Visit the Vineyard Drive Winery

Taste No Additive Wines at the Kentucky Ranch

You are invited to visit, see, and experience what we're all about. Tasting at Thacher is serious yet low-key, non-pretentious, and genuine. We craft meaningful, honest, and authentic wines with integrity, made by hand. Thacher wine is produced with all native yeast and bacteria, and minimal amounts of effective SO2. It is crafted without added enzymes, water, acids, tannins, or nutrients. We let the vineyards shine through, offering minimal intervention. The knowledgeable oenophiles who will pour for you are friendly people who serve you on our beautiful patio, adjacent to the winery. We are excited about all we have going on and eager to share our piece of Paso magic with you.

We offer THREE types of tasting experiences;

First, our Current Release tasting is seated outside and served by a knowledgeable host. Appointments are highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome if space is available. We pour outside seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the last tasting is at 4 p.m.). Tastings are $30 each, waived with a purchase of two bottles.

Second is the Buy the Bottle tasting, which is offered daily at the picnic tables. This is a perfect opportunity for those familiar with our wines and larger groups to enjoy pre-selected wines by the bottle. Your table, wines, and glasses will await you. You are welcome to bring a picnic as well. Celebrate your special occasion and enjoy our wines in our rural park setting. This tasting fee is the cost of the bottles (not waived or discounted with purchase) and is limited to 30 people. Children are welcome, and the last tasting is at 3 p.m. Once your reservation is made, we will contact you to select the wines; a minimum purchase is required and a 10% gratuity is included for parties larger 8.

Lastly, our Funky Fridays tasting, offered exclusively on Fridays, promises an eclectic, fresh, and unconventional lineup. The tasting menu will rotate and feature varietals you may not yet have tried, such as Cabernet Pfeff, Valdiguié, Mencía, Cinsault, Negrette, and more. We will discuss and taste native, carbonic, whole-cluster, and co-fermented wines, as well as a pétillant naturel. Tastings are $30 each, waived with a purchase of two bottles.

The ranch offers plenty of fresh air, so please enjoy our wines and experience our service. Please, no furry friends, as we have free-range chickens. Gourmet snacks- local cheeses, charcuterie are available from our bougie vending machine.

See you soon!

Tasting FAQs

Do I need a reservation?
We encourage reservations (especially on Saturdays and for groups larger than 4), but we love to host walk-ins and spontaneous visits most of the time.

What is your late policy?
Please give us a call if you are going to be late for your reservation, as we will always try to accommodate your new time, but we cannot guarantee your table will still be available. There are no refunds for no shows.

Does everyone need to be 21?
No, we love well-supervised children, have plenty of room to explore, and are family-friendly. We also have a gourmet vending machine with snacks, and encourage you to bring games and activities for them. You must be at least 21 years old to enjoy our wines.

How much is a tasting and what does it include?
Tastings are $30 each, waived with a purchase of two bottles. Included is a guided, seated tasting of five to six wines, with as much information as you’d like about the wines.

Do you allow pets?
No, although we love our furry friends, pets are not allowed. We have free-range chickens and our own dogs. Service animals are always allowed on leash.

What time is your last reservation?
Our last tasting each day begins no later than 4 pm.

What is the experience and atmosphere like at Thacher?
You are invited to visit, see, and experience what we're all about. Tasting at Thacher is serious yet low-key, non-pretentious, and genuine.

Do you offer more than one type of tasting?
Yes, we offer three different types of tastings: our Current Release, BuyThe Bottle, and Funky Fridays. More details can be found on our visit webpage.

Can I bring my own food?
Yes! We encourage picnics and have ample shaded picnic tables. We also have a very gourmet vending machine stocked with charcuterie, cheeses, crackers- even caviar!

Can we sit outside?
Yes, all tastings are outside, tables are accompanied when needed with heaters or umbrellas, and sometimes, when it’s raining, tables are under an awning, even occasionally in the old Kentucky Ranch Barn.

Does Thacher wine contain additives?
Thacher wines are produced with native yeast and bacteria, minimal amounts of effective SO2, and are crafted without added enzymes, water, acids, tannins, or nutrients. We let the vineyards shine through, offering minimal intervention in the wine-making and growing process. The result is often a more restrained product with lower alcohol.

Where are your wines made, and who is your winemaker? What makes your wines different?
Sherman Thacher and Brenna Hill produce 100% of Thacher wine onsite, in the winery adjacent to the tasting room. Our wines are made with more nuance than sheer power, often with lower alcohol than typical in Paso Robles and with no additives.

Where are Thacher wines distributed?
With fewer than 5,000 cases produced, our wines are available in limited quantities at fine restaurants and retailers throughout CA, FL, OR, MD, and D.C.

How much time should I plan on spending at Thacher?
60-90 minutes would be an ideal amount of time to taste the wines and walk around.

What are your hours of operation?
We are open 7 days a week from 11 am - 5 pm, except on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.

Do you host weddings?
Thacher is open for large groups from 11 am- 5 pm by reservation only; after-hours events and weddings are not permitted.