California's heritage wine

Sunset, Oct, 1995 by Lora J. Finnegan

Norman Vineyards, 7450 Vineyard Dr.; 237-0138. Open 11 to 5:30 weekends. Former mechanical engineer Art Norman has spent 15 years tinkering with both his Zinfandel and this well-designed mission-style facility. The limited-production Zin is sold mostly at the winery. His wines show hints of raspberry and pepper in the nose, good depth and balance on the palate.

Peachy Canyon Winery, Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles; 238-7035. Open 11 to 5 weekends. Owner-winemaker Doug Beckett produces 4,000 cases of Zinfandel a year from vines 20 to 75 years old. His Zins are fruity, with soft tannins.

Pesenti Winery, 2900 Vineyard Dr., Templeton; 434-1030. Open 8 to 6 Mondays through Saturdays, 9 to 6 Sundays. Pesenti is one of the region's oldest winemaking families, in business here since 1934. It's a kick to drop by the firm old tasting room, where wine is still tasted in shot glasses.

Tobin James Cellars, 8950 Union Rd., just east of Paso Robles; 239-2204. Open 10 to 6 daily. Owner Tobin James Shumrick wanted his tasting room to impart a feel of the Old West -- hence artifacts like the Gatling gun and brass-railed tasting bar. His big Zinfandel, a blend of fruit from six vineyards, shows off the peppery nose typical of the region.