Page 26 - SLO Visitor's Guide - Winter 2023

San Luis Obispo & South County Wine Tasting
Stephen Ross Cellars, 29 years on the Central Coast
Stephen Ross Dooley’s curiosity about wine started as a teen mak- ing rhubarb and apple wine in his family’s Minnesota basement, and after a degree at UC Davis and 17 years of making wine for others, he launched Stephen Ross Wine Cel- lars with his wife, Paula, in 1994. In the years leading up to his own winery, Stephen worked as a wine- maker in Napa Valley, Edna Valley, South Africa and Australia.
Stephen Ross Cellars produces five or six single vineyard pinot noirs plus other varietals that flour- ish in the coastal climate such as chardonnay, grenache and albariño, and a Blanc de Noir sparkling.
“The energy that our wines derive from our proximity to the Pacific Ocean is unique and un- equaled,” said Paula Dooley.
The couple owns the 10-acre Stone Corral Vineyard in Edna Val- ley, which they planted exclusively with pinot noir clones and root- stocks in 2001. The Stone Corral Pi- not Noir is their top seller. Another
favorite is the winery’s 2021 Pinot Noir Arête. The Dooleys promote sustainable vineyard management and winemaking practices, only sourcing grapes from SIP-certified vineyards.
Enjoy a visit to the tasting room located in the winery and experi- ence these amazing wines with guidance from knowledgeable staff. Winery tours are also available for tasting room guests.
Stephen Ross Wine Cellars is located at 178 Suburban Rd., San Luis Obispo. Tasting room hours are Fri-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more infor- mation visit stephenrosswine.com or call (805) 594-1318.
Check out Claiborne and Churchill Winery
Claiborne & Churchill Winery, still run by original owners Clai- borne Thompson and Fredericka Churchill Thompson, has been pro- ducing Alsatian-style “alternative whites” in San Luis Obispo since 1983. In 1995, Clay and Fredericka built their pioneering, eco-friendly straw bale-constructed winery and opened their tasting room in the Edna Valley, and over the years they have expanded their picturesque garden area to accommodate more guests and larger parties for tastings and seasonal events.
To the delight of visitors, the upscale welcoming tasting room
is located right in the barrel room, allowing the popular producer
to accommodate more visitors comfortably. Reservations are avail- able for small private events such
as birthdays, anniversaries, 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.
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 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
Traveling along Orcutt Road from downtown San Luis Obispo, the Baileyana Tasting Room is the first you encounter as you enter the Edna Valley. Housed in the historic Independence Schoolhouse built in 1909, the tasting room is the home of Baileyana, Tangent, True Myth and Zocker brands.
Charming both inside and out, this tasting room offers wine-
Estate Wines • Luxurious Bubbles • Bocce Picnic Area • Walking Trail • ATV Tours
453 Laetitia Vineyard Drive | Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 805.481.1772 | www.laetitiawine.com
26 WINTER 2023
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