Perched on a hill overlooking the rolling hills of eastern Paso Robles wine country, Penman Springs Vineyard makes even first-time visitors feel like they’re coming home. The cozy farmhouse-turned- tasting room simply brims with genuine country charm, encouraging guests to step up for a warm chat and a taste of some wonderful wines.
Penman’s owners Beth and Carl McCasland, who opened the tasting room in 2000, say that Penman Springs got its start as a way to keep Carl busy when he retired. It has certainly done the trick. Carl has developed a passion for farming and, knowing that the quality of the wine comes from the quality of the grapes, he makes vineyard management a top priority. Carl continually works to improve vineyard productivity. He utilizes several trellis systems to maximize sunlight and airflow in the grape canopy and applies sustainable farming practices.
With help from Winemaker Larry Roberts, Carl crafts his luscious grapes into Penman Springs wines. The wines, made from 100 percent estate fruit, range from traditional to lesser-known varietals and blends. There’s a dry Muscat Blanc, a French-style Syrah Rosé, an intense Merlot, an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, a dark ruby Syrah, a robust Petite Sirah, and a complex Meritage blend. In addition, there are two sumptuous dessert wines: Yahoosh and Trembler Deux. Each vintage delivers between 2,000 and 2,400 cases of estate wine, all labeled with a reproduction of a stained glass color wheel that Beth claims to have stolen from her brother.
As gracious as she is funny, Beth often pours the wines alongside her cohort Rosie Sacasa in the tasting room. The Penman Springs lineup is so outstanding that most first-timers become Pen Pals (wine club members) on the spot, and immediately enjoy 20 percent off their wine purchase. There are also plenty of captivating wine-related gift items for sale, making this little tasting room a delightful place to laugh and linger—and come back to again and again.