Tin City Off the Wine Trail
Tin City has the vibe of wineries in the 80’s with a better façade. Small wineries trying to make their vision, a chance to find the winemaker/owner on site.
Want to get off the wine trail and just stroll from winery to winery? Visit Tin City in Paso Robles just off the 101 Freeway and Highway 46. Driving down Ramada Dr. there will be the feel of an industrial park. Turn on Marquita Ave. then left on Limestone Way that’s where you will find Tin City, right in an industrial park.
Park anywhere along the street or in the parking lot of one of the wineries. Winery parking is limited, it’s best to park on the street, but drive in a little further as most of the wineries sit around the corner from where you just turned in. If you are not into walking you can drive from winery to winery. But you are taking a chance of finding parking.
Tin City doesn’t give you rolling vineyards, a place to sit outside and sip wine. What you do get with Tin City is some innovated winemakers experimenting, doing what they love and some really fine wines.
With around 22 wineries you could spend all day in Tin City and not experience all the wine tasting, beer, cider, ice cream and restaurants.
Check the winery websites as some require appointments and not open every day.
I have not visited all of the wineries in Tin City….. yet. Here are a few I’ve visited:
Brian Benson Cellars – I first came across his winery a number of years ago when he was located by his family’s winery off the 46 Hwy. The three times visiting maybe I was lucky; Brian was pouring the wines. Always open to answering questions. Inside the place is funky and some interesting labels. Brian Benson mainly focuses on Rhone’s with some intense, elegant flavors.
Desparada – Interested in seeing what female winemakers can do? A lot according to Jeb Dunnuck in Wine Advocate. Vailia From is producing some exceptional wines and eye opening labels. Getting past the labels are some seriously pleasurable wines. Desparada is appointment only with a 45-minute, seated tasting, one on one experience. From the whites to the red wines you will find a wine to enjoy. My personal favorite is the Soothsayer Red Blend.
Levo – Bret Urness is a self-taught winemaker choosing his grapes come from Santa Ynez, Ballard Canyon, Edna Valley area and a few from the Paso Robles area. If you love Chardonnay, if it’s available the time of your visit it’s well worth the taste. For reds try their Grenache and Syrah.
Monochrome Wines – This winery pours only white wines. Blending whites or the grape alone can make for a fun and different experience. I’m more of a red wine person, but do enjoy a good white wine. It’s always fun to go out of your comfort zone and taste some wines that are not your norm.
ONX – Tin City location is the furthered down Limestone Way; their ONX Estate is located in Templeton Gap where you can tour the vineyard and lunch among the vines. The Tin City location is a nice size tasting room and patio. Pouring some complex and balanced blends. I always enjoy their Strata and Mad Crush.
Sans Liege Wines – Winemaker Curt Schalchlin says he, “trusts an intuition of the microcosms of each vineyard site and vine to guide his work through each vintage.” His fruit is from Paso Robles to Solvang. His Groundwork Grenache, Mouvedre and The Offering bring out great character.
The Fableist – Is a collaboration between Curt Schalchlin of Sans Liege and Andrew Jones of Field Recording. Each bottle has a unique character from Aesop’s Fables. I first visited in their second location on the wine trail in Templeton. A cute house where you can sit on the patio or inside in one of the rooms. I enjoyed my tasting next to the fireplace with an axe above the mantle. I left purchasing several bottles of wine. I still need to make a stop at their Tin City location.
Top Winery – Is hidden away in Tin City. We were told about Top by a couple of other wineries. Even with directions it was hard to find. But worth the search. It’s appointment only and probably not on the map. Go to the website to make a reservation. Stanley Barrios the winemaker and owner create his wine from Rhone varietals from the Paso Robles area. A little high priced but worth the taste.
Tin Canteen – While visiting Tin City if you are looking for lunch or dinner check out Tin Canteen. It’s located as you come in on the right side. The menu usually includes salads, sandwiches, pizza and pasta. Looking for a huge hamburger? Give this one a try, they kept coming out of the kitchen to a table. I had a fantastic pasta dish. My understanding is the pasta is purchase next door at Etto Pastifico. At Etto you can purchase fresh or dried pasta along with other Italian items.
Take a chance, get off the wine trail and see what the Tin City walking wine trail has to offer.
Full List of Tin City Wineries and more:
