Anyone who writes a bad review on here did not get to try his wine. You have to call him first. This is not about the tasting room experience, though we thought it was amazing because he has lions and bears and other beautiful animals he hunted around the world. He's been doing this for a long time and he doesn't need to impress anybody because his wines speak for themselves. If you are lucky enough to catch him you should go there and try his wine. Hundred points - gold medals - blue ribbons. This guy is the real deal and he is such a neat person to talk to. You can learn about his passion for winemaking and the patience he exercised throughout his winemaking journey - and it was all about finding the best grapes and making the best wines - not about pleasing passers through who want the posh wine tasting experience. We make sure we call Michael each time we are in town, and we are truly thankful each time his doors are open to us. read more

We had an 11 am reservation. Drove five miles up a mountainous two lane winding road to the gate. Got there a bit early, 10:45. Gate closed, no one answered call box (figured we could hang out outside--looked beautiful). No one answered. No cell service either. 11 am came. Didn't open. No one answered call box. 11:05 still no one. We left. How absolutely unprofessional, especially since we had a reservation. read more

They're no longer open. Their website says that they have wine tasting days and times, and everything looks up-to-date, but you drive over there and they're always closed, along with they won't return your calls. read more

Great wine, beware of the taxidermy if that's not your thing. If you are there for the wine it is in out top 3 for Paso

Let me just say there is one word to describe this winery...AMAZING! The wine was some of the best we had our entire Paso Robles trip. The host/owner was gracious, generous, and kind with us. He not only took us through our wine tasting but also offered us wine that was off the menu. A true great host, he even served us and gave us his secret garlic bread recipe! 10/10 would recommend! read more

I've been here two times already. First time was a year ago and this weekend was the 2nd time. Both times i had a great pleasure being there! Very nice ambiance, friendly owner and the best wine i've tried so far! I liked every wine from the tasting list, but Syrah is my all times favorite! This wine is amazing! Very deep and full body! I will come back here soon again! read more

This is a great winery. Loved the tasting and the views. What a great experience. Bought a couple of bottles to-go, as it was really good. I think I'll join the wine club too. read more

Not exactly my choice for decor but wines are great! Wanted to visit the place after reading about wines in multiple review sites like Wine Enthusiast and Vivino. When we arrived the lot was empty which sorta surprised me but after reading the reviews here it made me understand. The decor in the tasting room is a little bit different then what I would have liked to see but to each their own. The wine flight includes both whites and reds but I have to say that I was much more impressed with the reds. In the area this was probably the first Tempranillo that we actually enjoyed drinking, it wasn't acidic like most places and had nice body and nose, but what most impressed us was their Syrah. I think it was Big Rock Syrah rather than the Tuxedo, which they consider their flagship wine. Alicante Bouchet and Zinfandel were good but not exactly impressive. The Vermentino (first time I've heard of this grape) was actually a nice addition and seems to be a light Aligote style grape for summer aperitif but I think that it needs a little more nose though I don't know if it could be achieved. read more

By far some of the best Tempranillo in the area: Bold, ripe, fruity, and jammy. Mmmmm. We also tried an Alicante Bouchet--rich, soft, and ready to drink! On the white side, their Vermentino was absolutely true to style. This place boasts 'big' syrahs that take over your mouth. Certainly well made, but not my style. Syrahs are like Double India Pale Ales in the beer word. Very popular, but just too much for my sensitive little taste buds. I was impressed by the unique selection, especially since everything is estate grown. Bottle prices are a bit high, but consistent with other boutique wineries in the area. Mr. Gill, the owner, is a retired dentist with a vibrant pastime of safari travels. He told us about the "stuffed" critters displayed in the tasting room. Gill's taxidermy exhibit is as intricate and boldly stated as his wines. We traveled here on our motorcycles. There's plenty of shady parking only steps from the tasting room. But drive slow on Peachy Canyon Road. It's narrow, windy, and traveled by wine-buzzed tourists looking for winery entrances. We shared a bottle of Tempranillo and picnicked on the patio. What a peaceful afternoon! Don't miss out on this place. Great Tempranillo is hard to find. read more

