Head to the top of DAOU Mountain and explore the hilltop gem DAOU Vineyards! Experience absolutely breathtaking views, unparalleled hospitality at your own private table, delectable tastings and the most sweeping, stunning views of the Paso Robles, California wine region. Our expert guide Ken led us through a delectable tasting of the culinary world that is DAOU including some very rare pours. This Spanish influenced space is gorgeous in every direction and becomes even dreamier after a couple of glasses. From caviar to lobster rolls to fresh made truffle and bacon pizza, it was a delightful experience and will forever remain as a fantastic memory! And yes, they also have a wine cat that was just sleeping in the sun at the entrance, what a purrfect life. We know someone who had a wedding week afterwards from NYC, quite an excellent choice for a celebration spot. Congratulations and cheers!
This was after two other Friday morning tastings that at Robert Hall Winery and Eberle Winery, so we were already drinking wine and feeling quite fine. After about a 20 minute drive up the winding vineyard roads which is an experience in itself, we arrived to the top of DAOU Mountain around noon and were blessed with parking spaces galore. However they do have a black van shuttle to drive you up from another parking lot if it gets overfilled. And it just might because this is the place to be apparently! From the moment we arrived, the views are just breathtaking and you kind of want to run all over the property which is exactly what we did. You have to get the zoomies out so you can settle in for a delightful lunch and then just float about the property as if on clouds. I wish we had more time to just linger here but alas, we were on a tight tasting and touring schedule.
DAOU Mountain was rediscovered by brothers Georges and Daniel Daou in 2007. Their quest for a sublime terroir that mimicked their childhood roots ended in Paso Robles, on steep slopes that reach 2,200 feet elevation, blessed with the type of calcareous clay soil found in the greatest appellations. The brothers have a very interesting and inspiring history: In 1975 during the Lebanese Civil War, an errant rocket struck the Daou family home injuring Georges and Daniel gravely, as well as their sister, Michelle. Their loving parents nursed them back to health and moved the family to Paris for safety. Their father Joseph showed his sons the path of virtues with courage, belief and persistence, and his sons gave him the moniker of “the soul of a lion.” The brothers spent their formative years in Southern France, immersed in a culture of food and wine, and the pleasure their father found in bottles of fine Bordeaux. The mountains, the undulations, the olive trees, the vines, the warm summer nights – all very magical. Once in the USA, they bootstrapped their own technology startup and succeeded beyond their wildest imagination with help from their father. Once they stumbled upon DAOU Mountain, their father gave his blessing and the rest is history. Or in this case, her story! Let’s go.
First views at the top of the mountain at DAOU Winery with fresh lavender in bloom.Literally stunning in every direction at DAOU Winery. This was the road we drove up on to DAOU Mountain.The entrance to DAOU Winery is very Spanish in style.Don’t miss your photo opp at the sign to the right of the entrance at DAOU Winery. It is true!A lush lawn also exists for you to frolic as well at DAOU Winery.One of the vineyard cats lounging in the shade of the sunshine at DAOU Winery. What a life!Walking into buzzing DAOU Winery is a whole sensory experience at DAOU Winery. Dress is casual but oh what fun to be in a dress!A welcome pour of rose at DAOU Winery while your eyes take it all in.Walking around DAOU Winery with the welcome rose is a whole vibe.When I say I want to go out with my girlfriends, this is what I mean at DAOU Winery. These gals are doing it right!Looking back from the patio area at DAOU Winery. If the heat of the sun is too much, you can always enjoy indoors and AC.A private table with great views near the back entrance at DAOU Winery. Getting closer!We were blessed with a private table with the best views at DAOU Winery which immediately alleviated our fears about photographing people during my photoshoot at DAOU Winery.The perfect placement for a lunch and photo at DAOU Winery. Brian Delfin PhotographyCheers to living the DAOU Winery lifestyle!A fountain flowed to our left which was a nice background noise at DAOU Winery. Children tended to play here too!Looking back at the patio spaces at DAOU Winery, there are a lot of options. Like full on lounges!We did the tasting flight and then some with our wonderful guide Ken at DAOU Winery. Price points are about the same at the wineries we went to that Friday.An absolutely delicious chardonnay at DAOU Winery. I could drink this all day instead of rose!A little bit of the history at DAOU Winery. Ken offered a shiny new bottle to photograph but I prefer rustic and in real time.We were then motivated again to get up and frolic while the food was being prepared at DAOU Winery.It’s always amazing to me to see the places I Google in real life like at DAOU Winery. It looks like a painting! No edits, just nature.Cassie Hepler exploring DAOU Vineyards in Paso Robles, California. Brian Delfin PhotographyI loved the way the wind was playing with my dress at DAOU Vineyards. Brian Delfin PhotographySmartly so, they had the vineyards roped off from people getting too tipsy at DAOU Winery.But with a zoom Nikon lens, you can see the vineyards in their glory at DAOU Winery.Back to the lawn that wraps around the front of DAOU Winery was lush and full.Peeking out the back door onto the patio at DAOU Winery.Into the covered space at DAOU Winery where a gentleman was asking us all about our Nikon cameras. We had a new fan!I saw this in action and had to run over for a photo at DAOU Winery. It was then I decided a pizza was a must!Onto another favorite, this raised logo I fell in love with at DAOU Winery as well as the wine.Because I’m obsessed with anything that looks European and antique at DAOU Winery. It’s Bacchus, the God of wine – and debauchery.As tasty as it looks with some history for you at DAOU Winery.Soon the Sturgeon caviar arrived and Brian never had it before so we did a little video below at DAOU Winery.The most amazing bacon and truffle pizza at DAOU Winery. And the truffle oil just oozed onto the pan for those pieces of crust!The lobster rolls were also delightful and light at DAOU Winery.A hummingbird joined us at the tree to my delight at DAOU Winery. Can you see its silhouette?Onto the reds at the end which were just as divine at DAOU Winery. Look at the legs on this Pinot, so sexy!And last but not least these two lovelies at DAOU Winery. The Three Sisters by DAOU Vineyards is an exclusive, single-vintage 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon available only at the DAOU Mountain Tasting Room in Paso Robles, California. The DAOU Reserve Eye of the Falcon is a signature Bordeaux-style red cuvée priced at around $75 directly from the winery. I wish we could have stayed forever!The chocolate Chantilly creme for dessert with thick creamy caramel was decadent at DAOU Winery.And the banana bread almost like a cupcake at DAOU Winery. It went fast!Cheers to the most magical, delicious lunch at DAOU Vineyards. Brian Delfin Photography
