🍇 WHERE WINE TAKES YOU – EPISODE 167 🍷

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?

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:

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

🍷 FEATURED GUEST LINKS

🌐 PASO WINE WIRE

🏰 The Anderson Paso Opens Restaurant Doors

🤝 Chefs Helping Chefs Supports Baby Saoirse McCabe

GoFundMe: Support Saoirse’s Journey – Hope & Healing Ahead

Fiscal Sponsor EIN: 77-0206822

🍑 Peachy Canyon Names Paul Sowerby General Manager

🔗 https://pasowine.com/grower_certification/regenerative-organic-certified/

Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso

Sparkling Paso

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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🍇 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.

🔗 https://pasowine.com/grower_certification/regenerative-organic-certified/

Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso

Sparkling Paso

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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🍇 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.

Tablas Creek Vineyard (Jason Haas)

MAHA Estate / Villa Creek (Cris Cherry)

Paso Wine Fanatics Annual Tasting at Caliza Winery

Soup & Syrah Festival (April 12, Templeton)

Robert Hall Launches ROC Wines at Whole Foods

Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Plan your trip → https://travelpaso.com

🔗 https://pasowine.com/grower_certification/regenerative-organic-certified/

Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso

Sparkling Paso

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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 ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

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.

Defiance Vineyard

Ella’s Vineyard

Learn more about the Creston District AVA

Opolo Vineyards Releases Second Vintage of Vranac

Solterra Strategies & Sensorio Win Visit California Poppy Award

Halter Ranch Earns Glyphosate Residue Free Certification

Vina Robles Amphitheatre

Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso

Sparkling Paso

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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 ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

🍇 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.

Calcareous Vineyard celebrates 25 years

Firestone Walker releases Sunglider Golden Lager

Ruby Cellars

Marin’s Vineyard

Paso Robles Inn

Cattlemen’s Bar

Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso

Sparkling Paso

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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 ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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 ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🌊🐎

In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam sits down with two Westside Paso farmers who bet on place and trusted the dirt beneath their feet. 

Carl Bowker of Caliza Winery and John Lemstra of Jack Creek Cellars join the show to talk about the power, elegance and diurnal magic of the Willow Creek District AVA, one of Paso Robles’ most compelling sub appellations.

From ripping out 30 acres of Pinot and Chardonnay to replant Rhône varieties.

Caliza Winery

https://www.calizawinery.com

End of the Day Tasting Room

Jack Creek Cellars

https://www.jackcreekcellars.com

Established 2014

Learn more

From Caliza Winery:

From Jack Creek Cellars:

Hawks Hill Ranch and Boutz Cellars now share a tasting room inside a heritage barn overlooking the Adelaida District. A Westside collaboration bringing estate Rhône wines and Greek varietals together under one roof.

https://www.hawkshillranch.com

Wine 4 Paws returns April 25 and 26 benefiting Woods Humane Society. Participating wineries and businesses across SLO County donate 10 percent of sales for the weekend. Since 2009 the event has raised more than 750,000 dollars for homeless pets.

https://wine4paws.com

McPrice Myers Wines collaborates with Hog Island Oyster Co. on Sea Legacy, a limited 100 percent Clairette Blanche release benefiting the White Abalone Project.

https://mcpricemyers.com

Rhone Rangers March 20 and 21

Adam connects with Kim Murphy Rodriguez, Executive Director of Rhone Rangers, to preview their upcoming event celebrating American grown Rhône varieties.

Seminars. Tastings. Winemaker panels. Rhône education at its best.

https://rhonerangers.org

Planning a weekend around it

Paso Wine Fest returns May 15 through 17.

🎟️ Win a pair of tickets at

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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 ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🌊🐎

In this coastal-meets-cowboy episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam heads west, all the way to the waterline, for a conversation about tasting rooms by the ocean and how proximity to the Pacific changes the wine experience.

First up, Soren Christensen, winemaker for Hearst Ranch Winery, shares what it is like pouring wine across the street from Hearst Castle in San Simeon. With 25 Paso harvests under his belt, including time at Hope Family Wines and Alta Colina, Soren talks about legacy, instinct, and crafting wines worthy of the Hearst name. From Rhône varieties to Bordeaux blends, and even a run-in with ranch longhorns, Soren brings grounded Paso wisdom with an ocean view.

Then meet Dirk Neumann, owner and winemaker of Absolution Cellars in Morro Bay. A second-career winemaker who packed up South Florida and moved west without a master plan, Dirk now produces limited-production, single-vineyard wines from across the Central Coast. His tasting room on the Morro Bay Embarcadero offers albariño, tempranillo, tribiano, and more, often with sea otters floating by outside the patio. It is Old World philosophy, New World creativity, and a whole lot of coastal energy.

Later in the show, Adam connects with Tami Rodman and Ashley Hallinan of the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association. From lightning-fast turns to “cow sense,” they break down the adrenaline and heritage behind the sport of cutting. The 2026 PCCHA Trainers Gold Club Roundup runs March 3 through 8, a major event showcasing elite horses, riders, and more than one million dollars in purses across premier competitions.

This episode explores what happens when wine meets water and when Western heritage meets modern Paso culture.

Hearst Ranch Winery

Absolution Cellars

Hope Family Wines Installs Major Rooftop Solar Array

Robert Hall Winery Marks One-Year Anniversary of Regenerative “One Block Challenge”

Celebration of Life for Jake Beckett of Peachy Canyon Winery

Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association

Paso Wine Fest returns May 15 through 17.

🎟️ Win a pair of tickets at

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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 ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

We’re kicking off a brand-new Where Wine Takes You series spotlighting the 11 sub-AVAs of Paso Robles, and first up: the iconic, elevated, ‘limestone’-rich Adelaida District.

Host Adam Montiel is joined by:

Together, they talk terroir, winemaking dreams, and what makes this high-elevation zone truly one-of-a-kind.

Also in this episode:

We’re joined by Kathleen Naughton, Project Coordinator of the Paso Robles Distillery Trail, to talk:

Join the waitlist or learn more: pasoroblesdistillerytrail.com

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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 ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

This episode celebrates two people who define what Paso Robles is all about — Brian and Stephy Terrizzi, this year’s Paso Wine Industry Persons of the Year.

Brian and Stephy are the powerhouse duo behind Giornata Wines and Etto Pastificio, both based in Paso’s Tin City. Together, they’ve blended Old World Italian sensibility with the creative pulse of Paso — crafting wines that rival the best of Italy and pasta that’s become a staple from local kitchens to Michelin-level restaurants.

We talk about their path from Fresno State to Italy, how they built two thriving brands rooted in authenticity, and how they’ve made community impact part of their business — including thousands of pasta meals donated to local schools.

Brian & Stephy Terrizzi — Owners of Giornata Wines & Etto Pastificio

Our spotlight this episode shines on Branden Cancino, President of the Downtown Paso Wine District and Tasting Room Manager at Tank Garage Winery. Branden shares how Paso’s downtown tasting scene has evolved into one of California’s most exciting wine destinations — and gives us a look at their upcoming February 28 event, bringing together 20+ wineries, food, and live music.

🎟️ Tickets & info → DowntownWineDistrictPaso.com | ThePasoVibe.com

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective

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 ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.