Central Valley

Central Valley

Papagni Wines

glass of wine

Over the years, Papagni has become a very diversified company bent on producing the finest grapes possible for the winemaker, and the consumer. While they guarantee that excellent wine can be produced from their grapes, and fresh grape juice, because for eighty years, their customers, and our own family have been doing just that: making exceptionally complex, quality wines using our grapes.Some of the oldest continuous wineries in the state of California. The Papagni family tradition of growing grapes for winemaking reaches back to Bari, Italy. Family members have passed down the art of grape growing from generation to generation. The Papagni family have extended the grape growing traditions that started in Italy, to central California in 1912 and now to Madera, California. The Papagni family dreamed of fine wines made from the San Joaquin Valley so they planted premium grape varieties, combining carefully monitored vineyards with the most modern technical advances in cultivation and irrigation with the ancient traditions that yield the finest of premium wines. Red, white, port and dessert wines.

Valley Oak Winery

friends and wine

Valley Oak Winery derives its name from a majestic oak tree that has stood since 1967 in the front yard of the Ubick farmstead in Clovis. This volunteer tree continues to flourish on Ashlan Avenue, directly across from Clovis East High School. The Valley Oak logo represents the Ubick family’s legacy, local heritage, and enduring farming traditions.

The Ubick family has been cultivating grapes in Fresno County for over a century. Their first farm, established in 1916, is now part of the Fresno State farm school. Over the years, the family has expanded their agricultural pursuits, growing wine grapes, raisins, peaches, garlic, watermelons, pumpkins, onions, olives, oat hay, and raising cattle in Clovis, Conejo, Oleander, Caruthers, Fresno, Selma, Lone Star, and Sanger.

Building on their tradition of home winemaking, the Ubick family founded Ubick Vineyards in Clovis and released their first commercial vintage in 2008. They quickly gained recognition for producing small lots of exceptional and distinctive red wines. In 2017, the family established Valley Oak Winery LLC to produce and market wines under the Ubick Vineyards and other house labels.

Valley Oak Winery and its tasting room opened in 2017 at the new site of the Ubick Vineyards near Sanger, CA. The vineyard, established in 2014, features eight red wine varietals. By growing their own grapes, the Ubick family can oversee every aspect of winegrowing and production, striving to create wines that are fruit-forward and rich in unique aromas and flavors reflective of the vineyard and the vintage year.

Beekman and Beekman

grapes - pixabay

Honey Wine (Mead) is the oldest alcoholic beverage, predating beer and grape wine. Beekman & Beekman Honey Wine is made with great care. We feel the purity of the nectar source in the honey used, is directly reflected in the depth or "soul" of the wine.

E2 Family Winery

swirling glass of wine - Saman Teher - Pixabay

The Ehlers family history, within the wine business, began during the early days of prohibition. Some of the first, family ancestors arrived in California in 1835 where they settled in the town of Lockeford and in the town of Courtland, along the Sacramento river. The more recent family migrated to California after a brief stay in Minnesota after arriving from Germany.

Image - swirling glass of wine - Saman Teher - Pixabay

Back Road Vines

logo of Back Road Vines winery in California

Back Road Vines is located in beautiful Suisun Valley, California.  Hand picked grapes, trivia night, thirsty Thursday, wine and s'mores on Friday and more... this winery has a very active calendar of events and is well worth looking into for those who love activities surrounded by wine tasting (or vice versa).  They even have a Bocce ball court on the premises!

They pride themselves in following the "old school" art of winemaking and use small vessel fermenting along with stainless and French Oak barrel aging.  These wines have structure and balance.  As of this writing there is a $20 Tasting Fee, which includes a crystal logo BRV Glass and five samplings of their latest release.

They are open daily from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm -

 

Gnarly Head Cellars

Glass of red wine - Saman Teher - Pixabay

At Gnarly Head it all starts in the vineyard. Our quest for outstanding Zinfandel led us down a country road into the heart of Lodi, California revealing a sea of gnarled, 35-80 year-old vines pruned in a special, mop-topped way called “head trained.” True gnarly heads, these old vines yield fewer grape clusters with smaller berries than trellised vines. These mighty little berries produce intense, bold wines that are deep in color with concentrated dark fruit flavors.

Markus Wine Co

Markus Wine Co Team - Markus Wine

Founded in 2014, Markus Wine Co was launched from Lodi’s first boutique winery, Borra Vineyards. Swiss-born winemaker Markus Niggli selects from wisely-planted ancient vines and newly-planted unusual offerings.  The wines produced are ageless and memorable – to drink young or with a decade or more of age, and still be elegant. Markus Wine Co wines are fruit-driven, yet balanced with higher acidity than you find in many wines, and with soft, integrated tannins, to be enjoyed with meals. The Markus team believes that the real winemaking happens out in the vineyard and allow the vineyard and the wine grapes show their full expresion in your glass. 

Currently offering their delightful wines online through their website. Califonria Corks will be notified when on-site tastings become available. 

Peirano Estate Vineyards

winery's logo

In 1992, Peirano Estate Vineyards began bottling and selling wine using their estate grown grapes. Until this point, Lance Randolph, fourth generation Peirano, produced wine simply for his enjoyment and that of his close family and friends. The rest of the grapes were sold to winemakers across the country. It was well-known amongst Lance’s family and friends that he had a knack for making well-balanced, elegant wines but was not interested in selling it to the masses. At their insistence, Lance began bottling and selling his wine to wine enthusiasts throughout the United States.

Oak Ridge Winery

cluster of grapes

The tale of Oak Ridge Winery is one rich in family, farming, and winemaking. It all began in 1906 when Angelo Maggio immigrated from the Italian coast of Genova to Lodi, California, with his wife, Louisa. In 1928, they planted their first cuttings on the property of their first ranch home, setting the stage for a remarkable journey that would lead to the production powerhouse Oak Ridge Winery is today.

Originally built in 1934, the winery started as a winemaking cooperative, with Angelo, his son Roy, and eventually his grandson Rudy playing vital roles as multigenerational farmers. They grew grapes that were supplied to winemakers across the country. When the winery was put on the market in 2002, Rudy seized the opportunity to expand on their family’s rich legacy by producing quality wines of their own. His vision was not just about reviving history; the Maggio family transformed the winery into a state-of-the-art facility that meets the quality, style, and volume demands of an evolving market.

Laura Durham is the Chief Winemaker at Oak Ridge Winery, where she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her craft. With a background in both viticulture and enology, Laura has dedicated her career to exploring the unique terroir of California’s Lodi region. Her innovative approach combines traditional winemaking techniques with a commitment to sustainability, allowing the grapes to express their full potential. Known for her collaborative spirit and keen attention to detail, Laura has earned a reputation for crafting exceptional wines that reflect the richness of their origins. Under her leadership, Oak Ridge Winery continues to thrive as a destination for wine lovers seeking high-quality, distinctive wines.

Laura Durham has a deep appreciation for a variety of wines that showcase the unique terroir of the regions she works in. While specific favorites can vary, she often highlights the elegance of well-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon and the complexity of nuanced Zinfandel from the Lodi region. Laura also enjoys exploring the vibrant acidity and fruit-forward characteristics of Chardonnay, particularly those that are produced with a mindful approach to oak aging. Her passion for winemaking is reflected in her preference for wines that balance structure and finesse, inviting wine enthusiasts to appreciate both the craftsmanship and the story behind each bottle.

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