News & Press

Santa Barbara Independent: Full Belly Files | Everything's Coming Up Regenerative

In a recent edition of Full Belly Files, Matt Kettmann explores the rapid expansion of the regenerative agriculture movement. The article highlights how this "forward thinking farming movement" is moving beyond its origins in Paso Robles and taking hold across the global marketplace.

The feature notes that Tablas Creek played a foundational role in this growth, having helped develop the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standards as the country’s first certified vineyard. Kettmann observes that the number of ROC brands is nearly doubling year over year, with hundreds of new products expected to reach commercial markets by this summer.

Read the full report on the state of the regenerative movement at Independent.com.

Dogumentary TV: These Guardian Dogs Work 24/7 So Farmers Don't Have To

Tablas Creek recently welcomed Zeke Dickson of Dogumentary TV to explore the critical role of livestock guardian dogs in our vineyard. The feature highlights how our Spanish Mastiffs and Turkish Boz serve as essential components of our regenerative farming program.

Regenerative Specialist Erin Mason explains the history of our canine program and why we selected these specific breeds. The dogs protect our flock of sheep from local predators like coyotes and mountain lions while remaining gentle with visitors in our tasting room.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Elite Traveler: These Wineries Around the World are Rethinking Sustainability

In a global survey of environmental leadership, Elite Traveler (syndicated via MSN) identified seven winemakers taking a "more considered approach" to their land. We were honored to be featured alongside iconic estates like Spottswoode and Familia Torres, with the article highlighting our specific ecosystem-based approach to vineyard management.

At eco-friendly Tablas Creek winery, in California’s Paso Robles region, owls zap vine-root-eating gophers, chickens gobble up destructive insects, and black-faced sheep chow down on the weeds between rows of vines, pausing from time to time to fertilize the soil.

Beyond our animal inhabitants, the article explores the deeper "pillars" of our farming philosophy. It notes that while we have been certified organic and biodynamic for decades, our transition to Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) status in 2020 marked a commitment to carbon sequestration, animal welfare, and social fairness. By involving the farming crew in decision-making and prioritizing soil health, the piece notes that Tablas Creek "paved the way for more wineries to join the application process."

Ep 165: You Down with ROC, Yeah You Know Me – Featuring Tablas Creek | Maha Estate

We were happy to participate in the latest episode of the Where Wine Takes You podcast, joining host Adam Montiel and Cris Cherry of Maha Estate for a deep dive into the impact of Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) farming. The conversation explores how Paso Robles has evolved into a global epicenter for regenerative viticulture and why soil health is the foundation for the next fifty years of winemaking.

Paso has quietly become a global epicenter for regenerative viticulture, with wineries like Tablas Creek Vineyard and Maha Estate helping push the industry forward. This isn't just about what's in your glass. It's about what's happening beneath it. Soil health, farmworker fairness, and animal welfare, the pillars of ROC, are reshaping how wine is grown.

The episode breaks down the practical side of these certifications, from the role of sheep in the vineyard to the long-term economics of farming in a way that improves the land rather than just sustaining it.

You can listen to the full episode and learn more about the future of farming at PasoWine.com.

Paso Robles: A Global Epicenter for Regenerative Organic Viticulture

We are proud to share that Paso Robles has emerged as a global leader in the Regenerative Organic movement. In a recent announcement from the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, our region was recognized as a premier epicenter for high-standard viticulture, with Tablas Creek representing one of only six wineries in the area to achieve Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) status. Together with our neighbors, we are launching new collaborative efforts, including a major media tour this April, to inspire wineries worldwide to adopt these essential farming practices.

Paso Robles has always been a place where growers and winemakers work together to push the industry forward. The leadership shown by these six Regenerative Organic Certified® wineries reflects that spirit and shows how innovation and stewardship go hand in hand in our region. — Joel Peterson, CEO of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance

Read the full press release at PasoWine.com to learn more about the upcoming media tour and how the "One Block Challenge" is expanding regenerative practices across the globe.

Decanter: Why California's Mediterranean Varieties are Having a Moment

We were happy to see Tablas Creek featured so prominently in Ana Carolina Quintela’s deep dive into the rise of Mediterranean varieties in California. The article explores how these grapes are uniquely suited to our climate and highlights our nearly four-decade journey importing and establishing all the traditional varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Adelaida District.

Picardan might be the rarest variety I’ve tasted so far. Today, there’s just over an acre planted in France and about half an acre in California, at Tablas Creek in Paso Robles, which imported it into the United States in 2003. Most southern Rhône varieties in California trace back to Tablas Creek, which makes this wine feel even more significant in that context. It shows a medium-bodied profile with both richness and lift. Aromas of apricot, citrus pastry cream, white flowers, and citrus zest lead into a palate that is surprisingly fresh. There’s a saline, lemony edge and a subtle savory note that add complexity, along with a touch of nutty flavors that add gentle texture without weight, especially given how bright the finish is. — Ana Carolina Quintela, Decanter (93 Points)

Read the full article on Decanter.com for more on the evolution of these unique wines and our 2021 Picardan review.

Meg Maker: Toward Metamodern Wine

In a thoughtful new essay, wine writer and educator Meg Maker explores the cultural evolution of wine through the lenses of premodernism, modernism, and postmodernism, ultimately looking toward a new era: metamodernism.

Maker defines this shift as a move toward idealism, playful experimentation, and the shedding of "postmodernism's ironic detachment." In her exploration of how this new phase is surfacing in the industry, she highlights Tablas Creek and our General Manager Jason Haas as leading examples of this holistic, forward-thinking approach:

"Practitioners like Jason Haas of Tablas Creek, a pioneer in regenerative organic viticulture who blogs and speaks extensively to share strategies with industry peers. He knows wine is not a zero-sum game."

Maker suggests that this "metamodern" gesture is part of a broader movement toward wine commentary and practice that celebrates wine "playfully, intuitively, [and] holistically." She envisions a future for the industry that honors both science and expressive creativity—a path she describes as hopeful and a "good way forward."

Roadside Terroir Podcast: Farming for Terroir with Brenna Quigley

We were delighted to be featured on the final episode of Season 3 of the Roadside Terroir Podcast, hosted by geologist and sommelier Brenna Quigley, for an in-depth discussion on Regenerative Farming.

Tablas Creek was honored to be included in the conversation alongside sommelier Raj Vaidya, farming advocate Paul Wasserman, and inspirational producers including Chiara Pepe, Cyril Courvoisier, and Chisa Bize.

We particularly appreciate the host's clear and compelling explanation of this essential farming philosophy. Brenna Quigley defines regenerative agriculture in the most accessible terms we have encountered, emphasizing its core concept:

"Regenerative farming is a ray of hope for the agricultural industry that promises a way to feed the masses without bringing down the house in the process. And the key to saving the world is right beneath our feet: soil."

The episode, titled "Farming for Terroir," features a healthy dose of soil science, explores the future of the planet, and includes an appearance by our very own Jason Haas, Erin Mason, and Austin Collins, who share our experience as the world's first certified Regenerative Organic Certified™ vineyard.