When on a Central Coast beach vacation, make sure to check these top-rated Pismo Beach wine tasting rooms and wineries.
Pismo Beach is one of my favorite beach towns in California.
I mean, how can you not love this place? It has beautiful beaches, sand dunes, monarch butterflies (in season), nature preserves, campgrounds, hiking trails, and a stunning pier. Plus, the restaurants in town serve delicious clam chowder and other seafood specialties.
On top of that, the city and surrounding areas offer a wide range of wine tasting possibilities. Get ready to discover the best venues for wine tasting in Pismo Beach.
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Pismo Beach Wine Tasting
Alright, this is when things get interesting. Below you will find the best wine tasting rooms in Pismo Beach.
The best part about tasting in the city is that there are several tasting places located within walking distance. You do not need a car to enjoy the experience!
Sans Liege
Sans Liege is one of the best wineries in Pismo Beach. In its Downtown tasting room (870 Price Street), you can sample its rich wine selections.
All the wines served and sold at Sans Liege come from the best vineyards on California’s Central Coast.
The Sans Liege tasting room is open to walk-ins, but reservations are highly encouraged. The tasting fee is $20 but is waived with a two-bottle purchase.
Wine enthusiasts who enjoy the taste of Sans Liege’s wine can also join one of the several club options to access exclusive wines, events, and discounts.
Cali Love Wine
Another great option for anyone searching for the best Pismo Beach wineries is Cali Love. It’s located at 180 Pomeroy Ave, has a pink theme, and hosts karaoke from 6 p.m. onwards.
Cali Love wines are hand-made from grapes sourced from the best vineyards in California. The winery also makes three varieties of sparkling wine.
No reservations are needed at the Cali Love Pismo Beach tasting. It’s open daily except Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tastes of the Valleys
Tastes of the Valleys is a great place to sample wines from the Central Coast and other wine regions. It’s an all-in-one wine bar, wine shop, and tasting room at 911 Price St, Pismo Beach.
Tastes of the Valleys is open every day and has a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great destination for Avila Beach wine tasting fans looking for nearby spots.
The typical wine tasting cost is $20 for about six varieties.
Monarch Grove Winery
The Monarch Grove Winery, in Grover Beach, features a large selection of wines.
With respect to reds, guests can enjoy cabernet sauvignons, petite syrahs, zinfandels, pinot noirs, syrahs, and blends. White wine options include chardonnays, muscats, and orange blossom flavors. There are roses, dessert wines, and snacks available as well.
A flight of 6 tastings is $12. You select what to taste from a menu. This is a must-visit spot for those looking for affordable options.
Wine Tasting Near Pismo Beach: Avila Beach
Avila Beach is home to a century-old wine industry. The surrounding hills and valleys are filled with breathtaking vineyards, world-class wineries, and welcoming tasting rooms—making it the perfect destination for wine lovers.
The city has a great number of wine tasting options in the Downtown area. So, this is another place where you can walk from one tasting room to another. Avila Beach is located about 8 miles from Pismo Beach.
Alapay Cellars
Located in downtown Avila Beach, Alapay Cellars is a must-visit wine tasting venue. The winery sources grapes from nearby vineyards to produce handcrafted French oak barrel-aged wines.
You can visit the Alapay Cellars wine tasting room at 415 1st Street, Avila Beach. It’s open to the public seven days a week. It has a cozy, tranquil ambiance with bar stools and two huge saltwater aquariums.
Wine tasting at Alapay Cellars is free if you purchase a bottle. Otherwise, wine tasting alone costs about $20 per person. A typical wine flight includes two whites, six reds, and two dessert wines.
This wine tasting destination also has a wine club that offers members exclusive access to limited-release wines, discounts on purchases, and other benefits. There’s also a good selection of wine-related gifts.
Sinor-LaVallee
Sinor-LaVallee is one of the best Avila Beach wineries known for crafting exceptional wines that showcase the region’s unique terroir. This family-owned winery specializes in small-lot wines made from grapes grown in its Bassi Vineyard near Avila Beach.
Located at 550 1st Street Avila Beach, Sinor-LaVallee is open daily and allows walk-ins (reservations are suggested). It offers different flight options for wine tastings at varying fees. You can also enjoy a glass or bottles of wine and local dishes.
The winery also has a wine club membership with exclusive benefits, like discounted prices and access to members-only events.
Avila Wine Company
Avila Wine Company is the perfect tasting room and wine shop for people who love learning about the wines they’re tasting and chatting with the owners and staff. It specializes in serving wine from small vineyards without tasting rooms.
Located in downtown Avila, 53 San Miguel Street, the Avila Wine Company features a cozy indoor space and a beautiful outdoor patio. Its host, Manny, is a friendly wine connoisseur who helps visitors understand what they like most about wine.
The typical wine tasting experience at Avila Wine and Roasting starts with dry whites and finishes with fruity and sweet wines. Another option is starting with light-bodied reds, then heavy wines, followed by dessert wines.
Peloton Cellars
The best Avila Beach wine tasting spot for cycling enthusiasts is Peloton Cellars. The founders are avid cyclists, and the tasting room has a cycling-themed name and design.
