Paso Robles Wineries: Latest Discounts and Deals 2024

Two for One at Al Lago Winery in Tin City

EVERY PASO 2 FOR 1 DEAL AS OF SEPT / Oct 2024

Paso Deals require you have ONE Priority Wine Pass per couple. You can get the pass right now for just $39, the lowest price offered anywhere, if you use the button below. The pass is good for a year and also works in Santa Barbara, Los Olivos, Santa Maria, and of course Napa and Sonoma and even Temecula.

PASO DEALS

Al Lago Winery: 2 for 1 tastings & 10%-20% off bottle purchases. ($25 Savings)

Bella Luna Estate Winery: 2 for 1 tasting ($20 Savings)

AronHill Vineyards: 2 for 1 Tasting and 10% off select wine purchases ($20 Savings)

Barr Estate Winery: 2 for 1 Tasting ($15 Savings)

Castoro Cellars: 1 Complimentary Tasting and 10% off wine purchases ($20 Savings)

Cypher Winery: 2 for 1 tastings, 15% off wine purchases, and 15% off our culinary line of olive oils, infused balsamic vinegars and sea salts.

Dilecta Wines: 2 for 1 tastings & 10% off purchases ($30 Savings)

Dresser Winery: 2 for 1 tasting ($25 Savings)

Le Vigne Winery: One Complimentary Classic Wine Flight per Priority Wine Pass. Add a Gourmet Cheese Pairing to your flight for $5. ($20 Savings)

McPrice Myers Wines: 2 for 1 Tasting ($25 Savings)

Opolo Vineyards: 2 for 1 Tasting ($30 Savings)

Sculpterra Winery: 2 for 1 tastings & 10% off wine purchases ($20 Savings)

Serial Wines: PWP Members enjoy an upgraded VIP Experience with the PURCHASE of a wine tasting flight. This includes: -Upgraded lounge seating -Small culinary pairing, like cheese or chocolate -Additional pour or two of special wines that are usually reserved for wine club members

Still Waters Vineyards: 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases (*max 1 free tasting per group). ($20 Savings)

SummerWood Winery: 2 for 1 Tasting ($15 Savings)

ZANOLI Wines: 2 for 1 tastings ($20 Savings)

LOS OLIVOS DEALS AND SANTA BARBARA DEALS

Ampelos: 2 for 1 tastings and 10% off wine purchases

Kessler-Haak Wines: Priority Pass Holders Receive 25% off all wine purchases.

Montemar Wines: 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases ($25 Savings)

Refugio Ranch Vineyards: 2 for 1 tasting 10% off wine purchases ($15 Savings)

Tercero Wines: 2 for 1 Tasting10% off Wine Purchases ($25 Savings)

Happy Canyon Winery: Receive one additional tasting pour of a reserve or library collection wine

Silver Wines: 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases ($15 Savings)

SAN LUIS OPISBO AND SANTA MARIA DEALS

Baileyana, Tangent & True Myth: 2 for 1 tasting and 15% off wine purchases ($15 Savings)

Chamisal Vineyards: 2 for 1 on Estate Patio Flight and 10% off wine purchases ($35 Savings)

Region San Luis Obispo: 2 for 1 Tastings From The Winery Of The Week ($20 Savings)

Ampelos: 2 for 1 tastings and 10% off wine purchases

Cambria Estate Winery: Receive a “surprise and delight” bonus pour with reservation ($10 Savings)

Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard & Winery: Complimentary Tasting and 10% off wine purchase ($29 Savings)

Foxen Vineyards: 10% Off Wine Purchases One $25 Tasting flight waived with a 3-bottle purchase. One $30 Pinot Noir tasting flight waived with a 4-bottle purchase.

Kessler-Haak Wines: Priority Pass Holders Receive 25% off all wine purchases.

Montemar Wines: 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases ($25 Savings)

Tres Hermanas Vineyard and Winery: Purchase one tasting and receive a second complimentary tasting and receive 10% off any wine purchase.

Napa too Expensive? Then Visit Paso Robles Instead!

