Indigené Cellars
Meet Raymond Smith - founder of Indigené Cellars. Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Smith followed friends to the Central Coast shortly after graduating college. In the late 1980's he found himself in Paso Robles where he quickly discovered his passion for the wine industry while working part-time at a tasting room. Raymond transitioned into mobile wine bottling and connected with winegrowers and makers throughout California which helped him learn the winemaking process. After years behind the scenes, he took a leap of faith and Indigene Cellars was born.
Indigené specializes in wines native to the terroir; Smith found his niche making wines that, like the land, are in a constant state of evolution. “[Indigene] means native.’ He explains that being a bottler, you travel all over California every year visiting hundreds of wineries in a year. After 25 years in the industry, he’s experienced wines from everywhere and has developed skilled knowledge of which grapes grow best where and in which growing conditions. After watching Paso Robles wine country grow and evolve into what it is today, he wants to create a wine that highlights these "indigenous" or local flavors.
Smith’s discerning palate has enabled him to produce elegant blends with a balanced, well-structured flavor, with standards that produce award-winning wines. Raymond is celebrated for building a legacy that stretches far beyond the vineyard. Community is of the upmost importance to Smith. He notes that he grew up in a big city where you meet someone once then never see them again. Here in Paso, he explains, there is a community, he knows everyone — it's what is so unique about the town and what has kept him here for so many years.
Looking forward, Raymond plans to release a secondary label and launch a new line of sparkling wine. He also hopes to someday offer a vineyard cabin to visitors who wish to extend their stay in wine country.
Visit Indigene’s tasting room by appointment only at 815 12th St., Suite B, downtown Paso Robles.
Michael Rose Cellars
Nestled in San Miguel, just north of Paso Robles, Michael Rose Cellars was founded in 2006 by Michael and Rose Jones. The winery is known for small-lot, estate-grown wines that honor traditional winemaking techniques while embracing innovation. Michael gained his winemaking expertise under the mentorship of Jac Jacobs in Sonoma County, and together with Rose, they have pioneered unique offerings like rosé from Alicante Bouschet and traditional sparkling wines in the region.
Michael Rose Cellars emphasizes quality and sustainability, with carefully managed vineyards producing concentrated, flavorful grapes. Visitors can enjoy private, reservation-only tastings and experience the journey from vine to glass, guided by Michael himself.
What began as a retirement dream has grown into a thriving winery that celebrates both innovation and community. With plans to expand production, the Joneses continue sharing their passion for exceptional wine and the spirit of Paso Robles Wine Country.
Ready to discover the full range of Michael Rose Cellars wines? Visit Michael Rose Cellars online.
Charles Woodsen's Intercept Wines
Charles Woodsen is known for being an 18-year NFL veteran and Hall of Famer with 65 career interceptions, but did you know he's also a wine lover? His love for wine began early in his career while he was in Napa Valley for training camp, back when he was playing for the Oakland Raiders. He quickly developed an appreciation for good wine and the people that came along with it. As time went on, his interest began to rub off on the other players and soon they developed a tradition of bringing wine on road trips.
He draws many connections between his experience with wine and his time in football. In drinking any wine, you taste the product of growth and hard work, just like a Sunday game is the result of months of practice. The creation of Intercept Wines was a tribute to his fans. His goal was to bring them quality wines at an affordable price. The name ‘Intercept’ is a nod to to his football career, but doubles as a reminder that life's possibilities are wide open.
All Intercept Wines are produced at his facility in Paso Robles, California. However, the winery is not currently open to the public for tastings or visits.
