What a find this is. I am not a big fan of Paso Robles area in general. There is some good wine to be had for sure, don't get me wrong. But most wineries either try way too much, or have things "just because they have to" and want to sell it with attitude, tasting rooms and "Experiences". Nothing wrong with that, many folks have a great time in some really lovely settings with views and dining areas with rolling hills and fields sipping what they believe to be "premium wine" because of the experience. In my opinion Paso has taken the worst qualities of Napa and tried to run with it. I know that sounds harsh but that has been my experience so far. From the far too pretentious and "wear a wrist band for tasting" Justin to folks like Eberle who cant make more than a couple of decent wines but make customers fall in love with them cos they are SOOOO nice!
Enter Moonstone. From outside you feel like writing this place off, its like a wide open small room with few chairs outside and a standing bar with hardly any decor, design or "look", placed in a corner in Cambria opposite a public restroom. yes doesn't sound like much does it ? Simple as it gets, a tasting room to taste wine at, no views or "chateau's" here!
Then there is the "wine list", they have but 8 wines (of which 2 were actually sold out and not even available for tasting !), all of which keep rotating based on what works best for them and their members. Nothing is distributed, everything is made for the tasting room and the members. The folks are nice, but professional, no big claims, no bad mouthing other regions and areas (something I absolute hate!) and overall there is a casual and purposeful vibe with a focus on the wine and nothing else.
We went a tad late, but they were accommodating, generous pours and brief descriptions kept the tasting going. My favorite statement when I commented on it being quite new world compared to a lot of Paso Robles was "Wine is from fruit, our wine maker believes the fruit needs to shine".
Indeed does it shine. These guys buy grapes from others in the region, pick what they like for the season and make that for the year. Great system that doesn't force sub-par wine to their members and is always maintaining a certain standard. No you are not guaranteed a re-purchase of the Chardonnay, it may be sold out and the next batch might be nothing like what you had before.
Their Table wine and Zin are terrific, I mean absolutely great for the price, they are very hard to beat. The Cab is a bit fruit forward so old world folks may not like it, but its super approachable and hence will appeal to more folks. Syrah is sort of peppery and dark, quite unique and special in a different way. We only had the Sauv blanc which was a tad sweeter than expected and chardonnay as well (they were sold out of the others!) and they were decent as well. But a well rounded easy to love selection and a great concept overall.
We signed up for the wine club and bought a case with their current selection and will try and visit when we can, but even if we can't we know we will have a few nice surprises in the next box that comes our way. Fun, fruit forward, new world wine without the attitude and big claims, get it here instead of safeway, your next bottle to share on a random weekend with friends and family. read more