Stunning Views in Paso

Let me start by saying that I’m a huge Napa fan and writethe popular guide on Napa called NapaTouristGuide.com. In Napa Covid really messed things up and Napa tourism, once only second to Disneyland as the most popular tourist destination in California, took a nose dive. When Covid let up the crowds increased dramatically… but so did the pricing. Napa went from a fun weekend to a luxury weekend with tasting fees jumping up to a hundred bucks per person, sometimes more. Splurges like The French Laundry with their $390 pp dinner menu once seemed extravagant, but with some wineries charging over $200 pp to taste it almost seems like a deal.

Well, maybe for some but if you’re on a more down to Earth budget then Paso is calling. Tasting fees are still easily under $30 pp with a lot of wineries charging much less. Use your Priority Wine Pass (it’s $39 per couple if you need one) and get two for one deals, making Paso downright inexpensive.

As for food, OK, the food is not the same caliber as Napa but it’s also quite good. Here are some of my favorite restaurants but basically going out to dinner is still going to be very good, really good, but also isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg.

Same with hotels - Some Napa hotels started charging double what they used to but in Paso you can still find normal hotel rates, you know, Marriott level rates for nice hotels.

What About the Wine and Winery Experiences?

Serious wine lovers will tell you that Napa makes better wine and I would generally agree but when I’m having fun wine tasting the level of nuance isn’t large enough to impact the experience. In other words, if I was stocking up my wine collection and wanted to impress the boss I’d probably still break out the Napa wine, but really Paso wines are so darn close to Napa and much more affordable that it won’t make much of a difference. And since it’s not hundreds of dollars for a bottle you won’t have to wait for that “special occasion” to open it up.

As for winery experiences it sort of depends on what you are looking for but in Paso you’ll find that most of the wineries are small and family owned, meaning that person behind the bar just might be the winemaker. The experience often feels more authentic in Paso so if part of your wine tasting experience you’re looking for is chatting about wine, perhaps leaving a bit along the way, or just having a casual conversation, Paso is it.

Napa, on the other hand, has many more impressive and historic wineries. Full blown castle? Check. Tram ride? Check. Expansive picnic area? Check.

But Paso wineries offer views, quiet areas under the oak trees, live music, and plenty of options for gourmet food to pair with your wine. And crowds are much more manageable in Paso. They’re different, but don’t think of Paso as in any way inferior. I

Visit Paso Now

Paso is on the cusp to becoming the next big thing but right now it’s still a bit of a wine lovers secret. The wines are exceptional, the experience authentic, the people friendly, and the prices still very reasonable. Who knows, maybe in 10 years we’ll look back on this article and say “those were the days” but for now these ARE the days. Come visit, you’re going to love it, and let me know what you think.

How to Pick a Wine Tasting Driver in Paso Robles (2024)

LXV Winery in Paso Robles

I know what you’re thinking - you’re going wine tasting but you’ll show tremendous self control and only take tiny sips and pour the rest into the spit bucket. But let me tell you something; that never happens! Oh sure, one sip and you got this. Two sips and you’re trying hard. Three sips and you’re having such a good time and the wine is so good that the hell with it, you can handle it.

Before you know it you’re trading your resort room for a DUI “shared occupancy room”, aka drunk tank jail cell. And here’s another reality check - there’s no pool, no room service, and you don’t get to choose your room mate in jail. It’s a bummer. A huge bummer.

How to Hire a Driver in Paso

For me the expense of hiring an experienced driver is well worth it. They’ll help you pick wineries, they’ll pick you up and make sure you get to all of your destinations on time, and they often have deep winery or wine country background so they’re fun to hang out with.

But not all drivers are created equal - you want fully insured and licensed drivers who can either legally drive your vehicle or rental or drive you in theirs. I can hook you up with this type of professional driver so you can just sit back and enjoy your day without worrying if you’re taking any sort of risk.

Does Uber Work?

Uber can work but Paso is so spread out that hailing an Uber whenever you want to get to your next stop can be a hassle. Some people have reserved Ubers in advance but for me that’s also a bit restrictive as you’re always hoping that the next one shows up on time. I think Ubers are best if you really are only going to a couple of wineries and have plenty of time built in so that you don’t stress out. Or if you visit the tasting rooms in Tin City where they drop you off and you’re on your own.

When is a Driver More than a Driver?

