42 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: TRAVEL PASO / BRITTANY APP The private Summit Tasting at Alta Colina Vineyard is about as far as you can get from an opulent room where sommeliers soliloquize over the latest lofty vintages. When I reach this hidden gem in rural Paso Robles, I hop in a truck with Maggie Tillman (and Honey, a German shepherd) for a tour of her family’s winery, learning about vine-training methods and crop killers like the dreaded leafhopper as we rumble {due west} along dirt backroads. When we reach the heart of the 130-acre property, we drink the fruits of all this labor on a deck under the shade of an old oak. Not another soul around. Just us and rows of grenache and Syrah, rolling over the surrounding hills in undulating waves of green. Better watch your throne, Napa. More and more wineries are putting down roots in Paso Robles, which has flourished from fewer than 20 to over 200 in the past several decades. And for good reason. Pairing diverse soil types and topography with the microclimates that result from the region’s hilly terrain, this area is great for grapes. Sixty varietals of grapes, as a matter of fact. Paired with small-town charm and ample activities, this destination is a sweet respite from traffic and overpriced tastings. CABERNET KINGDOM In Paso, cab is king. Best known for its cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends, the region is also home to historic zinfandel vines. The seemingly endless number of wineries range from widely-recognized names like J. Lohr and DAOU to mom-and-pop gems—some in a warren of warehouses known as Tin City. You’ll also find one-of-a-kind outings like the Bocce & Bottles experience at Booker Wines or Land Rover tours at Halter Ranch’s Estate (which also claims the world’s only fly-in vineyard).
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