Ep 171: Paso Wine Fest & White Wine Obsession

🍇 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://