Tablas Creek Vineyard

This should be a stop on everyone’s list when going to Paso Robles today’s wine. The regenerative farming techniques are incredible. Great to see the animals working on the farm. Staff is very well trained. There is an EV hook up with a trickle charge, which was super helpful to give us a few miles until we got back to Paso to charge up.

My wife and I had booked the weekly tour followed by a wine tasting. Lizzie (Maybe not spelled correctly) showed us around and told us about the winery, history and processes. Real nice tour. The wine tasting was handled by Matt. Real knowledgeable person that could tell us not only about the wines but also the history of the place. We picked the white and red tastings and shred them across us. 10 wines total. Really nice wines. Very interesting to taste the wines made from the Rhone valley grapes. Definitely a place to visit.

Tablas Creek is one of the oldest players in Paso, and deserves all of the hype. Great wines grown by sustainable methods, all while keeping tasting & tour fees reasonable (touring the vineyard/facilities is free!). We also happened to be obsessed with this dog on-site who helps with the grape-growing 🤠

We were visiting from out of town and stumbled upon this vineyard thanks to the reviews. We didn’t have reservations, so we had to wait about 30 minutes—but honestly, it wasn’t bad at all. The staff were super friendly, constantly checking in to make sure we were okay with the wait (which, let’s be real, is rare these days, so that was a nice surprise!). Once we were seated, Terrence took care of us, and wow, he really made sure we found the perfect wine to match our tastes. He went above and beyond, and we felt super appreciated. Terrence even threw in some food recommendations that paired perfectly with the wine, so you know this guy really knows his stuff! Big thanks to Terrence and the amazing staff for making us feel cool despite the 108° heat that Saturday!

Tablas Creek is a great vineyard to learn about the history of Paso Robles, different Rhône wine varietals, and have a nice chill patio experience. We brought our dog and there was no issue accommodating him on the patio at a shady table (plenty of umbrellas). Dustin, our wine expert, was fantastic with answering all of our questions and knowledgeable about the history of Tablas as well as details about wine production and profiles. Wine was great and we were able to share two different tastings between us with no issues so as to get a broader wine experience.

Terrence was a great host! Winery was beautiful, did the vineyard tour. One of the few you can actually walk around. Very nice to drink wines that are coming from the vineyard you can see, versus many that are sourced and feel distant.

We had the opportunity to visit the Tablas Creek Vineyard in SEP_FY2019 and it was an amazing experience. We did a plant tour and tasted some wonderful wines. We don't know nowadays, but that time the "2018 PATELIN de Tablas Rosé" was perfect, specially due was a hot summer day. The land around the Tablas Creek Vineyard is remarkable, even a simple ride across the roads could be an unforgettable experience. Definitely, it's a place where we want back.

Our visit to Tablas Creek Winery on January 14th was truly unforgettable, thanks to Ray, who gave us an exceptional experience. From the moment we arrived, Ray's deep knowledge and passion for wine-making shone through. He took the time to educate us on how Tablas Creek got started, their unique story of importing Rhône cuttings, and the fascinating history and climate of the area that make their wines so special. What made our visit even more memorable was the personal connection we felt with Ray. As we chatted, we discovered shared experiences of visiting the Rhône Valley in France. It was a pleasure to exchange stories not only about wine but also about teaching and even surfing! Ray's warmth, expertise, and enthusiasm made the day feel personal and enriching. Tablas Creek is lucky to have someone like Ray representing them, and we feel fortunate to have met him. If you visit, be sure to spend some time learning from him—you won’t regret it. Thank you, Ray, for an incredible experience!

If you're going to Paso Robles, a stop at Tablas Rosa would be highly recommended. You'll find great wine, excellent service, a nice view, and walk away with newfound knowledge of Tablas' roots and how it treats the land with soul. You get a great solid and count of wines, especially for the price (the bigger brand names in the area charge almost 2x!). Our host was excellent. There's also a small parking lot attached and an outdoor seating area with a fair view (need to get in before 4 to be able to have a tasting outside).