Sometimes you need more help than just someone to drive you around and I have just the solution. First, if you purchase the Priority Wine Pass to take advantage of the 2 for 1 discounts you get access to FREE concierge service. The concierge will help you pick the best wineries on the pass and arrange them in proper order so all you have to do is make the reservations and give the itinerary to your driver. You can use a driver I recommend, or a driver you found yourself, no problem either way.

Not sure about the Priority Wine Pass? Here are all of the deals in Paso and here is the link to buy the pass with my discount. You can get the pass for $39 per couple so do the math and you’ll see how much money you’ll save using it. Most people save about a hundred bucks over a weekend, sometimes more depending on how many wineries you visit.

FULL CONCIERGE SERVICE: I also have access to full concierge service if you want someone to figure out all of the details for you and hand pick wineries based on the types of wines or winery experiences you’re looking for. If you’re looking for unique experiences like barrel tastings with the wine maker or private tastings at luxury wineries away from the crowds, this is a great option. They’ll even make all of your reservations, including dinner.

Think of a high end resort concierge, but unlike most concierge services they don’t take kickbacks or commissions so every recommendation is honest and unbiased. Transportation, reservations, it’s all part of the service that’s priced so reasonably that once you use it you might never go back to doing it yourself.

HOW DOES PASO COMPARE TO NAPA 2024? IS PASO WORTH IT?

Caelesta Winery in Paso Robles

There’s a lot of chatter these days on how expensive wine tasting has gotten but I bet 99% of those articles are based on experiences in Napa where tastings have gotten to the level where a normal person might think twice. But that’s not the case in Paso.

Oh sure, there are plenty of people out there who will complain about tasting fees but you can still get plenty of two for one deals in Paso and even at full price it’s pretty hard to find wineries that charge more than $40 per person. For comparison a standard tasting in Napa is at least that price with some wineries charging $100 to $200 per person. So Paso is definitely cheaper than Napa.

HOW DOES THE PASO EXPERIENCE STAND UP TO NAPA? THE HONEST TRUTH.

Wines: Napa has the edge on wine quality but their wines are also much more expensive along with the tasting experience. I think if you are taking a wine buying trip and budget is not an issue then Napa wins out. But for a wine tasting adventure it’s hard to tell the difference in overall enjoyment at the the end of the weekend.

Food: Napa wins in the culinary scene with nearly every restaurant offering extraordinary food. In fact, the food in Napa is nearly as impressive as their wines. However, Paso is no slouch and if the food is not quite as elevated (with a few notable exceptions) it’s certainly still a delight. I posted a restaurant guide here and if you stick to these options you’re not going to be disappointed.

Winery Views: I’ve been covering Napa for a long time and one of the top requests is for wineries with views. It might come as a surprise but wineries with views are not really a thing in Napa as the bulk of the wineries people want to visit are in the valley, meaning on flat land. This is where Paso shines as many of the wineries have expansive views and most of them offer close up, authentic winery experiences that go beyond a fancy tasting room.

Impressive Wineries: Napa wins this one with many of their wineries dating back to the 1800’s. If you want big, impressive wineries you’ll find more in Napa than in Paso. However, if you like wineries where the server just might be the winemaker and a picnic table under and oak tree with a fresh baguette and some cheese and a nice glass of wine is how you want to experience wine country then Paso is a tough one to beat.

Deals and Discounts: The Priority Wine Pass works in both Napa and Paso so finding two for one discounts is easy for both wine regions. Here are all of the deals for Paso and if you need a wine pass (one per couple) here’s the discount link to get it for the lowest price offered anywhere. Use that pass and your wine tasting costs can be downright reasonable in Paso.

Romantic Experience: Wine tasting can be very romantic, daydreaming with a glass of wine sitting in the vineyards with a picnic lunch. Both Napa and Paso can offer this sort of ambiance but Paso might have the edge as most of the wineries are still family owned meaning they are much more flexible when it comes to bringing in food or chilling with a bottle of wine.

First Time Visitor to Paso? Confused? Overwhelmed? Best Wineries for First Timers to Paso!

Dresser Winery in Paso Robles

How to Plan Your First Wine Tasting Trip to Paso Robles

It’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to plan your first trip to Paso. With hundreds of wineries and tons of conflicting YouTube recommendations it’s hard to pick the handful of wineries you can visit in a weekend. And food, who wants a crummy meal when you can only pick a couple of restaurants? So let me cut right to it and give you some straight advice.

