The Paso Robles Wine Country region is
rapidly growing and is starting to become very well-known. This area is
an excellent alternative to the high priced Napa Valley. This region is
situated about 20 miles east of the Pacific Ocean - about 30 minutes
north of San Luis Obispo. Today there are well over 50 wineries in this
region - one of the neat aspects of these wineries is that many are
small and family owned. Often tasting is by appointment only. San Luis
Obispo county continues to increase its wine production - in fact it is
now the 4th largest premium Coastal growing area in California, after
Sonoma, Napa, & Monterey counties.
Wine making in this area dates all the way back to the late 1700's when
grapes were first planted by Franciscan missionaries.
Summertime temperatures can be quite hot with temperatures often
reaching the low 100's. Wintertime temperatures can range anywhere from
freezing at night to the low 60's during the day.
Several annual events are held each year.
The Zinfandel Festival is held the 3rd weekend in March
The Paso Robles Wine Festival is held the 3rd weekend in May
The Harvest Wine Tour is held the 3rd weekend in October
A fantastic source for local Central Coast wines is Central Coast
Wines - a shop specializing in local wines located at 712 Higuera
Street in San Luis Obispo. They sell many different varieties in their
store, they have a wine club, and often they will invite local wineries
to bring some of their wines for wine tasting. Please visit www.ccwines.com
for more information. Also try
Club Taste
near Monterey Street. They have automatic Enomatic wine pouring machines
- buy a "wine credit card" and choose which wines you want to taste for
a small fee. 1 oz pours but Tuesday is 2oz pours for the same price!
Often wine events are held here.
For the ultimate guide to Paso Robles Wine Country please visit: www.pasowine.com
They have updated weather information, detailed information about every
winery in the region, maps and much much more!
Edna Valley is located about
15 minutes from San Luis Obispo - although not very well known among the
overall California wine locations, this valley is home to over 20 small
wineries. Most of the wineries are very small compared to some of the
more well-known wine regions in California such as Napa, Sonoma and the
Santa Ynez Valley.
Several wineries in the Edna valley & San Luis Obispo area that we have visited are:
Alapay Cellars has a small tasting room in
Avila Beach at 415 First Street. They are a small winery but
consistently win awards at the San Francisco Chronicle's annual wine
competition. Tasting is $5 and includes tastes of 12 different wines! Be
sure to talk to the Indonesian lady behind the counter - this is very
friendly and a great source of local information. Awesome dessert wines.
Visit:
www.alapaycellars.com
Baileyana and Tangent is located in an old schoolhouse
www.baileyana.com
Small tasting room - picnic area and ample parking.
Wolff Vineyards is located off of Orcutt road on a small side dirt road
that leads to the top of the hill where the winery and owners home is
located. This is a very family oriented winery. Tasting is typically
outside weather permitting in a small patio overlooking the vineyards of
Edna Valley. This is one of the oldest wineries in the valley. Be sure
to try their
Teroldego wine - which is an
unusual wine in the USA - and originates from Italy.
More
info:
www.wolffvineyards.com
Wolf Vineyards - Tasting Room |
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Claiborne & Churchill is located right off of highway 227. This winery
is located in a "straw bale" building and one small part of one of the
walls has been cut out so you can see this type of construction. They
make an unbelievable port! More
info:
www.claibornechurchill.com
For more information visit the San Luis Obispo Vintner's Association
here: www.slowine.com.
Be sure to pick up their very informative Edna Valley winery guide and
area map - you can find this at any of the wineries. Also check out
www.taste-slo.com.
Two companies
offering San Luis Obispo Wine Tours are:
Central Coast Wine Tours -
www.slocountywinetours.com
Wine Country Tasting Tours -
www.gogrape.com
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