Ep 170 Listening to the Land: The Soul of the Soil – Featuring Avanales Ranch | HMR & Viking Vineyards

## 🍇 **Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights** 🍷 ## In this episode of *Where Wine Takes You*, Adam heads deep into the heart of Paso Robles agriculture with two guys who live the rhythm of the land every single day: **Daniel Sinton** of **Avanales Ranch** and **Sinton & Sons**, alongside **Chad Taber**, ranch manager for **HMR** and **Viking Vineyards** in the Adelaida District. ## This conversation goes far beyond wine. ## Adam and the guys dive into the realities of farming in Paso Robles: early budbreak, frost scares, heat spikes, vineyard stress, resilience, and the emotional weight of living at the mercy of nature. From old-vine Chenin Blanc planted in the early ‘70s to the historic limestone vineyards of Hoffman Mountain Ranch, this episode captures the soul of farming on the Central Coast. ## Daniel shares stories about his family’s deep ranching roots in San Luis Obispo County, how mentorship from respected viticulturist Hilary Graves helped save their old-vine Chenin Blanc program, and how that fruit has gone on to inspire winemakers across California. ## The conversation also explores the evolution of local food culture through **Sinton & Sons**, Daniel’s modern continuation of the historic J&R Meats legacy in Templeton. From dry-aged local beef to nutrient-dense “ancestral ground beef,” the episode looks at why consumers are reconnecting with where their food actually comes from and why that matters more than ever. ## Meanwhile, Chad takes listeners inside one of Paso’s most historic vineyard sites, HMR, where vines planted in the 1960s continue to produce legendary wines from limestone-rich soils at nearly 2,000 feet elevation. The guys talk farming instincts, vineyard intuition, weather anxiety, and the strange calm that comes from spending your life outdoors. ## Later in the show, Adam heads downtown for the Travel Paso Spotlight with **Tony Bennett** from **The Alchemists’ Garden**, one of Paso’s most inventive culinary and cocktail destinations. From globally inspired dishes to theatrical cocktails and the intimate lounge experience at **The Remedy**, the conversation highlights the creativity and energy transforming downtown Paso Robles into a true food-and-drink destination. ## **🍇 FEATURED GUESTS + BRANDS** ### **Daniel Sinton | Avanales Ranch + Sinton & Sons** ## 🔗 https://sintonandsons.com 📸 IG: @sintonandsons ### **Chad Taber | HMR + Viking Vineyards** ## 🔗 https://adelaida.com ### **The Alchemists’ Garden + The Remedy** ## 🔗 https://www.alchemistsgarden.com 🔗 https://www.theremedyca.com 📸 IG: @alchemistsgardenpaso ## **🌐 PASO WINE WIRE** ### **⚡ Castoro Cellars Expands “Farming with Light™”** ## Castoro Cellars and Saga Robotics expand autonomous UV-C vineyard technology to over 600 organic acres on the Central Coast, one of the largest programs of its kind in the U.S. ## 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/317749 ### **🍷 J. Lohr Celebrates 25 Years of Hospitality in Paso Robles** ## J. Lohr marks 25 years of its Paso Robles Wine Center while continuing to evolve the guest experience through seated tastings, vineyard education, and elevated hospitality. ## 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/317867 ### **🎉 Paso Wine Fest Is Here** ## One of Paso Robles wine country’s biggest weekends is back. ## 🔗 https://pasowine.com ## 🎧 **SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW** ## If you love *Where Wine Takes You*, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine-loving humans. ## **🎉 PASO WINE FEST WEEKEND MAY 15-17** **Paso Wine Fest and Paired Paso** One of the region’s premier events featuring winemakers and chefs, including Adam as a judge https://pasowine.com/consumer\_events/paired-paso/ **Sparkling Paso** A must for bubble lovers, showcasing sparkling wines from across the region https://pasowine.com/consumer\_events/sparkling-paso/ 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com ## 🎧 Subscribe & Follow Love Where Wine Takes You? Leave a review, subscribe, and share it with a fellow wine (or Paso) lover. ## 🎙️ Credits Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine Associate Producer: Krista Smith Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture) Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect 🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective 📱 Download the Paso Wine App 🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine ## 🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow If you love *Where Wine Takes You*, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favorite wine or Paso lover.  ©2026 *Where Wine Takes You*, All Rights Reserved.