Marjorie was an excellent host, and she made us feel so welcome like we were visiting a friend's house.The house and the vineyard were beauiful (just like visiting Southern France). Not to mention all of their wines are great. The private tasting with the cheese pairings were exceptional. Truly a hidden gem, you won't be disappointed! A word of warning is that you'll probably end up joining their wine club or carting back a whole bunch of wine :)
A boutique, family-owned winery located in the heart of the Livermore Valley wine region. Cuda Ridge produces Bordeaux-style wines from the premiere vineyards of Livermore Valley.
Frangipani Estate Winery overlooks its vineyards on the De Portola Wine Trail, offering guests breathtaking views of the estate. Perched on a plateau, this is where the wine-tasting magic happens. Visitors experience a unique wine tasting, with patio service that stands out. Guests can relax and stay seated while being served Reserve Style wine by a friendly staff that welcomes patrons with enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of both the wines and the Valley.
The Frangipani Estate Winery label was established in 2003. In need of a place to call home, the estate was founded in 2005. The tasting room, built by the family from the ground up, opened its doors in January 2006. Every bolt, screw, and piece of drywall was meticulously installed by the owners. The tasting room exudes an Old-World Heritage feel, where family and friends come first, complemented by handcrafted red and white wines that showcase the essence of the estate.
Stop by this charming boutique off the beaten path in downtown Napa for a wonderfully personalized experience! The wines are delicious, the atmosphere is casual but trendy, and they have a great partnership with the Michelin rated restaurant next door- you can skip the line there and have a plate delivered right to the tasting room! Definitely worth a visit.
Clara and Steve’s journey into winemaking began after retiring from their long careers in construction management and law enforcement. Eager to leave the hustle and bustle of Southern California behind, they set their sights on Paso Robles, seeking a slower pace where they could enjoy each other’s company. In 2012, they moved into a beautiful home on a 5-acre property, an ideal setting for a peaceful vineyard with breathtaking views.
Their first half-acre of 600 head-trained Grenache vines was planted in June 2012, marking the beginning of their adventure. With 3 ½ acres still untouched, they expanded in 2014, planting Tempranillo, Grenache, Carignane, and Tannat vines to complete their vision. Initially, they believed they would sell most of the grapes, make a small amount of wine, and enjoy the country life. However, they soon realized they had "retired" to an even more demanding job—farming! Managing four acres with 3,900 vines required patience, stamina, scientific know-how, and instinct.
The next logical step was to learn how to make wine and communicate with potential grape buyers. They quickly sourced grapes from friends, producing Circle B’s first wines, which went on to win home winemaking awards. In 2016, Circle B Vineyards & Cellars officially entered the market with their first releases: the 2013 Petite Sirah, 2013 Syrah, and 2015 Rosé de Garnacha, officially becoming a licensed vineyard and winery.
Smiling Dogs Ranch produces handcrafted small lot wines - Kelseyville Tasting Room
Hours: Fri - Sun | 1pm - 5pm
The Stanton family has been growing grapes in the Napa Valley since 1947. They began making their own wine in 1999. For this first vintage and the next three they used grapes exclusively from our Oakville vineyard. In addition to the Oakville property, the Stanton family owns two vineyards in St. Helena.
In 2002, acclaimed winemaker Dave Phinney, joined the Stanton team, lending his talented hands to the ’02 vintage, creating a wine that quickly captured the attention of critics and wine afficianados. A fan of Petite Sirahs, Doug decided to dedicate some of their Petite Sirah production to introduce their first vintage in 2004.
Stanton Vineyards remains, and will remain, a boutique winery, producing about 800 cases total (625 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 180 cases Petite Sirah) under their Stanton Vineyard label. This small production, which accounts for less than 7% of the grapes grown on their properties, allows them to focus on producing both grapes and wine of great character. Because, as Doug, his father John, and grandfather Jesse all agree, the grapes and the soil come first.
Acorn Winery is a small family winery in Healdsburg, appointment only . We were there for about 1.5 hours talking and tasting with the owners, who were super-friendly. Their wine is very good.~ Art work by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery
Founded more than 125 years ago, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery. Today, the winery maintains its leadership role in California winegrowing under ownership and management by the Fourth and Fifth Generations of the Wente family. Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, the winery draws from approximately 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed Estate vineyards to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, fine dining and championship golf.
Wing Canyon has played a major role in the evolution of Mt. Veeder as a prominent wine-producing region. From vineyards to carp farm, popular resort to a camp for the blind Wing Canyon has been home to valley pioneers and visitors for over a century. Captain Stalhan Wing produced the first Mt Veeder wine, which he entered into the Napa County Fair in 1864. He was also known for his carp, thousands of which he raised in man-made ponds amongst the vineyards.
