Paso Robles 2022 and 2023: Polar Opposites

BY ERIC GUIDO | JUNE 26, 2025

Paso Robles has quickly become one of my favorite destinations for tasting and visiting estates. I often think that if I didn’t cover the region professionally, it would be at the top of my list for a vacation that combines wine, local shopping and a multitude of outdoor activities like biking, hiking and horseback riding. Paso Robles has also stepped up its restaurant scene over the last few years with establishments such as In Bloom, Les Petites Canailles (run by Chef Julien Asseo, son of L’Aventure’s Stephan Asseo), Etto (established by Brian Terrizzi of Giornata), neighborhood favorite Jeffry's Wine Country BBQ, plus many more. Each of these proudly pours many of the best wines Paso Robles has to offer. During my visit in late April, an announcement that Charlie Palmer is set to renovate and open three new restaurants in the coming months had everyone buzzing. Paso Robles has officially grown up, offering world-class wine and all the necessary tourist accommodations to continue booming into the future.

As for the wine scene in general, local excitement couldn’t be higher. Despite climatic challenges, even the most difficult vintages have turned out some fascinating wines thanks to quick thinking, a little luck and a willingness to adapt. The 2021 vintage continues to impress with dramatic, lively, balanced wines. The 2022s are more successful than many would have anticipated (more on that later), but the 2023s may be the most promising of all.

The Willow Creek District estate vineyards of L’Aventure

The Willow Creek District estate vineyards of L’Aventure.

As for grape varieties, there’s something for everyone. On average, Paso Robles experiences extreme daytime temperatures that reach as high as 100°F before dropping by 30-40°F at night. This diurnal push-pull allows an extensive array of varieties to thrive, helping fruit to retain acidity. Wineries like Saxum and Tablas Creek—as dissimilar as they are styistically—have inspired a generation of winemakers to explore Rhône varieties. I’m not just talking about Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier and Roussanne. Paso Robles excels with an entire cast of lesser-known Rhône grapes, such as Counoise, Carignan, Grenache Blanc and Clairette Blanche. Cabernet Sauvignon actually remains the most widely planted variety here, but Paso Cabernet differs from that of Napa Valley, Sonoma or Washington State. Here, Cabernet Sauvignon easily achieves physiological ripeness and yields wines with energy and verve that remain approachable despite their youthful grip.

High-pH limestone and compressed clay soils in a cutaway
beneath vines in the Adelaida District.

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Paso Robles is carving out its place as a premier wine region, proving its adaptability in the face of recent vintages. While the 2022 growing season presented unique challenges that are reflected in the wines, the exceptionally promising 2023s highlight Paso’s flexibility and diversity.

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