Page 34 - SLO Visitors Guide Summer 2024

34 SUMMER 2024 slovisitorsguide.com
Discover Uncharted California
Escape to the rolling hills of San Luis Obispo to find
our charming tasting room in the heart of Edna
Valley. Housed in the historic Independence
Schoolhouse, this space is the perfect spot to soak in
sweeping vineyard views while discovering the
unique excellence of our award-winning wines.
OPEN DAILY BY RESERVATION
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
805.269.8200
Scan QR code to make
your reservation today
or visit Baileyana.com
San Luis Obispo & South County Wine Tasting
Autry Cellars’ informal, unpre-
tentious tasting room is, “decorated
in early American warehouse” style,
jokes Autry. However, don’t be de-
ceived by the modest décor. In this
tasting room, visitors can experi-
ence superb wine varietals ranging
from best-selling petite Sirah to
malbec and viognier. In addi-
tion, you can taste the gold medal
best-in-class grappa and silver
medal-winning American oak and
Hungarian oak brandies, awarded
by the California Mid-State Fair.
Inspired by a spectacular zin-
fandel tasting experience Autry be-
came a full-time artisan winemaker
in 2001 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 impressive 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.- 5 p.m. Tuesday-
Saturday (last reservation at 4 p.m.)
and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (last reser-
vation at 3 p.m.), autrycellars.com. For
reservations call (805) 546-8669.
Laetitia Vineyard & Winery,
exquisite wines from
distinctive vineyards
Laetitia Vineyard & Winery has
been crafting exquisite wines since
1982. Founded by an established
French Champagne house, the La-
etitia estate carries on the traditions
of Burgundy and Champagne with
a focus on small-lot Pinot Noir and
sparkling wines.
The vineyard is distinct for the
great diversity of soils and climate
held in one small area. The wine
from the estate-grown grapes is
the product of one artistic vision
from vine to glass, championing the
exceptional character of the Arroyo
Grande Valley AVA.
“Everything done in the cel-
lar starts with what we do in the
vineyard," says head winemaker
Eric Hickey. “I stay eye-to-eye with
our vineyard manager because the
interplay between us is what deter-
mines the wines' quality.”
Laetitia's approach to vineyard
management and winemaking
played a pivotal role in it becoming
one of the pioneering SIP-certified