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.
The dynamics of Bernardus Winery's tasting room showed their unique personalities with ALL that work behind the bar! I was belly laughing over Greg's one liners while he poured, and as Philip explained the informative part of the wines we were tasting. Great combo!!!! All of us tasters on the other side of the counter had sooooo much fun!!
They have a couple of Sauvignon Blancs, several Chardonnays, a few Pinot Noirs, and a couple of blends. They're all well-made wines, but none impressed me until the 2006 Signature Marinus. It's full of tannins and spice and ages well. If you're in Carmel Valley, Bernardus is a must-stop.
The history of the Bertagna family farming and winemaking began centuries ago in Italy. The Bertagnas have been almond farmers for four generations, a tradition Berton Bertagna continues today. Berton's great grandfather made wine for his friends and family in Italy and continued the practice when he immigrated to Chico through Ellis Island in 1912. While the family continued farming almonds, the art of winemaking skipped two generations before being started again by Berton, through the encouragement of his wife, Carol.
Berthoud Wines (Berthoud is pronounced: BEAR2) are produced and estate bottled in the barn depicted on the label from vines that are meticulously managed to yield less than two tons of small, concentrated grapes per acre. The grapes are punched down by hand several times each day in traditional open-top redwood vats during fermentation to maximize color and flavor extraction in the gentlest mannerTasting and purchasing Berthoud Wines is available at
Mayo Family Winery 13101 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, CA
We were told about this place from another tasting room; it was said we just have to try it so we did! Oscar was a very gracious host and told us all kinds of facts about the wines, which were great. We ended up with the barrel chaser, nice! A bit pricey for tastings, about $20 for 4, but worth it especially if you buy a bottle. A must try for beginners and winos alike.
In 1945 retired Sheriff Deputy Amos Beauregard purchased 157 acres of which 13 acres have been planted with winegrapes. Cabernet Saugivgon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and an old grape know as Charabono were originally planted in 1880. Over the years Jim Beuregard has planted hundreds of acres of vines throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains and still maintains his 68 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim and his family live on the estate and Ryan Beauregard is the Winemaker.
Back in 1995, when Victoria and Russel started (Russell Bevan and Victoria De Crescenzo), dating in Des Moines, their favorite game was “Guess the Wine.” They would take turns bringing a blind wine and make the other person guess the varietal and region. When the couple looks back on those dates, there is little mystery about how they arrived where they are today. "We started taking regular trips to wine country in California, where we met many of the finest winemakers. We were so inspired by them that to this day we follow many of their principles. Soon enough we were searching for property in our native California. Victoria spent three years trying to find the right site. Finally, she found her dream home on eight acres of land in Bennett Valley..."
The Bianchi Winery is the culmination of three generations’ dreams of creating wine in Central California. The long history began with Joseph Bianchi’s first foray into California winemaking in 1974 with an investment in a winery and vineyard on the banks of the San Joaquin River in the Central Valley of California. There the Bianchi Wine quickly grew to become an industry leader, producing award-winning wines using the most advanced farming and production technologies. His son, Glenn Bianchi, worked to continue building upon that legacy with his lifelong ambition of producing ultra-premium wines, searching throughout California to find the finest terroir to meet his high expectations and requirements, settling on 40 acres in beautiful Paso Robles in 2000.
The tasting room is big, airy, and beautiful. our hostess conversed with us as though we were old friends. even gave us a few 2 for 1 tastings at other wineries! 10$ for 6 tastings. right off the highway, so don't miss it! delicious way to start the day at 10am!
The Miller Family planted Bien Nacido Vineyards in 1970's. Togther with Winemaker Trey Fletcher this winery produces approx. 2,000 cases of wine a year. Wines produced are Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vioner, Nebbiolo.