Where Wine Takes You - A Paso Wine Podcast

Adam Montiel
  • 5.0 (206)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. OCT 31

    Ep 150: Wine Life at the Intersection of Collaboration & Community – Featuring Gravesend | Cairjn Wine Cellars

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷  Episode 150 turns a new page in Paso Robles. Adam sits down with the founders of Gravesend Paso, Matt Reese and Keith Robinson (also of Saint K Wines) along with Chef Amy Baer and rising winemaker Andy Neja of Cairjn Wine Cellars. We dig into why a name like Gravesend matters, how a kitchen is built entirely by women, how small lot winemaking finds new voice in Paso, and why hospitality is getting reimagined up and down Spring Street. Recorded at LoBro Studios in downtown Paso Robles. This episode features: • Matt Reese, Co-owner, Gravesend and Saint K Wines • Keith Robinson, Co-owner, Gravesend and Saint K Wines • Chef Amy Baer, Founder and Owner of Epicurean Santa Barbara and Executive Chef at Gravesend • Andy Neja, Owner and Winemaker at Cairjn Wine Cellars Links • Gravesend Paso • Saint K Wines • Cairjn Wine Cellars Follow on Instagram: Cairjn Wine Cellars → @cairjnwines Gravesend Wine Merchant & Eatery → @gravesendpaso Saint K Wines → @saintkwines  We also spotlight our unique partnership with Engelbert Strauss, the official workwear partner of Paso Robles Wine Country, and why it matters in the vineyard, the cellar, and beyond. I picked up the phone and spoke with Cris Cherry of Villa Creek & MAHA Estate and Janell Dusi of J Dusi Wines - two makers who know that craft isn’t just what happens in the glass, but who shows up in the fields, in the hands, in the gear. Their insights on harvest, community, and what it takes to make it count in Paso bring context to a partnership that’s built for the people doing the work. Paso Wine Wire • Garagiste Wine Festival returns Nov 7-8, in Paso Robles for its 15th anniversary → garagistefestival.com • Firestone Walker Brewing Company unveils a new CO2 recovery system in Paso Robles, expected to save four million pounds of emissions annually → firestonewalker.com • Ancient Peaks Winery hosted the 4th Annual Walk for Cancer at Santa Margarita Ranch → pasoroblespress.com Travel Paso Spotlight Later in the show we spotlight Taste! Craft Eatery in downtown Paso Robles, the same concept featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. They offer over 60 mini dishes, sliders, mac and cheese, big flavor, and local wine pairing energy. • tastepasorobles.com   🎯 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 lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel 📱 Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country. For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 33m

  2. OCT 24

    Ep 149: Before the Buzz: Paso’s Tried and True Tasting Better than Ever – Featuring Caparone | RN Estate

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 Two Paso originals, zero gimmicks. This week Adam sits down with Marc Caparone of Caparone Winery (owner/winemaker, founded 1979) and Roger Nicolas of RN Estate (owner/winemaker, launched 2000) to talk patience, classic craft, and why less can taste like more. We dig into moderate alcohols, neutral oak, and Italian/Bordeaux varieties that age into real conversations. Plus, a Travel Paso Spotlight on the Garagiste Wine Festival turning 15. Recorded at Timbre LoBro Studios, this episode features: • Marc Caparone — Owner/Winemaker, Caparone Winery • Roger Nicolas — Owner/Winemaker, RN Estate Vineyard & Winery We explore Caparone’s father-and-son “simple winery, complex wines” ethos and their pioneering work with Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Aglianico. Then we head to RN Estate’s hilltop lens on Paso: Bordeaux-inspired reds, finesse-first blending, and SRH Pinot Noir when the coast calls. If you’re chasing origin stories in the glass, start here. Paso Wine Wire Dream Big Darling opens 2026 FLOurish leadership track — six months of coaching, peer mentoring, and skill-building → https://dreambigdarling.org/flourish • Cambria Hotel Templeton–Paso Robles is now open at 1000 Las Tablas Rd, Templeton → https://www.choicehotels.com/cambria • National love for locals: Yes Cocktail Co. named #1 Best Craft Mixer Brand in USA TODAY 10Best; Allegretto Vineyard Resort ranked #3 Best Wine Country Hotel → https://www.yescocktailco.com • https://www.allegrettovineyardresort.com Travel Paso Spotlight We check in with Stewart McLennan, co-founder of the Garagiste Wine Festival, celebrating 15 years of discovery in Paso — small-lot producers, first-name energy, and the best place to stumble into your new favorite label. • Festival info & schedule → https://www.garagistefestival.com/paso-robles • Plan your trip → https://travelpaso.com 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at TravelPaso.com Links & Follow Wineries • Cparone Winery (est. 1979) → https://www.caparone.com • RN Estate Vineyard & Winery (est. 2000) → https://www.rnestate.com 🎯 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 lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel 📱 Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country. For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 19m

