Benchmark Wineries
Alban Vineyards
A premier producer of Rhone-variety wines and one of the driving forces of the growth of those wines in the United States (and even their resurgence in the northern Rhone).
Eberle Winery
The winery of Gary Eberle, godfather of the Paso Robles AVA and a longtime proponent of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah in the area. Founded in 1979.
Epoch Estate
Epoch Estate took over the former York Mountain Winery in the York Mountain AVA. They own two important historic vineyards, Paderewski Vineyard in the Paso Robles Willow Creek District AVA and the York Mountain Vineyard.
JUSTIN Vineyard & Winery
The first high-profile Cabernet Sauvignon producer in the region, its Iscoceles was the first Paso Robles wine to score 100 points. It was also the first destination winery in the area and included both an excellent restaurant and a B & B.
Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
One of California’s first sparkling wine specialists in the modern era. This Arroyo Grande AVA producer was founded as Maison Deutz in 1982 and later re-branded at Laetitia by a subsequent owner.
Niven Family Wine Estates
In the early 1970s, Jack Niven became the second person to plant wine grapes in Edna Valley in the modern era. Still family-led, the company includes the Baileyana, Tangent, True Myth, and Zocker brands.
Tablas Creek Vineyard
A joint venture between the Robert Haas family (he was an importer of French wine) and the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel. Its goal has been to produce wines that echo those of Châteauneuf du Pape. By importing cuttings from Chateau de Beaucastel and shepherding them through quarantine and TTB registration, Tablas Creek has established all Châteauneuf du Pape varieties as legal ones in the United States.
Talley Vineyards
Longtime farmers in the region, the Talleys were first to plant grapes in Arroyo Grande (1982). Talley is a top producer of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.