Michael Gill Cellars - View from Michael Gill patio. Peaceful vine-studded landscape like all of the Paso area. - Wineries Near Me - Paso Robles, California

If you enjoy posting scathing reviews without trying the product, just to prove a point, this might be the winery for you. If you like quality wine made with TLC, especially French varietals, this is definitely your place to be. But seriously...yes there is plenty of taxidermy on site at this winery, so if that's not your cup of tea, then it's best to move on to another winery. The winery is off the beaten path, and thank goodness. Instead of having boatloads of tourists coming down trying to get drunk, those of you who taste wine to actually taste wine can have a good time without wading through a crowd. While the owner never once bragged about his animal collection, he did definitely tell us a lot about his wine and the region. He even suggested another winery down the road which was also excellent. I ended up buying a bottle of the Big Rock Syrah, which ended up being superb. The Viognier is definitely a good bottle as well. The Counoise and Bouchet were better than expected, and it turns out Tablas Creek isn't the only Paso winery that knows how to grow French varietals! Like I said, if you don't enjoy seeing dead animals, this isn't your place. But if you can look past that and want to enjoy some good wine, this is a must stop! read more

The combination of great wine and hospitality will bring me back here. What's not to love about this place! I really wasn't expecting to taste an Alicante Bouschet, but POW there it was. Amazing and unusual to taste as a single varietal. Also wasn't expecting a Vermentino that had a perfect balance of fruit, acidity and body. Loved this and purchased some. Also tried a Counoise which was spectacular. We purchased a bottle and drank it right there. On the patio, not in the tasting room, and there were 4 of us, so. . . Friendly staff was very attentive to our small group, interested in our reactions to the wine and genuinely trying to make our visit a memorable one, which it was. We will be back to dig deeper into their catalog and see what other surprises are in store for us. read more

We had a fantastic time and Michael has a great selection of award winning lines. Lucky enough to be able to taste a few off menu and even thief a few sips out of some barrels. Thanks so much for the excellent time Michael we look forward to returning soon. Fight on! read more

This was our favorite winery of our girls weekend getaway! The wine tasting was well priced, delicious and above all Michael was an absolute gem. He made our trip! We did not need to make a reservation. We were driving by and saw it and decided to check it out. We were certainly glad we did! read more

What a hidden gem. By far some of the best wine I have had in paso. Having Michael Gill pour wine and talk about his unique varieties was such a pleasure and unique experience. This winery was by far the highlight of our trip. We will be back!! read more

Fun and chill atmosphere with very knowledgeable and friendly staff. Wines are great, big reds here. Pups were the icing on the cake! read more

Michael Gill Cellars - Wineries Near Me - Paso Robles, California

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I had a great time tasting here this last Sunday. We met Michael Gill and his wife and got a nice tour of their property and cellar room. The wines were great. My favorite is the Syrah. They also have a vacation rental on the hill overlooking the winery. Their two dogs were very nice. Michael has a number of trophy animals at the tasting room, including a magnificent polar bear. Our kids were welcomed and played around the property. read more

Michael Gill Cellars - Wineries Near Me - Paso Robles, California

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Wine tasting with Shelly was a blast! The wines are delicious and it's worth finding this hidden gem. The animal crackers were a welcome surprise and a bit ironic given the decor. Overall I would highly recommend you stop by & say hi to Shelly & Bella! read more

Michael Gill Cellars - #royalphoto - Wineries Near Me - Paso Robles, California

Amazing time with an amazing owner! Very welcoming!! Always a great time. Wines are fabulous . The Syrah is a must try. The temporaino is also amazing. read more

Michael Gill Cellars - Wineries Near Me - Paso Robles, California

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There is a reason Michael Gill Cellars wins some many awards. The wines are a refreshing delight to find in Paso Robles.