Beautiful vineyard and lovely wines. Highly recommend the walking wine tour (starts at 10am and finishes with wine tasting). Ray (our guide) was very knowledgeable and a fantastic guide. The tour finished with a tasting where we tried a mixture of whites, rose, and reds. All the wines were very smooth and enjoyable.

I had to be in Paso for business and decided to go a day early and go wine tasting. I have heard good things about Tablas Creek and made reservations. I was warmly greeted upon arrival and quickly taken to a table outside. The patio was beautiful. My wine guide was "PK" She was very nice and informative about the wine and the property. They had 3 choices for wine flights, White,red and a combination of red and white . I choose the red. Nice wine, so I made a purchase

We had an incredible time. Always a treat to go to this winery and learn about regenerative farming. Wines are all unique and flavorful. Staff is very well educated. Dog friendly. They'll always be a chance you can see the lambs working on the land. They also have a trickle charge for Tesla! Thank you!

Lovely tour and tasting with Heidi- she was great!! We've tasted at Tablas Creek 4-5 times; this was the 1st time for a tour. Heidi was knowledgeable, down to earth, and we love her... almost as much as the wines. Fabulous wines, locale, and concept. Thanks Heidi and Tablas Creek

Classic Flight and Red Flight: $25/tasting for 5 pours (fee waived with two bottle purchase). Tablas Creek is a must visit when experiencing the Paso Robles wine region. This was our second visit, and we had a fantastic time on both occasions. The staff is extremely knowledgeable, and provide an energetic tasting experience. The property has both head trained and trellis vineyards, and includes a beautiful, terraced patio to sit out on and enjoy your wine selections. Inside, you can see their super, large barrels called "foudres", which hold 1,200 gallons. NOTE: They do have several EV charging stations in the parking area. WINES: Their wines are made in a classic French "Rhône" style and defy my usual heavier mouth feel palate. We shared a Classic and Red tasting flight. The white wines are crisp, smooth, and delicious. The Esprit de Tablas Blanc is based on Roussanne, with additions of Grenache Blanc and Picpoul varietals...definitely a favorite! The Esprit de Tablas is based on Mourvèdre, with additions of Grenache, Syrah, and Counoise varietals. I haven't met anyone yet who doesn't love Tablas Creek and their wines. I highly recommend you make it a point to visit them.

Beautiful winery with wonderful customer service and hospitality. The whole experience felt very upscale, without feeling snooty. They had 3 different tasting menu options, a classic, summer, and red only flight. We opted to share the red and summer flights so that we could try as many different wines as possible. We let Sandy, our wine tender, know we intended on sharing and she was kind enough to bring the flights out one at a time so that the reds weren't sitting in the sun as we worked our way there. We were also lucky enough to get an off menu pour of the mouvedre to compare it on it's own vs in a blend. Always fun when a winery lets you try something like that! Sandy was great, knowledgeable about the wine and winery, and fun to chat with. We had a Friday afternoon reservation for an outside tasting. There were a few other parties but the way the tables were spaced you felt like you had your own private area. Ended up going home with 3 bottles between two of us!

Super reasonably priced wine tasting at $25 for 5 tastings. They do not mind if you share your flights, so you can select different ones and share. Our server, Dustin, let us know that the summer flight and the red flight did not have overlap, so we chose to do that. We had lovely wines in a relaxed garden/ patio situation. It's pretty casual! Also, if you buy 2 bottles of wine, one $25 tasting is waived. They are a sustainable winery that is certified regenerative organic. They have some unique wines! Great to stop by. Just note that there is no food

Tablas Creek was the 4th tasting I did during my 4th of July weekend in Paso Robles and 4th tasting I've done ever. I'm glad we saved it for last because they do it differently. This isn't a bad thing, but if you're newer to wine, I'd suggest starting at one of the other wineries where you get more of a guided experience with one or two wines at a time before stopping here. BUT I DO SUGGEST STOPPING HERE (make a reservation). There were high top tables at Tablas where I believe the experience was, in fact, more guided, but if you were seated at the regular tables, you received your entire flight at once. THIS WAS NOT A BAD EXPERIENCE, In fact, it was still a fun and thorough tasting - it was just different. Stephanie did an amazing job introducing the wines in our tasting, walking us through each one before leaving us alone to experience them ourselves. She then checked on us several times to answer questions and talk about the experience. The customer service was excellent overall. The main differentiator between Tablas creek and other wineries Is the fact that they're organic and in basically every way - the wine making, the treatment of their employees, livestock - everything, and you really feel that in the atmosphere and when tasting the wine. I had a hard time picking just 2 reds to walk away with (by this tasting, I had already spent a small fortune on wines) because they were all delicious - so much so that my friend walked out with a wine membership. It really does make you feel like you're supporting something beautiful. The only drawback was that the July heat made it impossible for us to experience the view from their gorgeous patio. I knew it would've been amazing.

