Tolo Cellars

This is one of my favorite wineries in the Paso Robles area. The location is absolutely beautiful, and their selection of reds is excellent. Josh definitely knows what he’s doing when it comes to making wine. I’ll definitely be back when I’m in the area again!

Six stars for the wine. The tasting room is VERY rustic being staged off a small country kitchen but this place blows out those pretentious high tech places. They serve 2009s while most are dishing out 2012s. Their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is amazing and nothing like what you would expect. A must stop place to round off your wine tour/​tasting.

$ 5 tasting when we went. Small operation and the owner, Josh, is pouring. He is the nicest guy ever seen have met. He pairs with chocolate which is awesome. He’s interesting, talkative, and his pet cat is adorable. This will be a go to stop when we visit because of his kindness and the good wine. Free wine tasting for veterans.

Charming and small, this is a lovely boutique winery that I was turned on to by Unilocal friend, Denny B. I really trust his tastes when it comes to this stuff. And once again, it was a treasure.
You will find yourself driving quite a piece to get away from the insanity of the lowlanders. I am so glad we visited on a week day, and in the early wintertime, so to discourage the masses who surely are here normally. It’s a scenic, winding drive that can include our other favorites like Le Cuvier, Adelaida Cellars, and Tablas Creek wineries. Mr. B was carefully preparing his taste buds each stop, all the way up those walnut and oak covered, golden hills of west Paso Robles while I was noticing the diminishing phone service the deeper we drove into the hills.
Don’t be shocked. The cute red barn is their home. The dark and ancient kitchen is their tasting room. There were a few dishes still in the sink, clutter on the counter, just like my home. There are no pretenses. Keep in mind there is very little ambiance, but a lot of friendly vibes, and a quaint, quarry-​like yard. To their right (they share the same address), another little winery worth trying, maybe even more non-​pretentious. The kids can romp around outside and visit the dogs, cat, and check out from a distance the animal pens with llamas. A totally calming, blood pressure changing experience.
Back to Tolo. First sip and I am not lying when I say, this time I grabbed my own wine glass. This is a first, as I usually steal mini-​sips then pass it back.
The lightly fruity Zinfandel gave me goose bumps, oh so good. And then there was their port. Oh my lordy was it special! So smooth and so crying out for a nibble of chocolate. Both truly made me passionate for something I usually thought I could not appreciate. We ended up buying the last 5 bottles of Zin available this season. No shame, no pity those who would come after.
This is truly a find. I have no doubt we will be back, often. You are allowed to visit, as long as you leave some for us. Unlike somebody I know who bought up all the Merlot…

We were told by the ladies at Roxo that we should head up the road to Tolo, and what a great suggestion that was!!! Me friend and I really enjoyed our tasting at Tolo. With a small operation feel like Fratelli Perata, we were well taken care of. the guys hosting the tasting the day we came in were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. Each wine was delicious. I don’t remember what I walked out with, but I loved it. the wines are incredible but not incredibly overpriced. When we came in, one of the gentlemen was making a butter and garlic pork, which we got to taste. Perfection! The tasting room felt more like a kitchen, small and cozy. I will definitely be back for more!

Can’t say enough about this winery. Unpretentious, often the wine is poured by Josh, the winemaker, who is down to earth and welcomes you as if you are visiting his home. Best of all, every single wine is fantastic. Been here 3 times, never once had a wine we didn’t love. Today we finally joined the wine club, a long time coming! Can’t wait to receive our first shipment this Fall!

It’s been a few years since we’ve been to Paso, but we definitely wanted to come back to Tolo and taste the wine here. The winemaker wasn’t here this time, but we still had a great time talking with Bob who was pouring. He gave us more insight into Josh’s winemaking process. We’ll come back for a future visit.

This winery is a MUST visit. Michelle and Josh are our kind of people. Hard working, creative, capable of outside the box approaches to everyone else’s solutions. I loved the wines and the differences they present in the glass to most if not all others. Truly a find. Go visit. Take some home. Josh’s wines almost more than any others really shine when opened leisurely at home. There are very enjoyable complexities that do not fully reveal in their kitchen. You are not a credible wine aficionado IMHO if you do not have Tolo in your cellar.

If you like small batch craft wines done well, this is a winery worth checking out. They won’t be tasting last years wine. They age their wines which cost more but is well worth it. The tasting room isn’t much but the wines more than make up for it.

