🍇 WHERE WINE TAKES YOU – EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 🍷

This episode of Where Wine Takes You comes to you LIVE from Paso Wine Fest 2026, the biggest celebration of Paso Robles wine country and one of the fastest-growing food and wine events in America.

Adam hangs out inside the madness of Wine Fest with a lineup that perfectly captures the spirit of Paso: collaboration, creativity, hospitality, and a little beautiful chaos.

First up, Chef Rachel Ponce of Pair With Chef Rachel talks food pairings, palate balance, and why the wrong bite can completely wreck a great wine. She also shares details on her upcoming restaurant project, The Staviary, opening this summer with chef’s counter dinners, beer pairings, and immersive culinary experiences.

Adam also catches up with Joel Peterson, CEO of Paso Wine, about the continued evolution of Paso Wine Fest, now drawing visitors from across the country for a world-class wine, food, and lifestyle experience.

Then there’s the story of Chris Lamoreaux and Creekcut Winery, a dream decades in the making. Chris shares how she and her husband found their Willow Creek District property on their 30th wedding anniversary and built a Rhône-focused winery rooted in hospitality, community, and Paso spirit.

Later in the episode, Adam sits down with Paso legend Tobin James, who reflects on the early days of Paso wine country, when Wine Fest fit inside a corner of the park, barrels were rolled in from pickup trucks, and the afterparty happened at Buckley’s over tequila shots.

Joining the conversation is Ian Cansoli of Tablas Creek Vineyard, discussing regenerative farming, Rhône varietals, Paso’s global wine influence, and the region’s deep connection between wine and food culture.

In this episode’s Travel Paso Spotlight, Adam chats with Barby Wunsch, Executive Director of Paso Robles Youth Arts, about the return of the beloved Pinot & Paella Festival on June 7, 2026, at Templeton Community Park. The event supports arts education for local youth while bringing together Pinot Noir, paella, live music, and community under the oaks.

We also talk to Natalie of Rococo, Ryan from Paix Sur Terre, and Dave from Monochrome about the White Wine Invitational – Get your Tickets Here

This episode is Paso in a glass:
community, stories, food, wine, legacy, and a whole lot of heart.

🍷 FEATURED GUESTS + LINKS

Pair With Chef Rachel
🌐 https://www.pairwithchefrachel.com/
📸 https://www.instagram.com/pair_with_chef_rachel
Paso Wine
🌐 https://pasowine.com/
📸 https://www.instagram.com/pasowine
Creekcut Winery
🌐 https://www.creekcut.com/
📸 https://www.instagram.com/creekcutwines
Tobin James Cellars
🌐 https://tobinjames.com/
📸 https://www.instagram.com/tobinjamescellars
Tablas Creek Vineyard
🌐 https://tablascreek.com/
📸 https://www.instagram.com/tablascreek
Paso Robles Youth Arts
🌐 https://pryoutharts.org/
📸 https://www.instagram.com/pasoroblesyoutharts/

Pinot & Paella Festival
🌐 https://www.pinotandpaella.com/
Travel Paso
🌐 https://travelpaso.com/

🌐 PASO WINE WIRE

🌱 TABLAS CREEK: “FLOWERING 2026, EARLY BUT NOT QUITE AS MUCH AS WE’D FEARED”
Tablas Creek Vineyard shares an inside look at Paso’s 2026 growing season, frost concerns, flowering progression, and what could become one of the most staggered harvests in recent memory.
🔗 https://blog.tablascreek.com/2026/05/flowering-2026-early-but-not-quite-as-much-as-wed-feared/

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎧 Subscribe & Follow
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🎙️ Credits
Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine
Associate Producer: Krista Smith
Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel
Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir
Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com
Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture)
Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect

🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective
📱 Download the Paso Wine App
🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine

🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com

🎧 Subscribe & Follow
If you love Where Wine Takes You, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.

©2026 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.

Ep 171: Paso Wine Fest & White Wine Obsession

Where Wine Takes You - A Paso Wine Podcast

Ep 171: Paso Wine Fest & White Wine Obsession