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Rêves de Moutons
July 7, 2023
Community, Featured

Open Farm Days Adds Shepard to Chef Event

Open Farm Days is a self-guided journey of over 20 farms and ranches throughout San Luis Obispo County, many of which are not generally open to the public.

June 29, 2023
Community, Events and Partnerships

Immigrant Dinner Series Returns to San Luis Obispo County Kitchens

An opportunity to connect and learn about different cultures through a shared meal is the inspiration behind Edible San Luis Obispo’s Immigrant Dinner Series. For the second year...

June 1, 2023
Eat, Summer 2023 - Issue 40

A Social Solution: Bear City Social

Seeking social connection, chef trades kitchen environment for roving food truck.

June 1, 2023
Eat, Featured, Summer 2023 - Issue 40

Star Power: Abbreviated History of the Michelin Guide

It sounds implausible, but the origin of the coveted Michelin Star was born of the Michelin Tire brand.

Perfect Pairings
June 1, 2023
Eat, Featured, Food, Summer 2023 - Issue 40

In Season: Perfect Pairings

Done well, a pairing of food and drink can take the taste buds on a thrilling rollercoaster ride of sensations. Properly contrasting flavors elevate the taste of both the food and ...

Dresser Winery
May 15, 2023
Drink, Featured, Summer 2023 - Issue 40

Starting from Scratch: Dresser Winery

A couple’s dream to own a winery in Paso Robles creates meaningful memories along the way.

May 2, 2023
Community, Featured

Singaporean, Argentine And Ethiopian Dinners Featured ‘Use My Kitchen, Tell Your Story’ 2023 Dinner Series

Edible Magazine San Luis Obispo announced the headliners for the 2023 ‘Use My Kitchen, Tell Your Story’ dinner series, in partnership with Travel Paso. In this series of meals,...

Alisal Ranch Grilling Up
April 20, 2023
Community, Eat, Featured

BBQ Bootcamp at Alisal Ranch

Using Dungeness crab caught in Morro Bay and shrimp from Santa Monica Seafood, a southern California chef who had worked under the famed Wolgang Puck some years ago demonstrated fo...

Megan, Miho, April, Alyx
March 1, 2023
Eat, Featured, Spring 2023 – Issue 39

Edibles of Edible

Treats for the mind and body at San Luis Obispo County dispensaries.

Beewench Annie Lodens
March 1, 2023
Eat, Featured, Spring 2023 – Issue 39

Free-Range on the Farm

Pasture-raised meat, eggs and broth are staples of BeeWench Farm.

March 1, 2023
Drink, Featured, Spring 2023 – Issue 39

Wildfire Woes

California vineyards may survive the flames but smoke is choking crops in a different way.

SaladFreak
March 1, 2023
Eat, Featured, Food, Spring 2023 – Issue 39

Grilled Leeks Mimosa Redux

Adapted for enjoying at home, this is not quite mimosa and not quite gribiche, the other, chunkier, French eggy vinaigrette, but whatever it is, it’s delicious, no matter where o...

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    Recent Posts
    Monarh Grove Winery Rose
    June 19, 2026

    Monarch Grove Winery Opens New Grover Beach Tasting Room

    Illustration by Jenna Hartzell
    June 15, 2026

    Perspective: Executive Taste

    Ben Arrona’s Benny’s Pizza Palace and Social Club serves the only Detroit-style pizza in San Luis Obispo County.
    June 10, 2026

    Benny’s Pizza Palace Serves Authenticity in San Luis Obispo

    🇵🇹 Portugal style wines are on the menu at Monarch 🇵🇹 Portugal style wines are on the menu at Monarch Grove Winery (@monarchgrovewinery) in Grover Beach (@visitgroverbeach where the owners recently opened a new tasting room. 🦋🍷

- - -

“On the Move” is featured in the 2026 Summer Issue of 
@edibleslo

Story By Emily Basanese
Photography by Sarah Kathleen

Monarch Grove Winery’s tasting room has been a fixture of the Grover Beach Amtrak station, greeting riders as they disembarked from the train. Like the butterfly, the tasting room recently migrated away, just around the corner to a larger space. Owners Ercilia Martins and Julie Garcia are excited for this new stage of their business.

