The owner spent a lot of time on us explaining his wines and the winery's history. To be fair, there were not very many other customers. Still, he kept us entertained and conversed with us for well over an hour. We felt very welcome.Love how they work with their grapes. You know! if they promise me a bottle of the Sangiovese that I barrel-tasted today, I would probably give them another star.
DeRose Vineyards has the single best Negrette I have ever had. Pat DeRose not only has one of the coolest moustaches on the planet, but he and Al (his son) are wine purists, not necessarily in the "Wine Spectator" since, they simply love great wines. Al DeRose search for new endeavors took him to central Chile where he produces and imports his Chilean wines. De Rose VIneyards is one of the oldest operated wineries in the US - 1854. At De Rose VIneyards they are not concerned about anything other than wine... nada. The DeRose family doesn't care about wine spectator's points, they don't care about who endorsed what, and I find that not simply amuzing, but delightful! Their style is very much like the old world where the people of the community get together. The winemakers, the farmers, the butcher and the candlestick-maker all living together, drinking together, eating together and enjoying the celebration of life. At DeRose Vineyards it is,"Good friends, good food and good wine.*
Hours:
Mon- 11:00 to 5:00pm
Tues- 11:00 to 5:00pm
Weds- 11:00 to 5:00pm
Thurs- 11:00 to 5:00pm
Fri- 11:00 to 5:00pm
Sat- 11:00 to 4:00pm
Sun- 11:00 to 4:00pm
Odonata Wines in Salinas, California is a small family winery. They work closely with the growers to ensure the highest quality wines from the vines to the glass. Their credo is blending of old-world winemaking methods and attitudes with new learning and a continuous search for improvement. The winemaker, Denis Hoey, creates wines that are soft, supple, and feature subtle complexity. Denis and his wife Claire run Odanata Winery together. Inspired by the traditional French style, Denis produces wines that are designed to be food-friendly. They are balanced in fruit, acidity, alcohol, and wood, with flavors and aromas that are cohesive with a lengthy finish. They will always be handmade in small batches to exemplify the unique qualities of the varietal and vineyard. ~
Hours:
Mon - Sun - 11:00AM to 5:00PM
Driving up, the place is quite understated. Once you walk around the side of the tasting room and see the view you have to just stop and admire the beauty. Easily one of the best views in the entire valley! Going inside the tasting room you're greeted by a very personable staff. They all have genuine smiles on their faces and welcome you in. The tasting menu is well balanced here with a nice selection of red and white wines that should work for most any taste.
What an awesome winery!
We came here yesterday to do some wine tasting. It was pretty late in the day so I think we were the last ones there? We were the only ones there while we were tasting...
Anyway, the guys who did the tasting for us were pretty awesome. I loved that they gave us a little background on each of the wines before we sampled. I LOVED the port that they gave us. It was just a very laid back tasting, but with some really good quality wines.
After three years of traveling to various wine regions of the world, Charles B. Mitchell has returned the vineyards to operate with the highest standards possible. With estate grown fruit this winery strives for the highest quality from vineyard to bottle.
The Pedroncelli tasting room seems to be filled with history. The same family is still running it and everyone has a role in the business. The wines are great. They make a lovely Rose, some well-balanced cabs and a port that is delicious; just to name a few. Not sure how they do it, but the prices are extremely affordable. The staff is wonderful, probably since they are all related and are well vested into making it a great experience.
The wines are great. They make a lovely Rose, some well balanced cabs and a port that is delicious; just to name a few. Not sure how they do it, but the prices are extremely affordable. The staff is wonderful, probably since they are all related and are well vested into making it a great experience.
Although Fallbrook is not presently known for its plethora of wineries, a stop at the Fallbrook Winery is well-worth your time, especially if you're in the neighborhood of Temecula. Rather than the usual crowded belly-to-the bar-tastings, this place affords you some privacy, and a chance to revel in the winemaking process. Make a reservation ahead of time, bring a picnic lunch, and also learn the nuances of pruning and planting from proprietor, Ted Gourvitz.
Robert Morse, the founder of MORSE WINES, purchased the estate property in 1999. His desire was to create a place where lovers of fine wine could find exceptional values in wines that best express the terroir of our region. He selected varietals that would thrive in the region, and which therefore had the best potential for producing world class wines. Morse Wines picturesque, serene property is located near the border of Amador and El Dorado Counties. It is at approximately a 2300 foot elevation, with groves of pine trees as well as ancient oaks.
We stumbled in here after hitting up a winery or five, and I'm so glad we did. While we waited for our table, we went next door to the tasting room where the staff was casual and personable. Fun fact - if you are dining at Farmstead, they give you discounted wine tastings!
Inside the restaurant, it has a classic yet modern farmhouse feel, decorated with aged wood planks on the walls and mason jars filled with fresh flowers. Our waiter was helpful and knowledgeable
