Relax on the Avila Wine Trail

San Luis Obispo wine country has more than 30 wineries that are less than 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

That’s probably the reason the Navigator and I keep returning. Ah yes, it’s those cool ocean breezes. It could also be the laid-back tempo or the lack of crowds or the outstanding chardonnay and pinot noir or the great restaurants or the genuinely friendly people – or maybe all those things. When we arrive in SLO wine country, one thing is certain. We SLO down and relax.

Avila Beach is a perfect place for a relaxing ocean-wine-food getaway. We rented a studio condo at the San Luis Bay Inn and visited the wines on the Avila Wine Trail.

I suggest you break up the trail into two days.

On your arrival day, pack a picnic lunch. First, stop at Filipponi Ranch, just outside San Luis Obispo. Herb and Diane Filipponi recently transformed the family’s original homestead, built in the early 1900s, into a tasting room for their boutique winery. It’s a beautiful room with friendly hosts offering six wines. Our favorite was the GSM blend.

Next is Biddle Ranch, located in the historic Avila Valley School House. Relax in comfortable stuffed chairs and taste five wines. Make sure you try the Gold-winning 2012 Evviva. Drive on to Kelsey See Canyon Ranch. This quaint winery features apple-grape blends and award winning wines. Spread your picnic by the stream and you will be serenaded by peacocks.

By now, your room in Avila Beach should be ready and a nap is definitely in order.

For dinner, I highly recommend the Ocean Grill.

Day 2 is a sleep-in day. Remember, this is SLO wine country. The six tasting rooms in Avila Beach open at 11 a.m. and you can walk to all of them.

A must stop is Sinor-LaValle. Its estate vineyard produces excellent pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay.

Alapay Cellars is celebrating 15 years in Avila Beach and its wines are consistent medal winners. The 2014 Cinsault won us over and we had it with dinner that night with no corkage!

Pick up a Wine Trail map and enjoy the rest of your day. Go to www.slowine.com.

What’s on Our Table

The 2013 Lodi Petite Petit is a big, bold, dark, inky wine, with black fruit flavors and a nice long finish. It’s 85 percent petite sirah and 15 percent petite verdot. The SRP is $18 (Costco sells it for $12.99). Load up on this winner.

Cheers!

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Relax on the Avila Wine Trail."