Ken Deaver stoops his broad shoulders to uncork a bottle of Zinfandel, wearing his trade- mark denims and cowboy hat, and you soon learn that Ken knows his wines. And his grapes. As you look upon Deaver’s 300 acres you will see 140-year-old Zinfindel vines and eight acres of Mission vines, so called because they were brought from Mexico by the Jesuits and Franciscans. The Deaver mission vines were planted around 1854 by Ken Deaver's great grandfather John A. Davis.
The tasting room was cozy and had a warm ambiance to it, as do most of the wineries along Olivet Road. The pourers were friendly and conversational, not too pretentious about their wines but knew just enough to make good recommendations and tasting tips. The sparkling chardonnay and sparkling gewurztraminer were both refreshingly strange and delightful.
Lori Silkey are doing something different in Red Bluff, and it appears to be working. In addition to producing some extraordinary, "Old World" style wines, Tuscan Ridge Estate Winery in Red Bluff California is a place where you can participate in special events or enjoy time with friends watching a game on the big screen while Lori and Jeff pour the fruits of their labor into your glass. Savor a quality wine and for a moment be transported to a little corner of Italy as you sip a glass of Zinfandel or Sangiovese. While its is clear that Lori ha been accepted by many of the locals, and it is a fun and friendly winery to visit, Lori take her wine making seriously. The Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cab Franc were very nice as was the Merlot. I decided to bring home the Sangiovese, which is very nice and I did not have any other Sangiovese in my collection. I am looking forward to trying the Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel next visit. If you find yourself driving through Red Bluff, take a little break and visit Tuscan Ridged Estate Winery you will be glad you did.
Hours:
Mon - Thurs - closed
Fri - 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm*
Sat - 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm*
Sun - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm*
* Friday and Saturday are is wine and pizza nights (reservations suggested for Friday evening). Sunday is wine and antipasti. ~
Lying on the banks of Clayton Creek in Lake County, CA, Fults Family Vineyards is founded on 150 years of mid-west work ethics, family values, and the love of fun. With the help of family and friends, what started as a hobby has grown into a passion for producing great wine. We invite you to create your own experience while you enjoy a glass of our hand crafted wine.
Hours: Mon-Wed By Appointment
IL CUORE (eel-quarry) means "The Heart" in Italian. The name is a tribute to the Italian immigrants who first planted the North Coast of California to vine in the late nineteenth century.
Schug was not on our original list to visit while in Sonoma, but we happened across it and were glad we did! Its down a dirt road and still feels privately owned which is my preference. We were tasting in the patio area / courtyard which was much more open and nicer than the indoor tasting room. Tasting was 10 dollars for 6 wines and the team was knowledgeable and friendly. Schug is known for their Pinots, but I thought their Carneros Cab Sauv was also really great.
Tour the Cucamonga Valley’s last (at one time there were over 60) remaining Prohibition Era winery still operating at its original location by its founding family. Wine grapes were planted in the Cucamonga valley by European immigrants, and by the 1930′s vineyards stretched from the Santa Ana River to the San Gabriel Mountains, growing lush in the alluvail fan of deep sandy soil deposited by rivers that flowed down mountain canyons and onto the Cucamonga Valley floor. The average age of the vineyards in the Valley is 90 years, producing much sought after “old vine” wine grapes. At Galleano Winery you can enjoy premium Zinfandels,, Rhone Varietals, a glass of Rose, a nice white and a few dessert wines.*
Hours:
Mon - Sun 9:00am - 5:00pm
Cave tours are not created equal. This one is fantastic, despite being a tad pricey. Rich in history and rooted with tradition, it's almost hard to believe that Schramsberg sparkling wines are relatively easy to come by at gourmet grocers outside of California (Central Market in TX carries 4 bottles of sparkling varietals).
The property is beautiful, and not your 'typical' pretty manor situated among a valley of vines. A short drive up the slightly windy road rewards you with a lush estate nestled in trees, flanked by the caves, and with several ponds to complete the tranquil atmosphere.
Garré Winery is located in Livermore California. Historians can trace the viticulture activity in the Livermore Valley back to 1832. We can trace our family wine making back to the early 19th century as well to a small village outside of Genoa Italy.
Perhaps the most helpful, most friendly of all sparkling tasting rooms we visited in the area.
Rather than tether you to a bar, you're able to get service at a table. Just look at the menu selection, and someone will be with you shortly. Mumm Napa is the best place to stop by at the end of the day. The reason being is that they have outdoor seating overlooking their vineyards. It's a special winery because they have a variety of sparkling wines.
Don't fret, if it's hot (just like it was yesterday at 94 degrees) they turn on their mist sprays and instantly you are cooled down.
They have 3 pour flights plus the full glass. It's located on the Silvarado Trail so this gives you a chance to take a peek on what this trail has to offer.
