LaRocca Vineyards was born in 1984 when Philip and Judy began farming 110 acres of unkept Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wine grapes, on Doe Mill Ridge in Forest Ranch, California. Philip and Judy transformed the vineyard to a thriving, successful certified organic operation. LaRocca Vineyards is located at 2600 feet elevation on the lower southern slopes of Mount Lassen.
A hidden gem!! Charlie & Echo is small and it's easy to miss if you're not really looking for it. The woman helping us was very friendly and attentive. She was very knowledgeable about the wines. She offered some great suggestions. I loved everything I tried but I really loved their Grenache and Syrah. I was very impressed with their house wines as well. I don't usually drink white wine but their house white is one to try. Glad Charlie & Echo found us and reached out to us a few years ago. This is a great little place and I can't wait to go back! Oh! They make Spritzers too.*
Hours:
Mon-Weds Closed
Thur 4:00PM to 8:00PM
Fri 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Sat 1:00pm to 9:00pm
Sun 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Unlike most wineries where you pick and choose the wines you want to taste, this winery goes down its wine tasting menu for your 6 tastes. The girl at the wine bar was friendly and seemed very knowledgeable about wines in general. She was very generous with the pours.
Since brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo began to turn their dream into reality over 75 years ago, the roots of the Gallo family tree have extended deep into the Winery. Today their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren work in the Winery, carrying on the family tradition and values
In 1965 most people were tinkering with cars in their garage. Davis Bynum was tinkering with wine. He created Barefoot Bynum Burgundy in that tiny room. But our spirited ways really began with our founders, Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey. In 1986, they took a sleepy label and gave it Sole. Both agreed it was time for a wine that didn't take itself too seriously. So, Barefoot Cellars was created. Winemaker:J ennifer Lynne Wall is a native Californian born in Sacramento. Originally she intended to attend medical school after receiving a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. However, she moved to Sonoma County following graduation in 1991, where she took her first winery position at Vinwood Cellars-Gauer Estates, a custom wine-processing facility. She started on the ground floor there, working in the lab and checking fermentation tanks daily. During the harvest of 1995, Jennifer started her career as the winemaker for Barefoot Cellars Winery.
The estate is very modest and the owners live on the property. The tour starts with a history of the brand and an introduction of the backyard. Then we were invited into the home of the owner, Robert Hunter. The tasting took place in the living room.
Patianna Organic Vineyards includes 126 acres tucked alongside the Russian River in the Sanel Valley, Mendocino County. Patti Fetzer became the landowner in 1998. Patianna’s well-drained, gravelly soil is ideal for growing Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The primary characteristics of the fruit are purity and varietal character. Patianna Organic Vineyards preserves the clean, crisp flavors and produce wines with depth and solid structure.
Located 25 miles north of downtown San Diego, nestled inside the quaint town of Rancho Bernardo, lies one of the best-kept secrets in the county… The Bernardo Winery 121 years old, and still fully functional as a producing winery, Bernardo has lessened in size and grown in character. ‘Strewn’ with Unique Village Shops including a coffee shop and salon, and boasting an award winning cafe, Bernardo Winery has turned into more of a destination than ever.
acuzzi is a unique place for sure. Yes, there are a lot of wineries that combine both vino and olive oil, but I think Jacuzzi "owns it" as good as anyone. They've got a huge facility with a very generous, separate area devoted completely to the olive oil, so you've really got two completely different tasting experiences in one stop. Both the wine and the olive oil tastings are free; another pleasant surprise since even Sonoma county is running low on the complimentary tastings.
David Girard Vineyards is nestled in the Sierra foothills near where the south fork of the American River gave up its gold in 1849. At an elevation of some 1,200 feet soil, temperature and conditions, an environment ideally suited to growing the premier grape varietals of southern France's Rhône valley. Twenty years ago the folks at David Girard started with little more than good earth, a tolerance for risk and a willingness to learn from their mistakes. The winery has established a solid reputation for excellence and value by producing Rhône style wines in the heart of one of California's most historic regions.
