Crushed Grape gift baskets make the perfect holiday gift!

Crushed Grape gift baskets full of local goods

-San Luis Obispo County has such an incredibly bountiful supply of locally-based food and wine products to offer. It’s wonderful to share them with friends and family during the holiday season, for special occasions or any time throughout the year, but where, however, can you find the best possible selection in one convenient location?  

Crushed Grape, home of the original SLO Basket, offers a wonderfully diverse range of locally produced, edible favorites ranging from Cayucos Hot Sauce, Old County Rib Roundup Seasoning, Chadmark Farms Apple Butter, Robbins Family Farm and Olive Diva Olive Oils and Paso Almond Brittle, to SLO Roasted Coffee, Linn’s Jams and Tropical Chocolates.  

“We donate a total of 30 baskets and gift certificates each month to local nonprofits, schools, hospitals, etc. It’s what it’s all about and I consider that my opportunity to give back to our community. I’m always happy to help,” explains Gretchen Gonyer.

Wines include a vast selection of local chardonnays, sauvignon blancs, zinfandels, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noirs, such as Wolff Pinot Noir, Laetitia Champagne or Saucelito Canyon Zinfandel. Talley Vineyards Chardonnay and Harmony Cellars Riesling are always nice selections, as well.  They have also recently begun to carry Hearst Ranch wines as well.    

“We are so fortunate to live in a community that is so supportive of small businesses,” explains owner Gretchen Gonyer. “When we first started out, I visited every conceivable farmers market, winery, local food manufacturer and from there it just continued to grow. I love the connections I’ve made along the way with local wineries, farmers and ranchers. I have such a great appreciation of all the hard work that they do,” she said.  

The Crushed Grape also carries a wide selection of local gifts, such as hats, cotton tea towels, games, scarves and a wonderful selection of local books.

Family owned and operated since 1986, she and her husband first opened Crushed Grape in the old Central Coast Mall alongside a wine bar and Dairy Queen. Once the mall was gone, they found a new location nearby and it’s continued to evolve ever since. Her husband is a local, a teacher and they’ve raised four children here, all of whom have worked for the business at one time or another.  

“We donate a total of 30 baskets and gift certificates each month to local nonprofits, schools, hospitals, etc. It’s what it’s all about and I consider that my opportunity to give back to our community. I’m always happy to help,” explains Gonyer.  

Baskets of all sizes can be shipped nationwide and delivered throughout San Luis Obispo County. Choose from popular baskets including All About SLO, SLO Farmers Market, Central Coast Grown just to name a few or create your own specialized theme. With so many options to choose from, it continues to be a very enjoyable one-stop shopping location for many.  

“I’m always thinking outside the box and adding something different,” said Gonyer. “Looking ahead, I’d like to find a place where I can offer hors d’oeuvres along with a champagne bar.”   

Community minded in every sense of the word, you can check out their multiple themed basket selection at www.crushedgrape.com or stop by their San Luis Obispo location to peruse the colorful aisles, located in the SLO Promenade Shopping Center at 491 Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo. For more information, call (805) 544-4440.  

– Leslie Jones