Page 24 - SLO Visitors Guide - Winter 2021-2022
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San Luis Obispo & South County Wine Tasting
 Wine, grappa, and apple brandy at Autry Cellars
Nestled in the heart of Edna Valley, overlooking rows of vineyards and a 40-mile stretch of the Santa Lucia mountain range is Autry Cellars. Owner and artisan winemaker Steve Autry and his tasting room staff pour wine va- rietals, brandy, and grappa borne from some of the best grapes selected from across the region, along with his signature apple brandy.
Autry Cellars’ informal, unpre- tentious tasting room is, “decorat- ed in early American warehouse” style, jokes Autry. However, don’t be deceived by the modest décor. In this tasting room visitors can experience superb wine varietals ranging from best selling petite sirah to malbec and viognier. In addition, you can taste gold medal best-in-class grappa and silver medal winning American oak and Hungarian oak brandies, awarded by the California Mid-State Fair.
With over 18 years of wine- making experience, Autry became a commercial winemaker 10 years ago and a fully licensed brandy distiller in 2012. A visit to Autry Cellars is about discovery. He says people who visit his tasting room, “come for the wine and discover the brandy.” At Autry Cellars, visitors gain access to impres-
sive wines and brandies that are available exclusively in the tasting room. Every wine is unique, and each is produced only in small quantities.
Visit Autry Cellars tasting room at 5450-B Edna Road in San Luis Obispo; open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, autrycellars.com, (805) 546-8669.
Check out Claiborne and Churchill
Claiborne & Churchill, still run by original owners Clai- borne Thompson and Fredericka Churchill Thompson, has been
producing Alsatian-style “alterna- tive whites” in San Luis Obispo since 1983. In 1995, Clay and Fredericka built their pioneering, eco-friendly strawbale-constructed winery and opened their tasting room in the Edna Valley, and over the years they have expanded their picturesque garden area to accom- modate more guests and larger parties for tastings and seasonal events.
Upscale indoor renovations
to the winery’s welcoming tasting room, which is, to the delight of visitors, right in the barrel room, allow the popular producer to accommodate more visitors comfortably. For guests who are interested in holding their own private parties at the winery, they take reservations for small, special events such as birthday, anniver-
sary, and graduation parties. Their guest cottage is perfect
for couples hitting the road for
a weekend, for parents visiting students at Cal Poly, or for anyone just looking for a relaxing “get- away.” The unit is available for va- cation rental through the VRBO/ Homeaway website, or by emailing elizabeth@claibornechurchill.com.
Centrally located in SLO Wine Country, Claiborne & Churchill’s vacation property is only a ten- minute drive from Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, or Arroyo Grande, and a fifteen-minute drive to Cal Poly.
Visit the tasting room at 2649 Carpenter Canyon Rd., in San Luis Obispo’s Edna Valley; open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except major holidays), laibornechurchill. com, (805) 544-4066.
                To Morro Bay
Cal Poly
101
To Paso Robles
San Luis Obispo & South County
  To Los Osos
& Baywood Park
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Cerro San Luis Peak
             Laguna Lake
Filipponi Ranch
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Kelsey 101 See Canyon
SOUTH
San Luis Obispo
ORCUTT
Cerro Caliente
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Chamisal Domaine Alfred
Kynsi
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San Luis Obispo Country Club
Baileyana Tanget
Saucelito Canyon Ortman
Valley Wolffff Old
Edna
    Tolosa Autry
   Cellars Edna
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Talley Vineyards & Bishop’s Peak
                  Avila Beach Resort Golf Course
Wood Sinor - La Vallee
Peleton Morovino
Alapay Cellars Avila Beach
Silver Horse AVILA BEACH DR.
Sextant Wines
           Claiborne & Churchill
Center of Effffort
                 Spyglass Park   1 Eldwayen Ocean Park
101
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Arroyo Grande
To Lopez Lake
To Santa Barbara & Los Angeles
   Dinosaur Caves Park
Sans Liege
 Pismo Beach
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  Pismo State Beach Golf Course
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Grover Beach
OCEANO DUNES
Monarch
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Pismo Beach Winery
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