It is hard to beat a California Central Coast wine country weekend. The Central Coast is home to spectacular coastline, rolling hills, a rich diversity of wineries, and gastronomic delights. Given the Central Coast is a perfect escape this Spaswinefood enthusiast joined Tahoe's Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine (KOV) on their fall visit to San Luis Obispo Wine Country. San Luis Obispo County, one of the six counties on the Central Coast, is home to four American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), namely Arroyo Grande, Edna Valley, Paso Robles and York Mountain. Indeed we had a most delightful weekend in wine country. Stops along the foodie trail included tasty winery lunches at Chêne Vineyards, and Shale Oak Winery, and fabulous dinners at Novo Restaurant, Thomas Hill Organic, and a private home in Pismo Beach.
San Luis Obispo Wine Country is Foodie Heaven
Given that San Luis Obispo Wine Country is foodie heaven let's discover some of those special places.
Dinner at Novo
Our first event was dinner at Novo Restaurant, San Luis Obispo.
Needless to say it was a treat to dine at this SLO iconic restaurant. Here are some of the dishes that appeared on our table.
Amongst the wines on our table were:
Tolosa Winery Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2014
Eberle Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2014
Chamisal Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2012
Clairborne & Churchill Dry Riesling, Central Coast, 2012
It was an evening of great food and wine with wine enthusiasts. Our very first outing at Novo Restaurant was indeed a fabulous experience.
Next day we toured three Edna Valley wineries. Edna Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) is located in the southwest corner of San Luis Obispo County. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Burgundy varietals grows well. In addition, the Rhone varietals Syrah and Viognier also do well here. After a delightful morning wine tasting we had a winery lunch at Chêne Vineyards.
Chêne Vineyards Lunch
Chêne Vineyards,with 6.2 acres under vine, is one of the smallest Edna Valley vineyards. They produce small lot, handcrafted wines. Their production is limited to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a Rosé of Pinot Noir.
Without doubt David and Lisa Platt, proprietors have chosen the perfect location for Chêne Vineyards. It is on a hill with views of rolling hills in the distance.
When we arrived at the winery the table was ready for wine tasting.
During our visit we tasted Chêne wines with a most delightful vineyard lunch.
It was the perfect setting for a tasty salad and sandwich with wines.
I loved tasting their Chardonnay, Rosé of Pinot Noir, and Pinot Noir wines.
Chêne Vineyards, Chardonnay, Edna Valley 2014
Chêne Vineyards, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2016
Chêne Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2014
The winery uses sustainable farming practises in their vineyard. Their organically farmed estate grapes are hand picked. Winemaker David Platt takes a minimum intervention approach in the wine making process.
After an awesome day wine tasting in the Edna Valley dinner that evening was at Thomas Hill Organics, Paso Robles.
While Spaswinefood has visited Thomas Hill Organics Bistro a number times it was a special treat to return.
Here is a sample of some of the dishes were ordered.
Now for a peek at some of the Paso Robles wines served that evening.
The first wine I tasted was a wine from Aequorea Winery. Other wines included:
Bodega de Edgar Albariño, Paso Robles, 2016
Nobelle Wines Caremere, Paso Robles, 2013
After a lovely dinner at Thomas Hill Organics we returned the next day to Paso Robles Wine Country.
Our Paso Robles Day
Paso Robles AVA was established in 1983. Since the wine region was established it has grown significantly. Paso Robles is a large and very diverse wine region, with over 200 wineries. This amazing diverse region has 11 sub-appellations. What these sub-appellations offer is a way to showcase the uniqueness within the Paso Robles AVA. We got a glimpse into the diversity of this wine region when we visited Shale Oak Winery and Guyomar Wine Cellar.
Shale Oak Winery Wine Tasting and Lunch
When we arrived at Shale Oak Winery we were greeted with a glass of Albariño. It was quite refreshing on a hot September day.
While at Shale Oak we did a wine tasting over lunch. Besides tasting Albariño while at Shale Oaks I also tasted their Grenache Blanc, Sui (a white wine blend), Rosé, Petite Syrah and Zinfandel wines.
Shale Oak Winery is a SIP Certified winery with two vineyards. One at the winery and the other nearby in Pleasant Valley. Both of their vineyards use sustainable practice.
During our visit to Guyomar Wine Cellar we not only introduced to the wines but also had a delicious snack.
Our last gastronomic adventure would take us later to Pismo Beach.
Dinner Seaside, Pismo Beach
After two awesome dinners at two local faves our last evening in San Luis Obispo we had dinner at a private ocean side home in Pismo Beach.
