My philosophy on making wine is that the fruit is EVERYTHING. What happens in the vineyard determines the quality of the wine - I can't make it better - I can only screw it up! That's why I'm extremely picky when choosing vineyards to buy grapes from. Not only am I looking for the right soil, micro-climate, and clones, I'm also looking for a grower with the same passion and dedication to producing great wine that I have. In other words, a total Pinot Freak! - Brian Loring
Russel From releases is limited production wines twice a year in the spring and in the fall. All wines are allocated via a membership list or by dropping in to the tasting room which is open Thursday through Monday.
Red Rhone Blend and White Rhone Blend. If you want to visit Jacob Toft, it is open at the following times: Private tastings available by appointment.
All work is done by hand - from planting to canopy work to harvest. Mark and Gary Pisoni farming and winemaking are deep rooted in Burgundian traditions.
Riverbench Vineyard was established in 1973, when the first Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were planted along the bank of the Sisquoc River, known as the Santa Maria Bench. For decades, some of the most renowned wineries have purchased its fruit for their wines. In 2006, Riverbench began producing its own wines in limited quantities, with many available exclusively through its wine club and tasting rooms in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara, California.
Blair Allan and Simone Lagomarsino after many trips to Napa, Sonoma, and Europe, planted a vineyard to bridge their European heritage with the new world of winemaking to create remarkable wines with unique character and flavor. They planted varietals proven to grow well in the area. Among these were Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and three different clones of Pinot Noir, and thus, Al Lago Wines was born. In 2014, they proudly partnered with winemaker Guillaume Fabre who further enhanced the exceptional quality of the vineyard. Each vine is carefully tended, hand-pruned, and picked to guarantee wines of the highest quality.
Neil Bassetti Vineyards is a family owned company that brings you the boldest and richest wine traditions of California. Neil Bassetti Vineyards has a long history dating back to 1958 where Neil Bassetti started in the farming business of the Central Coast area. Today and every day Neil tends to the vineyards personally to ensure constant attention to the vineyard to maintain a generous annual yield. He still continues to follow family traditions. There's always plenty of food to eat after a long day's hard work. Whether it may be a celebration or family dinner, Neil preaches to bestow a bottle of wine as the salvation for anything and everything. Whether it be over dinner, a gift, or a toast at a very special occasion, we hope you enjoy a glass as much as we do. You have only so many bottles in your life, never drink a bad one.
Bella Luna Estate Winery, founded in 1998 by lifelong friends Kevin Healey and Sherman Smoot, has a charming story that traces back to their childhood on the Central Coast of California. The duo first bonded while playing t-ball and later became the quarterback and center of their high school football team in Atascadero. After serving their country in the Vietnam War, their paths diverged, but fate brought them back together years later.
The idea for Bella Luna Winery sprouted during a nostalgic night of reminiscing about their shared past. When morning came, the dream of starting a winery still felt enticing, and at the youthful age of 50, they planted dry-farmed Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Ruby Cabernet grapes on their estate.
Both friends are proud fathers. Sherman has a daughter, Carly, and a son, Jimmy. Interestingly, Carly was the only 8-year-old who didn’t dream of having a pony, so Sherman decided to name the vineyard after her. Kevin’s daughter, Nichole, had her own unique experiences in the family business. Often grounded during her high school years, she was assigned to work with her dad in the vineyard or winery as a form of punishment. However, what started as a chore turned into a passion; Nichole loved the vineyard life and eventually pursued a degree in Enology and Viticulture at Fresno State.
After completing her studies, Nichole took her talents to Australia, where a three-month internship in Margaret River turned into a remarkable 7.5-year adventure. There, she fell in love with both the local wine scene and Lukas, a fellow wine industry professional.
For visitors exploring California’s wineries, Bella Luna Estate Winery offers a delightful glimpse into the intertwined lives of friendship, family, and winemaking. Each bottle reflects the dedication and passion of its founders, making it a must-visit destination for anyone eager to savor exceptional wines and enjoy the warm camaraderie that defines this unique winery.
This is way off the beaten path, but it is worth a stop if you're exploring the East valley or coming in from the 41. We stopped here on a whim after blowing through our wine budget at another winery down the road. I live to regret that. It's easy to miss and the road up to the tasting room makes you initially feel like you're in the wrong place, but the views are great at the top from the dinky building. It's remote, so you'll most likely be alone with your party, anyway. That's good because max capacity feels like it would be around six. The lady working the tasting counter is super cool. This is a no frills place, but that's what I love about the wine culture of Paso. They don't have a big selection of pours here, but what they offer is great. Half of the wines were cuvees, which I enjoy because there is something intimate about them, like enjoying the food of a chef you are a fan of. You submit to their palate. That being said, the Twisted wines are very good, especially the older of the two that were out for sampling. Hands down the best, though, is the cab. Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery Gallery | Agata Art Gallery
As one of the first wineries in the Santa Maria Valley, we’ve got some serious cred behind us. In fact, the part of our estate that was originally called the Tepusquet Vineyard was one of the first vineyards planted in the region, back in 1971. More than just a beautiful place for growing grapes, it brought attention to the Santa Maria Valley and inspired others to realize the potential of this unique winegrowing region.
In 1986, our founders Barbara Banke and Jess Jackson bought that vineyard and established Cambria. After 34 years of cultivating grapes and people, there’s a lotta love and pride here at our estate.