  3. OCT 10

    Ep 148: Canopy Cowboys: Riding Ripeness & Harvest Hunches from Vintage 2025

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷  This week we saddle up with the Canopy Cowboys of Alterra Solutions — a vineyard management supergroup shaping some of the most coveted sites in Paso. We’re talking legacy, precision farming, and how to ride ripeness like a pro, and what Paso is learning from Harvest 2025, from the brightest minds farming it. Recorded at LoBro Studios in Paso Robles, this ep features: • Kevin Wilkinson (the thinker), founder & vineyard strategist • Lucas Pope (the kind & sensitive one), VP, sparkling evangelist, and co-founder of Haliotide Wines • Chris Hammell (token bad boy), vineyard whisperer (formerly Bien Nacido) We dig into Alterra’s 2025 rebrand from Coastal Vineyard Services and why it signals more than just a name change. It’s a full-circle moment for founder Kevin Wilkinson, who has spent decades shaping the region from behind the scenes. Lucas Pope shares his wild entry into farming, managing vineyards for Silicon Valley’s elite in the hills of Santa Cruz, and how that path eventually led to launching Haliotide, a sparkling wine project with his wife Nicole. Chris Hammell reflects on his years managing Bien Nacido Vineyard, and why his quiet, humble demeanor masks one of the most accomplished vineyard résumés on the West Coast. Paso Wine Wire • New Decemil Wine Lounge brings micro-estate Rhône energy to downtown Paso inside the 1888 Grangers Union Building → decemilwines.com • Garagiste Wine Festival turns 15 — Nov 7–8 at Paso Robles Event Center → garagistefestival.com • Opolo’s Harvest Grape Stomp Dinner is back Oct 17 — lamb roast, Balkan beats, and stomping galore → opolo.com Travel Paso Spotlight This week we check in to Hotel Cheval, the boutique gem of downtown Paso. GM Jayne Christman joins us to talk about warm service, world-class comfort, and what makes Cheval one of Paso’s most beloved places to stay. • Learn more: hotelcheval.com • Plan your trip: TravelPaso.com 🎯 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 lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel 📱 Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country.   For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 24m

  4. OCT 3

    Ep 147: First Castle on the Right: The Drawbridge Between Craft & Collaboration – Featuring Fortress Custom Crush | The Anderson | Serial Wines

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 This week we go inside the new life breathed into Paso’s ‘first castle on the right’, the newest hospitality power duo: Fortress Custom Crush (production, collaboration, small-lot craft) and The Anderson Paso (flexible hospitality and events next door). I’m joined by Jeremy Leffert (Fortress), Azurae Shults (The Anderson Paso), and Jeff Kandarian of Serial Wines to talk about harvest 2025, how resident winemakers sharpen each other, and all what we can expect when all the curtains are pulled back. We taste through Serial’s current lineup and dig into the drawbridge between craft and collaboration. Paso Wine Wire Linne Calodo stays “all in on Zin,” highlighting heritage sites and Willow Creek spice with 2023 releases Problem Child and Cherry Red. → linnecalodo.com Booker achieves CCOF organic certification in the winery, completing vine-to-bottle organic status. → Read: Paso Robles Daily News • Visit: bookerwines.com Robb Report spotlights Libretto as a downtown Paso jazz magnet built around a rare 2012 Steinway Model D. → Read: Robb Report • Visit: librettopaso.com Travel Paso Spotlight We’re shining the light on the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, November 6–9, 2025, a multi-day celebration of music and legacy. Build your weekend around the concerts, the wine, and the vibe. • Learn more: paderewskifest.com • Plan your trip: TravelPaso.com Special Mini-Segment A quick recognition of our partnership with Strauss, including a short chat with Henning Strauss on why supporting local storytelling matters to makers and travelers alike. 🎯 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 lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country. For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! Thank you. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 6m

