Where Wine Takes You - A Paso Wine Podcast

Adam Montiel
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Keeping it real with owners, winemakers, growers and personalities as they discuss the places and wines that have shaped the Paso Robles Wine Region

  1. 14H AGO

    Ep 169: New Tasting Rooms in Paso – Featuring V1no Juan | Hawks Hill | Boutz Cellars

    🍇 WHERE WINE TAKES YOU – EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 🍷 In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam hangs with three guests who are helping shape the next wave of Paso Robles wine culture, not just through the wines they make, but through the new spaces and experiences they’re building. First up is Juan M. Contreras, owner and winemaker of V1NO JUAN, whose story might be one of the purest Paso stories out there. Juan came to the United States from Mexico in the early ‘90s, started working in the vineyards, moved into the cellar at Robert Hall, and spent more than two decades learning every side of the business before opening his own tasting room across from the downtown Paso park. Alongside his wife and kids, Juan is now crafting bold Paso reds, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and Bordeaux blends rooted in hard work, family, and legacy. Then there’s Kit Kuyper of Hawks Hill Ranch, farming some wildly diverse and rugged terrain in the Adelaida District. Massive elevation swings, Rhône varietals, grower-first philosophy, and guidance from winemaker Don Burns of Turtle Rock Vineyard all come together in a project focused on expressing Paso in its own authentic voice. Kit also shares stories about balancing wine life between Paso, Chicago, and Portugal, plus a hilarious detour into bidet culture that absolutely stays in the episode. And returning to the show is James Boutzoukas of Boutz Cellars, who continues pushing the envelope with Greek varietals grown right here in Paso Robles. Inspired by generations of family winemaking traditions in Greece, James and his family are planting and producing wines from grapes like Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, and more, proving Paso’s versatility might be even broader than we thought. One of the coolest parts of this story? Kit and James now share a tasting room space together, a very Paso-style collaboration rooted in community over competition. Later in the show, Adam catches up with Jill Alexander from the Paso Market Walk in this episode’s Travel Paso Spotlight. From live music nights and outdoor patios to boutique shopping, incredible food, coffee, wine, and the ultra-modern Lofts at Market Walk, the conversation highlights why this growing hub has become one of the coolest gathering places in Paso Robles. 🍷 FEATURED GUESTS + LINKS • V1NO JUAN Official Website • @v1nojuan on Instagram • Hawks Hill Ranch Official Website • @hawkshillranch on Instagram • Boutz Cellars Official Website • @boutz_cellars on Instagram 🌴 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT • Paso Market Walk Official Website • @pasomarketwalk on Instagram 🎯 PLAN YOUR NEXT PASO GETAWAY TravelPaso.com PASO WINE WIRE THIS WEEK: 🍷 Le Vigne Winery Named U.S. Winery of the Year at the 2026 London Wine Competition The Paso Robles winery earned four gold medals, including honors for its Acquarello Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. 🔗 Paso Robles Daily News – Le Vigne Winery Wins Top Honors 🌎 Paso Robles Wine Month Launches Nationally Paso takes center stage nationwide with retail partnerships, AI wine pairing tools, restaurant activations, and travel giveaways aimed at introducing the next generation to Paso wine country. 🔗 WineBusiness – Paso Robles Wine Month Launches Nationally 🎉 Paso Wine Fest Weekend Is Here Paired Paso, the Grand Tasting, Sparkling Paso, and a full weekend of events are ready to take over wine country. 🔗 Paso Wine Fest Official Site 🎧 SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine-loving humans. 🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17 Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/paired-paso/ Sparkling Paso A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 31m