So much fun we had. We were a bit surprised with all the taxidermy However it's part of the story and the wine was superb. Dana was wonderful & she did a great job of handling our large group.Even though it was in the 40's outside we really enjoyed the patio while we had a picnic The view was beautiful We will revisit for sure read more

For those seeking great wine off the beaten path, this place is the hidden jewel of Paso Robles. The wine is truly remarkable, Shelly & Michael are gracious and kind hosts, and the setting is.... --- well, it's the kind of place where you wish you could simply soak in the ambiance for a long, long time. I look forward to our return there. (As for the ignorant, hate-filled comments left by those who do not understand the nature of hunting...well, haters hate. Welcome to the "open minded" liberals of California....) read more

Amazing Wines.We are in Paso Robles every six weeks or so and this Winery did not Disappoint. Amazing Reds .We will definitely be back.Wonderful company of our wine host Dr.Gill himself. Thank you for our experience!!! read more

I am blown away by the quality of this wine. By far the BEST I have found in the Central Coast. I am also a member of Daou but this wine is the primo place f the area. Please stop by and say hello and tell them Melissa sent you! read more

If you look at the other ratings, the only low rating are not from the quality of the wine. They are from people who do not agree with hunting and do not understand how conservation works. The tasting room has some taxidermy from hunts the winemaker has been on, if that offends you enough to not enjoy some great wine, I would not make the trip. The wine is great and the winemaker is a great guy to speak with, very friendly. I will for sure be coming back. read more

Amazing collection of unique wines in varieties I hadn't even heard of before! While the taxidermy isn't my personal cup of tea, I came for the wine and was not disappointed. read more

So funny to read all of the 'tolerant' people who downvote the wine because they disagree with the politics of the winemaker. The intolerance of the tolerant. The Viognier is fantastic. The Tempranillo is the best I've ever had. Can't wait to enjoy more with my upcoming thanksgiving turkey (one that was probably grown en masse! (Gasp!)) If any of you snowflakes knew about how big game hunting is conducted, or ever seen what animal overpopulation results in, you'd know that this isn't some guy just out shooting California condors and spotted owls. Quit being the people you say you despise, which is intolerant, ignorant elitists. Rate the wine. Enjoy it. It's the whole reason you went to the region. It's what the voting system is about. If you don't like the trophies, don't give him your money. But quit being little snowflakes. Your behavior is why Trump is in office. It's fun to watch. You're really portraying yourself as a slinky. You're not really good for much but it sure brings a smile when you get pushed down the stairs!LOL read more

This place has my favorite wines I've ever tasted. Michael Gill Cellars is loaded with character and when you walk in to the tasting room you know you're in for something different. They care about making truly outstanding wines. Everything here is remarkable; you will not find a boring product at Michael Gill and I get so excited to visit this place every time we visit the central coast. Keep the good stuff coming guys, see you next time! read more

This place was nauseating. Dead animals hanging everywhere, killed merely for pleasure. The owners brag about their collection as if I should be impressed by the display. Try educating yourselves about endangered animals. You might also want to consider sharing the planet with the beautiful creatures you so mercilessly kill. I can't review the wine because I was not going to give this winery one penny. Although I did end up giving them my two cents. read more

The wine and Mr/Ms. Gill were less than impressive! They clearly lack simple compassion for life It's tough to enjoy wine when they have endangered species displayed for you as trophies. Add to the arrogance, the bragging and justification of why they kill for sport. Once you've heard enough, you get to hear about all the amazing wines they have and how only the winners make it to the wine tasting list. Frankly, not worth the ten bucks. So many great wines in the region, it's easy to find better. Don't waste your time. read more

First of all, I thought the wines fairly decent - so I've been fair. Beyond that, the tasting room is a disgusting tribute to egomania and environmental insensitivity. What possesses someone to pridefully display beautiful, endangered animals, killed only for sport and show? Can we be so out of touch that we believe this is attractive to the general public? I suppose all the ivory elephant tusks and rhino horns were probably kept in back room. If you like Ted Nugent, this place is for you...however if you have a conscience for our planet, please vote with your wallet - this place is a stain on my favorite part of California. read more

