News & Press

Académie du Vin Library: The Spirit of the Rhône in Paso Robles

We were delighted to be featured in Andrew James’ latest piece, which explores the Franco-American partnership behind Tablas Creek and the decades-long collaboration that brought Rhône varieties and regenerative practices to Paso Robles. The article traces the connection between Château de Beaucastel and the Haas family, and how that alliance helped make rhone varieties part of the identity of Paso Robles. From the article:

Along with Bandol’s Domaine Tempier, Esprit de Tablas is one of the finest expressions of Mourvèdre I have encountered… Clearly, the wines from Tablas Creek can never be reproductions of Beaucastel blends. As the current name of the top wine suggests, the winery has developed its own spirit.

The piece also features a three-vintage comparison of Esprit de Tablas (2006, 2014, and 2021), and highlights how Tablas Creek’s regenerative farming practices have influenced even Beaucastel’s approach to viticulture in the Rhône.

Wine Talks with Paul K. Podcast: Rhône Varietals, Innovation, and Community with Jason Haas of Tablas Creek

We were excited to see Jason Haas featured on this wide-ranging podcast episode exploring the evolution of Paso Robles, the Rhône varietal movement in California, and the values that have guided Tablas Creek since day one. The conversation dives into the origin story of our French-American partnership, the regeneration of nearly forgotten grapes, and the people-first spirit that still defines our community.

Jason shares insights into farming, sustainability, and why innovation in wine starts in the vineyard and not the packaging. It’s also full of great anecdotes about the early days of Paso, regional identity, and why wine clubs and Little League might have more in common than you think.

Ehlers Estate Podcast: What’s the Problem

We were honored to have Jason Haas featured on the Ehlers Estate Podcast, What’s the Problem, for a thoughtful conversation about legacy, leadership, and the future of winegrowing. As second-generation proprietor of Tablas Creek, Jason shares the story of how a Franco-American partnership gave rise to one of California’s benchmark Rhône-style producers—and how a commitment to sustainability has shaped every chapter since.

The episode explores the journey to Regenerative Organic Certification, Jason’s role in broader industry advocacy, and how transparency, education, and innovation have helped guide Tablas Creek’s growth without compromise.

ReGen Brands Podcast: The Regenerative Organic Vineyard Pioneering Rhône-Style Wine

We were honored to be featured on the ReGen Brands Podcast, where host Kyle Krull sat down with our own Jason Haas for a wide-ranging conversation about Tablas Creek’s journey from importing Rhône varieties and launching a grapevine nursery to becoming the first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard in the world.

The episode dives into our farming philosophy, the realities of managing a 270-acre regenerative estate, and how we’re working to grow demand and support for regenerative wine across the industry.

🎧 Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast platform

Vinous: “Beyond Expectations: Twenty-Three Years of Tablas Creek’s Esprit de Tablas”

We were thrilled to be featured in Vinous this week in an expansive retrospective by Eric Guido, who shared notes on eighteen vintages of our flagship red blend, Esprit de Tablas. The article traces the wine’s evolution since its 2000 debut, and leads Eric to conclude, "The Esprit de Tablas proves time and time again that it can mature positively for two decades or more." Along the way, Eric shares the history of Tablas Creek, highlights key vintage milestones, and celebrates the ongoing influence of the Haas and Perrin families’ original vision. From his conclusion:

“If there’s one U.S. Rhône blend that unfailingly embodies purity, complexity and age-worthiness, it’s the Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas.”

In total, he reviewed 18 vintages of Esprit de Tablas, with scores ranging from 91 to 96+ points. Among the top-rated wines:

• 2004 Esprit de Beaucastel – 96 points: “Pure elegance … beautifully balanced and well-constructed.”

• 2015 Esprit de Tablas – 96 points: “keeps the mouth watering for more.”

• 2019 Esprit de Tablas – 96 points: “seamlessly silky in feel ... built for the cellar”

• 2021 Esprit de Tablas – 96+ points: “Dramatically long and structured … There’s so much potential here.”

It was great also to see Eric highlight something that we have long believed: that Esprit is a great value among category-leading wines:

In the broader context of fine wine, the Esprit de Tablas remains a remarkable value in the market. Even older vintages remain available to wine club members at fair prices for wines with age.

The Buyer: How California’s Paso Robles region is closing the gap with Napa

We were happy to see ourselves included in Victor Smart’s deep dive into the evolution of Paso Robles, highlighting how the region’s unique soils, dramatic temperature swings, and bold winemaking compete on the world stage. The article profiles six boutique producers, Tablas Creek among them, who recently poured their wines at 67 Pall Mall in London for an audience of UK wine buyers.

Back in 1987 the Tablas Creek winery was created as a joint venture between Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its US importer. One of a group soon dubbed the Rhône Rangers, the winery imported vines from all 13 varietals from the famed French Rhône château… Neil Collins, Tablas’s director of winemaking, describes that initiative as ‘complete insanity’. They decided to comply with all the appropriate red tape, and the US agricultural authorities spent 13 long years approving the varietals’ establishment. Still, the bold move worked.

Vinetur: Alcohol Sales Surge Ahead of Fourth of July as Rosé and Summer Wines Drive Demand

We were pleased to see our 2024 Patelin de Tablas Rosé highlighted among the top-performing wines in this nationwide roundup of summer sales trends. The article reports strong demand across categories, particularly rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and RTD cocktails, as retailers gear up for Fourth of July festivities.

The release of the 2024 vintage rosés has generated interest, with top sellers including Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles Rosé, Love by Léoube Côtes de Provence Rosé, and Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé

The Drinks Business: Winemakers think outside the box to protect their flock

We were happy to see ourselves included in Kathleen Willcox’s piece, which explores how vintners are using animals to reduce their carbon footprint and protect their regenerative flocks. The article highlights how sheep are replacing herbicides in vineyards and the creative ways wineries are keeping them safe from predators. From the article:

At Tablas Creek in Paso Robles, where regenerative agriculture has long been the name of the game, a combination of sheep and guardian dogs is deployed. ‘Our team of dogs protects our flock of around 250 sheep year-round,’ [Winemaker Neil] Collins says. ‘We used to have a llama, but the dogs are better suited to handle the real dangers from coyotes and mountain lions.’