The Other Side of Paso: Exploring White Wines with Serial
Paso Robles may be best known for its powerful reds, but those who’ve spent any real time with the region know: there’s another story unfolding in white. It's quieter, perhaps, but no less expressive—a reflection of microclimates, soils, and a winemaker’s curiosity.
The truth is, Paso Robles is incredibly diverse—geologically, climatically, and creatively. With over 600,000 acres, 11 sub-AVAs, and everything from calcareous shale to sandy loam, it's a region that welcomes experimentation. While Syrah and Cabernet may dominate the conversation, white wines are quietly carving out a compelling narrative of their own.
At Serial Wines, we’re drawn to what’s emerging just beneath the surface—to the varietals that aren’t always the first poured, but often the most revealing. White wines let us explore new districts, challenge expectations, and push into new territory, both stylistically and geographically.
As Jeff Kandarian, our Executive Winemaker, puts it: “Paso gives us freedom. There are very few rules here. That kind of creative space lets us experiment—and when we experiment with whites, we learn something new every time.”
Take rosé, for example. Ours is not an afterthought—it’s a deliberate expression from Syrah grown exclusively for rosé production at our estate vineyard in the Estrella District. Pressed directly, cold fermented, and aged in stainless steel, it drinks like a Provençale daydream with a California heart.
Albariño is another standout. Originally from Galicia, it’s taken to the Estrella District’s diurnal shifts with enthusiasm. Bright citrus and a mineral backbone make it a natural choice for warm weather and anything pulled from the sea.
Clairette Blanche, a relative rarity in California, tells a different story. From El Pomar, this wine begins with a Pied de Cuvée—a spontaneous ferment that adds wild complexity. Barrel fermented with 50% native malolactic, it’s a textured, aromatic wine that rewards attention.
Grenache Blanc, pulled from Adelaida’s rugged hillsides, shows roundness and saline depth, with orchard fruit and neutral oak rounding out the structure. It’s a wine that surprises with how much it gives, and how quietly it does so.
And then there’s Viognier. The Willow Creek District is home to some of the most compelling Viogniers in the state, and Jeff’s take on it—split between acacia and neutral French oak, partially through malolactic—is a lifted, expressive wine that layers perfume with precision.
These wines reflect more than just style—they speak to place, process, and the kind of exploration that keeps Paso Robles dynamic. They are wines shaped by curiosity, crafted with intention, and deeply tied to the land.
Want to experience them all in one place? The Illumination Tasting flight brings together our current white and rosé releases in a single, refreshing lineup.
Available now at the Serial Wines Tasting Lounge in downtown Paso Robles. Walk-ins welcome. Open late Friday & Saturday.