Page 97 - SLO Visitors Guide - Spring 2025

slovisitorsguide.com SPRING 2025 97
Wine Tasting
Opolo Vineyards—a quarter century of
progressive winemaking and hospitality
Fresh off its 25th anniversary
year, Opolo Vineyards con-
tinues to set the pace for friendly
hospitality, multifaceted tasting
experiences, and acclaimed estate
wines in the beautiful Willow
Creek District of Paso Robles.
At Opolo, you are welcomed
into a world apart, where ter-
raced vineyards and orchards
overlook the coastal mountains.
Guests may enjoy tasting flights
and food pairings, as well as
spirits sampling at the affiliated
Willow Creek Distillery. For the
ultimate experience, take an im-
mersive Estate Tour through the
vineyards, and even make it an
overnight at the Inn at Opolo.
Opolo was founded in 1999 by
friends David Nichols and Rick
Quinn, and today two genera-
tions are actively involved in the
daily operations. The vineyards
are Sustainability in Practice
(SIP) certified, and the wines
reflect both the rich heritage
and progressive winemaking for
which Paso Robles is renowned.
Specialties include zinfandel,
cabernet sauvignon, Rhône-style
blends, and aromatic whites.
“We are driven to create
consciously made wines that
reflect the incredible terroirs of
Paso Robles, and to share them
amid an elevated yet easygoing
visitor experience,” says Opolo
Director of Marketing Ricki
Quinn, daughter of co-founder
Rick Quinn. “We want you to feel
welcome and inspired by your
time at Opolo.”
Next level winemaking
Winemaker James Schreiner
has been with Opolo for more than
a decade, and he served as tasting
room attendant, cellar master, and
assistant winemaker before taking
the lead position in 2020. He works
alongside assistant winemaker Skye
Bruce to produce award-winning
wines.
“We call them our dynamic
duo,” Quinn said. “James has
grown with the company, so he has
a great perspective on our brand
and flavor profile. He brought our
Bordeaux program to the next level.
Opolo was always known for its zin
because it was one of the first zin
houses in Paso. James has helped us
grow deeper into cabernet sauvi-
gnon and other Bordeaux varieties.”
The winemakers produce
not only the winery’s flagship
Opolo Mountain Zinfandel and
its acclaimed cabernet sauvignons
but also a list of wines includ-
ing chardonnay, albariño, merlot,
sangiovese, petite sirah, rosé, and
more. Their wines routinely score
Enjoy acclaimed
estate wines and
handcrafted
spirits amid a
serene vineyard
setting
90+ points in a variety of journals
and competitions, proving all their
hard work is paying off.
Estate Tour and Tasting
With the winery’s exclusive
Estate Tour and Tasting, guests
experience everything Opolo “from
the ground to the glass” at the Wil-
low Creek District estate. The tour
ends with an elevated tasting of
food paired with the wines.
“This is a great way to visit the
estate, go through the vineyards,
see where the wine you're drinking
is being produced, and learn about
our winemaking process,” Schreiner
said.
Offered from spring through
fall, the experience includes tasting
while walking through the vine-
yard, giving visitors an up close and
personal view of the fruit for the
wines they are currently consum-
ing. “It’s not only fun, it’s educa-
tional,” Schreiner said.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Tasting
Flights and the Classic Tasting
Flights are offered year-round in-
side the Opolo tasting room. Walk-
ins are accepted on a first-come,
first-served basis. Menu offerings
include wood-fired pizzas, gourmet
sausages, and seasonal salads,
providing an array of wine-pairing
options.
“Our hospitality team and
our tasting room educators are
top-notch and approachable,”
Quinn said. “They are really great
at meeting you where you are and
matching your energy.”
The team aims to ensure
everyone who visits Opolo feels
welcomed, learns something new,
and leaves with a great experience
and perhaps a new love for wine.
Repeat guests often gain a refreshed
outlook on the region or terroir and
new offerings at Opolo.
Distillery, lodging, events, and
more
It’s no secret that Opolo is
known for bringing fun to wine
tasting. And, with the addition of
the Willow Creek Distillery to the
Opolo family, that same hospital-
Learn something new and have a great experience.