PASO ROBLES

El Paso de Robles, Spanish for the Pass of Oaks, is nestled in the rolling hills of California’s Central Coast in the Salinas River Valley, about 200 miles from both San Francisco and Los Angeles. A diverse region that combines a sense of the Old West with a forward-thinking approach, it is the ideal place for Shimmin Canyon Vineyard.

Winegrapes first came to the region in 1797 with the Franciscan missionaries who founded the Mission San Miguel Arcangel. Father Junipero Serra planted more than a thousand vines and priests produced sacramental wine and brandy to export. Today, Paso Robles is California’s fastest growing wine region, as well as the largest geographic appellation. There are currently over 26,000 acres planted to grapevines, and more than 100 wineries in the area.

The Paso Robles climate is largely influenced by its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean; the coastline is only six miles from the western boundary of the AVA. Grapevines here benefit from greater day-to-night temperature swings than in any other California appellation, contributing to high levels of color and flavor concentration. The long growing season allows grapes to hang on the vine for a few weeks longer than in other regions, giving them ample time to develop complexity and reach optimum ripeness at harvest. In all, Paso Robles provides excellent conditions to produce ultra-premium winegrapes.