  5. SEP 26

    Ep 146: Where the Wild Wines Are – Featuring Paix Sur Terre | Brecon | Cordant

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 This week on Where Wine Takes You, we’re going Where the Wild Wines Are with three winemakers who represent the energy and evolution of Paso: Ryan Pease of Paix Sur Terre, Alex Kemp of Brecon Estate, and Ryker Wall of Cordant Winery. Ryan has carved out a cult following with Paix Sur Terre, crafting Rhône-driven wines that overdeliver in character and soul. Alex is leading the charge at Brecon, one of Paso’s most acclaimed tasting rooms, while also exploring his Grenache obsession through Terranean Wines. And Ryker is steering winemaking at Cordant, continuing its legacy of thoughtful, vineyard-driven blends, while building his personal project Idola Wines into something truly exciting. Together, we dig into what it means to make wine in Paso right now — the harvest surprises, the challenges, the camaraderie, and the creativity. You’ll hear stories that connect the dots between established brands and the next generation of labels that are quietly rising up in Paso. Paso Wine Wire Paso featured in Forbes: “Outstanding Cabernet Year” for 2025 — cooler weather + drought conditions could deliver one of Paso’s most exciting vintages yet. Sensorio issues global open call for new immersive art installations — artists, designers, and creators invited to light up Paso in new ways. California Wine Month — celebrating the $2.8 billion impact of wine and tourism on Paso and the many events happening across the state wrapping up September. Travel Paso Spotlight This week we’re shining the light on The Bovine Classic, Paso’s gravel cycling adventure happening October 25, 2025, that mixes endurance with pure SLO CAL beauty. Riders take on rugged vineyard trails, rolling hills, and backcountry routes that show off Paso in a whole new way. Last year I even got to call riders across the finish line, and the vibe was unreal, more a fun and memorable community festival than race. This year promises the same: world-class cycling, live music, food, and plenty of Paso wine and beer to keep the celebration rolling. Whether you’re a cyclist or just want to be part of the scene, it’s a can’t-miss weekend. 👉 Learn more and register: The Bovine Classic Featured Wineries this episode: Paix Sur Terre Brecon Estate Cordant Winery Terranean Wines Idola Wines 🎯 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 lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country.   For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! Thank you. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 39m

  6. SEP 20

    Ep 145: Still Pouring, Still Roaring: Opolo at 25, Still Making History

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 This week we’re celebrating a Paso institution: Opolo Vineyards. Co-founder Rick Quinn joins me for a one-on-one conversation about 25 years of Opolo, how Paso has grown alongside them, and the historic debut of Vranac — a Balkan grape now officially recognized and bottled in the U.S. for the first time. We also check in with the latest Paso Wine Wire headlines, and in our Travel Paso Spotlight we turn the love toward Thomas Hill Organics, a restaurant and community hub that needs our support right now. Paso Wine Wire Paso Robles Wine Country Virtual Auction is live Sept. 15–20, with proceeds funding local student scholarships. Join the auction Alterra Solutions rebrands and expands: Kevin Wilkinson’s vineyard management firm takes on a new name and new horizons. Read more ONX Wines launches Sunprint, their first mentorship-driven chillable red. Learn more Travel Paso Spotlight This week we shine the light on Thomas Hill Organics, owned by Chefs Lisa and Mike. Mike is in the fight of his life against cancer, and Lisa is back in the kitchen while still holding everything together. Paso takes care of its own, so if you know them, love them, or just love good food, please show them support with a visit, a kind message, or by sharing their story. Visit Thomas Hill Organics Links + Resources Opolo Vineyards Paso Wine Virtual Auction Thomas Hill Organics   🎯 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 lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country.   For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! Thank you. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    51 min

