North County Culinary Veteran Takes Menu and Pairings to Next Level
Templeton, CA: Delectable new flavors are now abounding at AronHill Vineyards as Kara Massey has taken the reins of the winery’s namesake bistro in the Templeton Gap district of Paso Robles.
“Kara brings a refreshing new culinary twist to our small family bistro,” said Proprietor Judy Aron. “She is implementing an array of exciting new specials as well as taking our daily menu to the next level. Her dishes are the perfect showcase for AronHill wines.”
Massey is a longtime local culinary veteran. She was among the inaugural graduating class of the Paso Robles Culinary Arts Academy in 2001. Most recently, she was the executive chef at Paso Robles Golf Club. She was previously the sous chef at Summerwood Winery & Inn and sous chef and pastry chef at Villa Toscana.
“My vision is to elevate our menu,” Massey said. “By enhancing our AronHill classics, getting creative with our specials and implementing more shareable plates, I think we provide a unique wine country dining experience and some imaginative pairings with AronHill wines.”
Signature dishes now include a Mushroom, Bacon & Stilton salad with local spring mix, heirloom tomatoes, saba and roasted garlic; a Pear & Pesto sandwich on rustic ciabatta with grilled chicken breast manchego cheese, and local spring mix; and a Bacon & Brie burger on rustic ciabatta with roma tomato, arugula, and leek and thyme aioli. Shareables include artisan cheese and charcuterie, as well as fig and ricotta toast with balsamic reduction, thyme, honey and black pepper. Many ingredients are being sourced from local purveyors such as La Migliore Italian Bakery in Paso Robles and Fromagerie Sophie in San Luis Obispo.
Located at 3745 West Highway 46, the AronHill Bistro is integrated into the winery tasting room. Bistro dining is an optional experience for tasting room guests. Those wishing to dine may place their order and taste a flight of wines while their food is prepared. Outdoor patio seating overlooks the estate vineyard with sweeping views of surrounding mountains and oak woodlands. The bistro is open on Fridays through Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The story of AronHill Vineyards begins in 1996, when Judy Aron joined the proverbial “boy’s club” of Paso Robles winegrowers at a time when the region was only beginning to make a name for itself. She planted eight acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and Primitivo along the limestone-studded terrain of her family property in the heart of the Templeton Gap. In 2004, she released her inaugural wine under the AronHill label.
“Kara fits right into our culture here at AronHill,” Aron said. “We are a family winery with a deep appreciation for what the land provides us. You taste this not only in our wines, but in Kara’s dishes, which really showcase the pure, natural qualities of their ingredients.”
The AronHill Bistro is the Paso Robles wine country’s dining discovery, where you will enjoy fresh dishes made from seasonal and local ingredients, all paired with stunning hilltop views. The philosophy of the AronHill Bistro mirrors our approach to winemaking: deliver full, authentic flavors by relying on the best ingredients, and by not overcomplicating what nature has provided. Visit AronHillVineyards.com for more information.
