While Paso Robles is celebrated for Rhône blends and Zinfandel, its compact Downtown Wine District also boasts a compelling assortment of wineries embracing Bordeaux varietals and blends. Let’s dive into a curated walking tour of tasting rooms where you’ll find the depth, structure, and elegance of Bordeaux-style wines right in the heart of town.
We have 17 featured wineries focusing on these beloved red wines. Learn all about Bordeaux grapes and wines here!
Key Wineries Serving Bordeaux-Style Reds
Alpha Omega Collective
The Alpha Omega Collective is a joint tasting room for Tolosa wines (cool-climate Chardonnay & Pinot Noir) and Bordeaux varieties from Napa Valley. They make excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Malbec, and blends from premium Napa grapes.
CaliPaso Winery
Situated downtown, CaliPaso produces a wide-ranging portfolio—including Bordeaux-style wines—paired with gourmet charcuterie and occasional live music in a luxurious setting.
Cloak & Dagger Wines
For those drawn to exclusivity, this intriguingly named spot offers exceptionally limited-release wines—crafted clandestinely and served in an atmospheric downtown lounge. Cloak & Dagger bottles Cabernet Sauvignon, and a variety of Bordeaux red blends.
Dracaena Wines
A more focused venue for Bordeaux lovers—Dracaena highlights Cabernet Franc, paired with Chenin Blanc, offering elegance and freshness.
High Camp
High Camp produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, all grown on their Paso Robles estate vineyards. Their Bordeaux program highlights bold yet balanced reds, often blended to capture both structure and lush fruit.
Hope on Park
Hope Family Wines has consistently crafted premium Cabernet Sauvignon and refined blends in Paso Robles. Their flagship Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon is the backbone of their Bordeaux repertoire. With the recent purchase of a vineyard on the east side, more Bordeaux varietals will be added to the wines crafted by Austin Hope.
And on Cabernet Sauvignon Day, August 28, 2025 their 6th release of the Austin Hope Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is now available! Through their extended barrel-aging process, this wine has developed unprecedented structure and character.
Hoyt Family Vineyards
Located on Park Street, this cozy, beachy tasting room highlights wines made from Paso westside fruit in the Willow Creek AVA. Hoyt produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Red Blends, and other varieties—making it a solid spot for Bordeaux blend enthusiasts.
Indigené Cellars
Among their standout offerings is the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, crafted in the classic eastern Bordeaux tradition. Additionally, Indigené produces a Bordeaux-style blend and individually noteworthy varietals like Petit Verdot, showing their commitment to tradition with a Paso twist.
JUSTIN Winery
Renowned for its Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon, Justin has been crafting Cabernet Sauvignon since 1987. Their portfolio includes popular, high-end releases like ISOSCELES and RESERVE.
LXV Wine
LXV‘s tasting room explicitly promotes a “Bordeaux House” identity, specializing in both blends and single varietals rooted in the Bordeaux tradition. LXV Wine pairs unique spice blends with their wines to highlight complexity, like a Chai spice for its Cabernet.
Pianetta Winery
A downtown staple since 2006, Pianetta is known for its “farmers who make wine” ethos. Their estate in San Miguel focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, while their downtown tasting room features an array of varietals including Merlot, Red Rhône-style blends, along with Italian and Rhône grapes—showcasing rich, site-driven flavors.
Rockbound Cellars
Rockbound is a new boutique estate winery with a tasting room in the new Bottle Shop in downtown Paso. They currently offer Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bordeaux-Style Blend (Cab Sauv / Petit Verdot / Cab Franc).
Sea Shell Cellars
Sea Shell invites you to enjoy a breadth of Bordeaux-style offerings—including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a traditional “Cab Blend” and “Bordeaux-style blend”—all crafted to deliver depth, structure, and savory elegance in a laid-back coastal-inspired atmosphere.
Serial Wines
Serial‘s cool, modern, and moody tasting lounge showcases standout Bordeaux-style offerings. Try their ultra-limited Santa Margarita Ranch Red Blend featuring equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot (with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec), alongside a lush, velvety Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sol de Paso
This Riverside Ave tasting room offers a thoughtfully crafted Bordeaux-style lineup, featuring estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and a handcrafted Red Blend, alongside approachable varietals like Rosé and Syrah. All Sol de Paso wines are rooted in terroir-driven expression from their La Vista vineyard in the Adelaida District.
Stilson Cellars
Stilson is a boutique, family-owned winery focuses on Red Blends, including Merlot, reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and a classic Bordequx blend. Come for the reds, and also discover their entire lovely lineup.
Wine Boss
The Wine Boss tasting room features a selection of Bordeaux-style wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, crafted with a focus on quality and character.
More Downtown Bordeaux Red Wines
These tasting rooms contribute to downtown’s incredible diversity—though not all specialize in Bordeaux varieties, they enrich the tasting experience with styles ranging from Rhône and boutique blends to lush red varietal wines.
- Alamar Wines
- Bushong Vintage Company
- Cendre
- Cordant Winery
- Derby Wine Estates
- Cypher Winery
- Hayseed & Housdon
- Midpoint
- Tank Garage
Why Bordeaux-Style Works in Paso Robles
Terroir Variety: Paso Robles encompasses 11 sub-AVAs—providing everything from warm inland valleys to cool-gentle coastal breezes—ideal for balancing Bordeaux grapes’ ripeness and structure.
Blending Creativity: Like Rhône reds, Bordeaux blends allow winemakers flexibility—producing wines rich in depth yet agile in expression.
Changing Reputation: Once known mainly for Zinfandel, Paso is gaining recognition for world-class Bordeaux-style wines and hybrid blends.
Learn all about Bordeaux grapes and wines here!
Tips for the Tasting Tour
- Ask about grape percentages—some blends lean bold (Cab Sauv-heavy), others silky (Merlot-driven).
- Compare textures—Cab Franc often leads with floral lift and mid-weight body; Cab Sauv brings muscle; Merlot adds plushness.
- Pair thoughtfully—try with local charcuterie, aged cheeses, or dishes like lamb sliders or mushroom crostini.
- Capture notes or photos—Downtown’s charm and your palate’s journey deserve remembering.
