Dracaena Wines, the king of cabernet franc.

Also, the most dog-friendly tasting room in downtown Paso Robles

—Enter the Dracaena Wines tasting room in downtown Paso Robles and become part of the family. Owners Lori and Michael Budd, along with their weimaraner, Vegas, are proud to call themselves a “two-person, one dog show” as they welcome visitors and locals alike.

The Budds started making wine in Paso Robles in 2013. Michael, a food chemist, and Lori, a microbiologist, have visited many wine regions over the years and knew the wine world was where they were meant to be. They are celebrating over 19 years of 90+ point rated wines with their motto, “Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories.”

“We truly believe in this sentiment,” Lori said. “Although we take winemaking seriously, we don’t take ourselves seriously. Wine is meant to be enjoyed and experienced with others.”

Cabernet franc specialists

Dracaena Wines specializes in cabernet franc, and the Budds currently produce their Classic, Reserve, and Blanc de Franc, a white cab franc. The winery is also known for its chenin blanc, which the Budds decided to produce because of its Loire Valley relationship.

“Cab franc is king and she is his queen,” Lori said. “Additionally, our customers love our Phoenix, which rises from the vineyard as a different wine every vintage. It can be a red, a white, a single variety, or a blend.”

Each year, the Budds make a limited amount of their Phoenix and when it sells out, it is gone forever. They also produce a tasty, direct-press grenache rosé.

Award-winning wines

As the founders of the internationally recognized Cab Franc Day, their passion is to promote the variety as more than a blending grape. Since their first 2013 vintage, Dracaena Wines has never received anything less than 90 points and has won multiple best-of-shows and double golds.

“We craft the wine that we would like to drink, but we understand there needs to be validation,” Michael said. “So, we do submit to some of the largest competitions.”

Two of their exceptional wines recently garnered gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest wine competition in North America. Their 2022 Cinnabari is a masterfully blended cabernet sauvignon with cabernet franc and merlot, affectionately known as the “family tree wine.” The 2022 Classic Cabernet Franc is an elegant expression of cabernet franc with a touch of petit verdot, showcasing complexity and balance.

“We are incredibly honored to receive these gold medals,” Lori said. “Our mission has always been to produce wines that reflect our passion and dedication to excellence, and these awards affirm our journey.”

In addition, the Budds offer a limited edition of their first-ever vertical of Classic Cabernet Franc featuring three acclaimed vintages. The 2013 and 2014 Classic Cabernet Franc earned 91 and 90 points respectively from Wine Enthusiast, while their 2015 is a double gold medal winner.

Welcoming tasting room

The Dracaena tasting room is cozy and welcoming with a lounge area, bar seats, high tops, and tables. With its many windows, the space is open and inviting. Guests enjoy taking in the sounds of classic rock on the radio and sports on the TV.

“In addition to being the most cab franc dedicated winery, we like to think we are the most dog-friendly,” Lori said. All dogs are greeted at Dracaena with a welcome treat, gift, and access to a toy chest and water bowl. “Vegas is our Chief Greeting Officer (CGO) and he takes his job very seriously and loves greeting customers at the door.”

The Budds ensure the tasting room is equally friendly to children, with toys to keep them busy while the adults enjoy their tastings and entertainment. And, when it comes to the tasting experience, Lori and Michael pour each wine, ensuring every visit is memorable with winemaker conversations and interactions.

“We want our customers to feel welcome, and we are proud to adapt our conversation to what the customer needs,” Lori said. “We do love geeking out, but know not everyone does, so we like people to feel comfortable and enjoy their time with us.”

In addition to wine tasting, the Budds offer specialty craft cocktails and mocktails at their Dracaena tasting room including a refreshing Vegas Spritz and the popular Franc-arita. Michael’s background as a food chemist extends to his offerings of delicious homemade jams and preserves available for purchase. Guests may also enjoy his homemade wine-infused chocolates along with other small bites.

Virtual tastings, wine club, and more

For those unable to visit in person, check out the Dracaena Virtual Tasting Experience. The kit includes four full 4-ounce pours and fun-tasting materials, with Lori taking guests through the tasting experience and process via Zoom. Gather your friends, or share this time even when you live miles apart.

The Chalk Club is Dracaena’s wine club and has three tiers to choose from, with each customizable to the guest’s liking. For locals, The Wine Whisperer is a special thank you to the community for its support. Check out details on each club as well as the virtual tasting opportunity on the Dracaena website.

Find recipes to pair with Dracaena wines including Colby Mac & Cheese, Lamb Gyros, Hazelnut Cheesecake, and more on the website. In addition, a list of upcoming events including Backgammon Night and Trivia Games Night are listed on the calendar and social media.

Dracaena Wines tasting room is located at 1244 Pine St. Open 12-6 Wednesday through Sunday, with extended hours on weekends. Reservations are appreciated, though not required. See for more information visit dracaenawines.com, call (805) 270-3327, or check social media.  

— By Meagan Friberg