News & Press

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.

Tasting Panel: On the Table with Tablas Creek

We were excited to see our newest releases featured in the Tasting Panels' "On the Table" section of their newest magazine. All six wines they reviewed received between 93 and 96 points, including a 96 for our 2023 Esprit de Tablas, which they called, "stunning flagship blend of Mourvedre".

The Somm Journal: A Rarity in the Rhône, Vaccarèse Is Showing Promise in Paso Robles

We were happy to see our work with the rare Rhône variety Vaccarèse featured in a recent issue of The Somm Journal. Cindy Rynning explores how this grape, which covers less than one percent of the acreage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is finding a new home in the rocky soils of our Adelaida District estate.

Vaccarèse apparently only became rare in France because it was susceptible to powdery mildew, not because of any issues with its flavors or vigor. In the Paso Robles climate, mildew is not really an issue, so that is one huge mark in our favor. Beyond that, it is one of the rare red grapes that is black-fruited and high-acid. The calcareous soils and the cold nights here combine to further bolster that acidity and allow us to leave it on the vine even a little longer.

Read the full article at SommJournal.com for more on the discovery and potential of this intriguing variety.

LA Times Highlights Paso Robles as a Spring Destination

In a recent feature for the Los Angeles Times, senior content strategist Kevin Spencer highlights why the season between March and May is the ideal time for a visit to Paso Robles.

The article identifies Tablas Creek Vineyard as a standout destination for the spring release season:

"Spring is release season, making it one of the best times to taste newly released wines from standout wineries like McPrice Myers, CASS Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, and High Camp Wines."

The piece also underscores the region's broader commitment to the values we hold central to our own operations, noting that spring celebrations in the area spotlight "sustainability-focused experiences, highlighting Paso Robles’ commitment to responsible farming, organic and regenerative vineyards, and preserving the natural beauty that defines the region."

Whether you are looking to explore vineyard-lined roads, enjoy farm-fresh dining, or participate in the upcoming Rhône Rangers events on March 20–21, spring offers a perfect, uncrowded pace to experience the best of Paso Robles.

From Norm Roby: Alouette: A New Take on Chillable Red Wine

In a lovely new article on his blog, veteran writer Norm Roby discovers our Alouette Grenache and explores the category of chillable reds. Thanks Norm! From his piece:

But what is needed to jump start a serious trend is for a highly respected winery to offer a delicious, lively, flavour-packed drink now red and promote it as chillable. Not about to happen, you say? Well, I just discovered a wine that fits the bill.

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."