  7. SEP 5

    Ep 144: Rooted & Rising: Winemaker of the Year Molly Bohlman + Wine Grape Grower of the Year Aron Nevarez

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 In this episode, Adam sits down with two of Paso's freshest big winners — Winemaker of the Year and Wine Grape Grower of the Year — for a deep, soulful convo about hustle, heartbreak, harvest, and hope. Molly Bohlman, longtime winemaker at Niner Wine Estates, shares her journey from Midwest roots to SLO Coast Pinot royalty. Aron Nevarez, a fourth-generation land steward and head of viticulture at McPrice Myers, reflects on arriving in California at 15, learning English while working the vines, and becoming one of the most respected growers in Paso. This conversation, recorded at LoBro Studios in downtown Paso, honors legacy, labor, and the beautiful alchemy that happens between vine and wine. 🌐 PASO WINE WIRE — This Week’s Headlines: 1️⃣ JUSTIN Winery Powers Youth Basketball with 3Ball Academy JUSTIN Vineyards sponsors a free multi-week basketball training program for local youth athletes, led by Cal Poly Hall of Famer Mike Wozniak. Full Story » 2️⃣ Hope Family Wines Launches Game-Changing One-Liter Bottle Austin Hope’s flagship Cabernet is now in an innovative 1L format — perfect for restaurant pours and built for value. Read More » 3️⃣ Serial Wines Celebrates Fall with a National Sweepstakes + Harvest Events Big scores, big flavors, and their iconic Masquerade returns November 8. Explore Events & Sweepstakes » 4️⃣ Paso Wine Tasting Tour Heads to Fresno & Bakersfield Taste Paso from 50+ producers at two upcoming Central Valley events: Sept 5 – Bakersfield Tasting Tour » Sept 19 – Fresno Tasting Tour » TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT: Meet Kimberly Walker, the vision behind two of Paso’s most stylish boutique stays — The Farmhouse and River Lodge. From curated design to next-level vibes, she’s redefining what it means to stay in Paso. 🎯 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 lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country.   For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! Thank you. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 14m

  8. AUG 29

    Ep 143: Paso Wine’s ‘Future 40’ from Wine Enthusiast Magazine

    🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 Four women. One region. A future uncorked. In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam sits down with four trailblazing Central Coast women named to Wine Enthusiast’s prestigious Future 40 list for 2025: Nancy Ulloa, the spiritual force behind Ulloa Cellars, whose winemaking blends energy, heritage, and healing intention • Neeta Mittal, co-founder of LXV Wine, redefining elegance through the sensual pairing of wine and spice • Katy Rogers & Tamara Bingham, the brand architects of Likely Story Strategies, helping wineries craft their voice and stand out in a crowded market Together in the studio, these innovators talk entrepreneurship, representation, identity, and what it means to shape the wine world on their own terms with Paso Robles as both canvas and catalyst. Paso Wine Wire Stories: Martinelli Vineyard Hits the Market Read the article McPrice Myers Opens New Estate Tasting Room in Adelaida Read more at mcpricemyers.com Autumn Soirée at Hotel SLO Set for October 12 More details here Travel Paso Spotlight: Discover the elevated charm of Hotel Ava, Paso’s newest luxury boutique hotel in the heart of downtown. With rooftop views, a saltwater pool, and culinary experiences led by Chef Julien Asseo and Beverage Director Lannon Rust, this is Paso from the top. hotelava.com Other Mentions: • LXV Wine – lxvwine.com • Ulloa Cellars – ullloacellars.com • Likely Story Strategies – likelystorystrategies.com     🎯 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 lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country.   For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! Thank you. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

    1h 17m
See All (150)

5
out of 5
206 Ratings

About

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

Information

You Might Also Like