Sunset+201810

PASO ROBLES, CA

Thomas Hill Organics

The rustic, brick-clad interior and

farm-to-table dishes are worth

a visit alone, but it’s the wine list

that draws those in the know to

this hub. Owner Debbie Thomas

goes out of her way to get her

hands on under-the-radar juice,

often landing tiny-production

Paso wines. Grab a seat, sip a

Lone Madrone Picpoul Blanc,

and start asking questions.

thomashillorganics.com.

ST. HELENA, CA

Press

If you want to dig into the Napa

Valley wine archives, hit this luxe

establishment on State 29. Som-

melier Scott Brenner stocks the

cellar with hundreds of gems go-

ing back to the 1950s and be-

yond. Decked out in dark carved

wood and warm leather, the spa-

cious bar area often entices the

valley’s biggest names in vino.

It’s the place to be, whether

you’re in the main dining room

eyeing a rib-eye and a rare 1987

Opus One or you just want to

tuck into a beer and a burger

while scanning the bar for Caber-

net royalty. pressnapavalley.com.

McMINNVILLE, OR

Thistle

No absentee owner, Emily How-

ard is the one serving your food

in this cozy space outfitted with

vintage decor. She also manages

to find room for one of the

Willam ette Valley’s coolest wine

collections—a mix of hometown

bottles and international finds.

Locals head right to the bar side

of the establishment for inspired

takes on classic cocktails. The

seasonal menu changes daily,

and so does the up-to-date advice

about who is making waves in

Oregon’s Pinot Noir heartland.

thistlerestaurant.com.

WALLA WALLA, WA

Passatempo Taverna

This is Washington wine country’s

ground zero for handmade pasta

(think world-class duck ragu),

but many locals show up simply

because Jim German is often the

guy behind the bar. His fanciful

drinks—like the Codex, made with

gin, Zirbenz, Cocchi Americano,

and orange bitters—attract vint-

ners after a long day in the cellar.

Think of it as happy hour crossed

with a wine-stained Rolodex.

passatempowallawalla.com.

You could easily leave with the

most cutting-edge tasting

itinerary ... albeit scrawled on

a cocktail napkin.

babi’s beer

emporium

press

thistle

DIGITAL BONUS

Explore more

of our favorite wine

regions in the West:

sunset.com/winecountry.

SUNSET ❖ OCTOBER 2018 91

TOP RIGHT: ERIC WOLFINGER; BOTTOM: JOHN W. CLARK