This Quiet Central Coast Winery’s AVA Feels Like California Wine Country 20 Years Ago
Edna Valley sits in the shadow of Point Arguello sheltered from the harsh coastal storms sweeping this part of California’s coast. Locals tell us it has the longest growing season of any agricultural zone in California.
That agriculture includes wine grape with a 40+ year heritage of producing beautiful vino.
Located at the southern end of Edna Valley in San Luis Obispo County you’ll find Clairborne & Churchill Winery. They’re celebrating 41 years of wine making on the central California coast.
Edna Valley is the home to 19+ wineries in sits just south of San Luis Obispo. Being in cool zone the grape growers produce wines like Gewurztraminer, Reisling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a little Syrah and Grenache. They also specialize in blending many of these wines for a Rhone style blend.
Our host Johnny shared these wines:
2023 Edelzwicker (blended Pinot Gris, Riesling & Gewurztraminer) $30 ✰++/✰+
2023 Pinot Gris $32 ✰+
2023 Dry Gewurztraminer $30 ✰+
2021 Greengate Chardonnay $38 ✰+
2023 ‘Ode to Joy’ Pinot Noir $38 ✰+
2022 Twin Creeks Pinot Noir $50 ✰+
2022 Edna Valley Grenache $40✰++
2022 Edna Valley Syrah $40 ✰+
They also create Rose, Sparkling & Desert wines for a total of 8,000 cases yearly. Their beautifully shaded tasting garden is a little oasis on a summer day with a charcuterie tray.
On your tour north or south from Santa Barbara, Edna Valley wine has a distinct style you should take time to enjoy. Visit soon.
Some notes on our wine ranking system.
Bill & Erin Hodge write about California Wine, the estates & winemakers producing them and educational information about Vino. Living in California Wine Country provides a front row seat to the places you want to visit the most here in the Golden State.
– -✰ means -What’s next on your list of wines
-✰ means -Not liking it too much
✰ means -We’ll drink this wine, especially if it’s hosted!
✰+ means -You’ve got our attention and we might buy this wine.
✰+ + means -We’re hooked and we’re going to buy this wine.
When you see -✰/✰+ with a slash, it means we disagree.