VERY IMPRESSIVE WINES — RICH FLAVOR AT AFFORDABLE COST
We were greeted by a giant gray-​orange cat who liked being stroked. Josh is the winemaker who got his training at Le Cuvier and his wines reflect that style. His GF was the host for our tasting. This is the most unpretentious place with great wine in Paso.
They don’t make a lot of cases nor a lot of different varietals, but year to year, Josh will experiment with new approaches to his product. We were tasting
2007 Pinot Noir — Very nice nose and spicy finish at $ 28
2008 Leros — 66% Syrah & 34% Grenache was very fruity and full palate at $ 33
2008 Syrah — Big and bold the way Syrah should be at $ 30
2008 Merlot — a dark and meaty representation of the often neutered grape $ 28
2008 Delos — Cab Sauv, Merlot and Cab Franc that is very refined $ 33
As we tasted in the order shown, each wine became a favorite only to replaced by the next one as the favorite. The Merlot was simply astonishing. Yes, astonishing Merlot. I realize that is an oxymoron for a California Merlot, but Josh has done something here that bears attention. After the Merlot, Delos was overshadowed.
These are very drinkable wines, right now and they have aging potential as a bonus.
We bought plenty of Merlot. It is now the only Merlot in my 300+ bottle collection.
Do yourself a big favor… avoid places like Justin, Daou and Tablas Creek and spend some quality time at Tolo.
Most highly recommended. Tolo was recommended to us by three other wineries in Paso and for good reason.
³⁄₂₀₁₄ update — stopped by to get a case of 2008 Merlot and one bottle of 2007 Pinot Noir. Chatted with Josh, owner and winemaker. At these prices, we advise stocking up. The 2007 PN which we tasted five months ago was already becoming more balanced. Next visit, maybe a case of PN.
⁵⁄₂₀₁₄ update — they are now sold out of the PN and the Merlot. They have two new Zinfandels and those are tasting fabulous and selling out fast. I got mine.
¹⁄₂₀₁₆ update — 2007 Viognier stayed 7 years in a barrel and fermented on the skins with a result of a novel flavored «white» wine. Short supply 2013 Rose is spectacular and great at $ 25. 2011 Sangiovese is delicious if not a bit pricey @ $ 33. 2010 Merlot is classy and drinking nicely right now and priced right at $ 33. 2010 Tempranillo is divine and priced at $ 33. 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is a steal at $ 34. Josh has the strongest line-​up in the Paso area, but it gets sold out so quickly, most of you will never experience the good stuff he has.

Love visiting this one. Yummy wines, friendly staff, total lack of pretension with this place. It may be small but it’s awesome!

This was our 3^rd stop during our PASO trip in AUGUST of 2013.
My Bro decided to sit out so it was just me and my mom tasting. We first noticed how cool the red barn looking house was. Very country cottage feel. Unpretentious place and the winemaker and his GF/​Wife were super kind people.
The place is very small. When we walked in we were told to wait in the living room area because the tasting room was packed. We waited about ten minutes for that party to leave but the winemaker came out and poured us our first taste. It was a PINOT NOIR. It blew my MIND! I convinced my BRO to partake in the tastings.
I Never tasted a Pinot like this. It was on the light side and was also on the sweet side. If you like a sweet PINOT this ones for you. It had this nutmeg, cinnamon, BROWNSUGAR and toasted cherries with red jammy rasberries flowing all through it.
My Mom and I both picked up on the BROWN SUGAR taste. It wasn’t syrupy but rather light and elegant and super easy to drink. Had a little peppery finish but overall low on the tannins. I like the BOLD and FULL OF FRUIT Pinots but thought this was a refreshing twist and totally unique. This is why I love PASO ROBLES WINERIES. You never know what you’re gonna get.
Tasting was only $ 5. I think it was waved because I bought two bottle of the PINOT. Price was only $ 28. I can’t say enough about how cool and nice these people running the place are. It was just the girl and guy. The other wines seemed to be heavy on the alcohol content but I am no expert. The Pinot was so good I didn’t really give the other ones much of a chance. I
m the type of person that can taste 99 wines and only like 10. When I find a winery that has ONE AMAZING wine I’m gushing.
I hate to add this detail but I feel I have to. The guy running the show (winemaker, owner?) smelled like B. O my bro and I noticed it as soon as he walked into the living room and poured our first drink. It was off putting but the PINOt tasted so great we looked right past the stank.
Wine is always subjective. Our final stop was ADALAIDA. We did not like their wine but many seem to give it hi marks.
MM

After hitting Kiamie, we walked over to Tolo. We were the only tasters as it was the end of the day. The tasting room is really the kitchen of the home of the winemaker. To me, this is what real wine tasting is-​being that close to the wine and being able to talk to the wine maker about his craft. I don’t like the feel of big corporate-​type tasting rooms and this was a really nice experience. I felt badly about being there so late but the wine really was outstanding. We left with a bottle of Merlot (yes, Merlot. take that Sideways) I look forward to drinking!

One of our new favorite places to go when we’re down in Paso!
Everything here is excellent, the winemaker is a great guy, and the grounds are really nice.
I wish we didn’t live so far away!

