The Geneseo District is one of the 11 sub-districts that make up the Paso Robles AVA. Established in 2014, the Geneseo District is located in the heart of Paso Robles’ wine country, just east of the Paso Robles city limits.
The district was originally named for the vast number of German settlers who came to Paso Robles from Geneseo, IL in the 1880’s.
These settlers came out west in search of better farmland and a better life for their families, and many laid roots in the community still visible today.
These days there are over 200 wineries in the larger Paso Robles AVA, and endless ways to experience the world class wines being crafted every day here on California’s Central Coast. To help you plan your next outing we’ve curated a list of all the vineyard tasting rooms in the Geneseo District where you can enjoy and explore the amazing varietals coming out of the region.
WINE TASTING IN GENESEO
Due to COVID-19, some wineries may not be open for tasting or have different hours than listed below. Given the rapidly changing landscape of rules and regulations, please contact wineries directly to ensure you are able to visit, and make reservations as necessary.
The Geneseo District may not be the largest in terms of square miles, but the wineries here are the perfect representation of the quintessential Paso Robles wine tasting experience.
Located in the heart of the larger Paso Robles AVA, locals and visitors get to experience the hot days and cool nights the region is known for, all while taking in the breathtaking views of the district from the vineyard tasting rooms.
Learn more about the vineyards that we’ve discovered so far that open to the public for wine tasting and events, and how you can experience a piece of Paso Robles’s Wine Country.
If you can’t make it to the vineyards check out Paso Robles’ Food & Drink Page to see the wine bars, more tasting rooms, and restaurants that feature Geneseo District wines!
FEATURED WINERIES
VINEYARD TASTING ROOMS
Arciero Vineyards
Arndt Cellars
Barr Estate Winery
Bianchi Winery
Cass Winery
Eberele Winery
Ernest Hemingway
Are we missing a winery, or have outdated information? Let us know by emailing hello@sanluisobispoguide.com
ARCIERO VINEYARDS
ADDRESS
5011 CA-46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 238-3094
TASTING ROOM
Tasting Room Open Daily
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
TASTING FEE
RESERVATIONS
(805) 238-3094
Learn More About Arciero Vineyards
ARNDT CELLARS
ADDRESS
4295 Union Rd B
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 400-5147
TASTING ROOM
Open Friday – Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
Learn More About Arndt Cellars
BARR ESTATE WINERY
ADDRESS
6950 Union Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 835-7653
TASTING ROOM
Friday – Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$10
RESERVATIONS
(805) 835-7653
BIANCHI WINERY
ADDRESS
3380 Branch Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 226-9922
TASTING ROOM
Thursday – Monday
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$15
RESERVATIONS
(805) 226-9922
Learn More About Bianchi Winery
CASS WINERY
ADDRESS
7350 Linne Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 239-1730
TASTING ROOM
Open Daily
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
TASTING FEE
$15
RESERVATIONS
(805) 239-1730
EBERLE WINERY
ADDRESS
3810 CA-46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 238-9607
TASTING ROOM
Open Daily
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$10
Learn More About Eberle Winery
ERNEST HEMINGWAY WINERY & VINEYARDS
ADDRESS
1340 Penman Springs Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 296-5466
TASTING ROOM
Open Thursday – Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
TASTING FEE
$15
RESERVATIONS
(805) 296-5455
GELFAND VINEYARDS
ADDRESS
5530 Dresser Ranch Pl
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 239-5808
TASTING ROOM
Open for Private Tastings by Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
Learn More About Gelfand Vineyards
GLUNZ FAMILY WINERY & CELLARS
ADDRESS
8331 CA-46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 238-1400
TASTING ROOM
Open Daily
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$10
Learn More About Glunz Family Winery & Cellars
MITCHELLA VINEYARD & WINERY
ADDRESS
2525 Mitchell Ranch Way
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 239-8555
TASTING ROOM
Thursday – Monday
11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$15
Learn More About Mitchella Vineyard & Winery
PARIS VALLEY ROAD ESTATE WINERY
ADDRESS
5625 Highway 46 E
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 727-9463
TASTING ROOM
Open Daily
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
TASTING FEE
$20
Learn More About Paris Valley Road Estate Winery
PEAR VALLEY
ADDRESS
4900 Union Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 237-2861
TASTING ROOM
Open Daily
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$20
Learn More about Pear Valley
PENMAN SPRINGS VINEYARD
ADDRESS
1985 Penman Springs Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 237-7959
TASTING ROOM
Thursday – Sunday
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$10
