Ep 164: Exploring the Creston District Sub AVA – Featuring Ella’s Vineyard | Defiance Vineyard

🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🍷 In this episode of Where Wine Takes You , Adam heads east into one of Paso Robles’ most quietly compelling sub-AVAs, the Creston District. It’s a place that doesn’t shout for attention, but once you find it, it sticks with you. Adam sits down with Erin Faulkner , co-owner of Defiance Vineyard , and Josh Morris , owner and winemaker of Ella’s Vineyard , two producers carving out their own identities in a part of Paso defined by elevation, wind, and independence. Erin shares the story behind Defiance, a true family-built operation that started from raw land and evolved into a Bordeaux-focused program rooted in intention and individuality. Josh brings a different lens with Ella’s Vineyard, leaning into Italian varietals, concrete fermentation, and a hospitality-driven experience that reflects both precision and personality. Together, the conversation dives into what makes Creston different, not just in terroir, but in mindset. A place where winemakers aren’t following a template, they’re building their own. Later in the show, Adam shifts from quiet vineyard hills to center stage, catching up with Manuel Barba from the Vina Robles Amphitheatre . They talk about the upcoming concert season, evolving guest experiences, and why this venue continues to be one of the most unique places to see a show on the Central Coast. 🍷 FEATURED GUESTS & WINERIES Defiance Vineyard • Website: https://www.defiancevineyard.com/ • IG: https://www.instagram.com/defiancevineyard/ Ella’s Vineyard • Website: https://www.ellasvineyard.com/ • IG: https://www.instagram.com/ellasvineyard Learn more about the Creston District AVA • https://pasowine.com/creston-district-2/ • https://paso.guides.winefolly.com/regions/ 🌐 PASO WINE WIRE Opolo Vineyards Releases Second Vintage of Vranac America’s only varietal bottling of this bold Balkan grape returns with its 2022 vintage, a unique Paso take on a Montenegrin classic. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/315639 Solterra Strategies & Sensorio Win Visit California Poppy Award A major win for local storytelling and tourism marketing, highlighting Paso’s growing presence on a statewide stage. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/315619 Halter Ranch Earns Glyphosate Residue Free Certification A first for Paso Robles, signaling a deeper push toward transparency and sustainability in the vineyard and in the bottle. 🔗 https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/315631 🌅 TRAVEL PASO SPOTLIGHT Vina Robles Amphitheatre One of the Central Coast’s premier live music venues, offering an intimate, high-quality concert experience right in the heart of wine country. Website: https://www.vinaroblesamphitheatre.com • IG: https://www.instagram.com/vinaroblesamphitheatre 🎉 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

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