Show notes
π WHERE WINE TAKES YOU β EPISODE 173: THE HIGHLANDS DISTRICT π·
Everybody knows Willow Creek. Everybody knows Adelaida. But venture east into Paso Robles and you’ll find one of the region’s most fascinating, and least understood, wine-growing areas: the Highlands District.
In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam sits down with two people uniquely positioned to tell the story of Paso’s highest-elevation sub-AVA.
Natalie Brown, owner and winemaker of Rococo Wines and Willow Creek Wine Co., shares her passion for old-vine Chenin Blanc and the remarkable Highlands District vineyard that continues to produce some of California’s most distinctive expressions of the grape. What began as an obsession with forgotten Chenin Blanc vineyards has grown into one of the most compelling Chenin-focused projects in the state.
Joining her is Nicholas Miller, fifth-generation California farmer and Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Miller Family Wine Company. Nicholas helps steward the legendary French Camp Vineyard, one of Paso Robles’ most important vineyard properties and a cornerstone of the Highlands District. Together, the conversation explores massive diurnal shifts, old vines, farming challenges, climate, terroir, Wild West history, Basque shepherds, and why this rugged, remote region deserves far more attention than it gets.
Along the way, Adam discovers that the Highlands District may be one of Paso’s best-kept secrets, a place where triple-digit summer days collide with chilly nights, where old vines continue to thrive, and where some of California’s most respected wines quietly begin.
Later in the show, Adam recaps the 2026 Travel Paso Tourism Round Up, celebrating the people who help make Paso Robles one of California’s most welcoming destinations. The event featured presentations from Wine Institute’s Honore Comfort, branding strategist Mark Barden of EatBigFish, and travel expert Aida Mollenkamp of Salt & Wind Travel, alongside recognition of local hospitality leaders who continue to elevate the visitor experience throughout Paso Wine Country.
π₯ FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE
Rococo Wines
https://rococowines.com
Instagram: @rococowines
https://www.instagram.com/rococowines
Willow Creek Wine Co.
https://willowcreekwineco.com
Miller Family Wine Company
https://millerfamilywines.com
Optik Wines
https://optikwines.com
Instagram: @optikwines
https://www.instagram.com/optikwines
Paso Robles Highlands District
https://pasowine.com/highlands-district/
Highlands District Guide (Wine Folly)
https://paso.guides.winefolly.com/regions/paso-robles-highlands-district/
π PASO WINE WIRE
π· Gretchen Roddick Elected Chair of the Wine Institute
Hope Family Wines Executive Vice President Gretchen Roddick has been elected Chair of the Wine Institute, becoming one of California wine’s most influential voices during a critical time for the industry.
π https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/paso-robles-wine-executive-elected-wine-institute-chair/221294/
π± ONX Wines Expands Leadership Team and Organic Farming Efforts
ONX appoints Tucker Robertson as Vineyard Manager and promotes Drew Nenow as Head of Winegrowing and Winemaker as the winery continues expanding organic farming practices across its estate vineyards.
π https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/local-vineyard-names-new-vineyard-manager-expands-leadership-team/221134/
π΄ TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT
Travel Paso Tourism Round Up 2026
Celebrating the hospitality professionals, winery ambassadors, restaurant teams, lodging leaders, and tourism advocates who continue to make Paso Robles a world-class destination.
π― Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com
ποΈ RECORDED AT SLO CAL STUDIOS
Recorded at SLO CAL Studios, San Luis Obispo County, California.
SLO CAL β where the wine is world-class, the people are real, and life is too beautiful to rush.
For turns well taken:
https://slocal.com
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ποΈ 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 Adamβs other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture)
Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect
π΅ Original music by Moonshiner Collective
π± Download the Paso Wine App
π· Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine
π― Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com
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