Roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles is one of the most exciting wine regions in California. At its western reaches, the AVA is less than 10 miles from the Pacific Coast, divided by the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. Here’s lies the secret to the AVA’s success: the Templeton Gap. Forged over millennia by rivers and creek running through the mountains, it funnels in cooling air and sea fog from the Pacific which harmonises with the glorious California sunshine. With some of the warmest days and coolest nights in the State, and extremely calcareous limestone soils, its perfect for producing intense Syrah, Grenache and Zinfandel blends characterised for their energy and minerality. Innovation, forward thinking and an uncompromising dedication to quality has seen Paso Robles rocket to the top league of world-class regions. In addition to the Rhône-blends, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blends are emerging to complete with the best in California. You need only look at the incredible scores from the major critics each vintage to know Paso commands a place in every cellar.
Exclusive wineries in Paso Robles
Latest arrivals from Paso Robles
2020 Slacker Wines, Computer Geek, Paso Robles 12x75cl
Blend: 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Graciano, 10% Carignan
Vintage production: 260 cases
The 2020 Computer Geek comes from three estate vineyards farmed by winemaker Matt Trevisan in the Willow... Creek District. The driving element is Syrah from the Perch Block at Stonethrower Vineyard, located just 10 miles from the ocean at an elevation of 1,350 feet. The Syrah component is rounded out by fruit from the Estrella Block at Stonethrower Vineyard and the Cold Shoulder Block at the Linne Calodo estate. The Grenache, Graciano and Carignan hail from a mix of blocks at Stonethrower, Linne Calodo and Oakdale vineyards.
£410 / Case£34.17 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £539.66 / Case, £44.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Slacker Wines, Computer Geek, Paso Robles 1x75cl
Blend: 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Graciano, 10% Carignan
Vintage production: 260 cases
The 2020 Computer Geek comes from three estate vineyards farmed by winemaker Matt Trevisan in the Willow... Creek District. The driving element is Syrah from the Perch Block at Stonethrower Vineyard, located just 10 miles from the ocean at an elevation of 1,350 feet. The Syrah component is rounded out by fruit from the Estrella Block at Stonethrower Vineyard and the Cold Shoulder Block at the Linne Calodo estate. The Grenache, Graciano and Carignan hail from a mix of blocks at Stonethrower, Linne Calodo and Oakdale vineyards.
£36 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £47.17 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Linne Calodo, Rising Tides, Paso Robles 1x75cl
Blend 69% Grenache, 31% Syrah
Vintage production: 600 cases
The 2020 Rising Tides comes from a kaleidoscope of micro-blocks at the Linne Calodo Estate and Stonethrower Vineyard, including 13 total... blocks of Grenache alone. Each block contributes different
nuances of clone, aspect and soil composition. The main estate is planted to calcareous Linne Calodo and Linne Zakme soils, as well as Cropley clay loam along the lower blocks. Stonethrower is
distinguished by its rocky mudstone soils and multifaceted exposures. Together, these sites provide an array of expressions that interconnect and augment each other into a seamless whole.
£80 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £100.02 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2016 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 76% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 6% Mataró, 6% Petite Sirah, 4% Tempranillo
Production: 230 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of Saxum Vineyards owner and... winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,200 / Case£240 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,460.64 / Case, £292.13 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2017 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 60% Zinfandel, 15% Mourvèdre, 9% Grenache, 7% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah, 2% Tannat, 1% Viognier
Production: 560 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of Saxum... Vineyards owner and winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,100 / Case£220 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,340.64 / Case, £268.13 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 38% Zinfandel, 30% Mataro, 16% Grenache, 6% Counoise, 6% Graciano, 3% Syrah, 1% Petite Sirah
Vintage production: 600 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of... Saxum Vineyards owner and winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,150 / Case£230 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,399.86 / Case, £279.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days