Solid wine. Good friendly service. Lots of variety with the tastings. Nice and large property

Fantastic experience and value for the tour and tasting! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about wine. Very informative tour and lots of suggested food pairings and history shared during the tasting. I also appreciate that they are non-taster friendly. Highly recommend!

We were visiting the area and wanted to taste some wine and I'm so glad we chose Tablas Creek. When I booked my tasting reservation, I saw that there was a free daily vineyard tour and it sounded great. Heidi was our guide and she took four of us out in the vineyard and taught us so much about the sustainability and the history of the place. She knew about every aspect of the process and it was fascinating to understand how they work with the local ecosystem to create amazing wines. Since we were there during harvest we got to see some grapes coming in and everyone working was so friendly and generous with their time. We loved the place and everything about it. I did the red only flights and the wines were great. It was really interesting to try two different vintages of the flagship wine and taste the differences. We took home a 2018 Esprit and shared it on our anniversary. A great start to our trip!

This was our favorite tasting! We were in Paso for a month and were dazzled by everything! Ray was amazing and shared all of the wonderful aspects of this amazing company. Sustainable in every way. From the bees to the 200 sheep and so much more! But the wine was so yummy we joined the wine club. The patio was welcoming and dog friendly. Coming back for the estate tour! Even though it is kinda far from town it is a can't miss!!

Really nice locale with outdoor seating. This was our first time here and our waitress really did a good job explaining the history of the vineyard and about how the vines are grown organically. We tried one classic flight and one all red flight. Flights are $25 for 5 pours and waived if you buy 2 bottles. I liked the classic because you get a chance to try the white wines also which I tend to like. They have lots of heaters near the table if it's a bit of a cold day. Overall great experience...we ended up taking 2 bottles home!

This is a terrific Paso winery. They focus on Rhône style wine. I came in with a very open mind and had our host walk us through a number of different wines. We had an excellent time learning about the wine and hearing stories about the winery. Overall great experience.

The outside seating area is nice, the service was good and interactive, but the wines were nothing to write home about (for our taste at least). We did a wine flight they didn't have much flavor and we're all very light. The tasting flight is brought out all at once so it's kind of up to you to pace yourself through the tasting and wait for your server to come if you have any specific questions. It takes away from the experience a bit having to just read the descriptions of the wine rather than doing a tasting one by one. It may be worth a visit, if you have time, but the wines were a bit underwhelming.

Great tasting Thanks to our friend who is a Tablas Creek wine club member, we enjoyed a lovely wine tasting. We enjoyed everything we tasted - and the service from Michael was excellent!

Tablas Creek is often at the top of the recommendation list. They were the first to really establish the Rhône varietals in California. We enjoyed learning a lot about what this movement looked like when establishing in Paso and pioneering these varietals on the west coast. Besides that, Tablas Creek is fascinating because of their regenerative organic process. They are a highly sustainable winery! My husband and I each enjoyed a tasting. It started with a reusable water bottle to drink from. Gotta stay hydrated when tasting! We went with one all red and one mix. We were compelled to buy a few bottles to take home! We loved sitting on the outdoor patio. The views were pretty and it was a relaxing start to a great day in Paso.

We always enjoy our time visiting Tablas Creek. Terrence took care of us for the third time, and he is just amazing in so many ways...Laid back and knows what he's talking about. He's respectful if we disagree with him and moves you through the tasting in a really nice way. Their wines are a bit more delicate than others in the region so we definitely make sure this is our first stop of the day. If you visit later in the day, you may not appreciate all the flavors and textures of their wines.

