Page 113 - San Luis Obispo Visitors Guide - Summer 2025

slovisitorsguide.com SUMMER 2025 113
Wine Tasting
Rhone, Bordeaux, and Iberian
grapes. Additionally, due to the
terroir, microclimates, geography,
and geology, ONX also grows
several whites, including viog-
nier and picpoul blanc. There are
approximately 127 planted acres,
producing 18 varietals; with the
addition of the Willow Creek
Vineyard, there are an additional
three varietals. A certified sustain-
able winery, ONX is working
on converting all of its vineyard
operations to fully organic.
As you sip the wines, your
host explains the grape and its
characteristics and flavor profiles,
including growing and harvesting
practices. Jeff Strekas, director of
wine growing, has been working
with ONX since 2012 and led the
way, focusing on creative blending,
whether it was a Rhone blend, a
Rhone/Bordeaux blend, or even a
Rhone/Bordeaux/Iberian varietal
blend. Paso Robles and ONX
stand out because they weave a
tapestry of grapes showing off
expressions from various terroirs,
creating unique, masterful, excit-
ing, and interesting wines.
Jeff oversees all the vineyard
and grape-growing activities.
Starting his career as a biochemi-
cal engineer, he has an encyclo-
pedic mind and an artistic and
creative bend. Good luck if you
ever get into a trivia contest with
him about any subject! Jeff is part
of an integral team, and each
person brings unique attributes to
create the final boutique product,
ONX.
Experience ONX your way
ONX experiences fit anyone’s
interest level. Sit back and enjoy
your tasting in a comfortable,
relaxed setting, or explore a deep
dive with vineyard tours or even
in-home tastings. To get your wine
salivary glands working, here are
just a few of the options that await
you in your wine journey:
• Tin City Winery/Tasting
Room experience: Sample various
current-release ONX wines (which
may include some library selec-
tions) in the comfortable tasting
room. Relax indoors or outdoors
as your wine host guides you
through the current tasting menu
while explaining the ONX story
and philosophy.
• Cellar’d Tasting: Consider
booking this private winery and
cellar tour for a deep dive into
ONX wines and winemaking.
Learn more about the details,
intricacies, and the hows and
whys of winemaking. During this
special tour and tasting, you are
treated to ONX's small produc-
tion and library wines, paired
with an artisanal charcuterie
platter that will make your senses
sing.
• Vineyard Tour and Tasting
experience: Awaken your inner
wine geek with this simply aston-
ishing tour. For $45 per person,
you are treated to a selection of
wines while touring the vineyard,
and learning about soil, canopy,
sustainability, organic growing
techniques, and the harvest. Tour-
ing the vineyard, sipping, and
enjoying the natural surroundings
is captivating and deepens your
appreciation of what goes into the
wine.
• In-home experiences: ONX
offers two different in-home
experiences: a virtual tasting with
pre-delivered wines or tasting
ONX in the comfort of your own
home, on your schedule, with an
ONX host who will come to you!
While enjoying the ONX
experience, keep an eye out for
announcements about the team’s
newly launched venture, Kiler
Canyon Vineyard.
The ONX Tin City tasting
room is located at 2910 Limestone
Way, Paso Robles. Open daily 10
a.m.- 5 p.m., last tasting at 4:00
p.m. For reservations, vineyard
experiences, or more information,
visit onxwines.com, or call
(805) 400-0956.
— Don Sonderling.
Don Sonderling is a freelance writer covering
California’s unique lifestyle culture of wine,
food, and adventure from Southern Califor-
nia through Napa and beyond. He may be
reached at: donsonderling@gmail.com.