As you drive out beyond the airport and past the horse ranches you come to a flat, extensive, expanse of vineyards. On the west side of the road is the entrance to one of the county’s largest wine producers.

 

Starting over 30 years ago, a former civil engineer and Rhodes Scholar decided to plant a vineyard and start a winery. His South Dakota farm boy roots, along with extensive research, helped him choose the right land and climate to grow wine grapes. Today Jerry Lohr produces close to a million cases of wine. In the Paso area he grows and produces his flagship Cabernet Sauvignon and other red wine varietals. Further north in Monterey County, his cooler climate Arroyo Seco vineyard produces Chardonnay, Riesling, and Valdiguie. In Napa Valley his boutique 33 acre vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Verdot. On weekends they will pour, for a small fee, their three limited release Cuvee wines which are traditional Bordeaux blends with similar  blending proportions of wines from the Grand Cru Chateaux’s in Pauillac, St. Emilion and Pomerol.

 

The country-style tasting center in Paso Robles (there is also one in San Jose) is right off the road and sits in front of the gigantic processing winery. The hand carved door greets visitors as they enter the large tasting room shared with the winery’s business offices. The gift area has logo clothes, picnic baskets, and lots of wine stacked around, including large format bottles. Outside is a covered veranda overlooking the vineyard with tables and chairs for visitors. A stained concrete floor with oriental rugs adds warmth to the space.