A historic wine property in San Luis Obispo County is getting a new chapter. Four Central Coast wine producers have joined forces to open EdnaSLO, a collaborative tasting room, market, and future restaurant and distillery on a 60-acre property located about 10 minutes southeast of downtown San Luis Obispo, just beyond the airport.
The partnership provided KSBY Community Reporter Jessica Roe an exclusive look inside the property, which was formerly home to the Edna Valley Vineyard tasting room.
The original winery was built in the early 1980s, with the tasting room structure added in the late 1990s or early 2000s.
Now reimagined by a professional designer and all four winemakers, the EdnaSLO space has been segmented into distinct areas, including a tasting room, market, and distillery-in-progress, along with a future gourmet restaurant.
The four wine producers coming together under one roof are Dunites, Greengate, Stephen Ross, and Vestre.
Dunites winemaker Tyler Eck, spokesperson for the EdnaSLO property, says the concept grew out of conversations between himself and his fellow partner winemakers.
"That initial concept was always to have this collaborative tasting room very, you know, very, very focused on the community, which really sounded very cool," Eck said. "I mean, that resonated with us to try to build up SLO, build up Edna Valley, and make it mean we know that what's here is world-class, and sometimes it feels like people just a little bit away don't really quite have that understanding."
Eck told KSBY that the EdnaSLO ownership group's connection to the region was central to the vision.
"The ownership group has this real kind of affinity for the area and wants to highlight it," Eck said.
Each of the four wine brands brings a distinct focus to the collaboration. According to Eck:
- Dunites, which Eck started in 2015 with his wife, Rachel, centers on SLO Coast wines shaped by marine climate and soils.
- Greengate, owned by the Wilson family, draws from estate fruit grown at Green Gate Ranch in the heart of Edna Valley, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and varieties from the Jura region of France.
- Stephen Ross, founded in 1994, is considered a pioneer in the area for Burgundian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and also produces aromatic whites.
- Vestre, a newer brand, focuses on Bordeaux-style red wines from the Adelaide Hills area of West Paso Robles.
The four brands share a custom grape crushing and production facility on the property, located across the back lawn, an area the team plans to open for picnicking and family-friendly events.
"I have always been really supportive of doing family-friendly events as well back there," Eck said. "We have a great spot, so it really somewhere where people in the community can come together and enjoy the space together."
The tasting room will operate on a reservations-recommended basis, though walk-ins will be welcomed. Eck said the market and outdoor areas will offer a more informal experience, with a wine service counter and a deli-style counter where guests can order a glass or bottle of wine, grab a sandwich, and enjoy the property's outdoor space.
The EdnaSLO Market is led by Executive Chef Matthew Shayler, who brings a background in approachable, locally sourced food.
"We're excited to feed people. I'm excited to get people in," Shayler said.
Shayler said the market's offerings will be daytime-focused, with an emphasis on lunch, and will feature local agriculture throughout.
"So the food that we produce here is all going to be featuring local agriculture, and everything in the market is thoughtfully sourced," Shayler said. "It's not about everything has to be from scratch all the time. I love snacks, I think a lot of chefs really do, and so just want to make sure that whatever is behind us, we believe in, we think is delicious and is unique."
The market will stock grab-and-go snacks, bottles of wine, and non-alcoholic beverages, and will have a food counter offering fresh-to-order sandwiches, salads, and platters. Among the items Shayler is particularly excited about is a mushroom Banh Mi featuring "Mighty Cap" mushrooms, pickled carrots and radishes from City Farm, flowering cilantro from Southern California, and lion's mane mushrooms roasted, pressed, and marinated in a Thai-style marinade.
Shayler said the goal is for the market to feel welcoming to everyone, including families with children.
"We want you to be able to bring kids if you have them and not feel like there's too much precious stuff," Shayler said. "The kids can get chips, they can get a grilled cheese, you can go outside and enjoy your wines."
Looking ahead, a gourmet restaurant and a distillery are both planned for the property, with the distillery already in development. Some members of the property's ownership group also have connections to accommodations, including Green Gate Ranch and Cavalli Ranch, which offer lodging and wedding venues.
The team at EdnaSLO tells KSBY that they expect to provide entertainment on the back lawn, including live music and food trucks.
While it has been welcoming visitors in recent days as part of a "soft-opening," the official grand opening is August 27. EdnaSLO will be open Thursdays through Mondays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with lunch ending at 4 p.m.
If you have a story idea you would like to send to KSBY Reporter Jessica Roe, you can reach her directly via email at jessica.roe@ksby.com.
