The young man who hosted our tasting was knowledgeable yet casual and easy to talk to - right up our alley. Really appreciated the time he took to do "compare & contrast" tastings!
Definitely stop in here for a tasting - whether you linger or quickly move on to the wineries, you'll get a nice intro to wines in the region.
Natural winegrowing for us means producing the finest quality wines while working in harmony with nature and protecting the health of the earth and its people. As a CCOF - Certified Organic winery, we encourage environmentally friendly practices at many stages, from conserving soils and water, managing pests and using a natural approach in winemaking
The brilliant white stucco stands out dramatically against the rugged Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges that flank each side of Napa Valley. Mount Saint Helena makes a lovely distant backdrop. The tour is self guided so it's at your own pace and the gondola ride is unique for the area. It's also one of only wineries that's on a hill in the middle of Napa Valley so the views are to die for.
My only suggestion would be (if you enjoy wine clubs) to join the wine club before you go. You can get on the gondola for free for up to 4 people and the tour is included as well. That pays for one of your months of wine right there.
Then, you get access to the VIP tasting room which is fantastic.
We arrived on a sunny May day and it was easily over 90 degrees. We stopped by Navarro and I have to say - the grounds were gorgeous! There was a bench with a picnic table for those who wanted to lunch and wine. It overlooked gorgeous green lushy grass on a hill. The tasting room was very cozy and small but definitely very welcoming. Our pourer was friendly and gave us a great restaurant recommendation.
THE WINERY:
Otter Cove Wines is a winery located in Santa Lucia Highlands, California. The wines and winery are produced by the owner Richard Oh. You can find Richard pouring in Carmel at the corner of San Carlos and 6th.
THE WINE:
Otter Cove Wines produces the following wine varietals: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Syrah/Shiraz. The price of wine tasting is a fee waived with purchase.
Visiting the Winery
Otter Cove Wines has the following amenities you can enjoy: Family Environment, Gift Shop, Private Tastings, Reception Facilities, Restaurant, Retail Sales, Wine & Food Pairing and Wine Tasting. If you want to visit Otter Cove Wines, it is open at the following times: Monday-Saturday, 12-8pm. Sunday, 12-6pm
Esterlina Vineyards is a family-owned, California boutique winery located near the Mendocino coast, nestled in the highlands above Philo. Esterlina is totally off the beaten path, and we must of driven up and down HWY 128 at least 3 times before we found the right street to turn off. But when we made the windy drive up the hill, it was all worth it. What a spectacular view of the valley from up there! This winery was a sweet recommendation from a friend. I suggest making reservations before you come, especially since it is off the main highway and a bit hidden to find. This place is dog friendly, with outdoor seating and a beautiful view of the valley. It's casual, welcoming, and the best part, not stuffy!
Tarrica Wine Cellars is a small, family owned winery started in 2000 in the Paso Robles Wine Country. The focus of Tarrica winery is to produce value priced wines that are a clear expression of viticultural origin and varietal flavor.
The Gainey Vineyard is part of a large, sustainable farming operation owned and run by the Gainey family for the past 50 years. The Home Ranch, the largest of the three Gainey ranches in the Santa Ynez Valley, is 1800 acres. It is comprised of 100 acres of vineyards, an Arabian horse operation, 1000 acres of rangeland upon which beef cattle feed on native grasses, and 600 acres farmed primarily to organically grown fruits and vegetables.
The other two Gainey ranches are located in the Santa Rita Hills appellation. Evan's Ranch and Rancho Esperanza are farmed exclusively to wine grapes. These very cool sites are perfect locations for growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and small amounts of Syrah, while the Home Ranch on the warmer, eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley is ideal for growing Bordeaux varieties of Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
The best part about the tasting room is the staff. I enjoyed someone taking the time to talk to me about what I was drinking. Also, there is an adorable outside patio where you can sit and sip your wine. Plenty of buttery breadsticks and fresh water refreshed our palates between sips. Such an experience helped us to trust our own responses to the wine. Bryanna allowed us to explore the wines without overloading us with facts about the grapes or winemaking process. She responded to our questions with sensitivity and no hint of arrogance. All of us came away from the experience with a heightened awareness of the care with which Elizabeth Spencer wines are sourced and crafted. The reds we tasted were distinctively delicious, each proudly representing its appellation and the winemaker's skill.
This vineyard is such a little gem! They are located on top of a hill so the view is gorgeous, and they have an adorable patio area. The servers are extremely knowledgeable, pleasant and attentive, even when the counter is packed full. I appreciated the hospitality. Great view from the patio, a nice place to bring some snacks and enjoy a tasting. A couple nice well behaved dogs hang out with you while you are enjoying your tasting. The Old Vine Chardonnay, Red Wolff, Syrah and Petite Syrah were all good. Many of the wines are particularly good with a cheddar based cracker so bring some!
Tasting fee is $8 waived per bottle purchased ($10 for groups of 8 or more). All wines under $30 per bottle (regular price). Sammie the dog is gorgeous and well behaved! Brixie is the old English Lab - they used to have a "Brixie's red" that was a really nice table wine - I believe this is now the Red Wolff.
