New artisan winery opens doors, bottles

Monday, November 21st, 2011

Steve Autry has been making wine for over a decade.Autry Cellars has opened a new tasting room and winery in the heart of Edna Valley, just in time for the 2011 harvest.  Steve Autry has been making wine for over a decade, and commercially since the 2007 vintage.  Late this summer he moved his operation from an urban setting on Capitolio Way to the more scenic vineyard location at 5450 Edna Valley Road.

“I have been waiting for the right winery location and when the old Santa Barbara Stone/JJ’s Landscaping location became available I jumped at it.  We now have plenty of winemaking space, a designated tasting room and a great outdoor deck looking over the vineyards to enjoy the scenery with a glass of wine,” said Steve.

Autry produces a dozen wines but only a barrel or two of each variety. His total production is under 1,000 cases per year.  Unlike most other San Luis Obispo wineries Autry makes many varieties little known in the area, including, Malbec, Trempranillo, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, plus Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.  His winemaking is all done by hand with a focus on making richly flavored wines with plenty of varietal intensity with resolved tannins and complexity.

The tasting room is open Friday through Sunday 11 to 6pm and for drop-ins during the week. Contact Steve at (805) 546-8669 for an appointment.

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