Such a fun winery! The Swanson's were there when we paid a visit and took the time to come over and speak with us on a more personal level asking where we're from, and what we did to make small talk. A very lovely couple that made you feel at home. They also had a very nice gentleman playing music on a very special instrument (I can't remember the name) in the front garden/patio area.
David Noyes Wines is a winery in Glen Ellen, California. The winery is operated by David and Grace Noyes. David Noyes is the winemaker at David Noyes Wines. David Noyes vinifies Pinot Noir and other varietals from selected Sonoma County vineyards. The label was launched in 2001 while Noyes was working with the Knude family to create Knude Estate Winery and left there in 2006 to devote himself fully to his his own label.
This is a reallly pretty winery and lovely italian castle/mansion looking architecture, and really friendly staff and of course lots of cool racing pics all around and other art also.
Delicious! I really enjoyed the tasting and found that there wasn't a "bad grape in the bunch"! Also the staff was awesome. The woman that we worked with was exceptional; personable, friendly, knowledgeable, and dare I say- passionate about the vino.
Also, they have a really neat little demonstration vineyard outside the tasting room where guests are invited to take a self-guided tour to see different varieties of grapes growing on different trellis styles. It was early spring when we were here- and I hope to return when the grape get bigger and when I can see the variation between them better as they are bearing fruit.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Lovely patio. Terrific events. They have a fantastic patio for sipping wines and catching up with family or friends. It's a very nice photo op, and their two cutie dogs wander around looking for new friends.
Their passioned focus has been to work with the California Central Coast's best vineyards produce many Pinot Noirs, a couple Syrahs and a Cabernet Franc blend. With a cool marine-influence climate and unusually long growing season, many of these grapes make wines that drink well when young and had have shown the ability to improve and age gracefully for many years.
Frank & Gray work with some of the best growers in Santa Barbara County, from the quality vineyards of Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Rita Hills and Los Alamos.
Frei Brothers Reserve is a winemaking story more than a century in the making. In 1890, Swiss immigrant Andrew Frei purchased the core of what is now Frei Ranch in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. The superb stretch of land was already a vineyard, but Frei brought it to prominence when he built a winery that produced 20,000 cases of wine annually by 1895. In 1903, Frei turned the winery over to his sons, Walter and Louis, who adopted the name Frei Brothers.
Hanna Winery was founded in 1985 by Dr. Elias Hanna, a world-renowned cardiac surgeon, who was eager to find a place in the country to continue the farming heritage of his upbringing in Syria. In the 1970s he realized his dream with the purchase of 12 acres in the Russian River Valley. Dr. Hanna's oldest daughter Christine now runs the winery. Great location, excellent views and a really nice and modern tasting room. Hanna makes a wide variety of wines and I was taken by their Elias Pinot Noir.
The young man who hosted our tasting was knowledgeable yet casual and easy to talk to - right up our alley. Really appreciated the time he took to do "compare & contrast" tastings!
Definitely stop in here for a tasting - whether you linger or quickly move on to the wineries, you'll get a nice intro to wines in the region.
Located in Alpine, CA at an altitude of 3,000 feet is Rock Canyon Vineyards. Hot summer days and cool nights contribute the some wonderful handcrafted and unfiltered wines with delightful unique earthy falvor. Think of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and some red blends.