My favorite place in Paso. Josh sure knows how to make a great wine. I love the tasting room, how it feels so cozy and personal. The drive to get here is beautiful too among the back hills of Paso. Everything I’ve tasted here is amazing.
I heartily agree with Olivia W: «If you like trying something different and unique, and enjoy talking to unpretentious wine makers, this is a perfect stop for you.»

This place is pretty laid-​back, it’s pretty much just a counter with a small kitchen behind it. We pretty much enjoyed all the wines they poured from us, but I particularly liked the Leros Rhone-​style blend, Delos Bordeaux-​style blend, the Cab Sauvignon, and the Cab Franc. The hubby and I shared our tasting (since we went to 4 wineries that day), and they comped us since we bought a couple of bottles.
The pourers were friendly and I really enjoyed the low-​key atmosphere of this place… it wasn’t as touristy as some of the other wineries we went to (no gift shop!) Their wines are pretty cheap too, the most expensive ones top out at $ 30. This was the third winery we visited so our palate was a bit tired, I think I would have enjoyed it better if we haven’t already had so much wine before going here.
Worth a stop, especially if you prefer non-​touristy wineries.

Tolo is the epitomy of what makes Paso such a great wine tasting area compared to Napa, Sonoma, etc. At Tolo, you walk into what looks like someone’s home and are almost always greeted by Josh, the winery owner.
The wines here are fabulous… I never leave here without buying at least 2 – 3 bottles. The care and love that is put into the wine here is evident in every taste, not to mention the the non-​pretentious pricing and demeanor here is exactly what has made Paso what it is today.
Keep up the great work Josh. :-)

If you like trying something different and unique, and enjoy talking to unpretentious wine makers, this is a perfect stop for you.
Josh is very, very down to earth and is good about answering questions or explaining techniques. As some others have mentioned, he has learned from John Munch at Le Cuvier, so he knows a thing or two.
My favorite aspect of this particular winery is that the wines are nothing like others on this wine trail. Josh isn’t afraid to explore outside of the traditional boundaries of what’s «good». He has a white there with some considerable barrel time on it that is unlike any other white I’ve had, and the dessert wine isn’t over the top, but will please people that like the sweet stuff.
Granted, a farmhouse may not be the most chic place for a winery, but the vibe here is what makes it worthwhile. I would especially recommend Tolo to people new to wine tasting because it has good variety to start from.
Josh also has, by far, the best tasting notes of any winery I’ve been to. Period. Most wine makers loathe writing these or just flat out fail at it. Josh is the shining exception.

Experience was 5-​stars. Wine was 3.5 stars. Hence, I’m giving Tolo Cellars a 4 star review.
We popped into Tolo because we were at Le Cuvier and our driver suggested Tolo (she prefers Tolo over Le Cuvier). It’s in what looks like the winemaker’s home kitchen (or maybe it was a home kitchen at one time). We were lucky enough to meet the winemaker himself who came in from his work while we were in the middle of tasting with the sweet lady pouring in the kitchen. We really enjoyed talking with him – he was totally down-​to-​earth. It felt like talking with a friend who happens to make wine! I understand he used to work at Le Cuvier and he’s been doing his own thing here at Tolo for just a short while. In the end, I’d have to disagree with our driver and say that Le Cuvier’s wines are better, but I would definitely go back again in the years to come to see how he progresses.
The sign said tasting was $ 3 each but our friends ended up buying 2 bottles and she didn’t charge any of us for tasting. Always appreciated.

WOW!!!
Tolo has become my new ‘IT’ winery. You know you can’t really describe when someone has ‘IT’ they just do… and Tolo does.
I have been a Napa region wine girl for the past 10 years or so but have recently been exposed to the fabulous vibe & wines from the central coast. Tolo, part of the ‘Far Out’ wineries of Paso Robles, has become my new fav.
Tolo has the look & feel of a country home with a charming gift shop & tasting room reminiscent of a good friend’s kitchen. The tasting room is housed in a historic barn/​ranch home from the 1800’s. They always seem to be cooking something up that smells amazing & Josh, the winemaker, is usually behind the bar chatting it up with his customers. There is nothing uncomfortable or pretentious about this winery or winemaker which makes things so enjoyable. Many wineries give you that snobby «we know more than you» feeling when you’re tasting. Not Tolo.
So, of course, everyone’s favorite wine is going to be different. I just happen to love Tolo for it’s interesting wines. Everything from the recent ‘Late harvest Sauvignon Blanc’ to the ‘Asini’ floats my boat. I feel they are more thoughtful wines without the big price tag that you see in the Napa valley.
If you are gong tasting in Paso, make Tolo a stop. I doubt you will regret it.