This was a great wine-tasting location! It felt a little more comfortable and family-owned than some of the other locations we visited. There's a big porch outside with plenty of umbrellas for shade. There is a good selection of tasting options, so truly something for everyone. Once we were done with our tasting, we were able to each order a glass of our favorite and walk around the property, which was really nice.

Very lovely vineyard with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Wine flight menu had a variety of whites and reds. We ended up signing up for their wine club. Left with lots of whites, reds, even rosés. Plenty for the holidays and gift giving.

Amazing winery in a beautiful area. All the wines there were great. If you're into big bold punch you in the face reds...this may not be your jam. They do traditional Rhone blends and all on used oak. These are delicate and nuanced wines, but they are very flavorful. You won't get palate fatigue drinking these. We joined their wine club and can't wait to visit again to pick up our fall collection!

Exemplary in their mission, their eco-friendly practices, their products, and their touring and tasting expertise. Terence guided us around the facility, imparting an impressive amount of knowledge and affability. We petted a dog, fed grass to a llama, and cheerily compared our varietal preferences with the other duo in our tour. It's always more fun to interact on a personal level with new acquaintances whilst sipping a fine sampling of quality wine. A votre sante!

Had a great time, wonderful asthetic, and amazing wines! Thank you Ray for taking good care of us!

Neck-and-neck with Niner as my favorite winery in the area. I appreciate that they let you bring your own food to picnic with and are extremely dog friendly. Even when busy, the staff take their time and care to explain the different wines to you and are quite knowledgeable to make recommendations after discussing your likes and dislikes. I like how distanced the tables are on the outdoor patio - not just because of covid, but to comfortably have a conversation within your party without it feeling too noisy from other tables. I do wish there was a better view from the patio, of the vineyard and not just the road. If you intend to visit on a weekend, be sure to make the reservation at least seven to ten days out. If you will be coming on a weekday, I was able to make a reservation the week of/a few days before. They were really forgiving when I mixed up my dates and had to change!

What a great tour we had by our guide Lisa . Her information about the sustainability factor of the wines produced here were explained in a way even the most novice wine drinker could understand. The wines were yummy and the grounds beautiful. The drive there was also stunning. Thanks Lisa and Tablas Creek. Can't wait for a return visit!

About 15 years ago I wanted to go to Tablas Creek winery. For some reason we didn't make it that trip....or the next, or the next or next. On my birthday I finally made it and was finally able to bury my regrets. We went with our friend who is industry which is never a bad thing while doing wine tastings. Beyond the enjoyment of the wine itself there are always extra perks including all the fascinating wine nerd talk. I learned a lot. Pixie was our server and she was absolutely terrific! The wine just kept coming and coming. Tablas Creek is a Rhône style winery and their vineyard represents every single Rhône varietal. There is a lot to chose from. The winery is also one of only a few wineries I have ever visited that is truly Biodynamic. They follow it to the letter which includes composting, following the lunar cycles and even burying manure stuffed cow horns in the vinyards every fall. Not sure if they blow trumpets in the middle of certain nights but would not be surprised if they did. If it sounds kind of silly but it isn't. It's growing grapes the way they were grown hundreds or thousands of years ago. Some of it might be tradition but most are sound and proven ways to organically improve the soil. No pesticides, nets or foil to deter birds and pests. They find that the smaller birds eat the pests and the birds that eat some grapes, well it's kind of there tithe to nature. All of their newer vinyards are now dry farmed which means no irrigation required. I would suggest that being a faithful Rhône style winery that there wines are on the lighter side, if you love that you will love Tables creek (nothing to do with tables)

Our only regret for our tasting is that we didn't have more time here. There was lots to geek out, e.g. the biodynamics of this place is really interesting as well as the Rhone grapes they use, how they got certain grapes over here for the first time from France. It was family and dog friendly. Tablas Creek also felt chill and not pretentious. And we liked that they gave us water bottles proactively as it was a hot day. My fiancé's favorite was the Grenache, it was so unique and kept us coming back. My favorite was the Tenat, reminded me of a funky smoky Nebbiolo. Our server was very knowledgeable and passionate, and let us as try some club only wines. The new varietal Vaccarese was so unique, we loved it and ended up buying a bottle. Oh and we became club members, g the Independent option so we could choose our wines.

