SLO LIFE Magazine Jun/Jul 2019

Tablas Creek Vineyards
9339 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles
This winery, also in the Adelaida area, is way out there. It’s a hidden
gem. It especially excites the farmer inside me. Sitting on the patio
I can hear sheep in the distance. A bee is pollinating a flower on the
ground near the rows of vines. Out in the distance is an rustic shed
that looks as if it were taken from an old farm in Italy. This is not
just a vineyard, it farms using biodynamic practices. They produce
outstanding grapes and give back to the land, feeding it, in a sense.
It takes a lot of work. The support system includes their sheep and
alpaca herd that till the ground with their feet and eat the nutrientsucking
weeds; their active bees and owl boxes that pollinate and
exterminate; as well as their integrated fruit trees in the vineyards
and composting practices.
It sounds very kumbaya, like a throwback from the ‘60s but the
proof is in the pudding. The wines are flavorful, yet have subtle
layers that just keep giving back to the taster. I sip on a glass of
2017 Picpoul Blanc ($30/bottle), an uncommon varietal. The flavors
remind me of the tropics with pineapple notes that would pair well
with coconut shrimp. Being here is like a mini vacation, yet only
about a half-hour from San Luis Obispo.
Filipponi Ranch
1850 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo
Have you seen a sweet little yellow house from Highway 101 as
you drive south from San Luis Obispo? This was the childhood
home of Herb Filipponi and his siblings. It was used by their
family as a dairy farm, to raise cattle, and now is the tasting room
for their winery. On the hillside is an image of a bell with a cross
inside made of rocks showcasing their brand that was used in
Switzerland by their ancestors.
I pulled up to this little gem of a place to meet Diane Filipponi
tidying up the tasting room. Her husband Herb was out mowing
the high grass. This is a special and rare winery to visit that
takes every family member to make it work. You feel welcomed
and at home as a result.
This oasis embraces you with a garden full of native plants and a
view of ancient oaks chasing up the hill. Shakespeare and Treasure
Island play on summer nights in the open air. Try the Filipponi
Rosé ($24/bottle) and drink in the fantastic strawberry flavor. What
a great little getaway to enjoy with friends, with a view that we are
so lucky to have in this lovely part of the world. SLO LIFE
90 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | JUN/JUL 2019