Gustavo Thrace is a must visit for any level of wine enthusiast. Long story short, Gustavo was raised in the vineyards and has wine in his blood. Thrace is the partner with a deep love of viticulture and has business talent. Together, we all have the benefit of Gustavo Thrace wines that can be found near the Oxbow market in Napa. Really, there's a lot that could be said. Bottom line, it's a great stop during your visit to Napa Valley or on your Bottleshock tour.

Maple Creek Winery, Ranch and Vineyards is the dream of Vintner's Tom Rodrigues and Linda Stutz. Tom and Linda work to combine their passions of Art and Wine. Maple Creek Ranch boasts 180 acres, 7 springs, natural gardens and fruit orchards. We have edible mushrooms and wild boar and wildlife and an abundance of fresh food and water on this land. Creek Winery is "off the beaten path" situated 1/2 mile up a paved road. It is a beautiful drive past the vineyards and into the hills of Southern Mendocino. The tasting room is open daily from 10:30-5, although during the winter, the hours may be shortened. It is possible that if you arrive in the winter months, you may see a "honk for wine" sign. If that's the case, Tom or Linda will arrive shortly to open for your private tasting.

Punk Dog Wines represents an adventurous approach to winemaking. The goal is to craft wines with immense character, bold flavors, and unconventional blends. Fully embodying a Californian spirit, Punk Dog Wines refuses to be constrained by traditional blends or preconceived notions.

The name "Punk Dog" is inspired by Sophie, a small dog with a larger-than-life personality. Mischievous and strong-willed, Sophie is known for her playful antics, like running around with a stolen sock and rewarding her pursuers with enthusiastic kisses.

When establishing the winery, the founders questioned the necessity of using grapes from the same region or adhering to conventional blending practices. They explored the effects of combining varietals that might not traditionally be paired and blending grapes harvested at varying ripeness levels.

The philosophy behind Punk Dog Wines was influenced by a cellar master’s advice during the founder’s first vintage. After enduring long days of labor, the cellar master remarked in his Bulgarian accent, “Eric, smile! You’re making wine!” This perspective of taking winemaking seriously while maintaining a sense of fun has become central to their approach.

Sophie, with her bold and adventurous nature, is the perfect mascot for the winery. Reflecting the same spirited attitude and sense of adventure, the team’s goal is to create outstanding wines while enjoying the process. With the work done and the “cows home,” the invitation is simple: relax, enjoy the wine, and share in the fun.

The reds were all fantastic..I really was pleasantly surprised. Their tasting room has a large table that they invite you to sit at, or , you can go outside and sit at those smaller tables, if you choose to. Wines are fantastic and the people here are passionate, welcoming and knowledgeable. They host a number of fun events and perks for wine club members. They also are well known for their micro-batch wine making - come make your own wine from start to finish (blending, bottling, labeling) with the experts!