winery evolved from farming and selling grapes from 160 acres of vineyards in 1981. In 1987, they began harvesting grapes for the Justin label. Justin specializes in Bordeaux style red wines, which blended from the grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petite Verdot. They are best known for their flagship wines ISOSCELES and JUSTIFICATION. In 2000, ISOSCELES was named one of the top 10 wines in the world by the Wine Spectator Magazine. There are other varietals available as well. Tempranillo, Malbec, Zinfandel, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah make up the reds, and Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc for the whites.
A short drive from Paso Robles, Justin Winery is located amid rolling hills, curving roads and lots of greenery. It is an iconic winery, but be prepared for a more expensive wine tasting. We recommend sitting at the lovely patio surrounded by views of the vineyards. It is a great place to bring your dog and enjoy a glass of wine. You may even get a chance to meet the winery dog, a friendly yellow lab.
Robert Hall was an entrepreneur in various businesses from owning a bowling alley to travel agency. He took a trip to Southern France when he was in his 70’s and found his love of wine. Robert Hall Winery was established in 1995, and its first wine was released in 2001. It was one of the wineries that helped put Paso Robles on the map. The underground cavern is the largest on the Central Coast at over 19,000 square. feet. It was build to withstand an 8.5 earthquake, so don’t worry the wine barrels are safe.
Robert Hall is a great place to spend time with your pooch. You can have a glass of wine outside and play a number of lawn games like Giant Chess, Jenga, and Connect Four on the patio. Dogs are also welcome at the tasting counter and will be given a water bowl as well.
Sculpterra first started with the Frankel family in 1979 planting 20 acres of pistachios and 20 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. After success with the Cabernet, the Frankels decided to expand the vineyard in 1997 with Zinfandel and Merlot. In 2007 they opened up the tasting room. They are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre wines but have a wide variety of wines including Viognier, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah.
Sculpterra is a cross between an art museum and a winery. The front gate is made of intricate ironwork created by Robert C. Bentley, a resident blacksmith. His work can be found all around the winery, including the chandelier in the tasting room. There is an outdoor Sculpture Garden that features artist, John Jagger, a professional sculptor. Take a walk around to view his work of larger-than-life bronze and granite sculptures of different animals. Numerous artists are also displayed throughout the tasting room and grounds. Bring your dog along for a nice walk around to look at the art. There is a beautiful outside patio and tables scattered along the property to stop and enjoy the surroundings with your pup.
Tin City is an industrial park that houses wineries, breweries, and restaurants. These shops are nestled alongside an air conditioning supplier and an auto body repair shop. It is about 15 minutes south of Paso Robles, which makes it easy to grab an Uber and not worry about driving after a few tastings. Dedicate at least an afternoon in Tin City, as there are over 20 places to visit. We would recommend a whole day if you plan to bring your dog. Dogs are welcome in many of the tasting rooms and often find a winery dog to play with. There are many places to hang out with your pooch on dog-friendly patios and even grab a bite to eat from restaurants or food trucks in the area.
Field Recordings, located in Tin City, is a fun place to try new wines. The tasting room is
If you are wanting something other than wine while at Tin City…
BarelHouse Brewing was one of the first to set up shop in Tin City in 2013. The cross on the logo comes from a National Historic Trail that lies close to the brewery. There is an old white oak tree that has a cross carved in it to which indicates a safe place to camp. The taproom was formerly a metalsmith work studio. There are a few pieces of art remaining from the shop in the taproom. On draft is their portfolio beers: Templeton – Blonde Ale, Sunny Daze – Citrus Blonde, Mango IPA, BarrelHouse Rye IPA, BarrelHouse IPA, Big Sur – Double IPA and BarrelHouse Stout. There is a half-acre beer garden outside the taproom which is a great place to sit, sip on some beer, and hang out with your dog.
If you want to take a break from the wine, visit Tin City Cider Co. It is a collaboration of three winemakers (including Andrew Jones from Field Recordings) creating cider made from local California grown apples. There are fun ciders to try like “The Original Dry Hopped Cider” a
