From Buellton, it’s just a 30-minute drive north on the 101 to Santa Maria, where wine lovers can experience a little piece of vino heaven. Just off the 101, at Stowell, you can’t miss Costa de Oro–you can see them from the highway! We always stop there, and recommend them to our friends for their exceptional wines, fresh local produce and gifts.
Costa de Oro
www.costadeorowinerycom
Costa De Oro Winery is the off-shoot of parent company Gold Coast Farms, located in Santa Maria, California. Founding members Ron Burk and Bob Espinola, began farming in 1978, growing a variety of crops, including strawberries, cilantro, broccoli, and sweet corn. However, on a bluff at Fuglar’s Point, where the soil proved to be poor for vegetable growth, Ron and Bob decided to try wine grapes. It was a wise and profitable decision.
In 1989 Gold Coast Vineyard was planted with cuttings from the prestigious Sierra Madre Vineyard; today it is 20 acres of Pinot Noir and 10 acres of Chardonnay. Gold Coast vineyard wine have won many prestigious awards, including a Gold Medal at the Santa Barbara Countly Fair for their 2005 Estate Pinot Noir
The Costa De Oro Tasting Room is easy to find, right off the 101 Freeway in Santa Maria. Visitors can enjoy fine Estate wines as well as other varietals. They also offer beautiful Gold Coast strawberries (in season), along with locally grown produce on the patio. Their gift baskets and wine gift boxes are the perfect hostess gifts when traveling to visit family and friends.
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