Paso Robles without Zinfandel

Associated Press columnist Tracie Cone had a comprehensive article on the Paso Robles wine scene in the weekend papers including our New Hampshire Union Leader. It was well done without one exception; the word Zinfandel was not mentioned once. IMHO that is the grape that put Paso on the map, and they still produce some of the best to be had there. I tried to contact her, but I guess AP shields their writers pretty well, so I'll just post my indignation here and elsewhere.

I don't put Paso and Zinfandel together, unless it's the Turley connection. I would be more inclined to say Syrah defines Paso, but there is a lot of Pinot being produced too.

I don't put Paso and Zinfandel together, unless it's the Turley connection. I would be more inclined to say Syrah defines Paso, but there is a lot of Pinot being produced too.

Well....back in the olden days (by crackey), back in the '60's-'70's, Zinfandel was pretty much Paso's only claim to fame. And a few stirrings of Cabernet.
But the Rhone movement has pretty much become the Paso claim to fame anymore.
I don't think there's all that much Pinot grown in Paso, relative to other varieties, but there are some pockets here&there,
and darned good pockets they are.
Tom

Like Tom, I think that it was Zin that put Paso on the map, too. Those great Dusi Ranch Zins from Ridge were many people's introduction to the area. BTW, Dusi Ranch dates to 1923, so hard to believe that it wasn't an early entry for the region. Peachy Canyon certainly cemented the association of Paso with Zin for me.

Mark Lipton

Like Tom, I think that it was Zin that put Paso on the map, too. Those great Dusi Ranch Zins from Ridge were many people's introduction to the area. BTW, Dusi Ranch dates to 1923, so hard to believe that it wasn't an early entry for the region. Peachy Canyon certainly cemented the association of Paso with Zin for me.

Mark Lipton

Some of the Eberle single vineyard zins were pretty impressive too.

With Tablas Creek and Eberle on the scene, I had associated Paso Robles with Rhone wines. But then I remembered Turley and Dusi Ranch. My experience with Paso Robles Zin is limited to a 2005 Opolo Summit Creek Zin which I had last week. Although it was very fruit forward, it's 16.5% alcohol was very perceptible and a few sips led us very quickly to tipsy land!!
I will be in the SLO area in June and hopefuly will get ample opportunity to expand my horizons.