After that initial trip, Julie was hooked. She began taking winemaking classes and scouting locations for the right space to open a tasting room at home in Grover Beach. They wanted to apply that same Old World approach characteristic of Portuguese winemaking to their wine. That’s when they landed on Monarch Grove Winery.

Ercilia and Julie purchased Monarch Grove Winery on the first day of 2024, but their passion for wine started long before their acquisition. Ercilia is originally from Portugal and grew up in the countryside, where her family made their own table wine. She brought Julie home for visits in 2019 and 2022. That’s when Julie first began learning about winemaking from Ercilia’s father, Joe Martins. 

“I fell in love with the culture and wine, and how food went with wine,” Julie says. “It’s an art.”

Transformation has been a running theme in both Julie and Ercilia’s lives, so a winery branded with the Monarch butterfly, a creature that undergoes dramatic physical change itself, was a serendipitous fit. 

“The Monarch is a symbol of transformation and this whole experience has been a big transformation in our lives,” says Julie.

Grover Beach was also spot-on. When Ercilia first visited the small beach town, she instantly felt at home; it reminded her so much of Portugal. Grover Beach may not have the renown of San Luis Obispo or Pismo Beach, but that was part of the appeal. 

“There definitely has always been a pull to this community,” says Ercilia. In 2018, the two purchased their first home in Grover Beach and
    Some frames from Edible SLO Summer 2026 release pa Some frames from Edible SLO Summer 2026 release party. Thank you again to everyone at @theandersonpaso for your hospitality!

🎥: @stephenheraldo
    We laughed, we toasted, we celebrated - and we’re We laughed, we toasted, we celebrated - and we’re still smiling about it! 
 
What a beautiful evening of merrymaking to celebrate the release of our Summer issue. We’re grateful to all who helped bring the magazine to fruition: our editors, writers, photographers, illustrators, designers, story subjects, advertisers, partners, EVERYONE who graciously shared their resources, talent and stories with us. The only thing that could top that was enjoying a pretty rad party together.  
 
Huge thanks to @theandersonpaso for hosting the party in such a beautiful space, and for the delicious food, drinks and hospitality that made it so memorable. Now let’s show up for them - their restaurant is OPEN! ✨👏
 
Thank you, Edible community, for making these events some of the highlights of our lives. We’re grateful to celebrate alongside you. Consider our cups (and hearts) full ❤️
 
📸: by @simpledaysocial
    “Have It Your Way” introduces you to @chinagourmet “Have It Your Way” introduces you to @chinagourmetpr  owned by Jack Ming Chen. At China Gourmet, the menu is just a suggestion. 

Words by @ajabgoare 
Photography by @fusillofoto 

“I don’t see my favorite on the menu but I want it.” @chinagourmetpr owner Jack Ming Chen is happy to oblige. 

Team members at China Gourmet as well as on photographs of some of their popular dishes. 

Team members at China Gourmet as well as on photographs of some of their popular dishes. 

At China Gourmet, it’s all about having the dining experience that’s all about what you want.

🤤

This article was featured in our Summer 2026 issue. 

Subscribe to Edible SLO and receive your quarterly printed magazine delivered to your door.
    🤔 “Perspective: Executive Taste” - In this Perspec 🤔 “Perspective: Executive Taste” - In this Perspective piece, Loretta McFarland shares how learning to cook in her home kitchen as a child led to a career with unexpected opportunities to serve some iconic people, including a music legend and an American president. 

Words by Loretta McFarland
Illustration by Jenna Hartzell

➡️ This piece is featured in the Summer 2026 issue of Edible San Luis Obispo.
    “I’ve always been an activist at heart. I wanted t “I’ve always been an activist at heart. I wanted to change the world, and I thought that I could do that for law enforcement through helping kids. Now I’m learning how to be an activist.”

Before opening a pizza restaurant, the owner of (@bennyspizzaslo) in San Luis Obispo was focused on other aspirations. But as writer Christian Camacho explains, Ben Arona is making a difference with each slice.

Read full article on edibleslo.com

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