Visit Edna Valley for Central Coast Wine Tasting

Historic Old Town and Vineyards in San Luis Obispo

Dec 8, 2008

Edna Valley in California's Central Coast wine region offers top rated wineries with tasting rooms, antique shopping and a trip through nostalgic vineyard scenery.

A few miles southeast of the city of San Luis Obispo, Edna Valley produces some of the best California wine available for purchase. The mild Mediterranean climate is a vintner’s dream and established wine production dominates the scenic hills and valley. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely drive, a few tasting room stops and to relax with an afternoon cappuccino in historic Old Edna.

Edna Valley is named for the tiny hamlet of Old Edna that was built in 1908 and just celebrated a 100th birthday. The cluster of buildings between Hwy. 227 (Carpenter Canyon Rd.) and Price Street has been meticulously restored. An original tin faced building now holds an antique shop, gourmet coffee and sandwich café and an upstairs art gallery. One of the early cottages houses a Bed and Breakfast that can be leased for a group making a relaxing and quiet retreat for overnight wine tasting.

The Edna Valley wine region falls between Corbett Canyon Rd and Hwy. 227. White directional signs indicate both smaller boutique wineries and the larger producers in the area. Easily drivable and short distances between facilities make a pleasant wine tasting day trip.

The large tasting room and gift shop in this well renowned winery overlooks acres of established vineyards. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah are poured and sample grape vines are displayed and labeled on the property.

This small, family owned winery specializes in dry white wines including Chardonnay, Reisling, Pinot Gris and Gerwurztrameiner. The environmentally designed tasting room has a rustic, country feeling and was constructed using straw bales.

Another small, boutique winery located on a quiet country road produces excellent red varieties, Zinfandel, Cabernet and Merlot. The tasting room resides in a California Craftsman style bungalow situated on a side road among the vineyards.

A larger, estate style winery with an elegant Mediterranean architecture located on a large vineyard property surrounded by rolling hills. A self-guided wine making tour makes an interesting side trip. Excellent Chardonnays, Viognier and Pinot Noir varietals can be sampled in the sleek and stylish tasting room or on the patio overlooking estate vineyards.

Other fine wineries are located in Edna Valley and can be discovered by exploring the area. The tiny town of Old Edna is reminiscent of the early California settlement era with its small museum, garden walks and historic wood framed cottages. But today Edna Valley continues to thrive with modern wine production and active wine tasting opportunities.

The copyright of the article Visit Edna Valley for Central Coast Wine Tasting in California Travel is owned by Kathryn Hedderig. Permission to republish Visit Edna Valley for Central Coast Wine Tasting in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.