The Best Avila Beach Wineries To Visit

Alapay Cellars

 

Fans of Avila Beach wine tasting know that Alapay Cellars has been serving Avila Beach wine tasters for over 14 years.  Their multiple award-winning selections include Sparkling, White, Red, and Dessert wines. Winemaker/owners Scott and Rebecca Remmenga make distinctive French Oak-aged wines and pride themselves on offering something perfect for every palate. This tasting room has very friendly staff. It's a great place to hang out and learn more about the area.

WINES TO TRY: Their Rebekah reserve red blend is velvety with the perfect hint of fruit. If they have any on hand, Alapay's beautiful viognier is hypnotic with flavors of white peach and honey.  (AlapayCellars.com)

Avila Wine Company

Their tasting room offers a selection of personally curated wines from the Central Coast, N. California, and select international wines. Whether you are wine tasting or enjoying wines by the glass or bottle, the environment is relaxed, fun, and informative. Avila Wine Company also offers craft beers and small bites.

WINES TO TRY: Avila Wine Company has an incredible array of 200+ wines available, including allocated and hard-to-find vintages. (AvilaWineCompany.com)

Croma Vera (Croma Vera Moved To 3592 Broad St #106 in San Luis Obispo)

The name of this Avila Beach wine tasting spot, loosely translated from Latin, means true colors. And the goal of the winemakers is to allow each vineyard to reveal its true and unique colors.  Croma Vera specializes in Spanish varietals such as Tempranillo and Albariño and also offers Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and blends.  The Croma Vera tasting room is spacious with several seating areas ideal for small groups.

WINES TO TRY:  Croma Vera's Tempranillo Joven is fresh and luscious.  They also offer a crisp and beautiful Tempranillo Rose. (Cromavera.com)

Sinor-Lavallee

Pinot lovers will want to know that this winery was founded in 1997 by Mike Sinor (self-avowed “Pinot Guy”) and Cheri La Vallee-Sinor.  Sinor-Lavalle wines are produced from the grapes of their estate vineyard near Avila Beach. Their focus is on the terroir of their estate vineyard and showcasing those unique influences in the wines they produce. This is a great Avila Beach winery to visit if you are staying at the Lighthouse Inn. You just need to walk across the parking lot and you are there.

WINES TO TRY: Sinor-Lavallee's White Label Pinot Noir from their Bassi Ranch estate is a taut, focused expression of the Pinot Noir grape.  The Bassi Ranch Chardonnay offers a smooth mouthful of peach, citrus, and minerals. They also make an amazing Pet-Nat from Pinot Noir grapes. This is a pale pink and bubbly delight that will convince you to drink more Pet-Nat.  (SinorLavallee.com)

Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards

The quaint Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards is nestled in the See Canyon just a few minute's drive from downtown Avila Beach. In addition to Kelsey's award-winning wines, their unique apple-grape blends and hard ciders pay homage to See Canyon's apple-growing heritage. Kelsey offers both indoor and outdoor wine tasting and a bevy of peacocks to serenade you while you taste.

WINES TO TRY: Kelsey's Merlot is filled with ripe cherry and spice notes.   The unique Golden Delicious apple-grape blend is light, crisp, and refreshing.  (Kelseywine.com)

Silver Horse Winery

A new addition to the Avila Wine Trail, Silver Horse Winery was established in 1996 and was a staple in the Paso Robles wine region for more than 20 years.  The new Avila Beach tasting room is located in a 100-year-old schoolhouse just minutes from downtown.  The tasting room is warm, authentic, and inviting and the outdoor patio area is great for small groups.

WINES TO TRY: The Silver Horse Pegasus is an unforgettable Bordeaux blend with delightful mocha and spice notes.  The Quatro Blanc white blend is tart and minerally – a great pairing with cheeses or fish.  (Silverhorse.com)

Eating, Sleeping, and Playing along the Avila Wine Trail

In addition to great wineries, Avila is home to intriguing shops and galleries as well as a multitude of beach-oriented recreation.  Activities in and around the community range from golf on a par-71 course to stand-up paddleboarding, surf lessons, whale watching, kayaking, and fishing.  For more relaxed diversions, dine at one of the exceptional local restaurants or enjoy a spa retreat and a soak in mineral hot springs.

Are you traveling to Avila Beach with little ones? Make sure you stop off at the Avila Valley Barn. This is a slice of rustic heaven with chickens, goats, horses, and cows ready to be fed and petted. Children will also appreciate the delicious ice cream. This is also a great place to stock up if you plan on cooking during your visit.

Foodies will appreciate the Ocean Grill (oceangrillavila.com) – an ocean-front restaurant featuring seafood, local produce, and steaks grilled to perfection.  The Ocean Grill, like all restaurants in Avila, will waive corkage fees on a local bottle of wine.

Here are more options for places to eat on the central coast if you don't mind venturing out from Avila Beach.

Where To Stay In Avila Beach

Avila La Fonda

 

For overnight accommodations, you can check out the Avila La Fonda Hotel (avilalafonda.com), a boutique hotel with an early California aesthetic and a commitment to an exceptional experience.  From breakfast croissants to the nightly Manager's Wine Reception and evening pie and ice cream, the Avila La Fonda hotel offers old-world service with contemporary amenities.

Click here to see current prices

Avila Beach Lighthouse Suites

You should also consider the Avila Beach Lighthouse Suites. This is a great spot to stay with the whole family. The hotel is right across from the beach. You can book a room with an ocean view or one that overlooks the pool. Leave your slider open and fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing! The hotel has some nice features like complimentary breakfast, ping pong, a putting green, and a hot tub. Like most of the hotels in Avila Beach, you can walk to the winery tasting rooms from your hotel. The front desk is very helpful and they keep a nice supply of wine in case you don't make it to the tasting rooms in town.

Click here to book a stay at the Lighthouse Suites.

Final Word

We hope you get a chance to go wine tasting in Avila Beach. This quaint beachfront community has a lot to offer wine lovers and their fellow travelers. We consider this one of the great "hidden gems" of California's wine scene. Between the high-quality wineries, the beach, and the great food, there is so much to love here!