The wine flight was not very impressive. Tried both reds and whites. All were kind of lack in taste. Very light in flavors and taste. Service was the worst of the three wineries we tried that day. Did not accommodate us much. Any specific requests were immediately shot down. Water was served without ice while temperatures in the 90. Ambiance, not much.

We went to Tablas Creek for a tasting and had a great time. Our host walked us through the different flights and also made casual conversation - you can tell that he was really passionate about wine. He also gave us a tour afterwards, along with some sample pours. It was a great experience.

I was very impressed with the professionalism and flexibility of the Tablas Creek staff on a very busy warm weekend. As wine lovers flock to their favorite tasting rooms after a year of being strapped at home, some vineyards were either slow to adapt or slow to scale their staff and service thus suffered. Not at Tablas Creek, however. We had no reservations but strolled in really not expecting to taste and to just look around their beautiful grounds. They have outdoor misters to cool off its patrons, and multiple tasting rooms inside the air-conditioned building. After some discussion, they took us to a semi-private counter for tasting with Lizzy - she was great: very knowledgeable and patient with our questions. And their Rhone flagship blends were fantastic - so good that I decided to join their wine club. In addition to discounts on wine, you also can apply the discount to some in-store items, including their jewelry window! This is a great example of a solid customer service culture well-instilled into the staff. Great job to the management for developing this and for the execution. Having discovered so many hidden gems in the Templeton area, Tablas Creek is going to be a regular stop for me during future visits.

We had such a fun experience here with Lizzie. She was so knowledgeable and we had an awesome conversation about the wine, the vineyard, the viticulture and the area. We love some education with our wine, and Lizzie provided that in spades. Thanks for a really informative and fun tasting!

The vineyard is named after the nearby creek which has been flowing this year after a rainy season. Upon arrival our group was offered water bottles which would be returned to the winery. Two members of our group had a birthday and we shared it with the host and was faced with a cold reaction. The server however was very nice, sweet and knowledgeable both about wine and the property. The first drink of the flight was rosé which was very different than what I've ever had before. I would describe it as not so sweet and really refreshing wine. The red wine however was extremely dry which was loved my my group but not my favorite. The second flight was all red wine which were too dry my for taste. No eating allowed during the tasting. The parking is limited and the vineyard would like the guests to finish their tasting session in 90 minutes. The vineyard has a beautiful landscape, there are also some picnic areas for guests to eat the food they bring themselves.

We enjoyed a delightful tasting in a beautiful setting. Dustin was wonderful on every level. Knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. Great combo with great wine! We'll be back!

We were recommended to come here from a friend and so glad we did. The drive through the west side of Paso Robles is just picturesque. The beautiful vineyards and winding roads with moss covered oaks are not to be missed. We arrived at opening and had made a reservation for a seated tasting. We had a lovely tasting with a well spoken representative who walked us through the story of the vineyard and grapes. I support biodiverse wineries and like that they wanted to dry farm their grapes. I also was appreciative of their enthusiasm for bringing a variety of grapes from France here. We enjoyed our tasting and vineyard so much we decided to buy some wine and join the club. We will be back!!

The last vineyard I visited at during this trips and I'm glad I did. Despite having had a few flights I figured that even if Tablas Creek was good I wouldn't really pick up on it. Tablas Creek's known for biodynamic wine, which is essentially organic but with sulfides added. They are quick to point out that in the Old World their wines would earn the appellation of organic. Regardless, their wines, both red and white are good. I'm not a wine drinker but I do gravitate towards reds because of their robustness. However, the whites here have a flavor and character that I could actually pick up on, much more appreciate. Ever have a Pinot Grigio with flavor? Me neither. The wines here were good enough that I actually signed up for their club. This makes me a wino on top of a hophead and a whiskey drinker, so I guess I'm an overall alky now.

