Paraiso Vineyards (permanently closed)

Back against the picturesque Santa Lucia Highlands, on a plateau overlooking the Salinas Valley, sits a friendly, family-operated winery and tasting room. As you go through the entry gates, you immediately head up the road and arrive at the winery operation and tasting room.

There is a small lawn featuring an attractive arbor with tables looking out at the impressive view. Walk across the redwood deck to the shingle-walled tasting room. Inside is a large space with tile floors and a fully stocked gift shop packed with country-themed items such as candles, bath oils, home decorations, purses, towels, glassware and wine accessories. The long back wall of the low-ceilinged room looks out on another deck with the same tremendous eastward views of the valley. Farther to the left is a large event patio, a fountain and more picnic tables.

At the L-shaped pine tasting bar the winery staff pours Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. For an additional fee they will break out their
“Single-Vineyard” wines and their Souzau Port. The winery is a family affair, with the son-in-law as the winemaker, the father and son the growers, and the daughter-in-law running the tasting room. The family has been growing grapes for almost 40 years, selling their fruit to a number of local wineries.