THE BASICS: WHEN TO VISIT PASO ROBLES?

I like visiting Spring when the vines are starting to bud. The weather is great, the crowds manageable. Summer can be super hot so forget about that picnic idea and make sure you have a pool where you stay. By Fall the grapes are ripe and harvest time is near, making this a great time to visit if you want to see a winery in action. And the smell of fruit in the air is intoxicating. Winter, well, it can be cold but nothing wrong with wine tasting around the holidays.

Whatever you choose just pay attention to the weather and plan accordingly. Each season has it’s pro’s and con’s. But OK, I like Spring and Fall the best.

Paso in May, one of my favorite times to visit. This is Parish

DO MOST PEOPLE DRIVE THEMSELVES WHEN WINE TASTING?

Hmmm, if they do they shouldn’t. Wine tasting has a bad habit of getting out of hand once you finish that first glass. You start the day saying you won’t drink too much and will toss the wine into the spit bucket but with wine this good do you really think you’re going to have the will power to do that? I mean, does your dog ever turn down treats?

You should just hire a designated driver and if you need one just reach out to me as I work with a few drivers who can legally drive your car or rental*. And yes, there are also drivers who will drive you in their vehicle.

Don’t do Uber. Paso is spread out and there’s nothing fun about waiting for an Uber when you’re late to your next reservation. And trust me, you’re going to be late! Wine tasting has a way of doing that.

WHAT WINERIES ARE BEST FOR A FIRST TIMER TO PASO?

Small Family Run Dubost Ranch Winery

Huge big name wineries like Daou

Most first timers target the big name wineries like Daou, JUSTIN, and Austin Hope. These are wineries where you’ll typically find huge tasting facilities, robust food offerings, and often large crowds. My suggestion for first timers it to pick just ONE of these big names per day. You’ll get the sizzle and instagram setting you’re looking for… but there is another side to Paso and that’s the small boutiques, often family owned and run.

WHY GO SMALL?

The big wineries are fun but the smaller wineries offer a throwback, often more authentic experience. Imagine finding out that the server is actually the winemaker, or just tasting wines you won’t find at BevMo. These wineries might not be on your radar but should - LXV has won the hearts of locals who often consider it to be the top winery in Paso, followed by Guyomar Winery with views that compare to the spectacular views at Daou. Here are all of the favorite local favorite wineries that you should visit.

WHAT ABOUT CUSTOM TOURS?

If you just want to hand over the reins to me then I’ll work with my concierge friend who will plan out your entire day, stop by stop, from morning all the way to dinner reservations. Driving is included so you basically just tell us the sort of experience you’re looking for and let us do all of the heavy lifting. It’s a super good way to ensure you have a top notch experience without having to do tons of research. Hey, we know the good places to go so you can trust that your day is going to be incredible. And no, it’s not expensive. EMAIL ME for more info on custom tours.

What About Winery Deals Like 2 for 1 Offers or Free Tastings?

If you want to stretch your wine tasting budget (more wine, more wine!) then go to the Paso on a Budget page to get the latest info on free tastings and two for one offers.

Where to Start with Picking the BEST Wineries in Paso

First timers are often overwhelmed because there are so many different wine areas in Paso. I narrowed it down to THE BIG LOOP as your basic wine route, perfect for first timers but also a logical way to break down Paso into smaller chunks. Basically you have a giant loop that starts in Downtown Paso with JUSTIN in the middle, then loops back down to where you started.

OK, yes, this totally ignores all of the wineries outside of the loop but that’s the idea, to give you as the first timer a good starting point. Do this loop for your first visit then you can branch out and explore the other areas once you have your footing.

More info on THE BIG LOOP

Copia Winery has an exceptional wine and food pairing experience

Need More Help? Email Me!

That’s right, if you are just plain stuck and not sure what to do then shoot me an email and I’ll do my best to help you figure things out. There’s no charge, no catch, just my way of making sure that your trip to Paso is the best wine tasting adventure ever!

*The fine print - Though I am happy to suggest drivers, driving services or concierge service which provides drivers I am not legally responsible for any of the actions of the drivers. Do you own due diligence on their licenses, insurances, background, etc. Do not assume that they are fully vetted just because they are on my site. Does that just about cover it?

