Where Wine Takes You - A Paso Wine Podcast

🍇 WHERE WINE TAKES YOU – EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 🍷 In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam hangs with three guests who are helping shape the next wave of Paso Robles wine culture, not just through the wines they make, but through the new spaces and experiences they’re building. First up is Juan M. Contreras, owner and winemaker of V1NO JUAN, whose story might be one of the purest Paso stories out there. Juan came to the United States from Mexico in the early ‘90s, started working in the vineyards, moved into the cellar at Robert Hall, and spent more than two decades learning every side of the business before opening his own tasting room across from the downtown Paso park. Alongside his wife and kids, Juan is now crafting bold Paso reds, rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and Bordeaux blends rooted in hard work, family, and legacy. Then there’s Kit Kuyper of Hawks Hill Ranch, farming some wildly diverse and rugged terrain in the Adelaida District. Massive elevation swings, Rhône varietals, grower-first philosophy, and guidance from winemaker Don Burns of Turtle Rock Vineyard all come together in a project focused on expressing Paso in its own authentic voice. Kit also shares stories about balancing wine life between Paso, Chicago, and Portugal, plus a hilarious detour into bidet culture that absolutely stays in the episode. And returning to the show is James Boutzoukas of Boutz Cellars, who continues pushing the envelope with Greek varietals grown right here in Paso Robles. Inspired by generations of family winemaking traditions in Greece, James and his family are planting and producing wines from grapes like Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, and more, proving Paso’s versatility might be even broader than we thought. One of the coolest parts of this story? Kit and James now share a tasting room space together, a very Paso-style collaboration rooted in community over competition. Later in the show, Adam catches up with Jill Alexander from the Paso Market Walk in this episode’s Travel Paso Spotlight. From live music nights and outdoor patios to boutique shopping, incredible food, coffee, wine, and the ultra-modern Lofts at Market Walk, the conversation highlights why this growing hub has become one of the coolest gathering places in Paso Robles. 🍷 FEATURED GUESTS + LINKS • V1NO JUAN Official Website • @v1nojuan on Instagram • Hawks Hill Ranch Official Website • @hawkshillranch on Instagram • Boutz Cellars Official Website • @boutz_cellars on Instagram 🌴 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT • Paso Market Walk Official Website • @pasomarketwalk on Instagram 🎯 PLAN YOUR NEXT PASO GETAWAY TravelPaso.com PASO WINE WIRE THIS WEEK: 🍷 Le Vigne Winery Named U.S. Winery of the Year at the 2026 London Wine Competition The Paso Robles winery earned four gold medals, including honors for its Acquarello Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. 🔗 Paso Robles Daily News – Le Vigne Winery Wins Top Honors 🌎 Paso Robles Wine Month Launches Nationally Paso takes center stage nationwide with retail partnerships, AI wine pairing tools, restaurant activations, and travel giveaways aimed at introducing the next generation to Paso wine country. 🔗 WineBusiness – Paso Robles Wine Month Launches Nationally 🎉 Paso Wine Fest Weekend Is Here Paired Paso, the Grand Tasting, Sparkling Paso, and a full weekend of events are ready to take over wine country. 🔗 Paso Wine Fest Official Site 🎧 SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine-loving humans. 🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17 Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/paired-paso/ Sparkling Paso A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover. ©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.  

