Page 99 - SLO Visitors Guide - Spring 2026

slovisitorsguide.com SPRING 2026 99
Wine Tasting
Welcome to Opolo Vineyards —
a world apart in Paso Robles
The moment you turn onto the
driveway at Opolo Vineyards,
you enter into a world apart, a place
where rolling vineyards mix with
stunning mountain views. Here, in
the heart of the renowned Willow
Creek District, you can get away
from it all for an afternoon as you
indulge in fine estate wines, craft
spirits, and delicious food pairings.
“This is a place where you can
relax and taste at your own pace,”
says Opolo Director of Marketing
Ricki Quinn, daughter of co-found-
er Rick Quinn. “We want you to
feel welcome and inspired by your
time at Opolo as you try our most
coveted small-batch wines.”
A Paso Robles original
Opolo was founded in 1999 by
friends David Nichols and Rick
Quinn, and today, two generations
are actively involved in the daily
operations. The wines reflect both
the rich heritage and progressive
winemaking for which Paso Robles
is renowned. Specialties include
zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon,
Rhône-style blends, and aromatic
whites.
“We were bullish on Paso Robles
from the start, and we are even
more so today,” Nichols says
Sustainably grown wines
Guests at Opolo enjoy access to
Opolo’s small-production Opolo
Reserve bottlings from the estate
vineyards adjacent to the tasting
room. These vineyards—Quinn
West and To The Moon—are
Sustainability in Practice (SIP)
certified, one of the most strin-
gent certification programs of its
kind. From these estate vineyards,
Enjoy acclaimed
estate wines and
handcrafted spirits
amid a scenic
vineyard setting
Stay and play
Guests may also go beyond tast-
ings with an overnight stay at The
Inn at Opolo Vineyards. Boasting
luxurious, spacious rooms with
fireplaces, soaking tubs, and made-
to-order breakfast, each stay includes
complimentary wine and appetizers in
the afternoon.
With events such as the annual
Harvest Festival Dinner & Grape
Stomp, Blending Parties in the Barrel
Room, Sunset Crab Feeds, and more,
the fun never stops. The versatile and
modern indoor and outdoor venue
spaces at Opolo also make it the ideal
location for private events, weddings,
and corporate gatherings.
The Opolo Vineyards tasting room,
located at 7110 Vineyard Dr. in Paso
Robles, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. except for major holidays. Reserva-
tions are recommended, but walk-ins
are welcome. For more information,
visit opolo.com or call (805) 238-9593.
— Meagan Friberg
Winemaker James Schreiner and
Assistant Winemaker Skye Bruce
routinely produce wines that score
90+ points from leading critics.
“We want our wines to do right
by the land, the environment, and
our community,” says Rick Quinn.
“Sustainable vineyard practices also
produce a more wholesome, high-
quality wine.”
Tastings, tours, and craft spirits
Reserve Tasting Flights and
Classic Tasting Flights are offered
year-round inside the Opolo tast-
ing room. Walk-ins are accepted
on a first-come, first-served basis.
Menu offerings include wood-fired
pizzas, gourmet sausages, and
seasonal salads, providing an array
of wine-pairing options. Opolo also
offers an exclusive Estate Tour and
Tasting, where guests experience
everything Opolo “from the ground
to the glass” at the Willow Creek
District estate.
The Opolo tasting room
places an emphasis on Old
World family-style hospitality.
“Our hospitality team and our
tasting room educators are top-
notch and approachable,” says
Ricki Quinn. “They are really
great at meeting you where you
are and matching your energy.”
And, with the addition of the
on-site Willow Creek Distillery,
guests may indulge in a range of
craft spirits, including mod-
ern expressions of whiskeys,
brandies, liqueurs, and more.
Guests may book an immersive
tasting experience, where they
choose four spirits from a list
of offerings enjoyed right inside
the distillery production room.
Oftentimes, part of a visiting
group chooses to go to the dis-
tillery and taste whiskey, while
the others want to do some wine
tasting.