Our History
Oso Libre Ranch: a unique legacy for an unforgettable estate.
Meaning "Free Bear" in Spanish, the name represents our blended family names and the spirit of California's early pioneers.
Vines, Wines and Angus
In 1996, Linda and Chris Behr purchased 90 acres of raw land on the West side of Paso Robles. Slowly, they developed the land and turned it into a sustainable, modern working ranch that hosts over thousands of annual visitors. Oso Libre opened in October 2009 after spending many years slowly learning how to grow vines and make wines. In 2020, Winemaker Michael Barreto and his wife Joey forged a business partnership with the Behr family to continue the legacy of Oso Libre for many years to come.
“The key ingredient to our successful Vines, Wines and Angus program is that we enjoy what we do and the lifestyle that comes with it”. - Chris Behr
Oso Libre produces award winning, artisanal estate wines in limited quantities. Sustainably farmed vineyards are deeply rooted in rugged, calcareous (limestone) hills exposed to sunshine and ocean breezes consistently producing rich, complex fruit. The West side Adelaida District AVA where we sit is well known for an amazing micro-climate and neighboring great wineries.
Harvest on the Estate usually comes late in October or early November, which is about six weeks longer than in warmer climates. This extended hang time for the grapes rewards us with premium and sophisticated fruit, resulting in exceptional wine. We invite you to experience our distinct direct varietal estate vintages, Bordeaux and Rhone blends and dessert wines.