What a lovely place for a wine tasting! This was a stop on a girl's central coast weekend, this winery recommended by the brother of one of us. Everyone who we interacted with was very friendly and helpful, the outdoor tasting patio lovely, and the wines were delicious. I am sorry not to live closer so I could come back and try more of their wonderful wines. I walked away with only two bottles but could have bought several more. This is definitely worth a stop on your PR wine tour.

A wonderful spring day after a rainfall the previous week and everything was green and beginning to sprout. Heidi was our wine tasting navigator and led us through a flight of whites followed by a flight of reds. The wines were still young (2017-2020) at this all bio-dynamic, no pesticide winery. A partnership between families, a familial link to Beaucastel, confirms their legacy and seriousness. The reds showed complexity and promise but currently very tannic. All socially distanced tables, personalized attention and service, with many people bringing their dogs who curled up at their feet under the tables napping in the warm stone terrace. A wonderful adventure.

We visited in November 2021 with a friend who is a member. It was easily our favorite winery stop of the day! What stood out about Tablas Creek was gorgeous ambiance outside, and the wine delish and crisp (especially the whites for me, surprising since I usually enjoy reds). More than that though I felt wonderful after drinking it, perhaps it was the lower alcohol content? I learned quite a bit about the vines from our lovely server. I was fascinated to learn they don't water the vines, and learn more about the differences between organic, etc. We learned about the blight on the vineyards right now, and more about what the vineyards are fighting to keep producing world class wine. The visit was completely aligned what makes Paso stand out with special small-town vibes. I will be back, and likely become a member next time I'm there!

With pleasure, I'm going to update my rating and review from just 3 days ago. Jason H from Tablas Creek updated me on Yelp on the status of our shipment. His team reached out to my friends and informed us that our wine will be delivered by this Friday. The immediate response and action from Tablas Creek was a nice surprise. We really appreciate everyone going the extra mile. Cheers!

COVId review Reservation is required. Outdoor seating. The display of various grape vines are very helpful and educational. Lots of explanations and interactions from our server and we got good information from him. Wine are good, they are organic certified and their wine has no sulfur bad taste. Love the Mourvèdre 2018 and the various vines that we don't get to see regularly. They have a sister winery in France Rhone Valley for recipe sharing and vine clipping.

So glad our friends from SLO recommended this beautiful winery. Such a hidden gem in California's central coast wine country. We tried a couple of wines we had never heard of--more importantly their story is actually really interesting. Their wine is certified biodynamic and their winery is certified regenerative. All that means is that their wine is grown super sustainably. The winery itself is gorgeous: beautiful views and ambiance. If you're in the South Bay and don't want to brave traffic to get to Napa, add this to your list!

Tablas Creek has a unique history with roots intertwined with French viticulture. I appreciated the mature tasting host we had due to her knowledge, experience and sense of duty to educate and explain the many nuances in crafting these fine wines. Since this is on the outskirts and a destination location, you'll see more fans than casual drop-ins. Highly recommended if you like Rhone varietals with an American twist.

Beautiful grounds. Tasted outside. Ray poured our wine and shared his knowledge and passion for Tablas Creek and their wines. We will be back.

I've been here twice now, once being just the other day. I will first say I am not much of a wine drinker nor a knowledgeable one at that. But I will say their wine is delicious to the point where each time I've bought at least a bottle which says a lot. Their staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. The place is gorgeous! This winery will always be on my list whenever I go to Paso Robles! Oh and did I mention their wine prices are very reasonable! And they are environmentally friendly!! Can't recommend this place more!!! Add it to your list and you won't be disappointed! Oh and if you are lucky enough to have Ray pouring your wine you'll be in trouble because he will make your mouth water and your tummy hungry as he describes the perfect meal pairing for the wine you are drinking!

Tablas Creek wasn't really on our radar as we planned for our Paso Robles trip, until I read an article that they have French influenced wines and are organic! The wines we loved have such a bright unique flavor, perfect for a weeknight wine. NOT TO MENTION they are not just organic but BIODYNAMIC. Never even heard of biodynamic until Tablas, and they were very informative throughout our tasting. Tablas ended up being one of our favorite wineries during our trip! We went home with the Panolpolie 2017, En Goblet 2018, Full Circle 2017, and Mourvedre 2018.

