September 21, 2025 — The spirit of Paso Robles wine country rolled into Clovis on Friday, September 19, as the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance hosted a sold-out tasting event at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District. The evening brought together more than 50 wineries from the acclaimed Central Coast region, attracting a crowd of nearly 500 local wine enthusiasts.
Christopher Taranto, the Communications Director for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, said the event was a great success. “We knew we were going to get a really great crowd tonight, and we did,” he said, noting that they sold over 450 tickets. He explained that the event was created to bring the Paso Robles experience directly to its local fans.
The Clovis area, located just a two-hour drive from Paso Robles, is a major market for the region’s wineries, with a high number of residents holding wine club memberships and making frequent visits. “They’re pretty voracious,” Taranto said of the Clovis market. “They really appreciate our wines, and that’s why we wanted to bring the show here.”
Attendees had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of wines, with over 60 different grape varieties grown in the Paso Robles area. Taranto highlighted Grenache as one of his personal favorites, noting that the varietal thrives in the region’s climate. He also pointed out the popularity of Cabernet Sauvignon, which accounts for about half of what is grown in Paso Robles.
The region’s unique climate, characterized by warm days and cool nights, creates grapes with vibrant, dynamic flavors. This temperature fluctuation helps the grapes ripen fully while preserving their acidity, resulting in wines that are both fruit-forward and balanced.
The event, which was held in the Clovis Veterans Memorial District for the second time, was a testament to the strong connection between the two communities. Taranto described the Paso Robles winemaking community as “tight-knit,” with a shared camaraderie that extends a welcoming and unpretentious attitude to visitors. “When you come to one of our events… it’s very welcoming,” he said. “We want you. You don’t know much about wine? That’s okay. What do you like? What kind of flavors do you like? And then let’s get you in, let’s connect with you.”
The list of participating wineries included well-known names like J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Eberle Winery, and Tobin James Cellars, alongside boutique producers such as Aaron Wines, Field Recordings, and Allegretto Wines.
While there are no immediate plans to return to Clovis next year, Taranto said that the popularity of the event may lead them to reconsider their future plans and incorporate Clovis into their tasting tours.