If you are foodie, and if you’re reading this I think it is fair to say that you fall somewhere on that scale, there are certain wine and food meccas that everyone knows about and that you have to visit. Love Pinot? You have to visit Burgundy. Pizza? You have to visit Italy. Camembert? Well, that’s Normandy. If you’re a Californian (like me) and you love Zinfandel (which I do), the mecca is Turley Vineyards. Turley Vineyards has a tasting room in Paso Robles that is warm and welcoming and doesn’t give any indication that you’re walking into what will surely be one of the most impressive Zinfandel journeys of your life. For my 40th birthday I made a special trip to Paso Robles to visit their tasting room with a few good friends and it was everything you would want it to be.
For those that don’t know, Turley Wine Cellars is a California based winery that currently makes forty-seven wines from over fifty vineyards, most of these wines are single vineyard designate Zinfandels and Petite Syrah. Most of these vineyards are certified organic, the wines are made using natural yeasts, and come from old vines planted in the late 1800’s and early 1900s.
For my tasting we went through a broad portfolio of incredible Zinfandel after incredible Zinfandel. I wish I could say I could remember all of them, but I think at some point I just fell into a coma of Zinfandel heaven and just couldn’t believe that I was drinking such true love, purity, and flavor in a bottle.
Some standouts include: 2016 “Judge Bell” Zinfandel one of their newer vineyards and the 2016 Ueberroth Vineyard Zinfandel, which is one of their oldest vineyards and is located closer to the sea than any of their other vineyards. What for me this goes to show is whether or not it is a new grape at a cheaper price point ($36 – Judge Bell) or higher price point (Ueberroth at $55), that if you get a Zinfandel from Turley it will be great, and if you love Zinfandel you have to visit.
The Ratings
Ambiance – 🍷🍷🍷
Friendliness of Staff – 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Knowledge of Staff – 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Quality of Wines – 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Cost of Tasting – 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Overall Experience – 🍷🍷🍷🍷
The Details
Types of Wines: Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cinsault
Average Cost of Wine: $35-$65
Cost of Tasting: $10 or $15. Fee waived with 2 bottle purchase
Reservations Required: No
Food Pairing or Food Available: No
Lord Indy Friendly: No
View: No
Kid/Family Friendly: Yes, but there isn’t much for them to do in the tasting room, so I wouldn’t bring them.