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode 156: Part 2: 20 Years of Torrin: From Helping Others to Holding His Own In this follow-up to our deep dive with Scott and Viquel Hawley of Torrin, Adam picks up right where we left off. More stories from 20 vintages of balance, grit, and staying true to their winemaking vision and their family. If you loved Part 1, this pour is even deeper. • Torrin Wines: torrinwines.com • IG: @torrinwines 🎯 Travel Paso Spotlight This week’s spotlight takes us to Willow Creek Distillery, located at Opolo Vineyards. Head Distiller Kevin Coulton joins Adam to talk about the art of small-batch spirits, how Opolo’s wines inspired the distillery’s unique approach, and what makes their Paso-grown ingredients so special. They also unveil their brand new gin — a fresh expression of Paso in a bottle. Plan your trip at travelpaso.com 📰 PASO WINE WIRE • Remembering Jake Beckett The Paso Robles wine community is mourning the sudden loss of Jake Beckett, beloved GM of Peachy Canyon Winery and son of founders Doug and Nancy Beckett. Jake was instrumental in running day-to-day operations while his brother Josh built out Thibido and Écluse. His passion, warmth, and leadership left a lasting mark on West Side Paso. 🔗 Family Statement • Paso Wine Fest 2026 — Locals Only Ticket Window Now Open San Luis Obispo County residents can lock in early-bird Grand Tasting tickets for just $99 through Feb. 28. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Paso or SLO Chamber of Commerce with a valid local ID. 🔗 PasoWine.com • Hope Family Wines Named Official Wine of Vina Robles Amphitheatre The 2026 concert season at Vina Robles will feature wines exclusively from the Austin Hope portfolio, including Treana, Liberty School, and more. Club members will enjoy early ticket access and special perks. 🔗 Read the story 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or cocktail) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.  

🍸 Where Wine Takes You – Episode 155: “A Spirited Start to 2026” 🥃 In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam kicks off the new year with a deep pour into Paso’s cocktail and distillery scene. He’s joined by Alex and Monica Villicana, founders of Re:Find Distillery, who pioneered Paso’s sustainable spirits movement using free-run wine juice, aka saignée, to create premium vodka, gin, and more. Also in the mix is Briana Heywood, head winemaker and distiller at Donati Family Vineyard, who brings her deep winemaking chops to both wine and spirits production. Together, they talk trends, challenges, and what it means to distill with purpose in a wine-first town. In the Paso Wine Wire, Adam recaps a rain-drenched but spirited New Year’s Eve celebration in Downtown Paso, where he emceed under the stars and met amazing fans of the show (shout out to Angie & Eric from San Jose and Kim & Brett from Redondo Beach). He also pays tribute to the legendary Norma Moye, who recently passed away at 92 and leaves behind an unmatched legacy of civic love and downtown revitalization. Plus, big changes at Villa San Juliette Winery, where the celeb ownership era ends and a new chapter begins with Continental Vineyards. This episode’s Travel Paso Spotlight features two of Paso’s coolest hidden gems: the candlelit speakeasy 1122, recently named one of the world’s best, and The Remedy, a tucked-away cocktail bar inside The Alchemists’ Garden. Adam shares a special recorded convo with Tony Bennett, co-owner of The Remedy, about creating intimate cocktail experiences with soul. • Re:Find Distillery: refinddistillery.com • IG: @refinddistillery • Donati Family Vineyard: donatifamilyvineyard.com • Donati Spirits: donatispirits.com • IG: @donatifamilyvineyard 🎯 Travel Paso Spotlight • The Remedy: theremedyca.com • The Alchemists’ Garden: alchemistsgarden.com • 1122 Speakeasy: eleven-twentytwo.com • Plan your trip: travelpaso.com 📰 PASO WINE WIRE • Paso Rings in 2026 Downtown — Rain, live music, and major vibes 🔗 Event Recap • Norma Moye Remembered — Civic matriarch, downtown champion 🔗 Tribute Story • Villa San Juliette Winery Sold — Celebrity era ends, new vision begins 🔗 Ownership Change 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or cocktail) lover. 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

  🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam sits down with two winemakers that have stepped into new chapters: Aaron Hunt of Shadow Run Vineyards and Michael Barretto of Oso Libre Winery. The conversation uncorks harvest reflections, the transition from family stewardship to full ownership, and what it means to go from the cellar to the boardroom. Aaron shares how taking over Shadow Run has reshaped his vision, while Michael opens up about becoming a partner at Oso Libre after years of hands-on hustle. Later, we spotlight Allegretto Vineyard Resort and their upcoming 12 Days of Festive Celebration, a magical holiday experience wrapped in wine country luxury. GUEST LINKS • Shadow Run Vineyards: shadowrunvineyards.com • IG: @shadowrunvineyards • Oso Libre Winery: osolibre.com • IG: @osolibrewinery TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT • Allegretto Vineyard Resort: allegrettovineyardresort.com • IG: @allegrettoresort PASO WINE WIRE SOURCES • Thomas Hill Organics / Chef Mike Espy: GoFundMe – Support the Espy Family • Wine Country Christmas Market (Dec 7 @ McPrice Myers): Event Info • Caliza Winery’s New Location: Paso Robles Daily News 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel 📱 Download the free Paso Wine App — your ultimate guide to wine country. For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine Follow Adam on IG → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.  