Peloton Cellars is one of the best Avila Beach wineries that produces and serves wines exclusively from grapes harvested in California’s Central Coast wine region.
The winery’s tasting room is located at 470 Front Street, a few steps from the beach. It’s open seven days a week and allows walk-ins but highly recommends reservations.
Peloton Cellars tasting room looks like a cozy family living room, but it also has a picturesque patio for a great outdoor Avila Beach wine tasting experience.
Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards
One of the best Avila Beach wineries for wine tasting in a picnic setting is Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards. The winery has an outdoor picnic area with tables available on a first-come basis. Reservations are not necessary.
Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards is open daily. It allows food from outside but no beverages except water.
It offers a monthly wine tasting menu where you can choose any four wines for a set price, typically $20. You can get a waiver on the tasting fee by purchasing two bottles.
The winery offers several wine club memberships with different shipment packages. Members get discounts on shipping, invitations to exclusive events, free wine tastings for up to four people, and other benefits.
Wineries Near Pismo Beach: Arroyo Grande
The Arroyo Grande Valley has its own AVA (American Viticultural Area). Therefore, tasting in the area provides the opportunity to taste a different terroir.
Tasting rooms and vineyards in the area are located 4 to 11 miles from Pismo Beach.
Timbre Winery
In the heart of the Arroyo Grande Village, the Timbre Winery tasting room serves Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Rieslings.
The grapes used to craft the wines come from well-regarded vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley. Winemakers aim to showcase the different terroirs.
You can try a flight of samples or a cup of your favorite variety.
Verdad Wines & Linquist Family Wines
The owners (husband and wife) of this tasting room in Arroyo Grande have dedicated most of their lives to wine making. They showcase their techniques, and passions, on the different labels under their company.
For example, Verdad Wines (made by the wife) specialize in Spanish grape varieties. This is not something you often find in California. So, if you visit, have your share of Albariño, Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano,
Linquist Family Wines (made by the husband) concentrates on Rhone varieties and Chardonnay from vineyards in the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.
A third line called Sawyer Linquist Wines is a collaboration between the two wine makers.
The wine tasting room is open every day except Tuesdays. They have cheese plates available.
Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
What makes Laetitia a must vist? Well, they specialize in sparkling wines. They have been in business for a long time. So, they know what they are doing and you can have the opportunity to taste the amazing result. This is one of my top picks for the best wineries near Pismo Beach!
They offer tasting flights featuring still white and red wines as well.
The tasting room opens daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM.
Wineries in Pismo Beach Area: Edna Valley
If you are looking for even more wine tasting options in the Pismo Beach area, you can head to the Edna Valley, a wine producing area closer to the city of San Luis Obispo (the head of the county).
Wineries in this area are located 10 to 20 miles from Pismo Beach. Therefore, visiting two or three of them (or combining one of them with other attractions) makes a great day trip.
Tolosa Winery
Vintner Robin Bagget was initially drawn to Edna Valley with dreams of owning a cattle ranch. Thankfully, an epiphany made him change course. Four decades later, the Tolosa Winery is now renowned for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Primera wines.
Tolosa Winery invites you to visit Edna Valley in the flesh, promising an exceptional wine-tasting experience. Their knowledgeable and hospitable staff will show you around and help you discover its wines and the wonders of Edna Valley.
The winery opens daily from 11 AM to 6 PM, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can book a visit via this link.
Autry Cellars
Autry Cellars encourages guests to taste their wines, unwind, and appreciate life in their beautiful vineyard. While you sip on their exclusive wines, you can enjoy the stunning views of the clear blue Californian skies.
The winemaker, Steve Autry, pivoted from a career in aerospace research to artisan winemaking in 2001. His belief that the secret to great winemaking involves a melding of science and traditional art is evident in every glass and bottle of Autry Cellars wine.
Autry Cellars opens from 11 AM to 5 PM Tuesday to Saturday and 11 AM to 4 PM on Sundays. You can call its tasting room at 805-546-8669 to book a same-day reservation. Otherwise, book your reservation here.
Biddle Ranch Vineyard
Since 2012, Biddle Ranch Vineyard has opened its doors to wine tasters across the United States. It’s one of the coziest San Luis Obispo vineyards you can visit, offering beautiful sceneries as you sip wine by the glass, flight, or bottle on their relaxing outdoor patio.
This vineyard offers a mix of Central Coast varietals and blends and its estate-grown Chardonnay. Also, you can enjoy their wine while helping a charitable cause.
When you purchase their Biddle Ranch Pinot Grigio, Biddle Ranch donates a portion of the proceeds to Jack’s Helping Hand initiative, which helps children struggling with cancer. The charitable cause was founded in memory of the owner’s son, Jack.
You can sleep over at the Biddle Ranch’s Vineyard House. Book your stay here.
Edna Valley Vineyard
Established over three decades ago, the Edna Valley Vineyard is among the oldest SLO wineries you can visit to taste some of the finest wine San Luis Obispo offers. Nestled between San Francisco and Los Angeles, they specialize in wine made from grapes grown only in the cool growing season.
