This is one of Napa's most memorable wineries - and the newest. It took more than half a decade to build and involved hand masonry by Italian artisans. Why? Because Castello is truly a castle. A Medieval, stone castle.... with a moat!
Coyote Oaks Vineyards tasting room is located at the Escondido Wine and Culinary Campus in The Hidden Valley Enoteca Chateau style castle. The Enoteca opened September of 2012, and is San Diego’s most unique wine tasting venue. It is home to several of the finest artisan wineries from Escondido Wine Country, which have collectively joined together to offer their limited production wines. The inviting tasting room is located inside the Mediterranean-style chateau castle on the Escondido Wine & Culinary Campus at 26312 Mesa Rock Road, Escondido, CA 92026. The Escondido Wine and Culinary Campus is home to The Hidden Valley Enoteca, Belle Marie Wines and Chateau Dragoo. The Campus is open 7 days a week, and Coyote Oaks Wines are poured on Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Please check hours as they change seasonally.
Out back winery in the Apple Hill Area has a large following. The wines are unpretentious and you will likely enjoy their Zinfandels and Syrahs.You will find that the taste of the wine does very considerably year to year, however, they have all been good and at the price point.
Silvestri Vineyards began in the Piedmont region of Italy as an immigrant's dream of a better life. The year was 1908 when a young girl from Castell'Alfero, and a young boy from Novara prepared to leave home and travel to America. Joseph (Joe) Silvestri and Eugenia (Jenny) Martinetto would later meet and marry in New York's 'Little Italy' where they worked in the restaurant business. With the arrival of their children, they moved across the Hudson River to Teaneck, New Jersey, with the hope of building a life and a business of their own.
In 1950 a grandson would be added to their legacy and it was in this grandson that the Silvestri family would once again feel the wanderlust that had brought them to this land of dreams and opportunity. Finding his voice in music, Alan Silvestri traveled to Los Angeles in search of his dream through the pursuit of his art. Music was his vehicle for expression but food and wine, the staples of life at home, were never far from his heart. After meeting his wife Sandra in 1978, they would often travel back east where family events and occasions were always marked by wonderful food served with Jenny and Joe's homemade wine.
Unconventional by Nature - Winemaker Robert Morse
Terroir is everything, but so as they say is location, and sometimes those aren’t the same place. We have chosen to stay at our vineyard, winery and estate tasting room to allow our customers to experience our unigue terroir. Opposed to what might seem apparent by the concentration of valley wineries, the best vineyard sites are not necessarily alongside the pre-existing major thoroughfares.
In the Foothills, we can grow any warm climate varietals but focus on those that perform at their best in granitic soils. Italian and Rhone varietals benefit from our consistently ideal climate. Our vineyard and winery’s location straddles ridgelines above an elevation of 2000 ft, benefitting from cooling afternoon breezes, abundant sunshine and low yielding rocky soils resulting in our unique terroir.
The Il Gioiello, “the jewel,” name comes from the final home of famed astronomer and scientist Galileo Galilei. Our 2 Roads brand name was inspired by my favorite Robert Frost poem and Morse is my name and most importantly the name of my parents. All three have inspired a slightly different approach to my choices and my respect for integrity, honesty and hard work.
Our wines and winery reflect these values; unpretentious, no concentrates or additives, just wine grapes and great value wines. In my life, the right wine has always been the wingman of a good meal, not the star of the meal. I recall great meals far better than other pleasures and that is why we make “food wines”.
As the French proverb says, “to have a great meal, one requires great hunger”. Having 17 unique estate varietals and clones allow us to create complexity and balance in our wines difficult to achieve with single varietals.
When asked about my favorite wine, the answer is always the same, “what are we eating”. If I’m having a glass of wine without the benefit of food, our 2 Roads blends Crossroad and La Strada are soft, fruity and complex.
photo - courtesy photographer Randy Caparoso
Discover the Charm of Terre Rouge and Easton Wines: A Journey Through California's Rhône Varietals
Located in the heart of Amador County, Terre Rouge and Easton Wines is a captivating story of passion and dedication, brought to life by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan. Established in the late 1980s, this winery is a must-visit for any California wine lover eager to explore the unique flavors of the Sierra Foothills.
A Winemaker’s Journey
Bill Easton’s winemaking adventure began in the 1970s when he founded Solano Cellars, a Berkeley wine shop specializing in artisanal wines from around the globe. His experiences in the shop and extensive travels through Europe shaped his refined palate and distinctive winemaking style. Bill's approach celebrates balance and elegance, creating wines that evolve beautifully over time—a practice the French call élevage, or "raising" the wine in the bottle. Each bottle not only offers immediate enjoyment but also hints at its potential for further aging.