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 This week on Where Wine Takes You, we’re exploring what happens when world-class wine meets next-level hospitality. Because in Paso Robles, where you lay your head after that last pour can shape the entire experience. Joining Adam are the dream team from SummerWood Winery & Inn: Winemaker Mauricio Marchant, Tasting Room & Wine Club Manager Margaret Shirley, and Inn Manager Angie Vazquez – alongside Maggie Tillman of Alta Colina Winery and the one-of-a-kind Trailer Pond glamping experience. This episode is a deep dive into how you sip and how you feel hospitality, and why the full wine country experience is worth getting right. It’s wine-story, and soulful-stay… straight from the source. 🍷 This episode features: Mauricio Marchant, Winemaker, SummerWood Winery • Margaret Shirley, Tasting Room & Wine Club Manager, SummerWood • Angie Vazquez, Inn Manager, SummerWood Inn • Maggie Tillman, HBIC, Alta Colina Winery & The Trailer Pond 🔗 Links SummerWood Winery & Inn • Alta Colina Winery • The Trailer Pond • Paso Robles Vacation Rentals – PasoStay • TravelPaso.com 📲 Follow on Instagram @summerwoodwinery • @altacolina • @thetrailerpond • @pasoroblesvacationrentals • @travelpaso 🧭 Travel Paso Spotlight Later in the episode, we spotlight Paso Robles Vacation Rentals, aka PasoStay.com, a locally owned service helping visitors book thoughtfully curated stays throughout Paso, from vineyard estates to charming downtown hideaways. Adam chats with Sandy Oneal about how the right place to stay can transform your trip. Originally founded by Kathy Bonelli with just a handful of properties over 20 years ago, Paso Robles Vacation Rentals now features more than 100 unique homes. The team partners with local property owners and works closely with community leaders and task forces to support the evolving landscape of vacation rentals in the region. 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine and travel junkies. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel 📱 Download the free Paso Wine App 🔗 PasoWine.com 📸 Follow: @PasoWine, @AdamOnTheAir 🎙 Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up+Adam and The Pour 💻 Connect or reach out at AdamMontiel.com – Learn about Adam’s Breaking & Entering Christmas 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective ©2025 Where Wine Takes You. All Rights Reserved.  

