Paso Road Trip, Page 2
Paso Robles
Sunday, April 11
We checked out of our Santa Barbara Hotel and headed toward Paso Robles, stopping at Laetitia, which is about halfway and just off the 101.
Laetitia is known for their bubbly so we ordered a bottle to enjoy with our picnic lunch. We didn't drink the whole bottle, though, because we were driving!
This is a view looking north. The freeway is just off to the west, far enough so that you can't see or hear it but close enough to make for easy access.
Looking east!
Looking south! The vines are budding out!
Paso Robles
From Laetitia, we drove to Paso to meet our friends at Tobin James. In normal times, Tobin James is a very busy spot. It's the first major tasting room you come to if you're travelling up I-5 and then east on 46 toward Paso.
These days, the tastings are outside, you need a reservation, and they charge for them! Tastings used to be free here - one of the last free tastings here in Paso and maybe the world. Who knows?
Here we are celebrating our first outing!
The Paso Robles Inn
The gardens at the Inn are arguably its best asset. Here we are, just after check-in, having a cocktail at what functions as the wedding venue. No weddings today, just us winos!
Dinner at the Steakhouse at the Inn - no corkage on local wines, prime rib special, convenient location, table for eight, just a little short on ambiance.
Monday, April 12
On Monday morning we drove to Tin City, a cluster of wineries, shops, and eateries, a couple miles south of town.
First stop was Turtle Rock
Next up was lunch from McPhee's Canteen. We all got sandwiches and stuff.
And there was plenty of outdoor seating
Across the street and down the block, our final tasting was at San Liege
We love Paso!
Typical Paso scene - the town square on the right and the Brown Butter Cookie Company on the left.
Tuesday, April 13
Out west of town off Route 46, just past the modern day castle and on the same road as Booker, is Caliza Winery
We made it there in time for our 10:30 seating and enjoyed their fine wines.
We were lucky enough to meet the owner. This is him pouring our wine.
Lunch was at Opolo, everybody's favorite lunch venue in the middle of Paso's westerly wine district.
They found a table for the eight of us and we ordered our pizzas! (and wine!)
Interesting how some of the vines were budding and green and others were just getting started, like these at Opolo.
It wasn't the best weather because it was cool and breezy, but the views from Calcareous are always great.
We had seats around their huge fire pit but it was still too windy and cold so we had to move!
Tuesday's dinner was here at Buona Tavola. We had a table for eight, inside, without much social distancing, just like old times!