Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery

Open: Year-round

About Us:

Long-time San Luis Obispo county residents Tom and Carol Hinkle began their wine adventure years ago. After successful teaching careers, Carol at two local high schools and Tom at Cal Poly SLO and a twenty eight year stint in major baseball. The Hinkle's seriously began to investigate the possibility of farming premium wine grapes. Searching for vineyard property, the Hinkle's looked at over two hundred parcels of potential vineyard land before discovering the perfect spot in the spring of 1996.

Once owned by a Hollywood movie producer, the beautiful 63 acres nestled among rolling hills and the Huer Huero Creek was destined to become home to this small, family-owned vineyard and winery. The big red barn, now the winery and barrel room building, was originally constructed to accommodate the catering needs and food service for the actors on the set of a 1984 movie.

Happily, the Hinkles have found this small Eastside ranch the perfect setting for their Rio Seco adventures. In the planning stages since the early 1990s, these 30-year San Luis Obispo North County residents are finding their ultimate retirement dream slowly beginning to take shape.