Photo courtesy of Los Padres ForestWatch.
The conservation fundraiser welcomes 11 new winery partners and expands into Carmel Valley, offering more than $800 in wine tastings and nearby adventures
CENTRAL COAST— Los Padres ForestWatch is expanding its Wine for Wilderness Passport for 2027, growing from 24 to 30 participating wineries and extending the program’s reach north into Carmel Valley. Now entering its second year, the passport invites wine enthusiasts to discover the Central Coast’s diverse wine regions, explore nearby hiking trails, and support conservation throughout the Los Padres region.
Priced at $85, the 2027 Wine for Wilderness Passport offers a complimentary tasting at each participating winery, a combined value of more than $800. Valid January 1 through December 31, 2027, the passport gives holders an entire year to discover new favorites and explore the region at their own pace. Each winery is paired with a nearby hiking trail in Los Padres National Forest or surrounding public lands.
“Los Padres National Forest stretches roughly 220 miles, connecting an incredible diversity of landscapes and communities,” said Adam Morrison, Director of Development at Los Padres ForestWatch. “We’re particularly proud that this year’s Wine for Wilderness Passport now reaches from Carmel Valley to Ventura, reflecting just how connected this region really is. The wineries, trails, and wild places may look different along the way, but we all share a connection to these landscapes and a responsibility to protect them.”
Building on the support of its inaugural winery partners, the expanded lineup welcomes 11 new winery partners, including Bernardus, Tira Nanza, Feliz Noche Cellars, ídola wine co., Lincourt Vineyards, Sandhi Wines, Sinor-LaVallee, St. Avalo Wines, Strange Family Vineyards, Trois le Fou Winery, and Whitcraft Winery. They join returning wineries such as Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard. Its commitment to soil health, biodiversity, and regenerative agriculture reflects the environmental values at the heart of Wine for Wilderness.
“At Tablas Creek Vineyard, we farm with the intention of supporting the longevity and integrity of our ecosystem as a whole,” said Austin Collins, Director of Vineyard Operations at Tablas Creek Vineyard. “We’re proud to return as a Wine for Wilderness participant and support ForestWatch’s work to protect the landscapes, wildlife, and natural resources that make the Central Coast such a special place.”
Most participating wineries require reservations. Passport holders are encouraged to check tasting room availability and trail conditions before visiting, bring plenty of water when hiking, and arrange safe transportation after wine tasting.
To purchase a passport, browse the participating wineries, or explore the interactive winery and trail map, visit forestwatch.org/passport.
About Los Padres ForestWatch
Los Padres ForestWatch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that protects wildlife, water, wilderness, and sustainable access throughout Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Follow ForestWatch on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky. Learn more at forestwatch.org