  2. APR 23

    Ep 168: May is Paso Wine Month – Featuring Paso CAB Collective | LXV Wine

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam Montiel sits down with the driving force behind one of the most ambitious initiatives Paso Robles has ever launched, Paso Wine Month. Leading the charge is Linda Sanpei of the Paso Robles CAB Collective, the architect behind this national campaign set to roll out in May 2026. Joined by Krista Smith of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and Neeta Mittal of LXV Wine, the conversation explores how Paso is rethinking the way people discover and connect with wine. Paso Wine Month is a first-of-its-kind, retail-driven movement designed to meet the next generation of wine drinkers where they are. Through food, culture, technology, and storytelling, the campaign brings Paso beyond the tasting room and into everyday life. Think AI-powered taste matching, chef-driven recipes, in-store experiences, and a national sweepstakes that could bring new visitors straight to Paso Robles Wine Country. This episode is about more than wine. It is about connection over consumption. Discovery over intimidation. And a region that is not waiting for the future, but building it. In the Travel Paso Spotlight, Adam connects with Lynette Sonne of FarmsteadED to highlight Open Farm Days, a hands-on experience that takes you beyond the tasting room and into the farms, ranches, and roots of Paso. 🍷 FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE Paso Wine Month 🔗 https://pasowine.com/wine-month/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/pasorobleswinemonth/ LXV Wine 🔗 https://lxvwine.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/lxvwine/ Paso Robles CAB Collective 🔗 https://pasoroblescab.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/pasoroblescab/ Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance 🔗 https://pasowine.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/pasowine/ 🌐 PASO WINE WIRE Paso Wine Meets the Festival Crowd Paso Robles CAB Collective wineries take the stage as the exclusive wine sponsor of Shabang Music and Arts Festival, May 2 to 3, 2026. A major step in bringing Paso wine to a new generation of consumers. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/316503 Wine 4 Paws Returns April 25 to 26 More than 75 wineries and local businesses donate proceeds to Woods Humane Society. A feel-good weekend where wine lovers and pet lovers come together. 🔗 https://www.wine4paws.com White Wine Invitational August 1 Paso’s white wines take the spotlight with more than 20 wineries showcasing the diversity and creativity of the region. 🔗 https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/white-wine-invitational-returns-to-paso-robles-aug-1/219760/ 🌴 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT FarmsteadED Open Farm Days June 19 to 21 Explore Paso from the ground up. Meet farmers, visit ranches, and experience the agricultural side of the region through tours, tastings, and workshops. Free to attend with registration. 🔗 https://www.farmsteaded.com/openfarmdays 📸 https://www.instagram.com/farmsteaded/   🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17 Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/paired-paso/ Sparkling Paso A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 11m

  3. APR 17

    EP 167: ROC – Roots, Responsibility & Future of Farming – Featuring Halter Ranch Vineyard | Booker Vineyard

    🍇 WHERE WINE TAKES YOU – EPISODE 167 🍷 ROC PART 3: ROOTS, RESPONSIBILITY & THE FUTURE OF FARMING In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam closes out the three-part deep dive into Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) farming with two powerhouse voices helping lead the movement in Paso Robles. First up is Hilary Graves of Booker Vineyard, grower, educator, vineyard strategist, and one of the most respected minds in California viticulture. Hilary shares why ROC matters, how farmers can help capture carbon, and why consumers hold more power than they realize every time they shop or order wine. Then Adam welcomes Kevin Sass, veteran winemaker of Halter Ranch, whose decades of Paso experience meet one of the region’s most stunning estates. Kevin breaks down what certification means, why transparency matters, how Halter balances multiple vineyards across states, and yes… why planes literally land at the winery. This episode goes beyond buzzwords and into the real questions: How do we farm better? How do we support workers better? How do we leave land better than we found it? And if Paso Robles is going to lead the wine world in something… this feels like a damn good place to start. 🌿 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT Before your next Paso getaway, start here: https://travelpaso.com Later in the show, Adam checks in with Jeffry Weisinger, Interim Executive Director of Paso Main Street, and owner of local favorite Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ. They talk about the upcoming Paso Robles Olive & Lavender Festival on May 9th, a downtown celebration of local olive oils, lavender goods, shopping specials, food, cocktails, and community spirit. The event also serves as the largest annual fundraiser for Paso Main Street, helping support treasured traditions like Santa in the Park, Teddy Bear Tea, Elegant Evening, and more. 🎉 EVENT LINKS Paso Robles Olive & Lavender Festival – May 9 https://pasoroblesdowntown.org/downtown-event/paso-robles-olive-festival-lavender-festival-may-9th/ 🍷 FEATURED GUEST LINKS Booker Vineyard – https://www.bookerwines.com • IG: https://www.instagram.com/bookervineyard/ Halter Ranch – https://www.halterranch.com • IG: https://www.instagram.com/halterranch/ Paso Main Street / Downtown Paso Robles – https://pasoroblesdowntown.org • IG: https://www.instagram.com/prmainstreet/ Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ – Downtown Paso Robles 🌐 PASO WINE WIRE 🏰 The Anderson Paso Opens Restaurant Doors The “first castle on the right” on Highway 46 West debuts its new restaurant, cocktail bar, and hospitality concept. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/316431 🤝 Chefs Helping Chefs Supports Baby Saoirse McCabe A sold-out Central Coast fundraiser rallied chefs, wineries, and hospitality leaders in support of the McCabe family during baby Saoirse’s cancer fight. ❤️ DONATE TO SUPPORT SAOIRSE MCCABE GoFundMe: Support Saoirse’s Journey – Hope & Healing Ahead 🔗 https://gofundme.com/f/support-saoirses-journey-hope-and-healing-ahead Fiscal Sponsor EIN: 77-0206822 🍑 Peachy Canyon Names Paul Sowerby General Manager Paso veteran Paul Sowerby steps into leadership at one of the region’s most iconic family wineries. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/316647 🌱 LEARN MORE ABOUT ROC 🔗 https://pasowine.com/grower_certification/regenerative-organic-certified/ 🔗 https://regenorganic.org 🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17 Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/paired-paso/ Sparkling Paso A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 18m

