Ídola is bringing unique, natural wines to the downtown SLO tasting scene

Ídola wine co.’s new tasting room, slated to open on June 19 at the Creamery Marketplace in downtown San Luis Obispo, offers a transcendent experience within its intimate 575-square-foot space.

Beautiful and serene art and interior design—overseen by ídola co-owner Pooja Wall—complements organic, natural wines produced by her husband, Ryker Wall, who helms winemaking for their brand, established in 2023.

In fact, for the Walls, wine is art. The couple solicited the assistance of their friend SLO artist Jennelle Robles to collaborate with them on label design. Her impressionist landscapes reflect the terroir of the grapes, which are sourced from scenic, sustainable vineyards from throughout SLO County.

“The reason we were drawn to Jennelle’s paintings is because just looking at them makes you feel peaceful,” Ryker said. “There’s an immediate emotion elicited from that. And wine can do the same thing. With the right intentions put into the farming, you can do less winemaking. And that really gets at the ethos of what ídola is about, which is getting out of the way and letting the fruit communicate emotions or speak for itself.”

Both California natives, the couple met in high school in Thousand Oaks and helped each other follow their dreams. While Ryker obtained a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Cal Poly, Pooja attended USC and majored in neuroscience. 

When Pooja pursued her master’s in clinical medical science at Barry University in Miami, Ryker tagged along and switched careers to wine and viticulture, a passion sparked during his time at Cal Poly.

He became a certified sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, obtained the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 3 Award, and landed positions as sommelier at the now-closed Uvaggio Wine Bar and Ad Lib restaurant in Coral Gables, Florida, as well as at Chica Miami.

“We moved [to the Central Coast] together officially in 2020, knowing it was Ryker’s turn to chase his dreams,” Pooja said. “He followed me to Miami after all. We knew we’d settle down in California no matter what, and this location was already home for Ryker once before. It felt like the next up-and-coming spot for wine—and I’d like to think we were right.”

Ryker landed a harvest internship at Denner Vineyards in Paso Robles, and, under the tutelage of renowned winemaker Anthony Yount, eventually worked his way up to assistant winemaker.

Yount—currently the owner and winemaker at The Royal Nonesuch Farm and Kinero Cellars, and consulting winemaker at Denner, Sixmilebridge Winery, and Riise Wine, all in Paso—“has been the single biggest influence and supporter of mine in terms of career, not just on winemaking, but also farming and the business side of the industry,” Ryker said.

“He embodies a life of wine,” he continued. “He farms the grapes, makes the wine, sells the wine, and interacts with customers, oftentimes all in the same day.”

Ryker left Denner after E. & J. Gallo Winery acquired it in 2022 and today, apart from owning his own brand, is also the winemaker at Cordant Winery and Misty Oaks Vineyards, both in Paso.

As he works toward his dream of one day owning his own estate, he makes his wines at The Royal Nonesuch Farm and maintains a close relationship with his mentor.

“What I love about Ryker’s wines is that they do not conform to any single style but instead transcend current trends,” Yount said. “I’m incredibly flattered that he mentions me as a mentor, as that is certainly a two-way street. I continually learn new techniques and skills that are born from Ryker’s passion and incredible drive.

“These wines will help turn the next generation into wine drinkers and continue to educate those who are already passionate about wine. The future for ídola is incredibly bright, and I’m so excited for Ryker and Pooja to have a place to share their wines and continue pushing the boundaries of what Central Coast wines should taste like.”

Ídola’s current flight of five wines—priced at $20 and waived with a two-bottle purchase—includes a chenin blanc blend, a rosado, a chardonnay-based orange wine, a red blend, and a 100 percent syrah.

Bottles range from $38 to $48, with an annual case production of around 1,000 and a club membership with perks such as customizable, discounted allotments; free tastings for members and their guests; and the first glass of wine at half off.

Carving a niche in the wine industry is challenging, but the Walls are indefatigable, with Pooja juggling a full-time job as a gynecological physician associate while Ryker lives and breathes wine, even farming some of his own grapes from Reeve’s Vineyard in Edna Valley. Exciting Reeve’s exclusives on the horizon include a direct-pressed grenache blended with chardonnay and a syrah-grenache.

Ryker’s signature winemaking style spotlights Mediterranean-inspired varieties and “blends that are weird and wacky,” he said, but the proof is in the taste and the intention.

“For me, taking a truly spiritual approach to winemaking and hospitality is so important,” he explained. “I think subjectivity in wine is everything, and when everything is aligned—smell, taste, sights, sounds—it allows for transcendent experiences. For me, it’s less about the objectivity of it all, and more about the feel.” 

Added Pooja: “We know winemaking isn’t actually all that romantic when you get down to it, and yet it is that romanticism we try to hang on to to keep life interesting and meaningful through the mundane.

“I think the focus on the artistic side of it rather than the commercial or industrial is what makes [Ryker] a standout,” she said. “It’s so authentically him. It’s like he’s not even trying. And that’s how I know he’s in the right place.” Δ

Flavor writer Cherish Whyte loves ídola’s colorful, delicious, and sustainable splashes. She’ll be sipping so(u)lera at cwhyte@newtimesslo.com.

This article appears in June 11-18, 2026.