Did you know that San Luis Obispo County is now the third largest wine-producing county in California? Now, with over 200 wineries in San Luis Obispo County, there is so much premium wine to celebrate. So we do. Repeatedly.
Pour, swirl, sniff, sip. It’s a hard life at the Wine Festivals, but somehow visitors are glad to do it.
Since wineries are such a major presence in SLO County, many public events offer tastings of SLO County wines as part of the fun experience.
However, there are many festivals devoted specifically to the appreciation of San Luis Obispo County wines. Almost all of these events include special winemaker dinners.
Here is a list of just the major wine festivals in San Luis Obispo County:
- January
- Esprit du Vin – Paso Robles – Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
- Art & Wine Festival – Cambria – Last Weekend of Month
- February
- Presidents Day Weekend Celebration – Paso Robles & Templeton
- March
- Zinfandel Festival – Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero – Special Marquee Event on Satuday Night with Gourmet Food, Special tastings, silent & Live Auction.
- – World of Pinot Noir – Pismo Beach
- April
- Tax Revolt Weekend Celebration – Paso Robles & Templeton
- Afternoon Amidst the Oaks – Santa Margarita – Also known as the Cal Poly Wine Festival “Learn by Tasting!”
- May
- Roll Out the Barrels – San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande & Avila Beach – Special Farmers Market Downtown Event, and special passport tastings at wineries
- Hospice du Rhone – Paso Robles – World’s largest International Celebration of the 22 Rhone Varieties – (including both red & white wines.) Has been called the “most major wine festival you’ve never heard of”
- Wine Festival – Paso Robles, Templeton & Atascadero – Special downtown wine tasting event in beautiful park
- June
- Golf, Art & Wine Festival – Atascadero – Approximately 80 SLO County wineries pour their wines at the beautiful Lakeside Pavilion, with art show at same time. Golf tournament the day before.
- July
- Central Coast Wine Classic – San Luis Obispo & Arroyo Grande – Major charity fundraiser. Includes dinner at Heast Castle and important wine auction.
- August
- Basil Festival – Templeton – Charity fundraiser that includes wine tasting by several local wineries.
- September
- California Wine Month
- October
- Harvest Wine Festival – Paso Robles, Templeton & Atascadero
- Best of the West Celebration – Paso Robles & Templeton
- November
- Harvest Wine Festival – San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande & Avila Beach
Information on all these wine country events - and more winery events (winemaker dinners, other festivals proving wine etc. - can be found on our Calendar.
