Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard & Winery is a boutique winery known for its handcrafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Established in 1988 by the Beko family, the winery is situated in Santa Maria Valley, on the northern edge of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail within Santa Barbara County's wine country. Visitors are welcome to explore the 78-acre estate and sample the distinctively different, age-worthy wines produced there.

The key to crafting these unique, age-worthy wines lies in both the vineyard and the wine caves. The fruit is hand-harvested when it reaches slight tropical flavors, typically around 24 brix. The naturally high acidity of the fruit allows lees to remain in contact with the wine until bottling, enhancing flavor extraction while maintaining a balanced interplay between fruit, oak, and acidity.

The combination of the fruit's inherent high acidity and the controlled conditions of the wine caves results in wines with exceptional longevity. These wines evolve gradually over many years and achieve near perfection when aged between 8 to 12 years.

Pursuing a profound love of world-class wines throughout their personal and professional lives, father and daughter Lloyd Messer and Dana Brown developed a real thirst for cultivating something of their own. Truly distinctive terroir-driven wines can be elusive, but this remote plateau in Paso Robles—this place—certainly had a voice like no other. Planting their family vineyard here, atop 442 acres of solid calcareous rock, it has been a labor of love to cultivate fruit on this challenging land, but the reward is immediately apparent when savoring the award-winning results.

Lloyd passed on in 2006, but Dana continues to advance their vision as Calcareous consistently produces a collection of world-class Rhône and Bordeaux wines that speak with an undeniable sense of place.

You will find just outside San Luis Obispo on California's stunning Central Coast, Chamisal Vineyards holds a special place in the heart of wine lovers. Established in 1973, it was the first vineyard to plant in what would become the Edna Valley AVA. Specializing in the beloved Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Chamisal Vineyards crafts wines that beautifully reflect the wild and breathtaking landscapes of this unique region, all from their enchanting 82-acre estate.

Chamisal has gained a reputation as one of the premier producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Central Coast. The estate features 82 acres of vines, thriving in three distinct soil types: Chamise Shaly Loam, Tierra Sandy Loam, and Salinas Clay Loam. Just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, this vineyard benefits from one of the coolest climates in the wine world. The maritime breezes help create a long, temperate growing season, giving grapes ample time to develop rich, complex flavors while retaining that refreshing coastal crispness that wine enthusiasts adore.

Every vintage at Chamisal is a testament to patience and evolution. The winemaking team is always learning and adapting, fine-tuning their methods to bring out the very best in each bottle. It's a delightful dance of experimentation and careful adjustments, with each wine a step closer to capturing the vineyard's fullest expression.

As for the Edna Valley itself, its east-west orientation and proximity to the Pacific make it one of California's coolest appellations. This cooler climate allows grapes like Chardonnay to bask on the vine for weeks longer than those in warmer regions, resulting in wines bursting with deep, rich flavors and remarkable fruit intensity.

At the helm of Chamisal's winemaking is the talented Brianne Engles. Growing up in the charming seaside town of Pacific Grove, California, she got her first taste of the wine world while working at a high-end restaurant at just 15 years old. Her journey led her to Cal Poly State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wine and Viticulture, along with a Level 3 Advanced Certification from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

With 17 years of experience under her belt, Brianne has honed her skills at renowned wineries such as Two Hands in South Australia, Duckhorn and Quintessa in Napa Valley, and Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles. Now at Chamisal Vineyards, she passionately honors the terroir of the grapes, striving to encapsulate the essence of the Central Coast's sunshine, soil, and each vintage's unique character. When she’s not in the winery, you can find her exploring local farmers markets, cooking up a feast for friends, hiking up scenic trails, or soaking up the sun at the beach. Cheers to the vibrant world of Chamisal Vineyards!

This is way off the beaten path, but it is worth a stop if you're exploring the East valley or coming in from the 41. We stopped here on a whim after blowing through our wine budget at another winery down the road. I live to regret that. It's easy to miss and the road up to the tasting room makes you initially feel like you're in the wrong place, but the views are great at the top from the dinky building. It's remote, so you'll most likely be alone with your party, anyway. That's good because max capacity feels like it would be around six. The lady working the tasting counter is super cool. This is a no frills place, but that's what I love about the wine culture of Paso. They don't have a big selection of pours here, but what they offer is great. Half of the wines were cuvees, which I enjoy because there is something intimate about them, like enjoying the food of a chef you are a fan of. You submit to their palate. That being said, the Twisted wines are very good, especially the older of the two that were out for sampling. Hands down the best, though, is the cab. Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery  Gallery | Agata Art Gallery