We were lucky to get the recommendation from our Airbnb host for this amazing winery. The first visit ended with a wine club membership. Tablas Creek has a great selection of white, red, and rose wines. If you are fortunate enough to have Pixie as your server, then you will learn all of the great details of Paso Robles. All servers are great, but Pixie is just amazing.

We love this wine and winery. Members for over a year now. The free four tastings allows us the pleasure of bringing another couple with us or my girlfriends. The crisp light variety of their white wines, is what keeps us as members. Such a lovely winery, enjoy seeing the sheep out amongst the vines. Everyone is so friendly. Love the events. We come here four times a year and always enjoy ourselves. The reds are excellent as well.

As a wine region, Paso Robles is known for their focus on blends. For the most part the blends fall into several categories: 1) Bordeaux-style (think cab!) 2) (Southern) Rhône-style (think of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is known for Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre) 3) Zinfandel-based (not as prominent) 4) "unusual" combinations Tablas Creek is a pioneer of the Rhône-style blends, so for the most part the winery is synonymous with "Rhône-style" when talking about Paso Robles. This is in huge part due to the partnership of Château de Beaucastel, a prominent and prestigious estate producing Châteauneuf du Pape, and Vineyard Brands, their exclusive importer. In the '90's, they set out to purchase land in Paso and undergo a 3-year quarantine process for their vine cuttings, convinced that Paso had a similar Mediterranean climate and high pH soils (due to the calcareous limestone) as Beaucastel. The winery has been certified organic since 2003 and hold Biodynamic certification (farming sustainability practices) since 2017. During my research I learned about Tablas Creek's contribution to the Paso Robles wine culture, which also has its legion of fans. I was determined to make this one of my "must-try" wineries during my first visit to Paso Robles. Unfortunately for me I came at the worst possible time: temperatures were expected to be in the 110+F in the afternoon, and my originally scheduled Sunday afternoon tasting got rescheduled to Monday, the day I was to return home. Tablas did reach out early enough for me to slot in an alternate 3rd winery for Sunday, which was kind of them. Because I was only taking a few sips of each of the wines I was doing myself a disservice. Luckily a kind couple allowed me to drink the equivalent of 2 glasses of Esprit de Tablas 2017 a few days earlier back at my hotel - and I was hooked! On the day of my visit I was led to a table with shade. I was also given a small canteen of water and a glass in which I could pour out the water. It's unfortunate that I ended up drinking more of the water than the wine - which gives me more of a reason to revisit this winery next time. THE TASTINGS - Grenache 2017 (100% Grenache) - Mourvèdre 2018 (100% Mourvèdre) - Syrah 2017 (100% Syrah) - Le Complice 2017 (67% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 12% Terret Noir) - Esprit de Tablas 2017 (40% Mourvèdre, 35% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 5% Counoise) - Esprit de Tablas 2016 (46% Mourvèdre, 31% Syrah, 18% Grenache Noir, 5% Counoise) - [Extra tasting: Esprit de Tablas Blanc 2017 (68% Rousanne, 17% Grenache Blanc, 7% Picpoul Blanc, 4% Picardan, 4% Clairette Blanche)] $20 tasting, waived with 2-bottle minimum purchase Based on the few sips I learned of each taster, I learned that the biggest strength of Tablas Creek is their *blends*. Didn't enjoy so much their single varietals. As a red drinker I really enjoyed the Esprit de Tablas Blanc since I've never tasted a white blend with those grapes. I bought it for the No1DP, though I am tempted to just keep the bottle for myself (or buy another one on my next visit). My other bottle purchase was the Esprit de Tablas 2017 because a sip of it instantly confirmed my suspicion that I liked this wine even from several days ago. I personally enjoyed it because it's full-bodied but with a smooth finish that doesn't have as much of a dry-mouth feel as anything with cab. I also learned that both the white and red Esprit blends are also good when aged. Tablas Creek is my second favorite winery in Paso Robles. Not only do I need to revisit this winery again to update the review to give it a more fair assessment, I might need to snag a few more bottles of Esprit de Tablas 2017 for the occasions that might call for it...