Where To Eat And Drink In Paso Robles Wine Country

When heading out to scenic Central Coast wine country, it's hard to go wrong. But when it comes to having the best possible dining and drinking experiences, having an inside man is always a solid plan. And if anyone knows how to eat and drink your way through Paso Robles, it's Brenden Wood, Assistant Winemaker at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. From fab farmers' markets to winemaker hangouts and California accented tasting menus, here's an insider's guide to Paso Robles.

Just over two years old, this wood-fired fare and spirits specialist has quickly become a regular gathering place with local winemakers. A roster of daily specials skews towards comfort fare with plates like prime rib, leg of lamb and buttermilk fried chicken, while elsewhere in the menu you'll find pimento cheese and creamed corn spiked with Anaheim chiles. Cocktails stretch from classic to crafty, all made with top notch bottles. The wine menu here is draft only with four locally sourced reds. All corkage fees are waived on bottles brought in from downtown Paso tasting rooms. 835 13th Street, Paso Robles, CA; 805-221-5727; hatchpasorobles.com

It might sound like a dream job for many but working with the fruits of the vine all day has a tendency to lead to some palate fatigue, or in the case of Wood, at least an occasional craving for a couple of cold ones. Husband and wife team Chuck and MJ Siva infuse their small batch brews with a taste of Paso Robles, whether it's in their Walnut Milk Stout or a Ginger Saison brightened with a bit of Fresno chile juice. The spacious tasting room is open from Wednesday to Sunday for on-site flights, or can and growlers filled to go. 525 Pine Street, Suite B, Paso Robles, CA; 805-369-2337; silvabrewing.com

Carving a place for themselves in a handcrafted barn overlooking acres of grapevines, this two man craft distilling team is all about embracing the taste of the place. Krobar's whiskey, bourbon and gin have all taken home medals in various spirits competition but the distillery's more out there offerings are where things get interesting. A pink gin brewed with lavender, strawberry and black pepper takes a rosy hue from a month of aging in red wine barrels. And Lit, a California born aperitif is made with local white wine steeped with the essences of bitter orange, elderflower and gentian root. 2174 CA-46, Paso Robles, CA; 805-467-9463; krobardistillery.com

A post shared by Bistro Laurent (@bistrolaurent) on Jun 29, 2016 at 5:57pm PDT

France and California converge at this 20-year old favorite that brings together old country technique with locally sourced produce. A la carte dining is available for lunch and dinner but the best way to experience this wine country classic is through a six-course tasting matched with both French and California pours. For those who long for a taste of Bistro Laurent after departing Paso, sign up for a members only wine club that ships bottles and recipes to your home on a quarterly basis. 1202 Pine St., Paso Robles, CA; 805-226-8191; bistrolaurent.com

When Wood isn't perfecting the latest vintage of Los Osos Merlot, he's a venturing out and getting a taste of what his neighboring vintners have been up to. Valuing quality and concentration over quantity, the winemakers at ONX focus on Bordeaux and Rhone-style blends, allowing unique aspects of both terroir and vintage to shine through. Tastings are available at their Tin City location where guests can snack, stroll and sip their way through current vintages. 2910 Limestone Way, Paso Robles, CA; onxwine.com

Every Saturday morning the perimeter of a community park is lined with vendors setting up tables heavy with stunning local produce, freshly baked breads and pastries, cured meats, candies, and of course, loads of local wine. This year round, community hub fills up fast with locals and visitors alike, buzzing from stall to stall to the soundtrack of local musicians. 200 6th St., Templeton, CA, templetonguide.com

Presented by J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines