Daou
Knowing my love of opaque Bordeaux style wines and silky cabs, close friends of mine suggested we go to “Daou Mountain” where in 2007 the Family owned and operated Daou Vineyards and Winery started. This was the former location of Hoffman Ranch which was first planted in 1964 under supervision of Andre Tchelistcheff just 14 miles from the ocean and sitting at 2,200 feet above sea level and where the Daou brothers Daniel and Georges decided to expand their journey after selling their software company Daou Systems. Sure, this story sounds like the first page of most labels in the Napa Valley, which was scouted by the brothers and other locations as well. However, they have been quoted to say in an article by Jay Mcinerney, it was the combination in West Paso’s Adelaida District of “French soils and a Napa climate” that they felt would allow the crafting “potential to make the best cabernet in the world.”
The brothers were born in Lebanon during the country’s civil war which lead to their family immigrating to France. Here they found an appreciation for fine wines and their paths then led them to the United States in the early ‘80s where they studied engineering and later began their software company. The history of their story and family influence are evident everywhere in the beautiful sprawling Spanish Colonial style winery complete with a tower that the iconic Spanish Mission Bell cast in 1740 and transported from Madrid sits. This bell is prominent on their bottles and serves as the namesake for their Cab Franc and Merlot blend, 1740 which is a glass of perfection when you get the opportunity to enjoy it. The 2014 vintage was given a 95-point rating from The Wine Advocate and it, among several bottles is one that as I told our Wine Steward on our most recent trip to this gorgeous oasis, is a treat I hoard for special occasions. Ok ok, so many Wine Member shipments later most of these artfully crafted liquid friends are hard to part with, just ask my Husband. Do I feel like Gollum with “My Precious?” Yes, but at least I admit it. Good Friends are hard to part with.
Another piece of my heart and liver will always belong to the Estate grown Soul of a Lion. This purple passion varietal is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. This was a treat when we first tasted it at the winery several years ago and is my showstopper request when we have brought friends and family with us to share in the beauty, friendliness and quality of this Winery experience. The 2014 vintage earned a 97-point rating from Jeb Dunnuck and a round of applause from myself at its consistent presentation of a beautiful glass of wine. There are so many expressions of the love of their craft these brothers have to showcase not only in their wine but attention to detail. Part of the experience is listening to your Wine Guide give insight to the history of these wines, some named after family members like the Estate Micho or the wait list top tier Wine Label exquisitely named Patrimony, alongside small nuances in the difference between a rounded or straight edged label. It is clear to note that this place is driven by family, integrity and an ode to heritage. They have earned a Vineyard SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification committed to the well-being of the land they tend to. Each year they honor the Wedding Anniversary of their Parents on Feb 11th and their Estate grown olive oil is an ode to their Grandfather’s ancient olive groves in Lebanon. Each detail is rooted in history and shared not just as a visit to Daou, but as an experience.
Family involvement has remained a constant for Daou Winery as the brothers and their children are active in the business and have a very approachable quality when visiting the Winery as well on the social media circuit. You can find the brothers at many winemaker dinners from the Central Valley, to the Central Coast & LA, bottle signings or giving sneak peeks into upcoming ventures that I for one are highly anticipating such as Daou Ocean. This location off the northern end of Moonstone Beach Drive on Highway 1 in Cambria is a locally cherished location formerly known as The Hamlet restaurant started in the 1980s. Needless to say, as at Daou Vineyards, the views in this space are going to be spectacular in all directions.
I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy the beauty of Daou Mountain walking in without a reservation (pre-Pandemic) to taste at their expansive indoor bar, along with securing a reservation for indoor and outdoor patio seating for the Wine Tasting Experience that is $45 per person and while this is a more expensive tasting fee, keep in mind Daou is providing a flight of Reserve and Estate tier wine most often accompanied by extra tasting surprises depending on the season as well. There is always an opportunity to revisit any pours that you especially enjoyed along with the Staff ready to entertain requests for special wines they may have on hand.
This Tasting Flight will rotate along the vintages available and it’s always a great coupling to pick any item off of their Mediterranean inspired menu to order as an accompaniment. I always feel when anyone mentions “wine” it is a code word for charcuterie board to my stomach and here you will find interesting blends of meats, cheese, olives and everything divine to help pass the time. There are other ordering options available from this rotating menu and Members are offered a discount on food as well.
A variety of tasting options are available for wine only or wine and food parings with reservations strongly recommended available through links online with Members receiving special pricing. The website is easy to utilize and offers additional information for Events held on the Mountain. Each Membership is itemized on the website for you to determine just how big of a wine cellar you will need.
Every time we have visited, I have had wonderful customer service and a truly breathtaking ambiance for not only food and wine but atmosphere. Each Wine Steward has been friendly and knowledgeable to approach with any questions ranging from the uniqueness of the limestone terrain to finding Belle the adorable cat on premise. I love that this Winery came to me as a recommendation from my Dear Friends and I love sharing it with my own Family and Friends as the circle of exposure to this location grows as does the collection of wine we bring home to celebrate and share. Daniel Daou is famously quoted as saying “You can average sugars but you can’t average flavors” and by no means is anything at this Winery average. Cheers to this family as they strive to make the term “Paso Cab” famous.
Vino Veritas Facts
The Winery is located at 2777 Hidden Mountain Road. Paso Robles, CA 93446 Tel: 805.226.5460
Directions are easily obtained off of the website at www.daouvineyards.com along with all detailed information for tasting options, Membership, purchasing wine and some of the history behind Daou.
Reception in this area is sparse but the Winery itself has complimentary Wi-Fi for guests to utilize. This is helpful for the million Instagram worthy pics you will be inspired to take during your visit. This can be tricky when utilizing Lyft or Uber/Wine Uber services as your cellular connection is limited so please plan ahead.
Each Wine Guide we’ve had the pleasure of meeting has been warm and welcoming to not only Daou, but Paso Robles Wine in general. They are a wealth of easily approachable knowledge to help guide your day based on your likes. We have found many great spots to try based on their help.
As the day goes on and visitor popularity increases, the parking area closest to the tasting room will fill. However, a Daou Parking Host will instruct you to a parking lot at the base of the mountain where a Mercedes Van shuttle will transport guests to and from the Winery in air-conditioned style. The shuttle arrives about every 10-15 min on average. No “limestone” is left unturned on detail here.