Just no. Don't waste your time.Who the hell kills a polar bear and shows it off in a tasting room. The cruelty that was put upon these animals was cast upon me to taste these wines. Terrible quality, don't trust the "Gold Star at the Indianapolis State Fair" sign. Just an awful experience, save yourself please. read more

This is not a review on the wine; this is a review on the tasting room. I did not have the opportunity to taste the wine due to the fact that I became nauseous upon entering the place. Dead animals, some endangered, grace the room. A polar bear... a wolf, an elk... and a zebra rug. I mean a polar bear? Seriously, this is the biggest f. you to anyone that has ever watched Animal Planet. This place definitely knows it's audience: liberals need not apply. You can also expect a lesson on the ignorant "Bay Areans" and "greens" when you walk in. I know this is Paso Robles (Cen Cal) but it's still California... Michael Gill should not be surprised he can't get above 3 stars on yelp when he has A DEAD POLAR BEAR IN HIS TASTING ROOM... A DEAD POLAR BEAR... Some people have no shame. read more

The wines here were good enough, but relatively expensive. Even if they were amazing, the real problem was the dead polar bear in the tasting room that had been shot by the owner. Isn't that illegal in some way? Luckily the owner's wife informed us "that's just what the 'greens' would have you believe." Nowadays it's much more fair because you "can't shoot them from a moving vehicle anymore." This was in addition to at least 15 other dead animals as well as many other "trophies" at their house. Even if we loved the wine, we could not bring ourselves to support the habit of hunting exotic and near-extinct animals for sport. read more

Their wine is amazing! Especially if you like complex reds. The view is beautiful and they have a nice patio. The owners are very friendly and take the time to talk with you. They clearly care about producing the best wine possible and taking care of their customers. My children really enjoyed looking at all the animals (they were careful not to touch) and they liked playing with the dog too. It is definitely worth the drive! read more

The same day we were to return home, we decided to go back to buy more Michael Gill wine. That's how much we "love" it. During our five day stay in Paso Robles we had a chance to visit several great wineries. One of the best was Michael Gill Cellars. We have another winery that shares our "love" for their wine, and we did not think we were going to find another wine we love as much. However we did and it is Michael Gill Cellars. All the M.G.C. wines are well crafted and worth the money. I recommend everyone that like fine and well made wines to visit and have a tasting. You will be happy you did. read more

Great wine. Owner is a hoot. A little character in life is never a bad thing. And his wife makes a killer Texas sheet cake. If you like great wine, a must. If you like to whine......perhaps go find a tree to hug. This will not be your choice. read more

This is one of the most exciting tasting rooms I have ever been to. Its not to often you get to experience world class big games animals, in a beautiful central coast location. Walking in to this wineries you cant help but notice the massive polar bear, and a collection of animals you would never see unless you visit. On top of the wild game they have amazing wines, with grapes grown right on the property. This is on my Best Wineries in Paso Robles list for a reason. Stop By and say Sherry and Dr. Gill next time your out wine tasting. read more

I am AMAZED at all of the 1 star ratings...does anyone know how many gold medals this winery has turned out? Their wines are AMAZING! I can't believe all the negative comments about the "atmosphere"! It is a beautiful winery with the best owners (who are hard working, hands-on owners). They are gracious, warm , welcoming and very knowledgable about their wines and will answer any questions how they are produced and harvested. Too bad for all my of those who just don't "get it" and try to bash this FIRST CLASS winery! This is one winery not to miss on your visit to the central coast. read more

classy place with high class wines. It was great having the ability to see some animals up close that you only normally see on the animal planet. WOW! read more

The owners work very hard to insure that every single person that walks into their tasting room knows that the wine they are about to taste is 100% above satisfactory. The owners are kind and friendly and even though they have animal decor on their walls it shouldn't matter because their wine is the ones to of won all of the gold metals for.This place was truly a great experience! read more