  4. APR 10

    Ep 166: Paso Leads in Regenerative Organic Certified – Featuring Robert Hall Winery | Le Cuvier Winery

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 This episode of Where Wine Takes You is Part Two of our Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) series, diving deeper into one of the most important movements shaping the future of wine. After last week’s conversation with Jason Haas and Chris Cherry, Adam continues the journey with two winemakers leading the charge in Paso Robles. Adam sits down with Clay Selkirk of Le Cuvier Winery and Amanda Gorter of Robert Hall Winery, two voices from very different backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to regenerative farming. Clay reflects on carrying forward the legacy of Paso legend John Munch, while Amanda breaks down how regenerative practices are showing measurable results in the vineyard and in the glass. From soil health and climate resilience to transparency in winemaking, this conversation brings ROC out of theory and into reality. Later in the episode, Adam highlights one of the most unique ways to explore Paso wine country in the Travel Paso Spotlight, 3rd Wheel Tours. Think sidecars, tuk-tuks, and a fully guided experience where you don’t have to drive, just sit back and enjoy the ride through vineyards and boutique wineries. And in Paso Wine Wire, there’s no shortage of local buzz, from a major expansion at Allegretto Vineyard Resort, to community-driven events like Paso Wine Fanatics and Soup & Syrah, and a meaningful moment as Vine Cycle Tours looks for its next owner after building a beloved local experience. 🍷 FEATURED GUESTS Le Cuvier Winery 🔗 https://www.lcwine.com/ 📱 https://www.instagram.com/lecuvierwinery/ Robert Hall Winery 🔗 https://www.roberthallwinery.com/ 📱 https://www.instagram.com/roberthallwinery/ 🌐 PASO WINE WIRE Allegretto Vineyard Resort Expansion Approved A major expansion including a spa hotel, restaurant, and conference center signals Paso’s continued rise as a luxury wine destination. 🔗 https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/luxury-slo-county-resort-adding-120000653.html Paso Wine Fanatics Event A stacked weekend of winemakers, food, music, and community featuring Caliza, Loma Seca, Alta Colina, Guyomar, and Turtle Rock. 🔗 https://pasorobleswinefanatics.com/pages/events Soup & Syrah Festival (April 12) An afternoon of wine, food, and community benefiting Jack’s Helping Hand. 🎟 Use code VTR for 35% off tickets 🔗 https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/soup-and-syrah-festival-benefits-programs-for-children-with-special-needs/219172/ 🔗 https://soupnsyrah.wixsite.com/soup Vine Cycle Tours For Sale A Paso favorite e-bike vineyard tour business is looking for its next chapter. Includes bikes, van, and full brand platform. 📩 jeff@vinecycletours.com 🔗 https://www.bizben.com/business-for-sale/paso-robles-electric-bike-vineyard-tour-and-rental-business-7796971 🔗 https://www.vinecycletours.com/about-us 🌴 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT 3rd Wheel Tours A one-of-a-kind guided wine country experience featuring sidecars and tuk-tuks, no driving required. 🔗 https://thirdwheeltours.com 🌱 LEARN MORE ABOUT ROC 🔗 https://pasowine.com/grower_certification/regenerative-organic-certified/ 🔗 https://regenorganic.org 🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17 Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/paired-paso/ Sparkling Paso A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 12m

