You do not need to go all the way to France to experience some incredible Rhône-style blends– they’re plentiful in Paso Robles, per White Wine Recklessness. For Robert Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard, the environment of Paso seemed comparable to that of Châteauneuf du Pape, a legendary Rhône appellation. By the late ’80s, Haas had decided to try out Rhône blends, focusing on grapes like mourvédre, grenache, and carignan. It was a success. Other wine makers decided to follow in Haas’ footsteps, and now, you can find Rhône-style blends from all over Paso.
And for those who already enjoy the Rhône, these red wines are a reward. “I fell for Paso for the Rhône-style red wines. In a world where everyone might only speak about pinot noir or cabernet, I chose the middle: Give me syrah and grenache throughout the day,” Aaron Mehta informed us. However it’s not just the red blends you should have a look at– there are lots of Rhône-style whites coming out of the region as well. “Let’s drink more Rhône whites,” stated Mehta. “A little marsanne, roussanne, and viognier! Let’s get some whites with texture.”