Harvest Is Coming! Here Are Paso's Best Harvest Events

Hate to break it to you, but summer is nearing its end. We’re a little misty-eyed thinking about it too, but there is one good thing to look forward to: harvest season. Over the next few weeks, the colors of the vines will change, the air will feel crisper and Paso Harvest Wine Weekend will be right around the corner.

The 3-day celebration, held from October 20 - 22, 2017, marks the culmination of a successful growing season, and it’s an exciting time for winemakers and wine drinkers alike. This is the perfect time for you to come out, enjoy the event, and get in those group wine tours, in one of our luxurious limos.

Our wine tours are amazing, but Harvest Wine Weekend takes it to another level! With 100+ events to choose from, you’ve got your work cut out for you. That’s why we’re sharing six picks for the best Paso harvest events.

1.  Harvest Dinner & Grape Stomp Opolo Vineyards

October 20 - 21 | 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Full disclosure: this event sells out every year. Opolo Vineyards is one of our favorite Paso wineries because they never disappoint. This year’s harvest is no different! Sip on Opolo’s out-of-this-world wine as you spend the evening stomping grapes and dancing to live folk music. You’ll certainly work up an appetite for Opolo’s menu, including whole roasted lamb, chicken and sarma.

Tickets for Opolo Vineyards’ Harvest Dinner & Grape Stomp are $100 for members and $120 for non-members. Click here to learn more.

2.  Harvest Fest BBQ Dinner & Dancing Eberle Winery

October 20 - 21, 2017 | Hours vary

Sure, we all know how well wine pairs with cheese. But have you ever considered barbecue? It’s rather fitting, given the German surname “Eberle” translates to “small boar.” This event totally encapsulates what Paso is all about.

Owners Gary and Marcy Eberle will join forces with their friends at The Rib Line, a beloved barbecue joint in SLO. This year’s menu will feature grilled tri-tip, fall-off-the-bone ribs and duck sausage complete with all the fixings: mac and cheese, vegetables, salad, melt-in-your-mouth garlic bread and, to top it off, triple berry cobbler with fresh whipped cream.

It’s a hearty menu. Luckily, you won’t get a chance to slip into a food coma because the Eberle’s are also providing live music on Friday, October 20 courtesy of Julie and the Bad Dogs. You’ll definitely work off all that barbecue (and booze) as you dance the night away under the stars.

The fun continues on Saturday, October 21 with another full day of BBQ and live music, both of which are totally complimentary.

Tickets for Eberle Winery’s Harvest Fest BBQ Dinner on Friday, October 20 are $60 for Cellar Club members and $75 for non-members. Click here for more information.

3.  Tobin James Crush Tobin James Cellars

October 20 - 22 | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Reap the rewards of another prosperous harvest season with the team at Tobin James Cellars. They’ve been busy harvesting, crushing and fermenting, and they’re celebrating with a weekend of tastings. Plus, guests are also invited to taste Tobin James’ rare reserve wines. Their grotto is the perfect place to chill out, drink great wine and have a bite to eat.

Tobin James Cellars’ harvest weekend events are complimentary. Click here to learn more.

4.  Halter Ranch Harvest Halter Ranch

October 20 - 22 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy tastings of Halter Ranch’s award-winning rosé, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and Côtes de Paso blend at the winery’s harvest weekend events. Guests will also get to nosh on barbecue provided by Stein’s BBQ, a Paso favorite.

Plus, guests can also take a complimentary tour through their state-of-the-art winery and wine caves. That’s right: caves. Halter Ranch boasts 20,000 square feet of wine storage caves. Thanks to the hillside’s limestone, the cave is kept at a cool 55 degrees Fahrenheit with just the right amount of humidity for wine storage.

Tastings are $10 or complimentary for Wine Club members. Click here to learn more.

5.  Harvest Festival @ Calcareous Calcareous Vineyards

October 20 - 22 | Hours vary

Calcareous Vineyards is one of our favorite vineyards in Paso, and for harvest season, they’re pulling out all the stops. Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21 mark their signature Harvest Festival events. They’ve partnered with Thomas Hill Organics, a Central Coast farm-to-table restaurant, to provide a menu of fresh, locally-sourced lunch options available from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Wine tastings will be offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are $15 per person and complimentary for Wine Club members.

On Saturday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m., Calcareous will host a Harvest Hoedown Winemaker Dinner. Guests will sit down with Calcareous’ resident winemaker Jason Joyce for a three-course dinner showcasing Paso cuisine and, of course, Calcareous wines. Tickets for the dinner are $115 for non-members and $95 for Wine Club members. Seating is limited, so reservations are required. Click here for ticket information.

The weekend wraps up with the Calcareous Harvest Games on Sunday, October 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The games will be hosted by winemaker Jason Joyce and other members of the Calcareous team. Guests will also get to enjoy live music by singer-songwriter Chris Beland.

Wine tastings are $15 per person and complimentary for Wine Club members.

6.  Harvest Festival Dinner at JUSTIN JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery October 20 & 21| 6 p.m.

If you want to be totally wowed this harvest, you might want to consider grabbing tickets to JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery’s special wine pairing dinner.

Helmed by The Restaurant at JUSTIN Executive Chef Will Torres, the evening will consist of a 30 minute reception with passed hors d'oeuvres followed by a four-course dinner. JUSTIN wine is to be expected, including their award-winning ISOSCELES flagship blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot, a JUSTIN mainstay for 30 years.

General admission is $200 and $160 for Wine Society and ISOSCELES Reserve Members.

Click here for ticket information.

Please note that there is no marquee ticketed event for Paso’s Harvest Wine Weekend. Costs vary by winery.

Just a friendly reminder: Paso Harvest is kind of a big deal, so if any of these events have piqued your interest, we recommend booking your tickets as soon as possible. You don’t want to miss out.

HAPPY HARVEST!