arthur earl winery

Skip Alexander and Wayne and go to this one. It's a little hidden but worth seeking out. The wines were very good and the owners were pouring that day so they were also very knowledgeable. I bought the Syrah but the GSM blend and the Mouvedre also stood out.

Arthur Earl is the sister winery to Alexander & Wayne. Its tasting room is right behind Alexander & Wayne. It produces Rhone Varietals. The Grenache was quite good. Tasting fee $8.00, not waived with a bottle purchase; but they do give you a card to taste again free. ???The hostess was quite nice, efficient, and knowledgeable; unlike her boss in the Alexander & Wayne tasting room who was overwhelmed when there were three of us to pour for (a couple, and me).There are now about 45 tasting rooms in Los Olivos, none with bathroom facilities, officially at least. The few porta potties they have on the side street near the flagpole are disgusting, especially on a hot day. Their excuse is that they are on a septic system. Apparently neither the county nor the landowners want to pony up to build a sewer system. I travel to the Central Coast to taste wine 2-3 times/year for a week and usually stop at Los Olivos. I'll be avoiding Los Olivos until they stop being a Third World Village by getting a sewer system.