  5. APR 3

    Ep 165: You Down with ROC, Yeah You Know Me – Featuring Tablas Creek | Maha Estate

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 Today, we’re talking about dirt. Not just any dirt, but living soil. The kind that breathes, holds water, stores carbon, and might just be the difference between surviving the next 50 years or not. Because right now, something big is happening in Paso Robles. If you haven’t heard the term yet, you’re about to hear it a lot more. Regenerative Organic Certified. ROC. And here’s the thing. This isn’t a buzzword. This isn’t marketing. This is a full-on shift in how we farm, how we think, and how we take care of the land. And Paso is leading that charge on a global level. In this episode, Adam sits down with two of Paso Robles’ most forward-thinking minds, Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard and Cris Cherry of Villa Creek and MAHA Estate, to kick off a special series exploring the future of farming and wine. This isn’t just about what’s in your glass. It’s about what’s happening beneath it. Soil health, farmworker fairness, and animal welfare, the pillars of ROC, are reshaping how wine is grown. Jason breaks it down in a way that actually makes sense, farming not just to sustain, but to improve the land and community. Cris brings the real-world perspective, sharing what it looks like to live this every day at MAHA Estate, from sheep in the vineyard to the economics of doing things the right way. Together, they unpack why this matters now more than ever, and how regenerative farming could be a key piece in the future of agriculture. You’ll also hear how Paso has quietly become a global epicenter for regenerative viticulture, with wineries like Tablas Creek, MAHA Estate, Booker, Halter Ranch, and others helping push the industry forward. Later in the show, Adam heads just off Highway 101 for a Travel Paso Spotlight on Firestone Walker Brewing Company, where beer, food, and community collide. With the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest celebrating 30 years, plus a can’t-miss block party open to the public, it’s a perfect reminder that Paso is more than just wine, it’s an experience. 🍷 FEATURED GUESTS Tablas Creek Vineyard (Jason Haas) 🌐 https://tablascreek.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/tablascreek/ MAHA Estate / Villa Creek (Cris Cherry) 🌐 https://www.villacreekwine.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/villacreekcellars/ 🌐 PASO WINE WIRE Paso Wine Fanatics Annual Tasting at Caliza Winery One of the most passionate wine communities in the country is bringing the heat this spring. Owner-poured wines, gourmet food, live music, and Adam co-hosting. 🔗 https://pasorobleswinefanatics.com/pages/events Soup & Syrah Festival (April 12, Templeton) Comfort food meets Rhône magic, all benefiting Jack’s Helping Hand. 🔗 https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/soup-and-syrah-festival-benefits-programs-for-children-with-special-needs/219172/ Robert Hall Launches ROC Wines at Whole Foods A major milestone. Regenerative organic wines are hitting national retail shelves, and Paso’s impact just went mainstream. 🌴 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT Firestone Walker Brewing Company 🌐 https://www.firestonewalker.com Plan your trip → https://travelpaso.com 🌱 LEARN MORE ABOUT ROC 🔗 https://pasowine.com/grower_certification/regenerative-organic-certified/ 🔗 https://regenorganic.org 🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17 Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/paired-paso/ Sparkling Paso A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 24m

  6. MAR 27

    Ep 164: Exploring the Creston District Sub AVA – Featuring Ella’s Vineyard | Defiance Vineyard

