Interview: Jason Haas Tablas Creek Vineyard, 2nd Generation Proprietor
The World’s First Regenerative Organic Certified® Vineyard
I was so pleased to interview Jason Haas, the 2nd generation proprietor of Tablas Creek, the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard. He is the vintner of world-class Rhône varietal wines in Paso Robles, CA. This winery has origins in the partnership of his father, Robert Haas, and the Family Perrin of Chateau de Beaucastel, of Southern Rhône Valley, France fame. In these interviews we discussed the origins of America’s Rhône Rangers, as he is their past President. We also discussed what it means to be a Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard. Jason has advice and venues he endorses when you visit the Paso Robles area. Finally, I have recommended several of the truly fine wines of Tablas Creek.
About Jason Haas and Tablas Creek Vineyard
Jason Haas is Past President of the “Rhone Rangers”, the 2015 Paso Robles Wine Industry Person of the Year, and 2022 Food & Wine Magazine Drinks Innovators of the Year. Tablas Creek Vineyard produces 16,000 cases per year, they farm 125 acres of vines and have won numerous international awards. The flagship wine is Esprit de Tablas (modeled on Châteauneuf-du-Pape) and serves as a benchmark for Central California Rhône-style reds.
Tablas Creek Awards and Articles
Decanter Magazine: Six Tablas Creek wines receive up to 95 points!
Vinous 2024: the Esprit de Tablas is the #18 Wine in the World.
Wine Spectator: The Best Boxed Wines for 2025
For more information, see “An Afternoon at Tablas Creek, A Wine Sustainability Leader,” Forbes, Dec. 17, 2024
“There is a great 1989 cover of Wine Spectator where Randall Graham, founder of Bonny Doon Vineyards, dressed up like the Lone Ranger. So, they called him the ‘Rhône Ranger.’” – Jason Haas, Proprietor, Tablas Creek, February 11, 2025
Who are the “Rhône Rangers?”
“Rhône Rangers” as they have been dubbed since the mid 1980’s has helped to change the way America drinks wine. The Rhone Rangers organization in America promotes wines that contain at least 75% of the 22 traditional Rhône grape varieties to be enjoyed with an emphasis on integration into daily lives.
(Editor’s Note: this video is an important explanation of the certification.)
What is a Regenerative Certified Organic Vineyard?
“We’ve been organic since our inception. That’s something we inherited from our partners at Beaucastel [Chateau de Beaucastel – Family Perrin.] It gives us the best chance to show off our terroir, the character of our place…a balanced ecosystem…There are four pillars to the certification including: soil health, animal welfare, farmworker fairness, and resource usage.” – Jason Haas, Proprietor, Tablas Creek Vineyard, February 11, 2025
Editor’s Note: Jason Haas recommends Paso Robles venues. Youtube above.
About Paso Robles Wine Country and Wine Tourism
Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco is the site for one of the most innovative wine regions in California. This region was forward-thinking in growing varietal wines well suited to its terroir – climate, sun, and soil. There is an AVA (American Viticultural Area) called Paso Robles, and there are 11sub-regions of the AVA, each bringing its own unique character. The heritage grape of the region is Zinfandel, but the region gained recognition of a wider range of grape varietals, the Bordeaux varietals, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, but famously also the Rhône varietals like Viognier, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Roussanne.
If You Go to Paso Robles
*Sensorio - Paso Robles, California’s largest immersive art exhibition.
* Beaches - Cambria down to Pismo, with Cayucos being a favorite
*Hearst Castle at San Simeon – the hilltop castle on 127 acres owned by the William Randolph Hearst publishing dynasty. The movie Citizen Cane, the Orson Welles epic tale, is based on an outline of his life.
*Golf Courses everywhere
*Paso Robles downtown shopping and park. Don’t miss Studios on the Park, a cooperative art gallery
Getting There
You can fly into the San Luis Obispo airport nearby, but don’t miss the quaint town of Paso Robles.
Recommended Wines
2022 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Blanc, Adelaida District, Paso Robles $60
94 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
This white wine is crafted with a grape blend of Roussanne (33%), Grenache Blanc (32%), Picpoul Blanc (14%), Bourboulenc (5%), Clairette Blanche (8%), and Picardan (8%).
2022 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas, Adelaida District, Paso Robles $70
96 Points, James Suckling
The Rhône-style red blend consists of the following grapes: Mourvèdre (40%), Grenache (28%), Syrah (22%), Vaccarese (4%), Counoise (3%), and Cinsaut (3%).
2022 Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas, Adelaida District, Paso Robles $36
92 Points, Robert Parker’s, Wine Advocate
A red blend of Grenache (44%), Syrah (33%), Counoise (19%), and Mourvèdre (4%).
2024 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rosé, Paso Robles $30
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast (for the sold-out 2023 vintage)
A rosé blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Vermentino, and Counoise.
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar 2025
The Science of Wine: A Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery Experience: Demystifying a Wine Tech Sheet
10 Tips for Planning Your Next Trip to Paris
LIVE from Paris, France: Exploring Notre Dame and the Louvre Once More
LIVE from the Seine River: An AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise
What is the Wine Custom Crush Business?
The Popularity of City Wineries
An Interview with Mike Lewellen, Managing Partner, Lucas & Lewellen Winery, Santa Barbara
Malbec: Domestic and International Finds
Barolo and Barbaresco: Let’s Get an Update
The Real Cost of Wine Tariffs: Economic Impact on Local U.S. Restaurants
The Magic of Tuscany: Touring the Region
Live from Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail: Where to Taste with Tourism Tips
Book Review: Big Macs and Burgundy
In Case You Missed It in the News: Wine Business
The Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2025 “From Champagne to Bourbon, Alcohol Lands on the Front Lines of Global Trade War.”
WineBusiness, March 10, 2025 “Wine Advocacy and Grassroots Marketing: Why Share and Pair Sundays Campaign is Launching this Month.”
Reuters: March 13, 2025: “Trump threatens tariffs on European wine and spirits in escalating trade war.”
Businesswire, March 12, 2025: “Wine Enthusiast Companies Launches Cork+Compass Travel, Offering Exceptional and Exclusive Wine Adventures in Fall 2025.”
Follow Wine Wanderings on Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky
Travel Opportunities
****
Cruise with Wine Wanderings: Cruise Travel Reminder: River Seine – Paris – Normandy – Giverny on AmaWaterways
Cruise the Danube on AmaWaterways with Wine Wanderings and Wölffer Estate Winery, April 20, 2026, Romantic Danube.
****
Jason’s father, Robert Haas, was not only a pioneer but an extraordinarily decent individual. I knew him when he was based in Vermont. He and Barbara were some of the finest people on the planet. So happy Jason’s building on their legacy.