What to Buy
'07 Estate White Merlot White stone peaches, pink grapefruit, nectarine, hints of guava $15
'05 Estate Merlot Boysenberry, red currant, citrus, Bing cherries, pomegranate $22
'04 Epiphany Estate Cuvée Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah blend. Seamless, striking $32
'04 Estate Zinfandel Raspberries, red currant, dash of black licorice $25
Getting There
From Hwy 101 N, go south of San Miguel (two miles) to first driveway on right after San Marcos Rd. From Hwy 101 S, go north of Paso Robles (five miles) to first driveway on left after Wellsona Rd.
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Each day, just north of the town of Paso Robles, San Marcos Creek Vineyard introduces visitors to a lineup of notable wines. The delightful French Country tasting room stands amid the 40 acres that Fling and Annette Traylor originally planted with wine grapes in 1992. At the time, it was the Traylors' intention to settle back and simply grow grapes on a contract basis with local wineries. But somehow they felt something was missing, and ten years later their daughter, Catherine, and her husband Brady Winter joined in the venture and the winery was born.
San Marcos Creek now covers 43 acres of vineyard with seven different varietals. Brady oversees the winemaking duties along with local wine consultant, Paul Ayers. The wines are balanced and fruit forward in style, exhibiting the classic characteristics for which the Paso Robles region is known. But beyond the popular Paso Robles varietals of Zinfandel and Syrah, the winery portfolio includes some surprises like White Merlot, Nebbiolo, and Petite Sirah.
The San Marcos Creek tasting room is a busy spot. With a driveway right off Highway 101, wine tourers find it easily on their way in or out of Paso Robles. "We meet people in here every day who have never been in a tasting room before," Catherine says. "They are totally new to wine tasting and we're glad to show them the ropes."
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| Greeted by Chloe, a Miniature Australian Shepherd and tasting room dog, first-time tasters are soon put at ease. But first- timers are not the only fans of San Marcos Creek Vineyard. The winery's Cellar Club is extremely active, with many locals as members. Besides enjoying significant discounts on their wine purchases, Cellar Club members have nearly a dozen events to put on their calendars each year including outdoor lunches, festival events, and new-release parties.
Gracious and low-key, everyone is welcome at San Marcos Creek Vineyard, including dogs. In fact, canine visitors are invited to taste an assortment of biscuits, kept behind the tasting room bar.
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