Show notes
🍸 Where Wine Takes You – Episode 155: “A Spirited Start to 2026” 🥃
In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam kicks off the new year with a deep pour into Paso’s cocktail and distillery scene. He’s joined by Alex and Monica Villicana, founders of Re:Find Distillery, who pioneered Paso’s sustainable spirits movement using free-run wine juice, aka saignée, to create premium vodka, gin, and more. Also in the mix is Briana Heywood, head winemaker and distiller at Donati Family Vineyard, who brings her deep winemaking chops to both wine and spirits production. Together, they talk trends, challenges, and what it means to distill with purpose in a wine-first town.
In the Paso Wine Wire, Adam recaps a rain-drenched but spirited New Year’s Eve celebration in Downtown Paso, where he emceed under the stars and met amazing fans of the show (shout out to Angie & Eric from San Jose and Kim & Brett from Redondo Beach). He also pays tribute to the legendary Norma Moye, who recently passed away at 92 and leaves behind an unmatched legacy of civic love and downtown revitalization. Plus, big changes at Villa San Juliette Winery, where the celeb ownership era ends and a new chapter begins with Continental Vineyards.
This episode’s Travel Paso Spotlight features two of Paso’s coolest hidden gems: the candlelit speakeasy 1122, recently named one of the world’s best, and The Remedy, a tucked-away cocktail bar inside The Alchemists’ Garden. Adam shares a special recorded convo with Tony Bennett, co-owner of The Remedy, about creating intimate cocktail experiences with soul.
• Re:Find Distillery: refinddistillery.com
• IG: @refinddistillery
• Donati Family Vineyard: donatifamilyvineyard.com
• Donati Spirits: donatispirits.com
• IG: @donatifamilyvineyard
🎯 Travel Paso Spotlight
• The Remedy: theremedyca.com
• The Alchemists’ Garden: alchemistsgarden.com
• 1122 Speakeasy: eleven-twentytwo.com
• Plan your trip: travelpaso.com
📰 PASO WINE WIRE
• Paso Rings in 2026 Downtown — Rain, live music, and major vibes
🔗 Event Recap
• Norma Moye Remembered — Civic matriarch, downtown champion
🔗 Tribute Story
• Villa San Juliette Winery Sold — Celebrity era ends, new vision begins
🔗 Ownership Change
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🎙️ Credits
Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine
Associate Producer: Krista Smith
Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel
Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir
Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com
Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture)
Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect
🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective
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🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine
🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com
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