Page 33 - SLO Visitors Guide Summer 2023

San Luis Obispo & South County Wine Tasting
Visit the Edna Valley just minutes from downtown SLO
Sip great wine, sample apple brandy and play some bocce ball
The charming coastal Edna Valley has been producing
wine since the first experimental vineyards were planted in 1968 and, in 1982, was the first AVA granted in San Luis Obispo County. In its ancient past, the valley was the ocean floor and today benefits from the rich oceanic and volcanic soils. The gentle sunshine and moderate Pacific Ocean maritime climate combine with the fertile soil to create one of California’s longest grape-growing seasons. All of
these conditions come together to produce incredible wines.
Driving the back roads of San Luis Obispo County’s picturesque Edna Valley is spectacular any time of the year with its rolling hills and vineyards, panoramic views, and historic schoolhouses and rustic barns. A drive through the valley, stretching from San Luis Obispo to Arroyo Grande, is the opportunity to visit some of the top wineries in the area and experience the world- class wine produced in the Edna Valley AVA.
Bring a camera and plan on
a day of adventure sipping great wine, sampling some apple brandy, having lunch and playing some bocce ball.
Check out Claiborne and Churchill Winery
Claiborne & Churchill Winery, still run by original owners Clai- borne Thompson and Fredericka Churchill Thompson, has been producing Alsatian-style whites
in San Luis Obispo since 1983. In 1995 they built their pioneering, eco-friendly straw bale winery and opened their tasting room. Over
slovisitorsguide.com
the years they have expanded their picturesque garden to accommo- date more guests for tastings and seasonal events.
To the delight of visitors the upscale tasting room is located right in the barrel room, allowing the popular producer to accom- modate more visitors comfortably. Reservations are available for small private events such as birthday, anniversary, and graduation parties.
Their guest cottage is perfect for couples hitting the road for a week- end, for parents visiting students at Cal Poly, or for anyone just looking for a relaxing “getaway.” The unit
is available for vacation rental through the VRBO/Homeaway website, or by emailing elizabeth@ claibornechurchill.com.
Visit the tasting room at 2649 Carpenter Canyon Rd., in San Luis Obispo’s Edna Valley; open every day from noon to 5 p.m. (except major holidays), claibornechurchill.com, (805) 544-4066.
Baileyana Tasting Room offers a beautiful array of wines in a historic schoolhouse
The Baileyana Tasting Room is the first you encounter as you enter the Edna Valley from Orcutt Road out of San Luis Obispo. Housed
in the historic Independence
Schoolhouse built in 1909, the tast- ing room is the home of Baileyana, Tangent, True Myth and Zocker brands.
Charming both inside and
out, here is a wine-tasting experi- ence designed to accommodate everyone. With around 35 differ- ent white, red and rosé wines to choose from, there are wines for every palette, from first-time wine tasters to experts. With extensive picnic grounds and views, the tasting room is family-friendly and provides a memorable and fun experience.
Veteran winemaker Rob Takigawa is focused on bringing elegant chardonnays, aromatic whites and pinot noir wines from the cool Edna Valley and powerful reds from warmer Paso Robles to Baileyana visitors. These wines are rich in story, and those stories are well told by the engaging tasting room team.
Award Winning Wines Spacious Outdoor Seating Cheese & Charcuterie Plates
Open Daily 12pm - 5pm
claibornechurchill.com · 805-544-4066 2649 Carpenter Canyon Road · San Luis Obispo
SUMMER 2023 33