Lowest Price on the Priority Wine Pass for Paso - $39!

Looking for the cheapest price on the Priority Wine Pass so you can get Two for One discounts on your wine tasting in Paso Robles? Well here it is, the LOWEST CHEAPEST price ever offered … anywhere! Normally $69, you can get it through me for just $39, the cheapest lowest price offered anywhere - and that includes Groupon who’s selling it for $45.

IS THE PRIORITY WINE PASS WORTH IT?

You do the math but the annual pass that’s also good in Napa and Sonoma is only $39 if you get it here. Check out the deals below and see how you’ll save $20 to $30 at each winery. So as long as you hit up a couple you more than break even and since the pass is good for a year you can use it again and again and really reap the savings. Most people save at least a hundred bucks on a weekend trip to Paso. So yes, worth it.

Castoro Winery has a two for one deal AND a full size disc golf course

PASO ROBLES, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA MARIA, LOS OLIVOS - SHOW US YOUR DEALS!

Current Priority Wine Pass Deals as of August 2024: Standard disclaimer, deals subject to change so always go to the PWP site to verify offers and check with the winery when booking.

Ampelos: 2 for 1 tastings and 10% off wine purchases

AronHill Vineyards: 2 for 1 Tasting and 10% off select wine purchases ($20 Savings)

Baileyana, Tangent & True Myth: 2 for 1 tasting and 15% off wine purchases ($15 Savings)

Barr Estate Winery: 2 for 1 Tasting ($15 Savings)

Cambria Estate Winery: Receive a “surprise and delight” bonus pour with reservation ($10 Savings)

Castoro Cellars: 1 Complimentary Tasting and 10% off wine purchases ($20 Savings)

Chamisal Vineyards: 2 for 1 on Estate Patio Flight and 10% off wine purchases ($35 Savings)

Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard & Winery: Complimentary Tasting and 10% off wine purchase ($29 Savings)

Cypher Winery: 2 for 1 tastings, 15% off wine purchases, and 15% off our culinary line of olive oils, infused balsamic vinegars and sea salts.

Dilecta Wines: 2 for 1 tastings & 10% off purchases ($30 Savings)

Dresser Winery: 2 for 1 tasting ($25 Savings)

Four Brix Winery: 2 for 1 and 10% off wine purchases ($16 Savings)

Foxen Vineyards: 10% Off Wine Purchases One $25 Tasting flight waived with a 3-bottle purchase. One $30 Pinot Noir tasting flight waived with a 4-bottle purchase.

Happy Canyon Winery: Receive one additional tasting pour of a reserve or library collection wine

Jack Creek Cellars: 2 for 1 tastings and 10% off wine purchases ($40 Savings)

Kessler-Haak Wines: Priority Pass Holders Receive 25% off all wine purchases.

Le Vigne Winery: One Complimentary Classic Wine Flight per Priority Wine Pass. Add a Gourmet Cheese Pairing to your flight for $5. ($20 Savings)

McPrice Myers Wines: 2 for 1 Tasting ($25 Savings)

Montemar Wines: 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases ($25 Savings)

Opolo Vineyards: 2 for 1 Tasting ($30 Savings)

Refugio Ranch Vineyards: 2 for 1 tasting 10% off wine purchases ($15 Savings)

Region San Luis Obispo: 2 for 1 Tastings From The Winery Of The Week ($20 Savings)

Sculpterra Winery: 2 for 1 tastings & 10% off wine purchases ($20 Savings)

Serial Wines: PWP Members enjoy an upgraded VIP Experience with the PURCHASE of a wine tasting flight. This includes: -Upgraded lounge seating -Small culinary pairing, like cheese or chocolate -Additional pour or two of special wines that are usually reserved for wine club members

Silver Wines: 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases ($15 Savings)

Still Waters Vineyards: 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases (*max 1 free tasting per group). ($20 Savings)

SummerWood Winery: 2 for 1 Tasting ($15 Savings)

Tercero Wines: 2 for 1 Tasting10% off Wine Purchases ($25 Savings)

Tres Hermanas Vineyard and Winery: Purchase one tasting and receive a second complimentary tasting and receive 10% off any wine purchase.

ZANOLI Wines: 2 for 1 tastings ($20 Savings)