Who we are

A shared passion for flavor, craft, and connection.

Located in the heart of downtown Paso Robles, Staviary is a family-owned and operated restaurant created by Chef Rachel Ponce and brewmaster Eric Ponce — a husband and wife team devoted to the art of pairing food, beer, and wine.

Rachel’s culinary journey began in Paso Robles, where she discovered a deep love for pairings, how a single bite can transform a sip, and how that harmony can elevate both. Through her catering company, Pair With, LLC, founded in 2020, she has collaborated with some of the region’s finest wineries, winemakers, and breweries, crafting experiences that bring people together through taste and texture.

Eric’s expertise lies in the world of fermentation. After earning his master’s degree in Fermentation Science in Berlin, Germany, in 2011, his career led him across the globe, ultimately to Chicago, where he directed the barrel-aging program at Goose Island Beer Company, the largest of its kind in the world. It was there that Rachel and Eric met, and where Eric named the brewery’s barrel warehouse Staviary. They celebrated their marriage in that very space in 2015.

Years later, with Eric leading Firestone Walker’s Barrel Program and Rachel building Pair With into a celebrated local venture, the time came to bring their shared vision to life.

Staviary is the culmination of that dream — an intimate dining experience where craftsmanship, curiosity, and connection intertwine. Each plate and pour is designed to inspire discovery, inviting guests to explore the delicate balance between flavor and fermentation, simplicity and sophistication.