If you’re a wine lover, a trip to Paso Robles (and this wine) should be on your bucket list.

This wine will be center stage on my holiday tables this year.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

If you’ve ever dreamed of wine tasting your way through Northern California’s epic vineyards, Napa is likely the place you plan to visit.

And while Napa is a gorgeous place you shouldn’t skip, Paso Robles offers a different, but equally incredible experience.

The Husband and I just returned from a three-day trip to Paso, where our long-time friends from high school opened Creekcut Winery.

And the wine – and region – didn’t disappoint.

What we love most about Paso is that it offers a laid-back experience to Napa’s more upscale vibe.

Paso’s wine country is gaining recognition as California’s best source for Bordeaux and Rhône varietals, while Napa is known for churning out amazing cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. 

And while the food scene in Paso is smaller than Napa’s, it’s incredible.

The quaint city has some amazing restaurants offering everything from steak and Italian cuisine to farm-to-table delicacies.

If you go, here are a few tips.

HOW TO GET THERE

We flew into San Luis Obispo Airport, which is about 30 minutes from downtown Paso Robles.

It’s a small airport with only a couple of direct flights a day from the DFW Airport, so book early.

We brought carry-on luggage only, picked up our rental car and were literally on the road in 20 minutes after landing.

The Husband went to college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, so we took a quick spin through campus for old times sake.

And boy, things had really changed in 35 years!

WHERE TO STAY

There are several great hotels in Paso, but we splurged on a stay at Hotel Cheval.

This luxury boutique hotel is like something out of a fairytale.

The spacious rooms come with a fireplace and all the amenities you would expect.

There is a courtyard in the center of the hotel with lots of beautiful fireplaces and seating.

We have stayed at a lot of great places over the years, but Hotel Cheval is one of the best.

It was the perfect place to end each night with a bottle of good wine and great conversation.

But the best part? There's a s’mores butler who prepares fireside s’mores every night for the hotel’s guests.

And you better believe we didn’t miss a single night of indulging.

BOOK YOUR TASTING IN ADVANCE

It’s easier to walk into wine tastings in Paso than it is in Napa, but I still suggest making a reservation.

We made reservations at the places we wanted to try most and had fantastic experiences.

Our family loves Austin Hope, so a trip there was a must. What a gorgeous place!

We also did tastings at Brochelle Vineyards (and joined the club), Top Winery and Turtle Rock.

But the star of the show and reason for the trip was to visit Creekcut Winery.

A temporary tasting room is open, but our friends are in the process of building a new one, which is expected to open late next year.

We joined the club and will be serving their beautiful wines during the holiday season.

If you’re looking to try a new wine you can’t purchase in stores, place an order at Creekcut.

You won’t be disappointed.

And book a trip to Paso Robles as soon as you can!