At least along California’s Central Coast, few pursuits show as much overlap as an appreciation for artisanal wine and a love of the great outdoors. That goes for people I know both in the wine industry — winemakers are often some of the most adventurous explorers in any given room — as well as everyday enthusiasts who appreciate how wine can directly reflect the place where it’s grown, providing a unique connection to all the nature around it.
It’s curious, then, that it took so long to make a direct connection between supporting our wineries and wilderness at once, but that time has finally come. For 2026, Los Padres ForestWatch is partnering with 24 sustainably minded wineries from Ventura to Paso Robles on the Wine for Wilderness Passport.
For $75, pass holders will enjoy complimentary tastings at each establishment until the end of 2026, which represents a $650 combined value. They can also use the program’s map — located in the sleekly designed passport itself or on the website — to find nearby hikes in the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument, the two landscapes where ForestWatch advocates for wilderness conservation and more.