For anyone not native to California living, you might presume it’s only wine country there. And yes, there are sprawling countryside villas all over the state responsible for curating and producing some of the finest and smoothest wines in the world. But California is also  distillery country. And the SLO County Distillery Trail is one of the must-visits to add to your distillery tour wish list.

If you have plans this year to vacation or travel to the west central coastal area of California, you’ll want to keep this list of distillery tours handy. And some of these hotspots are true gems, with stunning spirits and tasting room experiences.

Discover All the Best Spirits Along the SLO County Distillery Trail

San Luis Obispo County, or SLO County in California, is an expansion of the Paso Robles Distillery Trail. And the new coalition of distillers includes affiliate winemakers, brewers, farmers, bartenders, chemists, and spirit-loving enthusiasts and aims to introduce the world to what SLO County has to offer. Taste some world-class distillates, each with a one-of-a-kind character. And if you’re into sipping fine brandy flavors, whiskey varieties, gins, and grappa, you’re in for a real treat on the SLO County Distillery Trail.

Add these California distillery tours to your itinerary and start sampling!

Autry Cellars

5450 Edna Rd., San Luis Obispo, California 93401

In addition to award-winning wines, you can explore Autry Cellars’ brandy. The views are picturesque and the tasting experience, divine!

Azeo Distillery

3230 Riverside Avenue, Suite 190, Paso Robles, California 93446

Taste vodka made from 100% apples. But there is also vodka from grapes, rum, apple brandy, agave, and moonshine.

Bethel Rd Distillery

1266 N. Bethel Rd., Templeton, California 93465

Visit the tasting room and sample the full lineup of Bethel craft spirits, including gin, orange liqueur, Nocino, VSOP Brandy, Grappa Di Primitivo, Grappa Di Moscato, and more.

Calwise Spirits Co.

3340 Ramada Drive, Suite B, Paso Robles, California 93446

Experience the craft spirits of the Calwise Spirits Co., like Big Sur Gin, Old Tom Big Sur Gin, Axe Hole Whiskey, Hazard Reef Rum, and Orange Liqueur.

Distillery Cheval

1021 Pine Street, Paso Robles, California 93446

Visit the boutique Hotel Cheval for relaxing, wine, and sampling. There’s an in-house wine educator on hand to introduce you to the finest wines in the region.

Donati Spirits

2720 Oak View Road, Templeton, California 93465

Donati Spirits redefines “premium” vodka and introduces guests to the entire distilling process. And then relax in the tasting room and spirits lounge.

Grain+Vine Distillery

2174 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles, California 93446

Welcome to the Barton Family Estate, home of incredible wine, spirits, and adventures. Here you’ll sample vodka, gin, rum, bourbon, and rye whiskey.

Krobār Craft Distillery

10 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401

Experience small-batch mastery at its finest and taste soft vodkas, original recipe gin, Butterfly Pea Gin, bourbon, and rye whiskey.

Pendray’s Distillery

95 Booker Road, Templeton, California 93465

Taste the Pendray difference in every brandy and liqueur variety. You can even join the “Spirit Club” and stay in touch with their latest news and offerings. 

RE:FIND Distillery

2725 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, California 93446

Villicana Winery launched RE:FIND Distillery in 2011. Sample artisan spirits like cucumber vodka, gins, liqueurs, rye whiskey, bourbon whiskey, and more!

Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills

855 Aerovista Place, San Luis Obispo, California 93401

This is how “California does whiskey” and a must-see for whiskey and bourbon enthusiasts. Also, sample some of the many reserves and cocktails.

SLO de VIE Distillery

200 S 4th St, Ste 201, Grover Beach, California 93433

Perouse the wide variety of spirits here, including Mulher Velha, Aguardente, Aguardente Reserva, Aguardente Maracuja, Aguardente Anise, Aguardente Fig, Aguardente Branca, Carrie Nation Vodka, Carrie Nation Gin, Two Foxes Grappa, and Carrie Nation Grappa.

Tin City Distillery

3064 Limestone Way, Paso Robles, California 93446

Another favorite stop on the SLO County Distillery Trail is Tin City Distillery. Sip bourbon whiskey, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, “Chocolate Love,” and the Vodka Lemonade 4 Pack.

Willow Creek Distillery

7110 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles, California 93446

Explore the locally-sourced California ingredients in Willow Creek’s lineup of craft spirits. Try the long list of various liqueur flavors, but don’t neglect the whiskey, the brandy, or the Muscat Grappa, either.

Other Tourist Attractions in SLO County

San Luis Obispo County has plenty of other things to do and attractions to see. This county, nestled along the beautiful central coast of California, is home to iconic landmarks and natural beauty. Add these hotspots to your travels, and don’t forget to bring your camera!

• Hearst Castle
• Moonstone Beach
• Morro Rock
• Monarch Butterfly Grove
• Pismo Pier
• Montana de Oro State Park
• Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden

FAQs About the SLO County Distillery Trail in California

Learn more and explore some of these other FAQs and answers about the SLO County Distillery Trail and spirit tours in California.

What is the SLO County Distillery Trail Weekend all about?

Last year’s Distillery Trail Weekend took place in August. And attendees receive stamps from each participating distiller in the lineup. Once visitors collect at least six stamps, the maps were redeemed for an exclusive SLO Distillers flask.

How many distilleries are there in California?

There is a growing number of startup and boutique distilleries in California, bringing the official list to 89 and counting. 

What’s the most popular spirit in California?

Tequila often reigns supreme among the favorite spirit lists in California, including famed Twitter buyer Elon Musk’s brand of tequila. Although Ryan Reynold’s Aviation Gin also ranks high as a top-tier favorite.

So, yes, California may still hold the official title of “wine country.” But don’t forget that it’s also home to some of the best distillery tours and crafted spirits, too. Keep this list handy as you plot your course and tick new adventures off your bucket list.

And remember, wherever your vacation or travels take you, keep DistilleryNearby handy, too. Let our resources be your guide to spot all the distillery tours near you so you never miss an opportunity to sample delicious new flavors and hand-crafted spirits.