Fellow Travelers,

Many of you have been with us since the very beginning, and for that, we can’t thank you enough. Some of you are newer to the club, and we’re elated to have you join our adventure. This feels like the perfect time to share a bit of our journey and remind everyone that Sans Liege has two tasting room locations—each with its own story, its own vibe, and its own place in the adventure.

Sans Liege started in 2006 inside a massive co-op winery warehouse in Santa Maria known as Central Coast Wine Services. That place was an incubator for winemakers—full of energy, ambition. Hitching Post, Paul Lato Wines, Sanguis, Kunin, McPrice Myers, Herman Story, Peacock Cellars, Tyler, Timbre, Tatomer, and Stephen Ross all crafted wines under that big metal roof. The only drawback? Zoning laws meant we couldn’t open our doors to the public. And that’s where Pismo Beach comes in.

In 2010, Kara and I were living in Grover Beach and took a weekend stroll through Pismo. We passed an empty storefront with a For Lease sign, looked at each other, and thought—what if? One blown budget later, we opened Sans Liege Pismo Beach in 2011. More than just a tasting room, we set out to create a cozy wine lounge—a place we’d want to hang out in. Lucky for us, others got the vibe, and Sans Liege became part of a small movement that helped turn Pismo into a true food and wine destination. Today, our little stretch of restaurant row is home to incredible restaurants and three wine tasting venues, and we’re proud to still be a part of it.

Fast forward to 2015—Paso Robles was calling. The owners of CCWS were shifting their vision, needing more space for their own winemaking projects, and I had to find a new home. Enter Tin City—a collective of bootstrap, owner-operated wineries building something from the ground up. It felt familiar, like the co-op days, but with one key difference—we could have a tasting room inside our winery. A dream come true. We signed a lease, and before I knew it, we were fermenting, blending, and pouring wines all under one roof. The only question? What to do with Pismo.

Would two tasting rooms, just 60 miles apart, compete with each other? Turns out, no. They complement each other beautifully—one by the sea, one in the heart of winemaking country.

Pismo Beach – A laid-back, coastal escape. A throwback to the California beach towns of old, easygoing and always 15 degrees cooler than Paso in the summer. Whether you're stopping on your way up the coast or escaping the valley heat, Sans Liege Pismo is your spot to sip, lounge, and unwind.

Paso Robles – Tin City – A premier winemaking hub packed with over 20 tasting rooms, plus a distillery, brewery, olive oil producer, pasta bar, and even our cider house, Tin City Cider. It’s a true backstage pass to winemaking—if you hear some noise, it’s just the sound of something good in the making.

Whichever location fits your mood, we’d love to see you. And now, visiting just got even easier—our Wine Club Manager, Ethan, has spearheaded a Local Hotel Program where you can find exclusive discounts at nearby hotels, just for being a club member. Check out our website for the latest offers and make a trip of it. Stop in to pick up your allocation, stock up on favorites, or just enjoy a glass with us. This journey has been incredible, and we’re grateful every day that you’re on it with us.

To the Tale of Two Tasting Rooms,

Curt Schalchlin
Sans Liege Wines