York Mountain Winery re-opens as Epoch Estate Wines Tasting Room
–Ascension Winery, established in 1882 by Andrew York, was the first winery on the California Coast. Renamed York Mountain Winery several years later, the winery operated until 2001, having the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating winery/tasting room on the coast. Following the 2003 San Simeon earthquake, which caused considerable structural damage, the facility was condemned.
In 2010 the property and winery were purchased by Epoch Estate Wines’ owners Bill and Liz Armstrong. The Armstrongs had a goal and vision to restore the historic property, preserving as much of the original character as possible, and to make it a destination tasting room for Epoch Estate Wines. Visitors to the newly opened state of the art tasting room can now sip their wines in this marvelous structure, which show off the original bricks, lumber and barrel room. On the upper level, you can also view one of the wine presses, used over 100 years ago.
Following years of painstaking and loving work, the old York Mountain Tasting Room received its Certificate of Occupancy on December 22, 2016, as the Epoch Estate Wines tasting room. Preserving its history, you may now taste award winning wines in one of the most storied winery buildings in the region.
Upon completion of the project, Bill and Liz Armstrong commented, “we are so pleased to finally open up the historic York Mountain Winery to the public again. We know how beloved this building and property is for many long-time patrons both locally and from afar. It has been a labor of love for us to piece this condemned building back together and to see it rise proudly once more. We welcome guests back to this magical place and to enjoy Epoch Estate Wines.”
Located just off highway 46 between Cambria and Paso Robles, the new tasting room is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Epoch is migrating towards a by-appointment system, but will continue to offer a walk-in option too. Visit the tasting room, sip in a historic building while learning about the history of York Mountain from its inception up to the current day.
Thank you Epoch for preserving this amazing piece of Paso Robles and California wine history, and sharing it with all who visit.
