With this podcast you can join me on a trip to the Hospice du Rhone event. It’s not a typical wine tasting. The Côtes-du-Rhône region in France features a great number of delicioius wine varieties. Twenty two of them were featured, and 125 wine producers from California, Oregon, Washington, and France were on-hand sharing their versions. The orginization’s slogan is “Twenty-two Varieties. One Vision.”

I spoke with General Manager and family member Jason Haas from Paso Robles’ Rhone winemaking pioneer Tablas Creek Vineyard. The co-Founder Robert Haas had the foresight to partner with Rhone Valley producer Château de Beaucastel.

Just off the Paso square I met up with winery owner Ted Ross of Hayseed and Housdon. I liked his wines, especially the La Macha Spanish blend, and Warrior. When you listen to the podcast and you’ll be impressed with his charitable generosity.

I also visited with Elena Barrios, who with her winemaking husband Stanley, are gaining attention with their outstanding Rhone varietal blends at Top Winery.

In conclusion, if you like Grenache, Syrah and Viognier but haven’t tried Picpoul Blanc or Bourboulenc, you’ll want to join the fun next year. Otherwise, visit Pas Robles for their own style of popular and rare varietals. Listen to the podcast and get inspired!

 

Tablas Creek

Hospice du Rhône

With Jason Haas at the event

The distance to their French partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The large neutral oak French barrels behind glass in the tasting room

Hayseed and Housdon

Hospice du Rhône

Ted Ross with 3 of his wines that benefit charity partners

The back half of the tasting room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The building of Heyseed with versatile garage door

Top Winery

Hospice du Rhône

Sharing a taste with Elena

The clever labels of Top’s wine blends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hospice du Rhône

My wife Meredith with a majority of the tasting room behind her