Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

August Briggs Wines

corks and wine glass - Pixabay

The tasting room is at the end of the main road in Calistoga, you cant miss it. Its a smaller place with three bars for tasting, all in the same room. Their dog would greet you when you walked in which was kind of nice. I really liked this place because it was smaller, they took their time with your and would answer any questions you had. The other wines were very good too but it was our first winery on the trip so we just picked up the one bottle. We spent about 45 minutes there and will definitely stop back in next time in Calistoga.

Loxton Cellars

vineyard in fall colors

The property is small and nothing fancy but more likely than not, your wine tasting will be led by the vintner himself, who came to Sonoma with nothing and built this small winery with his own hands. He's a great host who truly understands and loves wine. It's a delightful experience and the wine is priced very reasonably compared to many other wineries in the area.

Sanford Winery

glass of red wint - Pixabay

In the Sta. Rita Hills, it all began with Sanford. In 1971, the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard became the first vineyard in what would develop into a world-class, cool-climate wine-growing region. From its inception, Sanford Winery has been a pioneer in the Sta. Rita Hills, thriving and innovating under the vision and hands-on leadership of the Terlato family.

The story starts with botanist Michael Benedict and his friend Richard Sanford, who were dedicated to finding a cool climate location with just enough heat to ripen wine grapes without over-ripening them. They sought a place where they could grow grapes and craft wines that would rival the best in Europe.

Michael embarked on an extensive journey, researching and touring the cool coastal regions of California to find the ideal site. After much observation and data collection, he identified a unique part of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, located at the foot of what would ultimately become the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. The first vines were planted in 1971, and the Pinot Noir from this remote vineyard soon generated significant buzz. This success inspired others to seek out the magic of the region, establishing the foundation for what is now the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

Though Michael Benedict and Richard Sanford would part ways after the 1980 vintage, Sanford Winery continued to flourish. Over the years, it has remained notable for its pioneering history and for producing exceptional wines from the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, which also supplied cuttings for many surrounding vineyards.

 

Burrell Winery & Vineyard

picture of winery's logo

Burrell School's origins date back to 1854 when Lyman J. Burrell settled the rough wilderness that is now home to Burrell Winery & Vineyard. Carrying on the more than 130 year old tradition at the School, David and Anne Moulton began development of the Estate Vineyard in 1973. At 1,600 foot elevation, the site faces the southwest. Soils are a complex mixture or loam and shale due to the close proximity of the San Andreas Fault. Nearby Monterey Bay brings warm days and cool nights The result is a unique microclimate, perfect for long, slow ripening of the grapes in the vineyard.

Abiouness Wines

bottle of Abiouness wine

The name I chose, you might have figured out, is my beloved last name (compliments of a Lebanese father). Since it is not one of those easily pronounced names, like Smith, I decided it would be best to have something else on the label to catch the eye. I decided on the lotus flower. A variety of waterlily, the lotus rises in the morning from the muddy waters to open its perfectly symmetrical petals symbolizing the creation of life; purity, resurrection and perfect beauty; the union of bliss and emptiness, night and day, male and female. The closed lotus bud signifies potential.

Carr Vineyards & Winery

grape vine with many clusters of grapes - Randy Caparoso

Established in 1999, Carr Vineyards & Winery specializes in limited production wines from Santa Barbara County. Owner and Winemaker Ryan Carr also oversees the management of over 100 acres of vineyards, allowing him to handcraft each vintage from grapes grown to his specification. Varietals include Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Franc. Visit them in downtown Santa Barbara to experience the art of winemaking.

Imange Provided 

Pellegrini-Olivet Lane

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

The Pellegrini Family traces its heritage in winemaking to the early 1900s when brothers Nello and Gino Pellegrini arrived in New York City from their native Tuscany. They soon made their way to the West Coast and in 1925 became Sonoma County grape merchants, shipping grapes throughout the U.S. for home winemaking.

Manzanita Creek Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

We stopped in here several years ago, quite confused, because I had read about another winery with a similar name in the area and I was looking for the fields of lavender. Obviously that's not what you'll get in this industrial warehouse near Healsburg square, but it's not about the scenery here - it's all about the wines, and how delicious they are. If you're a fan of big, bold Zins, I cannot recommend this place enough. They also make a very decent Chardonnay and some Syrah and Petit Syrahs, but my heart belongs to the zin, especially the amazing Stealth.

Breggo Cellars

Grape cluster - Pixabay

Breggo means "sheep" in Boontling, in honor of our place, a 203-acre farm just north of Boonville. Our Craftsman house from the 1920s and random cluster of sideways-tilting outbuildings recently served as headquarters to one of the oldest and largest sheep ranches in Anderson Valley. For 150 years, sheep dominated the agricultural landscape of Anderson Valley. Sheep, like the domesticated vinifera grapevine, occupy and even thrive on the geographic periphery - places too steep, with soils too thin and climates too cold for other types of intensive agriculture. Sheep and vines flourish where the domesticated meets the wilderness. The margins. This is our place.

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