The mighty rock that dominates everything at Morro Bay is of interest itself.  Drive the road that circles the Bay and on one side of the towering monolith is a view across the quiet waters to the Embarcadero and City,  walk a few paces in the other direction and you see a beach that stretches for miles and with the surf of the Pacific Ocean dashing the shore.   We might add that all summer this is a very busy beach indeed with folks wading, surfing or just lolling next to their cold box filled with goodies.
The Pacific Coast Wine Trail begins in Morro Bay and then extends north through hamlets like Harmony and colorful beachside cities like Cambria.
At Morro Bay we were able to visit one of the  wineries on the PC Wine Trail.
 Chateau Margene has had a tasting room located on the Embarcadero since 2014. There we met personable and knowledgeable James Springfield who told us about the winery which opened in 1997. Also the legend of El Pistolero, an early California settler with a very clouded career.
 Margene has a whole flight of El Pistolero wines including chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and meritage. We tasted the 2014 El Pistolero Chardonnay which is from grapes grown at the acclaimed Santa Lucia Highlands.
We were awed with the quality of the 2012 El Pistolero Riata Red made with 34% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 33% cabernet franc. We thought it excellent and value plus in its price range and unusual packaging. The wine showed its six years of barrel aging with wonderful flavors, mild tannins and a long finish.
The Chateau Margene Tasting Room is located at 845 Embarcadero Road at Morro Bay and open daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Winery is located at Creston and there is a tasting room there as well.