My earliest memories of Paso Robles have nothing to do with wine.

Up until recently, Napa and Sonoma have received the lions share of wine tourism within the state.

To the east where its warmer (read: notoriously hot), youll often find more robust expressions.

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Photo: Chris Leschinsky for Booker Wines

But Pasos reputation as a big red wine destination does seem to be on the precipice of change.

(More on that ahead.)

Here, find our travel guide to this California wine region thats fast on the rise.

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Photo: Karyn Millet

This rich-in-detail rental is owned by an art consultant and offers a bucolic experience for guests.

Its the ideal setting for contextualizing Pasos distinct landscape.

Begin your day with a hike around the propertys 42 acres that overlook the esteemed vineyards of LAventure Winery.

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Photo: Airbnb

Grab your friends and book out this fun-loving accommodation in the middle of a vineyard.

Where to Taste

Its not a sin to associate Paso Robles wine with full-bodied reds.

Whatwouldbe a sin, however, is to stop there.

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Photo: The Trailer Pond

Paso allows for a broader spectrum of grapes and styles of wine, Riley Hubbard ofHubba Winessays.

Take her low-intervention wines as an example.

Six months later, his fiance Solene flew over.

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Courtesy of Clos Solene

We planned to stay two more years, and now its been 21.

For me, this freshness is the spine of the wine.

His and Hubbard’s distinct approaches underscore the regions aptitude for versatility.

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Courtesy of Hubba Wines

Paso feels like the wild west of wine, Hubbard says.

What excites me most is the freedom winemakers have to experiment and be creative here.

Taste Fabres indelible wines firsthand at Clos Solenes peaceful 17-acre estate vineyard and home.

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Courtesy of Booker Wines

(Did I mention Guillaume, his wife, and children all live on the property?)

The estate vineyard was designated as Regenerative Organic Certified in 2023 and focuses on Rhone varietals.

Winemaker Stephan Asseo left his native France in search of a region with fewer restrictions.

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Photo: Josh Southwick

If youre a Sauvignon Blanc lover, you wont want to skip this one.

In the mood for a cheese board or maybe some fresh Morro Bay oysters?

Paths are illuminated by 100,000 glowing bulbs that resemble jewel-toned flowers.

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Courtesy of Finca

Be sure to book ahead of time as visitors can only experience the property via guided tour.

And because this is wine country, expect a class act menu of bottles from around the world.

You really havent lived until youve been whisked into the rolling Paso Robles hillsides aboard a sidecar.

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Photo: Getty Images

Enroll in a workshop or catch an exhibitionits a casual setting thats easy to pop in and out of.

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Dennis Swanson - Studio 101 West Photography