Topics Covered in this Post:
- Discover a New Paso Robles Wine
- Experience the Beginning of Harvest
- Meet the People Behind the Wine
- Explore More Ways to Go Wine Tasting
- Pair Paso Robles Wine With Local Food
- Find California Wine Month Events in Paso Robles
- Plan a September Wine-Country Getaway
- California Wine Month FAQ
Discover a New Paso Robles Wine
With more than 60 wine grape varieties grown across the region, Paso Robles makes it easy to move beyond your usual order. Cabernet Sauvignon is the region’s most widely planted grape, but local tasting menus may also include Rhône varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, and Roussanne. Zinfandel has a long history in the region, while Italian and Spanish varieties offer another path for adventurous wine drinkers.
If Cabernet Sauvignon is your usual pour, consider Cabernet Franc or a Bordeaux-style blend. Fans of Pinot Noir might try Grenache for a different expression of red fruit or explore a locally grown Rhône white. If you usually prefer bold reds, ask whether the winery produces a rosé, sparkling wine, or skin-contact white.
There is no need to arrive with an expert vocabulary or a list of scores. Let the tasting-room team know what you normally enjoy and ask them to pour something that might surprise you.
Explore Paso Robles wine country and let your palate guide your next tasting.
Experience the Beginning of Harvest
September marks the unofficial beginning of harvest season in Paso Robles, although the timing varies by vineyard, grape variety, and growing conditions.
Typically, white wine grapes and varieties intended for sparkling wine may be picked earlier, while some red grapes remain on the vine longer as growers wait for the right balance of flavor, acidity, and ripeness.
Visitors may notice vineyard crews working early in the morning, bins of freshly picked grapes arriving at wineries, and winemaking teams moving quickly through the crush. Some wineries offer harvest-focused tours, demonstrations, special tastings, dinners, or behind-the-scenes experiences during the season.
Because harvest is an active working period, experiences vary by winery and advance reservations may be required. Explore Harvest in Paso Robles for seasonal experiences, or browse the Paso Robles event calendar for upcoming harvest events and activities. For individual tasting experiences, check with wineries directly before visiting.
Meet the People Behind the Wine
A bottle of wine carries more than a vintage and a varietal. It carries the work of the people who grow the grapes, tend the vines, make the wine, and welcome guests into the experience.
Wine is rooted in history, but it's also an ever-evolving craft, with winemakers continuing to experiment, create, and find new ways to express the land.
California Wine Month is a great time to slow down at a tasting and get curious.
Some questions to take with you into your tasting experience: What grows well here? What makes this vintage different? What is the most unique wine being poured?
A few questions can turn a tasting into a conversation—and give you a deeper appreciation for what's in your glass.
Explore More Ways to Go Wine Tasting
Wine tasting in Paso Robles can take many forms. Visitors can reserve an intimate seated tasting, tour a production facility, explore underground wine caves, enjoy a vineyard picnic, or stop at a downtown tasting room within walking distance of restaurants and shops.
Different parts of Paso Robles wine country also offer different settings. Downtown Paso Robles makes it easy to build wine tasting into a walkable itinerary, while Tin City brings wineries, breweries, cider producers, restaurants, and makers together in a compact area.
For a broader look at the region, explore Paso Robles wine trails to find an area that fits your tasting style. Vineyard properties east and west of town offer scenic drives and a closer look at the landscape behind the wine.
Before setting out, check whether reservations are required, how long the tasting lasts, whether food is available, and whether the property accommodates children or pets.
Limiting the number of winery appointments also leaves more time to enjoy each experience without rushing. If you're planning to visit multiple tasting rooms, Travel Paso's Getting Here & Getting Around guide can help you plan your transportation before you head out.
Pair Paso Robles Wine With Local Food
California Wine Month doesn’t have to mean spending every afternoon in a tasting room. In Paso Robles, wine is also part of the dining experience, appearing in pairings, tasting menus, winemaker dinners, and relaxed meals throughout the region.
Make an evening of it at The Restaurant at JUSTIN, where estate wines accompany a multicourse dining experience. Six Test Kitchen offers an intimate tasting menu inspired by ingredients and producers from the Central Coast.
For more options, explore Paso Robles restaurants where regional bottles pair naturally with seasonal dishes, allowing visitors to continue exploring Paso wine after the tasting rooms close.
Pairing does not need to feel formal. A bold Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon can complement grilled meats and savory dishes, while Rhône-style whites, rosés, and sparkling wines can work well with lighter fare.
When in doubt, ask the restaurant team which local bottle they recommend with your meal, or explore the region's wine country to find a bottle that brings the experience full circle.
Find California Wine Month Events in Paso Robles
One of the best parts of California Wine Month is that there isn't just one way to celebrate—or even one trip that can fit it all in.
Throughout September, look for special tastings, winery experiences, food-and-wine pairings, winemaker dinners, live music, and other happenings around Paso Robles.
Plan a visit around a particular event, return to a winery you've been wanting to explore, or make another trip to experience something completely different. With so much happening throughout the month, there's always a reason to come back.
See what's happening in Paso Robles and find an experience that fits your visit. The month is yours to explore—and there's always more to discover in Paso.
Plan Your California Wine Month Getaway
California Wine Month is a chance to celebrate more than what is poured into the glass. It recognizes the growers, winemakers, chefs, hospitality teams, landscapes, and traditions that shape California wine.
Spend September exploring a new Paso Robles winery, comparing unfamiliar grape varieties, sharing a locally inspired meal, or learning how harvest moves from the vineyard to the cellar. Come for a favorite bottle, then leave with a better understanding of the place and people behind it. Find a California Wine Month experience, reserve your stay, and raise a glass to September in Paso Robles.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Wine Month
When is California Wine Month?
California Wine Month takes place every September and celebrates the state’s wineries, winegrowers, harvest season, and wine culture.
How can I celebrate California Wine Month in Paso Robles?
Visitors can schedule wine tastings, explore new grape varieties, attend winery events, book vineyard or production tours, enjoy wine-pairing dinners, and learn about the people behind Paso Robles wine.
Is September a good time to visit Paso Robles wine country?
September coincides with the start of harvest in Paso Robles and often features special tastings, tours, dinners, and winery experiences. Availability varies, so reservations are recommended.
How many wineries are in Paso Robles?
Paso Robles wine country is home to more than 200 wineries spread across 11 distinct sub-AVAs.
What wines is Paso Robles known for?
Cabernet Sauvignon is the region’s most widely planted grape. Paso Robles is also known for Rhône varieties, Zinfandel, Bordeaux-style blends, and a growing selection of Italian, Spanish, white, rosé, and sparkling wines.
Do Paso Robles wineries require reservations?
Policies differ by winery. Some accept walk-ins, while others require reservations for tastings, tours, food pairings, or private experiences. Visitors should check with each winery before arriving.
What is the difference between California Wine Month and Harvest Wine Month?
California Wine Month is a statewide celebration held in September. Paso Robles Harvest Wine Month takes place in October and features harvest-related events at participating wineries.
