Best rosé wines in Paso Robles for the holidays
Rosé wines have come along way since white zinfandel. I remember it as a holiday tradition at family get-togethers when I was young. Today’s Paso Robles’ rosés are sophisticated and delicious. They come in a wide spectrum of pink hues, from light to dark, and are pressed from a growing number of varieties of wine grapes. These rose wines present a fresh taste of Paso Robles wines at reasonable prices.
These Paso Robles rosé wines will pair well with lighter fare, appetizers like prosciutto-wrapped melon, smoked salmon and deviled eggs. They will also go well with baked ham, pork tenderloin and white meat of a roasted turkey. For all the holiday chefs out there, consider enjoying rosé wines yourself as you prepare holiday meals. Remember to serve them chilled. Enjoy!
Top local white wine recommendations
Bianchi 2018 Rosé – $25
This 100% rosé of cinsault from Monterey County vines as crafted in a French style. It offers aromas and flavors of grapefruit, guava, pineapple and tart strawberries with a dry finish on the palate.
Bovino Vineyards 2015 Estate Rosé – $26
This is a blend of 60% grenache and 40% mourvedre. It has aromas of sweet cherry and strawberry bring a crisp, clean taste with a finish that gives you a rich mouthfeel. This wine will pair perfectly with turkey, which makes it a great wine to take to Thanksgiving this year.
Broken Earth 2018 Grenach Rosé – $20
The nose of this wine highlights strawberry characteristics that come from grenache. It cleanses the palate with its structured acidity and backbone of fruity flavors. It delivers the freshness representative of a Rosé de Provence. Pairs nicely with cheese and crackers and other appetizers. It won a gold medal at the Denver International Wine Competition.
Midnight Cellars 2018 Luna Rosé – $21
This rosé has a fruity flavor of strawberries with hint of peach blossoms. It has a crisp and dry finish. It’s a great wine to start with appetizers or toast to your holiday meal. Enjoy it with turkey, pork tenderloin, and even salmon.
Opolo 2018 Rosé – $24
Sourced from four vineyards to create balance and depth, this rosé is a blend of grenache, syrah and a kiss of viognier. It offers aromas and flavors of fresh-cut watermelon, sour cherry, and lychee with notes of rose petals and strawberries.
Peachy Canyon 2018 Rosé – $24
This is primarily a blend of zinfandel and grenache grapes. It is peach-rose pink and clear in color and smells of strawberry, guava, and lychee. Bright, acidic and flavorful on the palate, this wine tastes of strawberries, peaches, nectarines, and mandarin orange.
Penman Springs 2018 Petite Sirah Rosé – $20
This pink was pressed from petite syrah grapes and has aromas of strawberries and watermelon to fill your senses. It is dry and refreshing and will coat your palate with hints of citrus and cranberry. It was barrel-aged for six months in neutral oak, lending it a creamy finish. This will pair well with turkey and all your sides for Thanksgiving.
San Simeon 2018 Grenache Rosé – $19.95
A long, cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 55-degrees for several weeks preserves the delicate flavors and aromas of this variety. Taste red ripe berry, cantaloupe, and rose petal notes. It pairs well with an array of appetizers. It earned a double gold medal in the American Fine Wine Rosé Competition.
Sculpterra 2018 Paso Pink – $28
Bright focused tropical fruit drives the texture and crisp flavors of this wine. It follows with flavors of guava, orange, and strawberry with a touch of earthiness and spice too. It has a wonderful mouthfeel and finish that offers hints at floral rose petal and lavender. Drink it now through 2020 for the best tasting experience possible.
Sea Shell Cellars 2018 Grenache Rosé – $19
This 100% grenache rose was grown in Estrella District AVA in Paso Robles. The fruit was harvested early in order to retain lots of natural acidity and then placed directly in the press and squeezed, with only minimal skin contact time in order to give the wine its delicate color. It was kept in stainless steel for the 2.5 months between the end of its fermentation and bottling in order to preserve as much freshness in the wine as possible. It offers flavors and aromas of stone fruits like white peaches and nectarines with notes of black tea and finishes with crispy acidity.
Tablas Creek 2018 Patelin de Tablas Rosé – $22.50
This wine was crafted in the tradition of Provence, France, produced from three red Rhône varietals: grenache, mourvèdre, and counoise. It is a vibrant light peach color. On the nose are spicy aromatics of nectarine, grapefruit, and crushed rock. The mouth is bright with flavors of raspberry and blood orange, with mouthwatering acidity giving focus to a long finish with flavors of lemon drops and fresh minerality. Drink now and over the next year. It earned 90 points from Wine Spectator.
Vina Robles 2018 Rosé – $17
This rosé of syrah, grenache, and viognier from Vina Robles’ Huerhuero Vineyard is packed with flavor and a great value. It has aromas of red cherry and pomegranate with hints of peach and rose petals with red cherry flavors and moderate acidity. Like most rose wines, chilled its best way to drink it. It will pair well with pork and light chicken dishes. It even goes well with smoked salmon.
Windward Vineyard 2018 Eye of the Partridge – $28
This is a unique creation, neither a white nor a rosé, according to the winery. It was made with estate red pinot noir fruit, hand-selected and harvested early with a lower brix to highlight crisp acidity, then crafted using the pressurage direct method. After fermenting in stainless steel, the wine rested in neutral oak before bottling. The result is a full-bodied and crisp wine that resembles a pale rosé. Stonefruit and honeycomb draw you into the glass, leading to lemon verbena and peaches. The fruit is balanced by lovely minerality, acidity for a full-bodied white wine. It was a gold medal winner at the Central Coast Wine Competition.
Look for more wine recommendations
• Best local sparkling wines for the holidays
• Best local rosé wines for the holidays
• Best local white wines for the holidays
• Best local pinot noir wines for the holidays
• Best local zinfandel wines for the holidays
• Best local cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux-style wines for the holidays
• Best local Rhone-style red wines for the holidays
• Best local dessert wines for the holidays
Publisher’s note: For the sixth year in a row we thought it would be a great idea to recommend local wines for upcoming holiday parties and dinners. Once again, we received an amazing amount of participation from our local wineries. Over the last few weeks, we received more than 100 entries. After tasting and tasting and tasting, there were many solid, well-made wines to recommend. We have created several lists of top local wines into categories. The recommended wines above are in alphabetical order.
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