Learn More About Penman Springs Vineyard
RAILS NAP
ADDRESS
5725 Union Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 226-7475
TASTING ROOM
Saturday & Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
Learn More About Rails Nap
RASMUSSUME VINEYARDS & WINERY
ADDRESS
100 Harvest Ridge Way
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 423-0169
TASTING ROOM
Saturday & Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
Learn More About Rasmussen Vineyards & Winery
RIO SECO VINEYARD
ADDRESS
4295 Union Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 237-8884
TASTING ROOM
Open Daily
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
RESERVATIONS
(805) 237-8884
Learn More About Rio Seco Vineyard & Winery
ROBERT HALL WINERY
ADDRESS
3443 Mill Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 239-1616
TASTING ROOM
Open Thursday – Sunday
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$15
Learn More About Robert Hall Winery
ROCKIN’ R WINERY
ADDRESS
8500 Union Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 835-8529
TASTING ROOM
Saturday & Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
Learn More About Rockin’ R Winery
STEINBECK VINEYARDS
ADDRESS
5940 Union Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 238-1854
TASTING ROOM
Open Daily
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$10
Learn More About Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery
TOBIN JAMES CELLARS
ADDRESS
8950 Union Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 239-2204
TASTING ROOM
Open Daily
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$20
Learn More About Tobin James Cellars
VINA ROBLES VINEYARDS & WINERY
ADDRESS
3700 Mill Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
PHONE
(805) 227-4812
TASTING ROOM
Wednesday – Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
By Appointment Only
TASTING FEE
$15
RESERVATIONS
Learn More About Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery
TERROIR PROFILE
The Geneseo District is located in the heart of the Paso Robles AVA, only six miles east of the city of Paso Robles itself. The northern border of the district sits along Highway 46 E, with the rest of the district defined by the hillsides and ancient waterways. The vast majority of wineries are located along Highway 46 and Union Road, but there are also several long Linne Road in the southern half that should not be missed!
The topography of the Geneseo District is very hilly because of the old waterways that flowed through the area, and sees an approximately four-hundred foot change in elevation from its lowest vineyards to the highest peaks (the lowest point of elevation is 675’ with the highest point in the district at 1,163’).
This hilly topography also provides the district with a lot of rain (averaging 14 inches per year, 2 inches in the growing season), but sees major differences in the soil depending on the elevation: vineyards in the higher elevations see soil defined by alluvial terraces containing silt and clay loam, while those along the lower elevations (near the Huerhuero Creek) are much more sandy.
Given the district’s proximity to Paso Robles (and location in northern SLO County), the Geneseo District experiences the same hot summers and mild winters as the rest of the Paso Robles AVA.
However, given the elevation of the district, some of its highest slopes pull cool air from the surrounding districts (and even some cool marine air travels through the neighboring Templeton Gap) bringing the temperatures at night down significantly.
The similarities in climate and geography to the Paso Robles AVA allow the Geneseo District to also produce world class red wines, specifically Pinot Noir and Syrah varietals. However, the cooler temperatures also allow the district to produce white wines (like Chardonnay and Riesling) that should not be missed!
TOPOGRAPHY
| High | 1163′ |
| Average | 934′ |
| Low | 765′ |
CLIMATE
| High | 84.8°F |
| Low | 48.4°F |
| Rain | 2″ |
during growing season
POPULAR VARIETALS
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Zinfandel
Syrah
Riesling
ABOUT THE PASO ROBLES AVA
Paso Robles’s AVA was established in 1983, and at the time encompassed approximately 614,000 acres across the cities of Paso Robles, Templeton, San Miguel Creston, Shandon, and Santa Margarita in northern SLO County.
At almost three times the size of Napa Valley’s AVA, Paso Robles remained the largest single AVA in California until 2014 when 11 sub-districts were established. Although the larger boundary did not change, these new districts provided a more nuanced understanding of the growing regions within the Paso Robles AVA, and the wines that could be successfully crafted.
Today the distinct terroir profiles (or growing conditions) of the eleven districts contribute to the production of over 40 varietals (the vast majority crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Roussanne, Zinfandel, Viognier, Merlot, and Syrah), and home to over 200 wineries for locals and tourists to enjoy and explore.
Learn more about the eleven districts below, and make sure to plan your next wine tasting weekend in Paso Robles’s Wine Country!
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