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam heads east into one of Paso Robles’ most quietly compelling sub-AVAs, the Creston District. It’s a place that doesn’t shout for attention, but once you find it, it sticks with you. Adam sits down with Erin Faulkner, co-owner of Defiance Vineyard, and Josh Morris, owner and winemaker of Ella’s Vineyard, two producers carving out their own identities in a part of Paso defined by elevation, wind, and independence. Erin shares the story behind Defiance, a true family-built operation that started from raw land and evolved into a Bordeaux-focused program rooted in intention and individuality. Josh brings a different lens with Ella’s Vineyard, leaning into Italian varietals, concrete fermentation, and a hospitality-driven experience that reflects both precision and personality. Together, the conversation dives into what makes Creston different, not just in terroir, but in mindset. A place where winemakers aren’t following a template, they’re building their own. Later in the show, Adam shifts from quiet vineyard hills to center stage, catching up with Manuel Barba from the Vina Robles Amphitheatre. They talk about the upcoming concert season, evolving guest experiences, and why this venue continues to be one of the most unique places to see a show on the Central Coast. 🍷 FEATURED GUESTS & WINERIES Defiance Vineyard • Website: https://www.defiancevineyard.com/ • IG: https://www.instagram.com/defiancevineyard/ Ella’s Vineyard • Website: https://www.ellasvineyard.com/ • IG: https://www.instagram.com/ellasvineyard Learn more about the Creston District AVA • https://pasowine.com/creston-district-2/ • https://paso.guides.winefolly.com/regions/ 🌐 PASO WINE WIRE Opolo Vineyards Releases Second Vintage of Vranac America’s only varietal bottling of this bold Balkan grape returns with its 2022 vintage, a unique Paso take on a Montenegrin classic. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/315639 Solterra Strategies & Sensorio Win Visit California Poppy Award A major win for local storytelling and tourism marketing, highlighting Paso’s growing presence on a statewide stage. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/315619 Halter Ranch Earns Glyphosate Residue Free Certification A first for Paso Robles, signaling a deeper push toward transparency and sustainability in the vineyard and in the bottle. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/315631 🌅 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT Vina Robles Amphitheatre One of the Central Coast’s premier live music venues, offering an intimate, high-quality concert experience right in the heart of wine country. Website: https://www.vinaroblesamphitheatre.com • IG: https://www.instagram.com/vinaroblesamphitheatre   🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17 Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/paired-paso/ Sparkling Paso A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 15m

  7. MAR 20

    Ep 163: Atascadero: Paso Wine’s Next Scene – Featuring Marin’s Vineyard | Ruby Cellars

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You Episode Highlights 🍷 In this episode, Adam heads just south of Paso Robles into Atascadero, a town that is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new pockets of the Central Coast wine scene. Adam sits down with Ryan Kirkpatrick of Ruby Cellars and Marin Wolgamott of Marin’s Vineyard, two winemakers with very different paths but a shared belief in what Atascadero is becoming. Ryan, born and raised in Atascadero, brings a family legacy forward while evolving Ruby Cellars into a more expressive, story-driven brand. His work spans Bordeaux blends, experimental wines, and a growing passion for dessert wines that continues to shape the winery’s future. Marin, a rising winemaker and entrepreneur, is building something uniquely her own. From her aromatic Viognier-based pét-nat to a welcoming tasting room that reflects her personality and perspective, her approach is intentional, fresh, and deeply personal. Together, they represent a new wave of Paso-adjacent energy rooted in community, creativity, and a willingness to take risks. Later in the show, Adam connects with David Morneau of Paso Robles Inn, diving into the transformation of this historic property. The conversation explores the reopening of Cattlemen’s Bar, the upcoming rooftop concept Salina, and a new restaurant called The Pass created in collaboration with Chef Charlie Palmer. 🌐 PASO WINE WIRE (WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW) Calcareous Vineyard celebrates 25 years A major milestone for one of Paso’s iconic estates. The winery is marking the occasion with a renovated tasting room, elevated hospitality, and a full calendar of events throughout the year. It’s a reminder that Paso’s early visionaries are still pushing forward. 🔗 https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/winery-celebrates-25-years-with-tasting-room-renovation/218561/ Firestone Walker releases Sunglider Golden Lager This new seasonal beer is more than just a crisp, easy drinker. It highlights California-grown ingredients and the brewery’s sustainability efforts, from solar energy to water recycling. A look at how Central Coast producers are thinking long-term. 🔗 https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/firestone-walker-releases-new-sunglider-golden-lager-brewed-with-california-barley/218546/ Lohr refreshes its Seven Oaks Cabernet One of the most recognizable Paso wines gets a label update that puts Paso Robles front and center. It reflects how far the region has come, from a growing area to a nationally recognized Cabernet destination. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/315407 🍷 FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE Ruby Cellars https://rubycellars.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rubycellars/ Marin’s Vineyard https://www.marinsvineyard.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marinsvineyard/ 🏨 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT Paso Robles Inn A historic property in the heart of downtown Paso undergoing a major transformation, including new culinary concepts and refreshed guest experiences. https://pasoroblesinn.com/ Cattlemen’s Bar A revived local institution rooted in Paso’s ranching history. Think strong drinks, community energy, and a true Central Coast vibe. https://www.cattlemenspaso.com/ 🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17 Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/paired-paso/ Sparkling Paso A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 21m

