Miro Tcholakov was born and raised in Northern Bulgaria, a region with many millennia of winemaking history. He was exposed to wine and wine making at a very early age from his grandfather who taught him how to make wine in the old tradition that had been tested through generations.
Robert Haas was a prominent figure in the American wine industry for over fifty years. Starting in the 1950s as a buyer for his family's New York retailer, M. Lehman, Haas traveled through the cellars of France, building a formidable reputation as a wine taster and forming lasting relationships with top wine producers.
In the mid-1960s, Haas ventured out on his own to import fine estate wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Loire, Alsace, and the Rhône Valley. It was during this time that he met the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and persuaded patriarch Jacques Perrin to appoint him as the exclusive American importer for the estate. Through his importing business, Vineyard Brands, Haas collaborated closely with Jacques' sons, Jean-Pierre and François Perrin, helping establish Beaucastel as a leading estate in the international wine community.
As Haas and the Perrins traveled across the United States for two decades to promote their French wines, they became close friends and came to believe that Rhône grape varieties, which thrived in the sunny south of France, would also flourish in California's Mediterranean climate. In 1985, the families began searching for suitable property.
Robert Haas was honored by the Paso Robles Wine Community as the 2007 Wine Industry Person of the Year and received a lifetime achievement award from the Rhone Rangers in 2014 for his contributions to the American Rhône movement. Haas passed away in March 2018, and his remarkable career was celebrated in publications such as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The New York Times. His son, Jason, who has managed the estate since the mid-2000s, was recognized by his peers as the 2015 Paso Robles Wine Country Wine Industry Person of the Year and the 2017 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Person of the Year. In 2022, Jason was named a Food & Wine Drinks Innovator of the Year.
The Perrin family has also garnered numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2018 Meininger Award for Wine Family of the Year. Additionally, Jean-Pierre and François Perrin were named Men of the Year by Decanter Magazine in 2014.
Our passion at Great Bear Vineyards is to grow the highest quality grapes and to make superb wines. We are a family-run vineyard and winery.
Great Bear Vineyards is the culmination of the Meadows-Smith family’s dream to create world-class wines to share with friends, family and our community.
We proudly tend our vines by hand using sustainable farming practices, working in harmony with nature. Our winemakers, Jenny and Marcus, craft small lots of award-winning wines from our premium grape
This winery is a must see/taste. The winemaker/winegrowers - Frank and Teena are truly special. Their passion translates into every bottle of wine. They have a very nice selection of both white and red wines that will appeal to just about every taste.Take a beautiful drive up to Narrow Gate and check them out!
Rios-Lovell has grown into much more than an award-winning winery— it has become a Livermore Valley destination. Our picturesque grounds feature an event center, concert center, tasting room, picnic grounds, gazebo and gift area surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and an outdoor Tuscan style village. Rios-Lovell Winery’s unique charm makes it the ideal place for everything from tantalizing your palette to hosting your special event.
Some of the original settlers of Chicago Park were first-generation Italian-Americans from Chicago, Illinois. The orchards and vineyards of Chicago Park bear witness to their quest to start a community in the untamed West that mirrored their homeland. Their spirit lives on at Montoliva Vineyard & Winery. Founded in 2000, Montoliva Vineyard & Winery creates Tuscan-inspired wines of uncommon depth and character.
Midnight Cellars, home to the Hartenberger family and their small production of award-winning Paso Robles wines. Twenty eight acres of hilly, rocky, limestone-rich and south facing slopes are dedicated to growing quality, low-yield, sustainably farmed Bordeaux grapes. In addition to the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot varietals, are Zinfandel and Chardonnay. Known for their gigantic Merlot, Midnight Cellars also makes some of the best “Paso Roblan blends.”
Rich and Siri Gilpin are the owners and operators of Lavender Ridge Vineyard. Rich has a BS degree in Enology from the University of Davis, CA. He has 25 years of experience in the wine industry and comes from a background of making wine for reputable wineries in Healdsburg, Napa, and the Sierra Foothill regions of California. Rich and Siri both have a passion for organic farming and the use of herbs in the culinary arts, including the use of lavender in special dishes they have created. You'll have to visit them at their tasting room to find out more details.
Ursa Vineyards is a collaborative effort between the husband and wife team - Greg Stokes and Deborah Elissagaray. Greg has 25 years of experience with vineyards and winemaking, and Deborah has 18 years in winemaking. Both were part of the winemaking team at David Bruce for years. This small foothill winery produces no more than 2500 cases annually, allowing exceptional attention to be paid in both the vineyard and the cellar. All fruit is fermented in small fermenters and worked by hand. A minimal amount of handling ensures the preservation of the fruit character of the varietal being made. Ursa Vineyard's focus is petite sirah from various vineyards in California, but they also produce merlot, syrah and a unique varietal from the Pyrenees, Tannat.
Hey there, wine lovers! If you think California wines are all about Cabernet and Chardonnay, it’s time to expand your palate with a delightful detour into Southern California. Meet Angeleno Wine Co., where winemaking is a canvas for creativity, and unique varietals are the brushstrokes painting a vibrant picture of the region!
At Angeleno Wine Co., they're on a mission to redefine what Southern California wine can be. Imagine sipping on wines crafted from rare varietals like Tannat, Graciano, Godello, Loureiro, Treixadura, and Alicante Bouschet. Each bottle is a tribute to the diverse terroir where the desert kisses the sea, and every sip is a celebration of elegance and balance. Plus, all their wines are naturally made and 100% vegan!
Let’s raise a glass to the passionate people behind these intriguing wines!
Jasper Dickson grew up in Sunnyvale, California, where his early exposure to winemaking ignited a lifelong obsession. Thanks to his father, a home winemaker, Jasper spent his childhood exploring vineyards, inhaling the intoxicating aroma of fermenting grapes, and soaking up the lush scenery. When he moved to Los Angeles, he met Juan Alonso, and the adventure began!
Then there’s Amy Luftig, who made her way from the outskirts of Cincinnati to the sunny West Coast. While pursuing a career in public policy and healthcare access, she discovered her true passion during a volunteer stint at a harvest. Who knew that shoveling grapes, cleaning barrels, and early morning fruit-picking could be so exhilarating? Amy found her tribe among the spirited souls who embrace the winemaking lifestyle, and she’s been captivated ever since.
So, whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just looking to explore something new, Angeleno Wine Co. invites you to join them on a delicious journey. With each glass, you’ll not only taste the unique characteristics of Southern California but also the passion and hard work of two individuals dedicated to their craft.
Another winery to check out is Antilope Valley Winery
