Paso Robles’ Downtown Wine District is a vibrant hub for wine lovers, offering a diverse selection of white wines that highlight the region’s unique terroir. While Paso is often celebrated for its bold reds, the area also produces exceptional white wines, including Viognier, Albariño, and Grenache Blanc. These varieties thrive in the region’s warm days and cool nights, producing wines with rich aromatics, bright acidity, and complex flavors.
Viognier in Downtown Paso Robles
Viognier, known for its lush texture and expressive floral and stone fruit aromas, finds a compelling home in Paso Robles. Wineries such as Derby, Hoyt Family, Rockbound, Sea Shell, Serial, and Stilson all make Viogniers that showcase the grape’s signature notes of honeysuckle, peach, and apricot. Many of these wines offer a balance of richness and freshness, with some producers choosing to age them in neutral oak for added texture. Derby, in particular, is known for its Rhône varietals, and their Viognier is a standout, offering a balance of ripe fruit and minerality.
Paso’s warm days and cool nights allow Viognier to develop its full aromatic potential while maintaining a bright, refreshing edge. Hoyt Family and Rockbound Cellars emphasize the grape’s floral intensity, with layers of jasmine and orange blossom, while Sea Shell and Stilson craft Viogniers that lean into a richer, more tropical profile. Serial’s take on the varietal often features a luxurious mouthfeel with lingering spice and vanilla hints from careful aging choices. Whether crisp and vibrant or silky and opulent, Paso’s Viogniers capture the region’s ability to produce expressive, high-quality Rhône whites.
Read all about Viognier here.
Downtown Paso Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc, another Rhône varietal that thrives in Paso Robles, is loved for its weighty mouthfeel, green pear, and herbal nuances. Derby, Indigené, and Serial all offer versions of this wine that highlight its versatility. Wine Boss makes an Orange GB, meaning the skins are left on during fermentation, like a red wine. Serial’s take on Grenache Blanc typically blends rich texture with bright acidity, while Indigené is known for crafting wines with depth and complexity. Derby’s Grenache Blanc is often a beautifully balanced example, showcasing layers of white flowers, citrus, and a touch of spice.
Albariño in Paso’s Downtown
Albariño, a grape traditionally associated with Spain’s Rías Baixas, has found a niche in Paso Robles thanks to its ability to retain bright acidity in the warm climate. Cloak & Dagger, Diablo, and Serial each put their own spin on this zesty varietal. Expect vibrant citrus notes, green apple, and a saline quality that makes it a perfect pairing for seafood. Diablo, specializing in Spanish-style wines, produces an Albariño that captures the grape’s crisp, refreshing character with a touch of Paso’s signature ripeness.
Chenin Blanc in Downtown Paso
Chenin Blanc is gaining recognition in Paso Robles, with Dracaena, Hope on Park, and Wine Boss crafting standout expressions. Known for its vibrant acidity and layers of stone fruit, citrus, and florals, Paso’s Chenin Blanc balances freshness with texture. Known for its vibrant acidity and layers of stone fruit, citrus, and florals, Paso’s Chenin Blanc balances freshness with texture. Dracaena highlights its crisp, fruit-driven profile, while Hope on Park offers a refined, elegant take. Wine Boss leans into its mineral-driven character, showcasing the grape’s versatility.
Other Interesting White Wines in Downtown Paso Robles
Tank Winery, Downtown’s Godfather of blends, makes The Infamous, a blend of Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer,Albariño, and Greco Bianco, and also Big T’ings, a blend of Riesling, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Gewürztraminer.
Here are more esoteric and complex white wines in Paso’s Downtown:
- Derby also makes Grenache Blanc/Viognier/Picpoul Blanc and a Marsanne.
- Dracaena also crafts a Blanc de Cabernet Franc.
- Hope on Park also bottles Verdehlo.
- Indigené also makes Riesling and Muscat.
- Serial also makes Chardonnay/Viognier/Clairette Blanche/Albariño.
- Bushong bottles a Gewürztraminer.
- LXV crafts Blanc de Cabernet Franc and Blanc de Sangiovese.
- Symbiosis makes Torrontés and White Petit Verdot.
- Tudor bottles 2 Austrian single varetial wines: Gewürztraminer and Riesling.
- CaliPaso makes Muscat.
- Cypher crafts a Viognier/Roussanne.
For those seeking to expand their white wine horizons, the Paso Robles Downtown Wine District is a treasure trove of discovery. From the floral notes of Viognier to the crisp minerality of Albariño, or the textured elegance of Grenache Blanc, the district’s wineries offer an exciting range of white wines that reflect the area’s unique terroir and winemaking artistry.
Read all about Viognier here.
