Not just a winery – a destination experience

“We are a customer focused team, proudly representing Paso Robles and committed to continuing to bolster the high quality reputation of Paso Robles wines.” The mission statement of Broken Earth Winery barely scratches the surface of the vision and values of this winery and their team. They are about family, friendship, fun, education, community, charity and yes, most definitely food and wine. A visit to Broken Earth is a Paso sensory experience, beginning when you enter the driveway viewing the exquisite grounds and tasting room. You instinctively know something special awaits, which is what makes this winery a not to be missed “destination experience.”

There are wines…and there are wines

Broken Earth, a family owned winery, introduced their first release in 2012…and it’s been nonstop ever since. Winemaker Chris Cameron (the most delightful Aussie you have ever met), brings his knowledge and experience of 40 years making wine throughout the world to produce a lineup of usual and unusual award winning wines. Among the various labels produced, the Broken Earth label is the jewel, offering reserve, vineyard select, limited release and estate selections. Among the current limited releases is a tantalizing 2015 Verdelho, (double gold San Francisco International Wine Competition) a Portuguese varietal. Additional limited release wines include (or will include), tannat, black muscat, albarino, vermentino, fiano (an Italian white) and nero d’avola (a Sicilian varietal). These unique varietals are in addition to the currently offered award winning Bordeaux and Rhone varietals.

Food and wine

The most enjoyable way to appreciate wines you sample at Broken Earth is with food, and there are many options to choose from:
Cheese and Wine Pairing. Sample five cheeses with five wines. The current selection includes the award winning verdelho paired with a white mango and ginger stilton, and the 2010 Reserve Cabernet (94 points International Wine Competition) pairing perfectly with a two year aged Gouda.

Chocolate & wine pairing

As with the cheese pairing, try five wines with five chocolates. The reserve merlot (Best of Class & Chairman’s Award, Dan Berger’s International Wine competition) pairs with a 72-percent dark chocolate, black cherry flavored oil, with multicolored peppercorns & vanilla bean salt. And if that’s not enough to get you salivating, the chocolate pairings are additionally being accompanied by a Johnny Cash song, in this case: “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.”
Now that you have your salivary glands going, step into the Broken Earth Café for a light lunch. Sip a glass of wine while dining on an Italian grilled Panini, Thai chicken pie, ground beef pie or an assortment of other delectables then end your meal with the best Italian espresso in Paso Robles.

Join the fun!

Have some fun when you visit Broken Earth! Chris and his lovely wife Ursula area all about providing a complete experience to first time and long standing winery fans.

Fun for the whole family, is offered every Saturday rain or shine. Great local bands, food and lots of family entertainment to be had by all: 1-4 p.m. Check the website for other special events, such as Thirsty Thursdays, special Rhone Ranger tastings and activities plus other great food, family oriented, wine friendly activities.

Membership has its privileges

For the ultimate Broken Earth experience, check out the wine club. With many different levels of membership, enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including special discounts, free tastings and of course, the ultimate Broken Earth Pick Up Party! Four times a year enjoy meeting new friends while enjoying food paired with exciting new wines, all while reveling in a Las Vegas Night, or by putting on your best dead face and joining a Zombie Party, or bring your guitar during Broken Earth’s Mexican Fiesta. Whatever the theme, you and the family will have a remarkable and memorable time.

Community commitment

As much as Broken Earth is focused on their wines and wine lovers, they are equally dedicated to the entire local community. Seeing themselves as stewards of the soil, they are a California Certified Sustainable Vineyard. The winery is 100-percent solar powered, and through their green commitments, are actually able to achieve deficit irrigation.
Education and charities are a big part of Broken Earth. Chris sponsors industry educational events monthly, both for staff and industry personnel, and charity is a huge part of Broken Earth, with involvement in both the local Boys and Girls Club and sponsoring special events to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Make Broken Earth your destination winery. Visit them for the wine. Visit them for the food and the atmosphere. Visit them to have family fun and to be part of the Broken Earth community helping children in need. As Chris and Ursula would say: “We strive to make Broken Earth Winery the most ‘family-friendly’ facility in Paso Robles. Children are our future and we do as much as we can to ensure that future is sound. Please stop by and say hello, we look forward to welcoming you.”

Broken Earth Winery Tasting Room is open 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., 7 days a week. They are located at  5625 Highway 46 East in Paso Robles, Ca 93446. For more information go to Brokenearthwinery.com.

–Don Sonderling