Weekend At A Winery: Sip, Savor & Dinner Is Served

PASO ROBLES, CA — The Paso Robles wine country, positioned between San Francisco and Los Angeles in San Luis Obispo County, is home to more than 200 wineries — which can prove challenging for vino lovers on where to stop and sip.

One site to consider on your travels: the 127-acre ONX Estate Winery, a family-owned, vineyard with a variety of wines, launched in the 2000s by Steve and Brenda Olson, and now acclaimed for its "Indie Rosé" and "Mad Crush Grenache."

ONX winemaker Drew Nenow said the temperate estate sets its vineyard apart for its ability to grow a multitude of different grape varieties. "Our distinctive estate vineyards provide us with the basis for making a quality product," he said.

And if you need another reason to swing by: An open-air, five-course feast, Dine in the Vines, will take place Saturday, Sept. 18 in the estate's vineyard setting, under the “Wedding Tree,” at 1200 Paseo Excelsus, Templeton. Each culinary creation from Chef Olsson, will be paired with ONX wines, selected by winemaker Nenow.

ONX traces its moniker and roots - so to speak — to 11 million years ago.

When excavation at the winery site was underway years ago, "soil pits were dug and the presence of small sardonyx stones and much larger, calcite onyx boulders were quickly discovered," said Jeff Strekas, ONX operations & winegrowing director. "In a region that was once an ancient alluvial seabed like Paso Robles, finding limestone definitely isn't an uncommon occurrence."

"After the property was purchased and we started preparing the land, much larger boulders were discovered when we started aerating and preparing the soil for planting," he said, adding: "Imagine a large D8 tractor on treads pulling itself to near vertical as the shank drags over 10-foot stone."

Hence, as an homage to the region's soil, the winery's name: ONX —pronounced "onyx," like the stone.

"The name itself is a callback to the calcite ONX component of our vineyard soil," Strekas said.

Today at ONX, tastings and tours are offered. Info here.

And for those interested in Dine in the Vines event in September, the menu will include: pancetta-wrapped, white shrimp & wild mushroom-parmesan sausage hors d’oeuvres; abalone with wild mushrooms; confit duck with fava beans; braised, beef short rib with mascarpone whipped potatoes; and chocolate soufflé cake with bourbon crème anglaise.

“We are excited to join forces with Chef Olsson, who has been a powerhouse in Central Coast cuisine for some time now," ONX winemaker Nenow said. "You really can't go wrong when pairing great wine with great food, but to do so on the eve of the fall season at the ONX Estate is bound to provide the backdrop for an electric evening."

Click here to make Dine in the Vines reservations. The upcoming, winemaker diner is among four or five ONX routinely hosts throughout the year.

Along with best-sellers, "Indie Rosé" and "Mad Crush Grenache," ONX's wines including, "Field Day Sauvignon Blanc" and the "Reckoning Syrah" blend, can be purchased on-site, online or via select boutique wine shops and restaurants. (See wines for sale here.)

ONX Winery is at 2910 Limestone Way in Paso Robles. ONX Estate vineyard is at 1200 Paseo Excelsus in Templeton, where vineyard tours and tastings are held by appointment. Follow this link for info, upcoming events and wine purchasing.

ONX is among more numerous wineries in the Paso Robles area. To see more vino venues, plus options for dining and lodging, go here to Paso Robles Wine Country website.

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FOR OTHER WINERY EXCURSIONS, SEE:

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• Weekend At A Winery: Meyer Cellars Keeps It All In The Family
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