In 1986, Bill crafted his first Rhône red blend, marking the start of his serious winemaking journey. By 1994, the couple had moved to their current winery and expanded their portfolio, with Bill earning recognition as one of the original Rhône Rangers and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 for his pioneering efforts in bringing Rhône varietals to the Sierra Foothills.
Culinary Creativity
Jane O’Riordan’s entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly alongside Bill’s winemaking. She launched her first business, Cottonfield, in 1975, a fabric shop that inspired creativity through quilting and garment making. When the opportunity arose to expand Solano Cellars, Jane took on the role of chef at their Bistro, where she crafted a rotating menu that perfectly paired with Bill’s wine selections. Today, Jane continues to bring her culinary expertise to Terre Rouge and Easton events, delighting guests with her delicious creations.
The Terroir of Terre Rouge
The name Terre Rouge, meaning "Red Earth," beautifully reflects the region's distinctive vermillion soil, a defining characteristic of their vineyards. The land, rich in granite and volcanic minerals, nurtures a diverse array of Rhône varietals, including Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. The high elevation of their vineyards—reaching up to 3,200 feet—adds complexity and depth to each bottle.
Easton Wines: A Tribute to Tradition
Bill's family name graces the Easton label, which showcases non-Rhône varietals that thrive in the Sierra Foothills. Here, ancient and old-vine Zinfandel, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc shine, alongside emerging varietals like Grenache Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. Each wine is crafted with a deep respect for the region's history and potential.
Visit Terre Rouge and Easton Wines
For wine enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable experience, Terre Rouge and Easton Wines offers more than just tastings; it’s an invitation to explore the artistry of winemaking in one of California’s most beautiful regions. Join Bill and Jane for a sip of their exceptional wines, paired with delightful culinary creations, and immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Amador County’s wine country.
A family winemaking tradition in the Santa Clara Valley since 1925, Guglielmo Winery is a fourth-generation, family-owned establishment that produces a diverse range of award-winning varietals from approximately 50 acres of California estate vineyards, as well as from other premium wine-growing regions within the state.
Today, Guglielmo Winery (gool-yell-mo) produces over 40,000 cases annually across three labels: Guglielmo Private Reserve, Tre, and its oldest label, Emile’s. Despite its growth, the winery remains committed to its family philosophy of creating natural, high-quality wines to be enjoyed with family and friends, with family members overseeing every phase of the winemaking process.
“Wine is a traditional part of our culture and one of life’s simple pleasures to be shared with family and friends.”
Gold Hill Vineyard was founded in 1980 by Hank Battjes. Hank worked for 27 years as an electrical engineer at GTE. During those years, Hank increased his knowledge of home wine making, applying it to his hobby and passion. Pursuing his dream he searched for suitable land and when a friend, Bruce, suggested 5 acres of vineyard on an 80 acre parcel near Coloma, California, he bought it.
More than a few small wineries have started in a garage, but we may be the only Winery to begin that way, move on to bigger and better quarters, and still be in a garage. Founded in 1980 in a small garage on the outskirts of town, in 1982 the Winery moved to its present location, the historic Miners Foundry Garage, on Spring St in downtown Nevada City. Remarkably, the Winery is located less than two blocks from where the original Nevada City Winery stood over a century ago. The Winery was begun by Allan Haley, a Nevada County native with a European wine education and a dream of bringing winemaking back to our region. In 1880 there were over 300 acres of grapes in the County. In 1980 when the Winery opened there was one small vineyard, recently planted. Twenty years later there are again well over 300 acres of grapes and the wine industry is flourishing once more.
Ken Deaver, with his signature denims and cowboy hat, bends his broad shoulders to uncork a bottle of Zinfandel, a task that reveals his deep knowledge of both wine and grapes.
A tour across Deaver's 300 acres offers a glimpse of history, with 140-year-old Zinfandel vines and eight acres of Mission vines, originally brought from Mexico by Jesuits and Franciscans. These Mission vines were planted around 1854 by Ken Deaver's great-grandfather, John Davis, and a decade later, Ken’s grandfather planted the now-famous Zinfandel vines.
For years, Deaver's "old vine" grapes were sold primarily to home winemakers. The first vintage of Deaver Vineyards Zinfandel was bottled under the "Lakeshore" label in 1985.
Today, Deaver Vineyards is celebrated worldwide for its velvety Zinfandels. The Tuscan-like climate of Amador County also provides ideal conditions for producing exceptional Sangiovese, Barbera, and rich Ports.
With over four generations of Deavers cultivating grapes in Amador County, Deaver Vineyards boasts a deep heritage. Known for its velvety Zinfandel and some of the oldest vines in the region, their wines are widely regarded as true classics.
