One of California’s newest AVAs – the San Luis Obispo (SLO) Coast – has captured our imagination. Incredibly distinct from the broader SLO region, the appellation averages a mere 5 miles from the ocean and is uniquely situated to grow brisk, fresh fruit.

And it's for this reason some of our favorite new talents are gravitating to the area. The newest of which, Dunites Wine Co., is completely dedicated to the zone...

WELCOMING DUNITES WINE CO.

Named for the historic bohemian community nestled in the sand dunes of Pismo Beach, Dunites (est. 2015) is quickly becoming synonymous with SLO Coast AVA.

Tyler and Rachel Eck – who also maintain jobs in winemaking and vineyard management elsewhere – make a hands-off expression of SLO coast, never losing sight of the goal that their wine should be, above all, delicious and enjoyable to drink.

They bring impressive resumes: between them there’s oenology at New Zealand’s Lincoln University, viticulture at Cal Poly, and work that spans two handfuls of wineries in France, NZ and California.

Sourcing includes Spanish Springs and Bassi vineyards – two SLO Coast sites which practically tumble into the Pacific – and all of the winemaking is in favor of extracting freshness and complexity across minerality, fruit character and structure. (More on Bassi below, btw.)

Native yeasts, whole cluster inclusion, pigeage by foot, neutral oak aging on the lees, a judicious use of sulfur; and bottled with no fining/filtration (per Dunites, “if we have done our job well then these steps are unnecessary” 😉).

Just like their neighbors and dear friends (and, another shop fave) Outward Wines, these are thoughtful expressions of California's coolest climate AVA. Incredibly fresh, spirited bottles that we honestly can't stop talking about.

2022 DUNITES ROSÉ, SLO COAST $29
Grenache with a touch of Albariño and Syrah. Light pigeage prior to pressing, done in neutral oak and aged 3 months with minimal SO2 added at bottling. From an especially cool vintage in this already cool climate, it is fresh!

2022 DUNITES SYRAH SANS SOUFRE, SLO COAST $40
50% whole cluster Syrah from Zeferino and Spanish Springs vineyards. Despite plush fruit and crunchy acidity, it's still firmly, satisfyingly savory. Aged 8 months in neutral French oak, no added sulfur on this one!

2022 DUNITES PINOT NOIR, SLO COAST $50
From Bassi Vineyard, with 33% whole clusters included. Aged for 10 months in neutral French oak, with minimal SO2 added at bottling. Juicy berries and plum lifted by cooling acidity, with the ocean-wind-swept character that's distinct to this site.

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RE. BASSI VINEYARD

We can't possibly talk about SLO Coast without reflecting on Bassi Vineyard.
Just 1.2 miles from the Pacific in the southernmost part of the AVA (Avila Beach), it’s a microclimate within the already-specific SLO Coast. For those who know it, tbh it’s one of those rare California vineyards that can be called on the blind.

Layers of varying sandstone soil over marine bedrock and cooling coastal fog shape wines of high energy (and low alcohol). And there’s a common thread across varieties and producers: a lacy saline finish that punctuates every variety – from Chardonnay and Albariño to Pinot Noir and Syrah.

Another common thread: several of the California producers we’ve found ourselves most excited about in recent years source fruit from Bassi. It was recently purchased by Mikey (Scar of the Sea) and Gina Giugni (Lady of the Sunshine), so we’re eager to see what’s next for this historic place. In the meantime, there’s plenty to enjoy from this special place:

2022 OUTWARD BASSI VINEYARD CHARDONNAY $48

2022 SCAR OF THE SEA, BASSI VINEYARD PINOT NOIR $50

2022 SCAR OF THE SEA, BASSI VINEYARD SYRAH $48

2022 DUNITES PINOT NOIR, SLO COAST $50

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