If you are looking for a quick getaway to escape the flurry of the holidays, you may want to consider heading to the Central Coast. Stretching from Northern San Luis Obispo County to Santa Barbara, this tranquil wine region is full of beautiful scenery, fantastic beaches and excellent wines. While there, you can visit the fast-growing Paso Robles, the hidden Edna Valley or Santa Ynez Valley, known for its excellent Pinot Noir.
Paso Robles is becoming known by some as California’s “Rhone Zone”, producing great quality Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne. There are some excellent Roussanne blends that come out of this region. Just ten years ago, Paso Robles was a small farming community with a handful of wineries. Today there are over 170 wineries, several great restaurants and a charming downtown area.
Driving farther south past San Luis Obispo, you will find the quiet and picturesque Edna Valley. This wine growing region is best known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but it also produces some outstanding Alsatian-style white wines like Riesling and Gewürztraminer. We’ve often mentioned the wines of one of our favorite Edna Valley producers – Claiborne & Churchill. Be sure to stop by their straw bale winery. When visiting Edna Valley, stay in Pismo Beach or downtown San Luis Obispo. It’s a short drive to the wineries scattered through the valley and both towns have great restaurants, hotels and entertainment.
As you keep heading south on Highway 101, you will enter Santa Barbara County. The primary wine regions in Santa Barbara County are the Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills with the largest concentration of wineries is in the Santa Ynez Valley. Visitors to this area often stay in Buellton or Los Olivos. These growing regions are extremely pinot-friendly and you are sure to discover some amazing wines.
Our Favorite Central Coast Pinot Noir
Claiborne & Churchill Edna Valley Pinot Noir – you may have noticed this is a favorite of ours. We love their tasting room, their wines and their casual and friendly attitude. This lighter-style Pinot Noir has good juicy flavors, bright acidity and pairs with almost any dish! $24/bottle
Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir – Calera makes some outstanding single vineyard Pinot Noir but they are pretty difficult to get your hands on. We also like their more available Central Coast Pinot Noir with a rich, silky texture and lots of bright fruit. $24/bottle
Sea Smoke Pinot Noir – Sea Smoke wines come exclusively from their Sta. Rita Hills vineyards. They are very limited production but the wines are quintessential Central Coast Pinot and worth the search. They make three Pinots – Ten, Southing and Botella. $40-$80/bottle
Written by Linzi
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