Optio Vineyards
Get the Dirt from owner Troy LaMar
“Being small means we get to focus on quality over quantity. Every decision—from the vineyard to the bottle—is intentional and hands-on. We know each vine, each barrel, and each bottle personally, and that level of care shows in the wine.”
What was your first vintage year? 2016
How many cases do you make per vintage? About 400 per vintage.
Do you have a Tasting Room? Yes, but we are by appointment only. Reservations are required. Please visit our website HERE to book your tasting experience.
If not you, who is your winemaker? We are thrilled to have a Central Coast native, Aaron Jackson as our winemaker. He has been in the wine business since 2002 when he launched his first brand Aaron Wines.
What varietals do you work with?
We work mostly with Tempranillo and Petite Sirah. We also make a Chardonnay and Grenache.
What vineyards do you source from?
In 2008, we purchased a 14-acre property in Paso Robles, and by 2014, with the help of vineyard manager Neil Roberts, planted 10 acres of Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, and Mourvèdre. Our vineyard is located in the Geneseo District and we bottle 100% versions of Tempranillo and Petite Sirah from our estate. Our Chardonnay comes from the Norgrove Vineyard and our Grenache from Spanish Springs Vineyard in the San Luis Obispo AVA.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
We only use French oak for aging our wines. All of them, including the Chardonnay, see some new oak but most are a mix of new and neutral barrels. We age all of our reds for about 16 months.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
Optio is proudly rooted in the Templeton Gap, within the newly designated Geneseo AVA. The unique microclimate here sets us apart—warm days, cool coastal breezes, and dramatic temperature shifts create ideal growing conditions that bring out vibrant flavors and balance in the fruit. For us, it’s not just about the terroir, but also the sense of place. Templeton Gap offers a perfect balance of tradition, innovation, and natural beauty, and we get to bottle that spirit in every vintage.
What’s the story behind your winery name / label?
Optio comes from the latin word for “choice”. At Optio Vineyards, we feel that just as we make choices in life, so too, we make choices in the vineyard and in the winemaking process.
What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery?
That making wine is only half the job—the other half is running a business. From compliance and sales to marketing and storytelling, it takes wearing many hats. It’s challenging, but the reward is sharing something we love, crafted with our own hands.
What’s so great about being small? What can you do as a small winemaker that wouldn’t be possible for larger wineries?
Being small means we get to focus on quality over quantity. Every decision—from the vineyard to the bottle—is intentional and hands-on. We know each vine, each barrel, and each bottle personally, and that level of care shows in the wine. Our size allows us to stay true to our vision, experiment with unique winemaking techniques, and craft wines that reflect not just the land, but also our passion.
As a boutique winery, we’re not bound by mass production schedules or corporate quotas. We can: Handcraft every detail: From carefully selecting fruit to gently guiding fermentations, nothing is rushed or overlooked.
How do you view the future of the wine industry for small-lot winemakers?
We believe the future is bright for small-lot winemakers. More and more wine lovers are seeking authenticity—wines with a story, a sense of place, and a personal touch. That’s where boutique producers like us thrive.
Do you ever get tired of drinking your own wine?
No way!
If you could choose another wine region to work in what would it be?
None, Paso Robles is by far the best region to work in.
For more information about Optio Vineyards, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram.