Where to Find San Luis Obispo’s Finest Wineries

October 22, 2020

California’s San Luis Obispo County’s climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean make it uniquely positioned to produce some of the best cold-weather wine in the world. There are wineries in San Luis Obispo County for everyone. Some provide wine tasting experiences in lavish multimillion dollar tasting rooms, while others full of quaint charm are found off the beaten path. If you’re staying in a hotel near San Luis Obispo, head out early for a day of exploring some of the most eclectic wineries in the world.

Baileyana & Edna Valley Vineyard 

Baileyana and Edna Valley Vineyard were both started by the Niven family in the 1970s. Baileyana offers a large selection of both red and white wines, and it was the first winery in the area founded by a woman, Catharine Niven. The tasting room is in a yellow schoolhouse built in 1909, which only enhances the tasting experience. 

Edna Valley Vineyard also offers an impressive variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc. With a stunning view of the Islay Peak volcano from the patio, a tasting at Edna Valley Vineyard is truly unforgettable.

Laetitia Winery & Wolff Vineyards 

No list of the best wineries in San Luis Obispo County would be complete without mentioning Laetitia Winery and Wolff Vineyards. Both are located near the Pacific Ocean and produce exceptional wines. Laetitia’s tasting room boasts views of the ocean, walking trails, and bocce ball courts. Specializing in sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, Laetitia is one of the giants in San Luis Obispo County wine country. 

Wolff Vineyards, located only 4.5 miles from public beaches, produces several varieties of wine, but the Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Teroldego wines are the shining stars.

Herman Story Wines, Kynsi Winery, & Ranchita Canyon Vineyard 

For an unforgettable wine-tasting experience, explore some of San Luis Obispo County’s hidden gems. A few of these include Herman Story Wines, Kynsi Winery, and Ranchita Canyon Vineyard. Herman Story Wines produces big, bold red wines described as “not for the faint of heart” that critics (and regular folks) enjoy in a laid-back atmosphere. 

Kynsi Winery specializes in Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Syrah. The owners and winemakers, Don and Gwen Othman, are 30-year veterans of the specialty wine equipment business. 

If drinking wine and conversing with the owners sounds interesting, Ranchita Canyon Vineyard is a fun stop. Olive oil squeezed by the owners from their olive trees is for sale at Ranchita Canyon alongside both red and white wines.

Wild Horse Winery & Malene Wines

Sometimes the most exciting wine tasting experiences are when innovation is happening. Wild Horse Winery and Vineyards not only grows the same variety of grape in different terroirs to experiment with different blends but also grows small lots of rare varieties of grapes, including Malvasia Bianca and Blaufränkisch. If that isn’t enough, llamas wander the Wild Horse grounds, and customers are invited to picnic there. 

Malene Wines serves only different varieties of Rosé from a 1969 Airstream mobile tasting room. When not parked at the beach serving Rosé on tap, Malene’s tasting trailer is parked next to Chamisal Winery, another one of the giants in the San Luis Obispo area.

No matter what kind of winery experience you’re looking for, you’re certain to find the ideal spot in San Luis Obispo. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway to welcome you at the end of a day of wine tasting, you’ll love the comfortable accommodations and friendly atmosphere at Sands Inn & Suites. To learn more about our amenities and reserve your room at our family-friendly San Luis Obispo hotel, call us today at (800) 441-4657.

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