Tablas Creek is a partnership between the Perrin family, proprietors of Château de Beaucastel in France's Southern Rhône Valley, and the Haas family of US-based Vineyard Brands. They are the early pioneers of Rhône varietals in California, and particularly in Paso Robles. The partners searched California, looking for a close match to the Mediterranean climate and high pH soils of Château de Beaucastel. In 1989, they purchased a 120-acre parcel twelve miles from the Pacific Ocean in what is now the Adelaida District west of Paso Robles. They named it Tablas Creek Vineyard, after the small creek running through the property.

The property elevation averages 1,500 feet, and the shallow, rocky limestone soils are of the same geologic origin as those at Beaucastel. Summer days are hot and sunny, but the influence of the nearby Pacific cools the nights, and the remarkably Rhône-like Paso Robles climate allows the grapes to mature fully and yet retain crisp acidity. Ample rainfall in the winter allows most of the vineyard to be dry-farmed each year.

The Patelin de Tablas Rouge is a nod to Côtes du Rhône blends, but boasts exotic spices, very lively fruit, and great concentration.