Expect to take in the breathtaking views of the iconic Islay Peak volcano while sipping on the winery’s award-winning Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc wines.
The vineyard opens its gates to customers daily between 10 AM and 5 PM. Book a reservation through this link.
Filipponi Ranch
Filipponi Ranch offers some of the best wine-tasting experiences in San Luis Obispo. The ranch sources its grapes from the finest vineyards in the locale, harvesting them by hand and turning them into impeccable bottles of wine. A visit to this ranch will have you sipping wine in the tasting room of its original ranch house while marveling at its beauty.
Filipponi Ranch also has a picnic area for guests after their wine-tasting session. You can have lunch al fresco or play bocce ball while bathed in the shade of the ranch’s sycamore trees.
You can visit Filipponi Ranch every Thursday to Sunday between 12 PM and 5 PM. Email info@filipponiranch.com to book a reservation.
Pismo Beach Wine Tasting Cost
As mentioned, Pismo wineries charge $20 – $25 per tasting. Each tasting includes 5 or 6 1oz samples. Expect to pay more for premium wines, packages (wine tasting & tour or wine tasting & tour), and experiences.
If you are looking to save money, take into consideration the following:
- Stop by the Tourist Information Center and ask if they are aware of wineries offering 2-for-1 tastings. This information can equate to huge savings
- Search for deals and coupons on websites such as Groupon or Travelzoo
- Go to the wineries’ websites to see if they are offering deals
- Join the wineries newsletters. A lot of times, they send discounts through e-mail
- You can also save by sharing a tasting. Do not feel obligated to get a tasting for each member of your party
- Ask staff what are their favorite places to taste. First of all, you can rely on their suggestions since they know the area well. Second, they may give you a 2-for-1 tasting flyer for one of their nearby partners. I have lost count of the times I have been given discounts just for talking and showing interest in the industry
Wine Tasting Considerations
Wine tasting in the Pismo Beach Downtown area does not require a car. You can park and walk to the different tasting rooms.
A car will be needed if you are venturing outside the city. In that case, you will need a designated driver. Please, do not drive under the influence.
If you are not familiar with wine, take things slow and easy. In my opinion, two tastings would be more than enough. Do not sub-estimate the strength of the wine.
It is perfectly fine to spit wine while tasting. Use the designed containers for this purpose. This will allow you to visit more tasting rooms.
Keep yourself hydrated and eat your meals at the proper times. It is not advisable to start tasting on an empty stomach.
Location
Pismo Beach is located 81 miles from Santa Barbara, 176 miles from Los Angeles, and 244 miles from San Francisco.
By car, the city can be accessed through US-101.
The nearest airport is located in San Luis Obispo. There is an airport in Santa Barbara as well. Keep in mind these are small, regional airports. The closest Amtrak (train) station is located in Grover Beach.
Sightseeing Gear
Get ready for a day of sightseeing by bringing the right gear. Here is a list of the items I pack when exploring the best wineries in Pismo Beach.
- Walking Shoes – Comfortable walking shoes are a must. I recommend investing in a good pair. My go-to brands are Clarks, Tevas, and Sketchers.
- Anti-Theft Bag – Keep your belongings safe by keeping them in an anti-theft bag. The ones manufactured by Travelon have a 5-points security system including an RFID blocking pocket. >>Check out their crossbody bag here If you prefer a backpack, this one is a good option
- Sweatshirt – A sweatshirt is a must to keep me warm during chilly mornings and nights. >Click to see this California appropriate option here
- Sun Block – Do not leave the house (or the car) without applying sunblock. I repeat, always wear sunblock when outdoors. >Buy sunblock here
- Lip Balm with Sunscreen – Protect your lips by applying a balm with sunscreen. >Get one of the best lip balms here
- Wide Brim Hat – A wide brim hat is a great way to protect your scalp, face, and neck. The ones manufactured by FURTALK come with an anti-UV function. >Buy this amazing hat here
- Hand Sanitizer – Do not forget to pack hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
- Sunglasses – These are another must when it comes to protecting from the sun. A polarized, sporty pair works better outdoors. >Take a look at this wonderful pair
- Water Bottle – Do not forget to bring water! Keep yours cold by taking a beautiful Hydro Flask water bottle. >Check out the insane options here
- THERMOS Tumblers – I have been a fan of the THERMOS brand since I received a tumbler as a gift. The tumblers keep drinks hot for hours. >>Buy THERMOS insulated tumblers here
- Camera – I have never gotten used to taking pictures exclusively with my phone. I prefer to use the Sony Alpha a6000. It is compact and takes gorgeous pictures. >Buy Sony Camera here
- Tripod – A compact tripod to take your photos and videos to a different level. >>Check out this popular option here
Since we are in wine country, make sure to pack insulated wine tumblers, a corkscrew, a picnic set, and/or wine tote.
More of Pismo Beach
Pismo wine tasting is way too much fun! However, if you are interested in other activities, check out my detailed guide to things to do in the city and other cities in the county.
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Have you visited any of these Pismo Beach wineries or tasting rooms? Which is your favorite?
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