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 Two Paso originals, zero gimmicks. This week Adam sits down with Marc Caparone of Caparone Winery (owner/winemaker, founded 1979) and Roger Nicolas of RN Estate (owner/winemaker, launched 2000) to talk patience, classic craft, and why less can taste like more. We dig into moderate alcohols, neutral oak, and Italian/Bordeaux varieties that age into real conversations. Plus, a Travel Paso Spotlight on the Garagiste Wine Festival turning 15. Recorded at Timbre LoBro Studios, this episode features: • Marc Caparone — Owner/Winemaker, Caparone Winery • Roger Nicolas — Owner/Winemaker, RN Estate Vineyard & Winery We explore Caparone’s father-and-son “simple winery, complex wines” ethos and their pioneering work with Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Aglianico. Then we head to RN Estate’s hilltop lens on Paso: Bordeaux-inspired reds, finesse-first blending, and SRH Pinot Noir when the coast calls. If you’re chasing origin stories in the glass, start here. Paso Wine Wire Dream Big Darling opens 2026 FLOurish leadership track — six months of coaching, peer mentoring, and skill-building → https://dreambigdarling.org/flourish • Cambria Hotel Templeton–Paso Robles is now open at 1000 Las Tablas Rd, Templeton → https://www.choicehotels.com/cambria • National love for locals: Yes Cocktail Co. named #1 Best Craft Mixer Brand in USA TODAY 10Best; Allegretto Vineyard Resort ranked #3 Best Wine Country Hotel → https://www.yescocktailco.com • https://www.allegrettovineyardresort.com Travel Paso Spotlight We check in with Stewart McLennan, co-founder of the Garagiste Wine Festival, celebrating 15 years of discovery in Paso — small-lot producers, first-name energy, and the best place to stumble into your new favorite label. • Festival info & schedule → https://www.garagistefestival.com/paso-robles • Plan your trip → https://travelpaso.com 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at TravelPaso.com Links & Follow Wineries • Cparone Winery (est. 1979) → https://www.caparone.com • RN Estate Vineyard & Winery (est. 2000) → https://www.rnestate.com 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at TravelPaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel 📱 Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country. For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 This week we go inside the new life breathed into Paso’s ‘first castle on the right’, the newest hospitality power duo: Fortress Custom Crush (production, collaboration, small-lot craft) and The Anderson Paso (flexible hospitality and events next door). I’m joined by Jeremy Leffert (Fortress), Azurae Shults (The Anderson Paso), and Jeff Kandarian of Serial Wines to talk about harvest 2025, how resident winemakers sharpen each other, and all what we can expect when all the curtains are pulled back. We taste through Serial’s current lineup and dig into the drawbridge between craft and collaboration. Paso Wine Wire Linne Calodo stays “all in on Zin,” highlighting heritage sites and Willow Creek spice with 2023 releases Problem Child and Cherry Red. → linnecalodo.com Booker achieves CCOF organic certification in the winery, completing vine-to-bottle organic status. → Read: Paso Robles Daily News • Visit: bookerwines.com Robb Report spotlights Libretto as a downtown Paso jazz magnet built around a rare 2012 Steinway Model D. → Read: Robb Report • Visit: librettopaso.com Travel Paso Spotlight We’re shining the light on the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, November 6–9, 2025, a multi-day celebration of music and legacy. Build your weekend around the concerts, the wine, and the vibe. • Learn more: paderewskifest.com • Plan your trip: TravelPaso.com Special Mini-Segment A quick recognition of our partnership with Strauss, including a short chat with Henning Strauss on why supporting local storytelling matters to makers and travelers alike. 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at TravelPaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country. For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! Thank you. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.  

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 This week we’re celebrating a Paso institution: Opolo Vineyards. Co-founder Rick Quinn joins me for a one-on-one conversation about 25 years of Opolo, how Paso has grown alongside them, and the historic debut of Vranac — a Balkan grape now officially recognized and bottled in the U.S. for the first time. We also check in with the latest Paso Wine Wire headlines, and in our Travel Paso Spotlight we turn the love toward Thomas Hill Organics, a restaurant and community hub that needs our support right now. Paso Wine Wire Paso Robles Wine Country Virtual Auction is live Sept. 15–20, with proceeds funding local student scholarships. Join the auction Alterra Solutions rebrands and expands: Kevin Wilkinson’s vineyard management firm takes on a new name and new horizons. Read more ONX Wines launches Sunprint, their first mentorship-driven chillable red. Learn more Travel Paso Spotlight This week we shine the light on Thomas Hill Organics, owned by Chefs Lisa and Mike. Mike is in the fight of his life against cancer, and Lisa is back in the kitchen while still holding everything together. Paso takes care of its own, so if you know them, love them, or just love good food, please show them support with a visit, a kind message, or by sharing their story. Visit Thomas Hill Organics Links + Resources Opolo Vineyards Paso Wine Virtual Auction Thomas Hill Organics   🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at TravelPaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine lover. Where Wine Takes You is Executive Produced by Joel Peterson and Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country.   For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine. Follow Adam on Instagram → @AdamOnTheAir Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily podcast) and The Pour (wine, spirits, brews, lifestyle) Learn more, reach out, or connect at AdamMontiel.com 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective If you love Where Wine Takes You, subscribe, leave a review, and share it! Thank you. ©2025 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.