Join me on a Paso Robles Wine Travel Tour that promises to be an unforgettable experience.
By Jamie Knee
As a luxury wine travel writer, I spent part of the summer in California’s Central Coast and kicked off my Paso Robles Wine Travel Tour with a fabulous Paso Robles Downtown City Tour hosted by Laura Gurreau of Central Coast Food and Wine Tours. Laura was not only informative, she was a joy to spend the day with. She has lived in Paso Robles for over two decades, and her deep local knowledge brought the town’s stories, history, and flavors beautifully to life.
Our tour wove through some of the best highlights of downtown Paso Robles, blending wine, food, and a real sense of place. Indeed, this Paso Robles Wine Travel Tour offered an unforgettable exploration of the area.
Downtown Paso Robles: History, Charm, and Wine
Laura guided us through the downtown plaza, pointing out historic buildings, local landmarks, and the way Paso Robles has evolved from ranching town to world class wine destination. Short walks between stops gave us time to soak in the tree lined streets, relaxed atmosphere, and small town charm that makes Paso so appealing to wine travelers.
Along the way, we visited local tasting rooms and food stops that showcased the diversity of the region. Each pour and plate came with context: who made it, why the site mattered, and how Paso’s climate and soils shape the wines in the glass. It felt less like a tour and more like spending an afternoon with a very connected friend. The Paso Robles Wine Travel Tour experience was truly a delight.
We started at Pasolivo in their downtown location and met Gail, their extremely knowledgeable soon to be Olive Oil Sommelier (yes there is actually such a thing). We sampled some fresh pressed fabulous California olive oils of all different flavours, vinegars and luxurious bath products. Of course before leaving we had a box full shipped home.
Then Laura toured us through the city square park, and we learned about the history of the park and the area buildings since the world wars. She definitely knew all about what made Paso Robles so special, especially during the Paso Robles Wine Travel Tour. Laura had lunch arranged at the oldest famous hotel in town, Paso Robles Inn. This is where the original stage coach came through, stopping for healthy hot springs and where Joe Di Maggio and Marilyn Monroe spent a honeymoon night on their way back from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
We popped into the Brown Butter Cookie Company and tasted delicious home made cookies from 2 local college girls, who returned to their hometown to set up shop. My favourite was the Bourbon cookies for the upcoming fall season. Afterwards, we stopped at the town’s famous Gelateria SLO, for the creamiest gelatos and candy treats.
A Wine and Spice Tasting Finale at LXV
No Central Coast tour would be complete without a memorable wine bar stop, and Laura saved one of the most unique experiences for last. We finished our Paso Robles Wine Travel Tour at LXV, a wine lounge inspired by the sensuality of the 65th chapter of the Kama Sutra.
There, wine specialist Chris Kern led us through a thoughtful tasting that paired LXV wines with custom spice blends, many influenced by Indian cuisine. Some of the spices mirrored the flavours in the wines, while others contrasted them in surprising ways. The pairings pushed our palates in the best possible sense and turned a simple tasting into an interactive, sensory experience.
It was creative, playful, and completely different from a traditional tasting room visit.
Why This Paso Robles Wine Travel Tour Belongs on Your List
By the end of the day, we had learned local history, tasted beautiful wines, explored downtown Paso Robles, and discovered new pairing ideas. Most importantly, we felt connected to the people behind the town and its wine culture.
All in all, it was a fantastic tour and an easy recommendation for anyone planning a Paso Robles Wine Travel Tour. I would happily book with Laura again on my next visit to Paso and explore even more of this vibrant Central Coast wine region.
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