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USA Today loves Paso Robles

October 3, 2011

Forget about gang problems and water issues—Paso Robles was back in the national spotlight over the weekend with glowing travel coverage from USA Today.

Calling Paso Robles, “California’s fastest-growing, and to many, most surprising wine region,”  reporter Jayne Clark seemed clearly impressed by her recent adventure in northern San Luis Obispo County.

Noting that the region has exploded from around 35 wineries in 1995 to more than 200 today, Clark apparently spent much of her time interviewing locals and visitors to explain the Paso appeal. No secret here. Wine lovers find local vintners to be friendlier and more accessible than Napa. They’re also blown away by the beauty of area.

Locals may chuckle over the inclusion of the controversial Pasolivo in the article: “Among artisan olive oil operations is Pasolivo, with a pleasant tasting room in which visitors can sample seven varieties of extra virgin and flavored oils at no charge. They also sell creams and other products infused with olive oil pressed from the adjoining groves.”

Thomas Hill Organics, Il Cortile Ristorante, Artisan, and the Paso Robles Steakhouse all get a shout out from Clark, as well.

The good news, according to Clark, is that  success hasn’t spoiled Paso Robles.

“Still, Paso hasn’t lost its essential character as a small-ish (population 30,000) cattle-ranching town. Its historic downtown surrounds a large central park with a band shell, where free concerts are staged on Friday nights in summer. (Bring your own wine.) The Boot Barn and several old-fashioned barbershops appear to be thriving. And regulars still drop by the Cattlemen’s Lounge at the historic Paso Robles Inn for $2.50 happy hour beers.”

We’ll drink to that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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GOOD NEWS, EVERYONE! They seem to have over-looked the fact that Paso exists in one of the most corrupt counties in California! Now THAT’S saying something!


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Great news! Now more people can come to the “wine region” to appreciate the fine wine, the rolling hills dotted with oaks, and the roads pitted, rutted, and in some places, down to just dirt! Who needs safe roads, water treatment, or even water? Ignore the gangs, the drugs, the drive by shootings, the stabbings, the motel murders, the organized crime….we have wine. And a capybara. Drink up!


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Don’t forget thousands of out of towners creating a traffic congestion nightmare on the one horse main road thru town, the depletion of our aquifer compliments of the now 200 wineries, new buildings dotting the landscape,shopping centers, environmental impacts from the masses etc. Along the lines of BTDT said, if saw the writing on the wall decades ago Id have kept on going north and considered this just another extension of Los Angeles or Bakershole, not everybody enjoys what the Central coast has become,some still like uncrowded peace and quiet 24/7/365.


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Go Paso!!!!!!!!!!!!! As we say in Paso: Napa is for Auto Parts Paso is for Wine


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Fastest growing maybe… but no one wants to talk about the water problem.


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I moved here in 1980. If you told me then that this little town (then 8,900) would become what it has, I never would have believed it. It is amazing in how it has changed and transformed. Some for the better, some for the worse.


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