Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

Alex Villicana, from Villicana Winery & Re:Find Distillery in Paso Robles

05.20.2025
Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations for Paso’s favorable viticulture climate; the winery was one of only 20 in Paso Robles at that time. Today, over 300 wineries crisscross Paso’s bucolic and mountainous landscape.

Alex Villicana of Villicana Winery, working a grape harvest in Paso Robles

Alex and his wife Monica moved from Southern California to Paso Robles full-time several years later and in 2023 were voted Wine Industry People of the Year.

Alex and Monica Villicana of Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

The innovation didn’t stop at Villicana’s limited-production premier wine. In the “spirit” of sustainability and a no-waste philosophy, they created Re:Find Distillery (Paso Robles’s first distillery, established in 2011).

The idea was to use the saignée (free run juice) that wineries woefully discard during winemaking, and use it to make all-natural spirits, like limoncello, cucumber vodka, and rye whiskey.

Taste for yourself when you visit Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery in Paso Robles. The tasting room is part of the working winery so you not only get to sip and sample and picnic, you also have a good chance of meeting Alex and Monica on-site and observing the process of making magic in a bottle.

Alex and Monica Villicana, wearing Re:Find Distillerytee shirts and standing out in front of Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

Something we love about Paso Robles’s wine and spirit country is its roots-run-deep community vibes and humble, passionate, down-to-earth nature. We’ll drink to that!

The vineyards at Villicana Winery in Paso Robles

Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery are a dream built from the ground up!

Listen to Weekend Sherpa’s podcast Take It Outside episode 67, "Spring into Summer” to hear our conversation with Alex Villicana.

Check out Weekend Sherpa’s feature on Paso Robles: Road Trip to Real California.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Waterfall Hunter

    If you ask a local in Reno about one of the best hiking trails in town, odds are high they’ll point you to Hunter Creek Falls. It’s a year-round favorite, but it absolutely shines in spring, when desert peach wildflowers make a splash—and so does the marquee waterfall.

    View

  2. Cheers to Chimney

    If you’re looking for all that Point Reyes has to offer in spring, Chimney Rock is the place to be. The 1.75-mile (round-trip) hike to Chimney may be short, but it packs a visual punch, quadrupling the viewing thrills during spring.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View

  4. Hello, Sur!

    Big Sur is home to numerous fantastic beaches and coves, so which one do you choose? Go for the beach that's quintessential Big Sur (and dog-friendly!). Pfeiffer Beach in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Its signature lilac-colored sand is waiting for your feet!

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Garland in Bloom

    Carmel Valley is known for its quaint wineries and scenic hiking trails. Enjoy both on this 3.75-mile loop through Garland Ranch Regional Park.

    View
  2. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

    View
  3. Bike the Coastal Trail to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay

    Ride and Seek

    Oceanside breezes, beautiful beaches, a car-free pathway for biking, and beer at the end: You’re on a roll! The San Mateo Coast was made for beach hopping and beer tasting … and it all goes down smooth as part of an 8-mile out-and-back bike ride.

    View

  4. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.

    View