Paso Robles 2023: Vintage report and top wines tasted

The defining narrative of the Paso Robles 2023 vintage was the breaking of a three-year drought and a record-setting year for rainfall.

Three major rain events arrived in January, followed by continued precipitation into April and May, when rain typically ends in March. It was not a deluge but rather steady and persistent.

Established in 1983, Paso Robles – meaning ‘Pass of the Oaks’ in Spanish – is a region with 16,500 hectares planted, making it a sizeable player in California.

The region with 11 sub-districts has the greatest diurnal temperature swing of a California wine region, with temperature variances ranging from 2-10°C in one day. This allows the grapes to ‘refresh’ at night and retain acidity.

The growing season is extended due to these diurnal swings. That, coupled with regular late-season rains, allowed grapes to benefit from more hang time, resulting in wines with mature, ripe fruit characters plus strong acidity.

The region also benefits from the Templeton Gap effect. Openings in the coastal Santa Lucia Mountain range funnel cooler coastal air into the valley, allowing the grapes to rest and refresh. The Willow Creek and Adelaida sub-districts on the west side of Paso consistently produce the region’s highest-quality, most balanced wines.