Though serious wines have been coming out of the Santa Maria Valley since the 1970s, it’s never been the most inviting appellation to tour. Many of the prime wineries and iconic vineyards are off-limits or appointment-only, the settings can be quite rustic, and they almost all are located deep in the valley, requiring lots of driving to get there.

But that’s all about to change. Last week, Presqu’ile Winery opened the doors of its palatial, three-tiered production facility and tasting room off of Clark Avenue, just a few minutes from the steady traffic of Highway 101.

With bocce ball court views extending from Point San Luis to the dunes of Guadalupe to the historic Bien Nacido Vineyard across the river, the new winery — which required two years of steady construction to build and must have cost many millions, though the family won’t say — is making it much easier to get a taste of the Santa Maria Valley. And with sleek modernist architecture, the latest 21st-century winemaking technology, and a commitment to sustainable practices in both the winery and surrounding vineyards, Presqu’ile is bringing a polished style to the boot- and blue-jeans-wearing region, all while staying focused on making some of the tastiest wines around.

To read the entire article, click here.