News & Press

Congratulations to Winemaker Neil Collins, 2019 Paso Robles Wine Country Wine Industry Person of the Year

On Thursday, January 23rd, in front of 180+ members of our great community, we celebrated our Winemaker of 23 years, Neil Collins. Neil was named 2019 Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Wine Industry Person of the Year for his groundbreaking work here at Tablas Creek, and at his own Lone Madrone Winery and Bristol's Cider House.

Highlights included an introductory speech from industry legend (and the guy who gave Neil his first job in the business) Ken Volk and recognition from our local representatives, including Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin.

We're still on cloud nine. Thank you to everyone who helped us get where we are, came to celebrate with us, and reached out to congratulate Neil.

The Vintner Project: Interview with Chelsea Franchi, Assistant Winemaker at Tablas Creek Vineyard

There's a super interview with our superstar Senior Assistant Winemaker Chelsea Franchi on The Vintner Project, a blog dedicated to telling the stories of the people behind wine. As a follow-up, they also picked our 2017 Esprit de Tablas Blanc as their January 2nd "Wine of the Week"!

Washington Wine Blog Top 100 of 2019: #28: 2017 Esprit de Tablas Blanc

Really lovely comments on our 2017 Esprit de Tablas Blanc (#28, 95 points) in Owen Bargreen's Washington Wine Blog "Top 100 of 2019":

"The 2017 ‘Espirit Blanc de Tablas’ is a downright heavyhitter of a wine, and is primarily comprised of Roussanne (75%) with smaller portions Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc. Good richness marks the nose with toasted Challah bread, Pazzaz apple, kiwi and apricot undertones. The palate is both refreshing and highly gratifying, revealing a wonderful fatness and viscosity. Seamless throughout, lychee, starfruit, honeydew melon and wet stone flavors with kumquat tones all collide on the palate. The extremely long, cream and mineral-driven finish completes this simply stunning Rhone style white wine. While this is marvelous now, this has both the stuffing and acidity to cellar well over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2019-2035"

James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the USA 2019: #63: 2016 Esprit de Tablas Blanc

Our second "Top 100" recognition for the Esprit de Tablas Blanc in a week! James Suckling recognized the 2016 Esprit Blanc (#63, 96 points) in his Top 100 Wines of the USA 2019:

"An intense but balanced nose of dried daffodils, apricot pie, dried peaches, vanilla, dried nutmeg and a hint of dried citrus rind. Full-bodied with an oily texture, which is well complemented by some bright acidity and layers of stone fruit. Full and charming white. Drink now or hold."

Napa Valley Register: Tablas Creek celebrates 30 Years of Rhone varieties in Paso Robles

Allison Levine writes a great article on Tablas Creek's first 30 years, including notes from a tasting of 12 back vintages of Esprit and Esprit Blanc. From her introduction: "Thirty years ago, a partnership was formed between importer Robert Haas and the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf du Pape and they established a winery, Tablas Creek, in Paso Robles. Not only was Tablas Creek one of the original wineries in Paso Robles, but they are one of the pioneers of the California Rhone wine movement."

Holiday Gift Ideas from Tablas Creek

At Tablas Creek, we want to help you celebrate the holiday season in style. We have several ways in which you can give the gift of Tablas Creek, including five special holiday gift packages (on which we include no-charge shipping to any of the 41 states we can ship to), Tablas Creek gift cards, gift VINsider memberships and more.

Holiday gift packs are only available through December 31st; Although we've passed our national deadline for pre-Christmas wine delivery using our standard shipping, we should be able to get orders to West Coast addresses delivered before Christmas if we receive your order by the morning of Thursday, December 19th. If you would like to discuss expedited shipping or have special requests, please contact us.

Robb Report: 12 Wines that Pair with Thanksgiving

We were excited to see our 2018 Grenache Blanc included in the Robb Report's Thanksgiving recommendations this year.

USA Today 10 Best: West Coast Wineries Who Are Making Amazing Sustainable Wines

"From composting waste and recycling water in California to planting cover crops and using organic materials to combat pests in Oregon, many winemakers and winery owners believe the use of natural products and reduction of their carbon footprint is not only better for the environment and the vines, but also results in a higher quality wine.

In turn, they hope their employees and visitors are inspired to make similar efforts in their daily lives and support like-minded business – a cumulative effort that just might make a difference. Here are a few West Coast standouts you should visit."