Edna Valley was the first AVA granted in San Luis Obispo County in 1982.

Unwind on a unique wine-tasting adventure

The San Luis Obispo region includes the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande AVAs, two of California’s leading AVAs. Edna Valley was the first AVA granted in San Luis Obispo County in 1982 and has been producing wine since 1968. The two AVAs first attracted attention in the early 1980s when the California branch of the Champagne house Deutz acquired land in the area. Sparkling wine is still made in the area.

The gentle sunshine and moderate Pacific Ocean maritime climate combine with the fertile soil to produce incredible wines. Bring a camera and plan on a day of adventure sipping great wine, sampling some apple brandy, having lunch, and playing some bocce ball.

Stephen Ross Cellars, from a Minnesota basement to world-class pinot noir

Stephen Ross Dooley’s curiosity about wine started as a teen making 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 Cellars with his wife, Paula, in 1994. In the years leading up to his own winery, Stephen worked as a winemaker in Napa Valley, Edna Valley, South Africa, and Australia.

Stephen Ross Cellars produces five or six single vineyard pinot noirs plus other varietals that flourish in the coastal climate including a Blanc de Noir sparkling.

The couple owns the 10-acre Stone Corral Vineyard in Edna Valley, which they planted exclusively with pinot noir clones and rootstocks in 2001. The Stone Corral Pinot 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.

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 information visit stephenrosswine.com or call (805) 594-1318.

Sip wine among the barrels at Claiborne and Churchill Winery

Claiborne & Churchill Winery, still run by original owners Claiborne and Fredericka Churchill Thompson, has been producing Alsatian-style whites since 1983. In 1995, the couple built their pioneering, eco-friendly straw bale-constructed winery and opened their tasting room in the Edna Valley. Over the years they have expanded their picturesque garden area to accommodate more guests and larger parties for tastings and seasonal events.

The upscale welcoming tasting room is located in the barrel room, allowing the popular producer to accommodate more visitors comfortably. Reservations are available for small private events such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduation parties.

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. Their guest cottage is perfect for a weekend, for visiting students at Cal Poly, or for anyone just looking for a relaxing getaway. Rental is available through VRBO/Homeaway, 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 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except major holidays), claibornechurchill.com, (805) 544-4066.

Baileyana Tasting Room, get a history lesson in a glass

The Baileyana Tasting Room is the first you encounter upon entering the Edna Valley from Orcutt Road and San Luis Obispo. Housed in the historic 1909 Independence Schoolhouse, the tasting room is the home of Baileyana, Tangent, True Myth, and Zocker brands.

This charming schoolhouse offers wine-tasting experiences to accommodate all visitors. With around 35 different white, red, and rosé wines to choose from, there are wines for every guest from the first-time wine taster to the expert. With extensive picnic grounds and views, the family-friendly tasting room provides a memorable and fun experience.

Veteran winemaker Rob Takigawa focuses on bringing elegant chardonnays, aromatic whites, and pinot noir wines from the cool Edna Valley and powerful reds from the warmer Paso Robles to Baileyana visitors. These wines are rich in stories, well told by the engaging tasting room team.

The Baileyana Tasting Room is located at 5828 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, excluding major holidays. Reservations are required. Please book on Tock or call (805) 269-8200.

Award-winning wine, grappa, and brandy at Autry Cellars

Overlooking vineyards, and 40 miles of the Santa Lucia mountain range is Autry Cellars. Owner and artisan winemaker Steve Autry and his tasting room staff pour wine varietals, grappa, and his signature apple brandy from some of the best grapes selected from across the region.

Autry Cellars’ unpretentious tasting room is, “styled in early American warehouse,” jokes Autry. But, don’t be deceived by the modest décor. Here is where visitors experience superb wine varietals along with gold medal best-in-class grappa and silver medal American oak and Hungarian oak brandies.

Inspired by a spectacular zinfandel tasting experience, Autry became a full-time artisan winemaker in 2001 and a fully licensed brandy distiller in 2012. He says people who visit his tasting room, “come for the wine and discover the brandy,” and gain access to impressive small lot wines and brandies that are available exclusively in the tasting room.

Visit Autry Cellars tasting room at 5450-B Edna Road in San Luis Obispo; open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (last reservation at 4 p.m.) and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (last reservation at 3 p.m.), autrycellars.com. For reservations call (805) 546-8669. 

Croma Vera Wines—Spanish-inspired, locally sourced

Croma Vera Wines has carved out a niche for Spanish-inspired wines on the Central Coast. Dedicated to sustainable winemaking, Croma Vera wines showcase a distinct balance and freshness influenced by the Central Coast climate and soil that is so similar to Spain’s wine regions. Wines like albariño, tempranillo, graciano, and bold red blends allow Croma Vera to offer delicious, distinctive wines that bring something unique to the region’s winetasting experiences.

Produced in small, 200-cases per-year lots, environmental stewardship is central to Croma Vera’s winemaking. Grapes sourced from local SIP-certified vineyards ensure practices that protect the land and vineyard workers. Croma Vera wines respect both nature and community and the winery continually seeks ways to reduce its environmental footprint and give back to the land that nurtures its wines.

To mark its 10th anniversary, Croma Vera launched a project with The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County. Part of the co-branded 2025 Rosé proceeds are dedicated to land conservation efforts.

The kid and dog-friendly tasting room is in Duncan Alley, 3183 Duncan Road, Suite D, San Luis Obispo’s newest hotspot. Open Thursday through Sunday, and some Mondays, 1-7 p.m. For more information visit cromavera.com, social media, or call (805) 946-1685.