Sitting by the ocean with a glass of Sanford wine is nirvana to say the least.
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| Wine O'clock, Chêne Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
San Luis Obispo Wine Country is Foodie Heaven
Given that San Luis Obispo Wine Country is foodie heaven let's discover some of those special places.
Dinner at Novo
Our first event was dinner at Novo Restaurant, San Luis Obispo.
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| Novo Restaurant, San Luis Obispo © Spaswinefood |
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| Chicken Satay, Novo Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Lettuce Wrap, Novo Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Samosas, Novo Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Salad, Novo Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Salmon, Novo Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Vegetables, Novo Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Chow Nova, Novo Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Tri-tip, Novo Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Tolosa Winery Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2014
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| Tolosa Winery Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Eberle Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Chamisal Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2012 © Spaswinefood |
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| Clairborne & Churchill Dry Riesling, Central Coast, 2012 © Spaswinefood |
It was an evening of great food and wine with wine enthusiasts. Our very first outing at Novo Restaurant was indeed a fabulous experience.
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| Novo Restaurant, San Luis Obispo © Spaswinefood |
Chêne Vineyards Lunch
Chêne Vineyards,with 6.2 acres under vine, is one of the smallest Edna Valley vineyards. They produce small lot, handcrafted wines. Their production is limited to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a Rosé of Pinot Noir.
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| Welcome to Chêne Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| View from Chêne Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Table Waiting, Chêne Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Lunch, Chêne Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Sandwich and Salad Lunch © Spaswinefood |
Chêne Vineyards, Chardonnay, Edna Valley 2014
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A Glass of Chardonnay, Chêne Vineyards © Spaswinefood
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| Chêne Vineyards, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Chêne Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2014 © Spaswinefood |
After an awesome day wine tasting in the Edna Valley dinner that evening was at Thomas Hill Organics, Paso Robles.
Dinner at Thomas Hill Organics
Thomas Hill Organics Market Bistro and Wine Bar, Paso Robles offers different menu items weekly, depending on the season and availability. They serve organically grown produce and natural proteins from their farm and the local area.
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| Thomas Hill Organics, Paso Robles © Spaswinefood |
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| KOV, Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
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| Cheese Plate, Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
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| Watermelon Salad, Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
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| Pasta, Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
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| Short Ribs, Thomas Hill Organics © Spaswinefood |
Now for a peek at some of the Paso Robles wines served that evening.
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| Time for Aequorea Wine © Spaswinefood |
Bodega de Edgar Albariño, Paso Robles, 2016
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| Bodega de Edgar Albariño, Paso Robles, 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Nobelle Wines Caremere, Paso Robles, 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Our Paso Robles Day
Paso Robles AVA was established in 1983. Since the wine region was established it has grown significantly. Paso Robles is a large and very diverse wine region, with over 200 wineries. This amazing diverse region has 11 sub-appellations. What these sub-appellations offer is a way to showcase the uniqueness within the Paso Robles AVA. We got a glimpse into the diversity of this wine region when we visited Shale Oak Winery and Guyomar Wine Cellar.
Shale Oak Winery Wine Tasting and Lunch
When we arrived at Shale Oak Winery we were greeted with a glass of Albariño. It was quite refreshing on a hot September day.
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| Welcome to Shale Oak Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Tasting Albariño, Shale Oak Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Lunch, Shale Oak Winery © Spaswinefood |
During our visit to Guyomar Wine Cellar we not only introduced to the wines but also had a delicious snack.
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| Afternoon Snack, Guyomar Wine Cellar © Spaswinefood |
After two awesome dinners at two local faves our last evening in San Luis Obispo we had dinner at a private ocean side home in Pismo Beach.
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| Oceanside, Pismo Beach © Spaswinefood |
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| A Wine Glass View, Pismo Beach © Spaswinefood |
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| Oceanside Dinner, Pismo Beach © Spaswinefood |
I will simply say that dining ocean side is hard to beat.
It was indeed a delightful weekend in San Luis Obispo Wine Country discovering those wine country gems. The Central Coast is perfect for gastronomic explorations. Some of our wine finds were indeed smaller producers (see an earlier article). I look forward to sharing more stories about great food and wine finds. I invite you to join me in my travels in California and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
It was indeed a delightful weekend in San Luis Obispo Wine Country discovering those wine country gems. The Central Coast is perfect for gastronomic explorations. Some of our wine finds were indeed smaller producers (see an earlier article). I look forward to sharing more stories about great food and wine finds. I invite you to join me in my travels in California and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
Sharon
September 2017
Atascadero, California
© Spaswinefood
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| Welcome, Chêne Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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