El Lugar Wines — Attraction in San Luis Obispo

I recently discovered San Luis Obispo pinot, on a trip up there. Also went to Paso Robles, and visited Tablas Creek, among others. El Lugar was the big discovery of the trip. Really excellent pinot, and good early drinking wine too.

This is stunning Pinot. I was unfamiliar with SLO pinot, other than some Bien Nacido single vineyard pinots, before stopping at their tasting room in SLO. I was stopped in my tracks by their wine. Outstanding sources for coastal single vineyard juice, and excellent wine making by Coby Parker. Many kudos to him and the team. The tasting room is in a warehouse complex. Do not be put off by that. I like that kind of thing, personally. A very small winery operation.

This Spanish Springs and Bien Nacido wines wines were bright, the fruit was gorgeous, they both had a lift, with a very silky mouthfeel. Sweet berries, very pretty floral notes, some tea and spice, and plenty of depth. Really an outstanding effort. Though they were very young (2021), they were still approachable. I bought some, and am looking forward to trying in a couple of years.

From the website: Coby Parker- Garcia and his wife, Katie Noonan, along with their daughter Callie, have a combined 30+ years of experience in the wine industry here on the beautiful Central Coast of CA.

Coby Parker-Garcia has been on the winemaking side of the industry since 2002 and fell in love with Pinot Noir long ago. Katie and Coby met through working at neighboring wineries and instantly shared a combined passion for good wines, especially Pinot Noir. Katie’s background in the industry stems from 10 years in the marketing and direct to consumer side of the business, so with combined passions and experience, El Lugar was born in 2013!

In 2013 the started with two vineyard designate Pinot Noir’s from Bien Nacido and Russian River. Today they currently have 5 vineyard designate Pinot Noir’s, the popular Pinot Noir Blanc, Rosé of Pinot Noir and a Syrah to offer customers.

After 2 years of planning and construction the new winery and tasting room are open. The production of all wines will be made at the new location next door to the...

I asked a very prominent Edna Valley grape farmer who the next up-and-coming wine maker in Edna Valley was, and he pointed me to El Lugar and their wine maker Coby Parker-Garcia. I dropped by their tasting room next to Ancient Owl and was absolutely blown away by the quality of their wines - the best tasting I’ve done on the Central Coast perhaps ever. They are very Pinot Noir heavy, which isn’t even one of my favorite varietals, but the artful skill of the winemaker shines through. I didn’t have a single wine I disliked, but their Pinot from Bien Naciedo stood out as an utterly flawless wine. How it doesn’t earn a 98–100 point score from wine critics is beyond me. That said, my personal favorite was their Pinot from Bassi Vineyard near Avila Beach. There was a very interesting cayenne note in there that made the wine really exciting and, lucky for me and my pocketbook, was one of the cheaper wines they sell. I don’t think you can go wrong here. The only error you can make is not coming paying this hidden gem a visit. I see a bright future for Coby...

This winery makes a Pinot Noir Blanc. Yeah white Pinot!! It’s outstanding! Sourced from Greengate Vineyard in Edna valley. Got a few bottles and also loved the 2018 Pinot Noir sourced from Bien Nacido vineyards. My personal favorite. When we went to the tasting it was so well done. Staggered the people participating so it was ultra safe. Go support this boutique winery - meet Coby Garcia the winemaker - you’ll love this young man and his wife does florals. One stop shop for weddings and...