  8. MAR 12

    Ep 162: Wine Country for Everyone: Family Friendly Wineries – Featuring Glunz Family Winery | Dark Star Cellars

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam Montiel sits down with Michael Emlie of Dark Star Cellars and brothers Matt and Steve Glunz of Glunz Family Winery & Cellars for a conversation about something Paso Robles does especially well, family-friendly wine country. Recorded at Lobro Studios, the conversation flows the way great wine conversations should, with glasses on the table, stories in the air, and a few laughs along the way. Michael Emlie shares the classic Paso story of how a longtime Los Angeles attorney fell in love with Paso Robles while visiting for Wine Fest and eventually traded courtrooms for barrels when he purchased Dark Star Cellars. Over a decade later, Dark Star remains one of Paso’s most relaxed and welcoming spots, a place where guests can enjoy great wine while kids, dogs, and friends all feel right at home. Adam is also joined by Matt and Steve Glunz, part of a family wine legacy that stretches back to 1888 Chicago, when their ancestor Louis Glunz opened a wine and spirits shop that would eventually grow into one of the country’s longest-running family wine businesses. Today the brothers continue that legacy in Paso Robles, producing wines at Glunz Family Winery & Cellars, located along Highway 46 East just outside town. Together, the group explores the idea that Paso Robles wine country can be both world-class and welcoming, where incredible wines, heritage vineyards, and family-owned wineries coexist with picnic tables, dogs underfoot, and kids running around the property. Later in the show, Adam connects with Corey Jordan, founder of Libretto, an intimate live music venue in downtown Paso Robles that has quickly become a cultural gem in wine country. Corey shares the story behind Libretto’s incredible Steinway concert grand piano, the world-class musicians performing in the space, and the upcoming inaugural Paso Robles Jazz Festival, a three-day event that will bring Grammy-winning jazz artists to Paso and culminate with a spectacular performance at Sensorio’s Field of Lights. 🍷 Featured Guests • Dark Star Cellars – Paso Robles https://www.darkstarcellars.com/ Instagram: @darkstarcellars • Glunz Family Winery & Cellars – Paso Robles https://www.glunzfamilywinery.com/ Instagram: @glunzfamilywinery 🌴 Travel Paso Spotlight • Libretto – Live Music Venue https://www.librettopaso.com/ Instagram: @librettopaso • Paso Robles Jazz Festival (Inaugural 2026) https://www.pasoroblesjazzfest.com/ 🌐 Paso Wine Wire 46 West Revives Paso Zinfandel Festival The wineries of 46 West are bringing back Zinfest Weekend, celebrating Paso’s heritage grape with a grand tasting at Castoro Cellars and events throughout the weekend. Tickets & Info: https://my805tix.com/e/zinfest-weekend-2026 https://46west.wine/ McPrice Myers Wines Launches Student Tasting Program College students 21+ can now enjoy a $10 tasting flight — helping open the door for the next generation of wine lovers and industry professionals. Read more: https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/paso-robles-winery-launches-discounted-tastings-for-college-students/218705/ California Mid-State Fair Opens Home Brewing & Winemaking Competitions Local makers can enter beer, cider, perry, and wine for judging as part of the fair’s long-running traditions. Details: https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/california-mid-state-fair-opens-entries-for-home-brewing-competitions/218482/ Remembering Jake Beckett of Peachy Canyon Winery A moving tribute from writer R.H. Drexel honoring the life and legacy of Jake Beckett. Read the piece: https://jebdunnuck.com/2026/03/r-h-drexel-a-wise-man-makes-his-own-luck-remembering-jake-beckett-of-peachy-canyon-winery/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 25m
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Keeping it real with owners, winemakers, growers and personalities as they discuss the places and wines that have shaped the Paso Robles Wine Region

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