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Flipflop Wines

cluster of grapes

Winemaker James Foster’s love for the land began as a child growing up on the family farm, the historic Roseland Plantation in Eufaula, Alabama. As a teenager, his love for the land spread to the vine: spending many summers as a “cellar rat” in various wineries, James had a full vineyard-to-bottle view of winemaking. Inspired to learn more, he studied Enology at Fresno State University, then honed his winemaking skills over the last 13 years at The Wine Group. Along the way, he has partnered with grower-winemakers from around the globe on a portfolio of varietally and regionally expressive, exceptional wines at all price points. Since 2009, James has worked with a team of winemakers on crafting flipflop wines. By collaborating closely with partner winemakers at the source, he is able to stay true to each wine’s varietal character.

Read our guide to Livermore Wines and Wineries

Kelham Vineyards

red wine swirling and dancing in the glass - Pixabay

So, you're in Napa for a long weekend or maybe even a wallet-draining week. There's plenty of choices to feed your wine fix. This charming little vineyard absolutely, positively needs to make your "must visit" list. No tasting room. No walk ins. No boutique to purchase a variety of goods while visiting. You need to call, make an appointment, and then prepare yourself for a truly personal wine experience given where the family that grows it presents their five or six well-done sophisticated wines.

Parsonage Village Vineyard

woman enjoying picnic and wine - by wine artist Agata Zaborowski

It started over 20 years ago as a fantasy: living on a lush beautiful vineyard, producing your own style of favorite premium varietal wines that are well received and appreciated by those who have discovered the wines and shared them among friends.

Drive along the scenic Highway 46 West, about three miles west of the 101 Fwy at Oakdale Road, you will find this dream has become reality for David Hunt, Winemaker and owner of Hunt Cellars, a winery committed to producing “Memorable Wines.” We believe that great wines leave indelible impressions when poured with wonderful meals and great friends and scintillating conversations.

The Parsons Family, Bill and Mary with daughters Rachael, Ali and Brooke, planted the seven-acre Parsonage Village Vineyard in June 1998. The south-facing hillside vineyard is 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean and a half mile east of the Village on Carmel Valley Road. The vineyard is planted to 3.5 acres of Syrah, 2.0 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.0 acre of Merlot and 0.5 acre of Petit Verdot. The Parsons were the first to plant Syrah in Carmel Valley.

Yields averaged about half a ton per acre for the first harvest in 2000. The tiny yield was just enough to produce 200 cases. Annual production since then has been in the 1500-2000 case range.

Over 20 years later, Parsonage is still very much a family-run vineyard and winery. Ali's husband, Frank Melicia, has been the winemaker and vineyard manager for many years.  Ali and Rachael also work full-time while Brooke and her husband, Marshall, help out whenever they can.  Bill and Mary live in the center of the vineyard and pretend that they are semi-retired while the business roars around them every day.

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woman enjoying picnic and wine - by wine artist Agata Zaborowski 

Willow Creek Wine Co.

pruning vines in the vineyard

Willow Creek Wine Co. is a boutique winery located on the west side of Paso Robles, owned and operated by Natalie and Brian Brown. The winery specializes in old-vine Chenin Blanc, estate Syrah, and Rhône-style blends.

The vision for Willow Creek Wine Co. began in 2016 when the Brown family purchased a small ten-acre parcel on Vineyard Drive in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. Upon moving to the property, Brian and Natalie Brown embarked on the task of rehabilitating the land, which had been overrun with underbrush and weeds. As professional winemakers, their dream was to cultivate their own piece of land and establish a winery to house their various brands. At the time, they were already producing their own projects—Emerson Brown and Rococo—and began creating wines together under the brand that would eventually become Willow Creek Wine Co. In 2019, they harvested their first crop from the property, which contributed to the development of their wine label, In Medias Res.

In 2020, they opened the doors to the estate’s brand-new production facility and tasting room, now showcasing all four of their brands for visitors to enjoy.

Terra Rouge and Easton Wines

clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

Terre Rouge and Easton Wines

Founded in the late 1980s by Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan, Terre Rouge and Easton Wines has established itself as a notable presence in the wine industry. Winemaker Bill Easton, one of the original Rhône Rangers, pioneered the cultivation of Rhône varietals in the Sierra Foothills under the TERRE ROUGE label. The EASTON portfolio features Amador County favorites, including old vine Zinfandel and Barbera.

The wines produced by Terre Rouge and Easton are characterized by their balance and elegance, with complexity that evolves as they age in the bottle. This process, known in French as élevage, refers to the "raising" of wine in the bottle. There is a distinct art to this style of winemaking, offering great pleasure in wines that are ready to enjoy while still holding significant potential for future aging.

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso

Promise Wine

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Crafted from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grown in a unique microclimate in Napa’s Rutherford Bench, this fine red wine possesses great depth of flavor and a richness that could be matched only by a great amarone. Smoke scents and flavors of dark plum, bitter chocolate, and dried herbs dominate the latest release of this ultrarich wine.

PROMISE has, and always will, represent promising yourself to pursue your passions and setting the intention to live a life well-lived; Facing your fears and challenges while finding gratitude, joy and love everyday – especially during the tough times. It’s about remembering the simplest things in life are the only ones that matter: sharing moments with the ones you love and who love you – with a great bottle of wine of course!

It has been a wonderful ride thus far. On behalf of everyone in the PROMISE Family, we are deeply grateful to all those who have helped us on the journey. We feel like we are just getting started.

Lagier Meredith

red wine splashing in the glass - Pixabay

After following the challenging road up the mountainside we came to this beautiful home overlooking the valley and their fields. While the view from their home porch was breathtaking, and the active hummingbird feeders captivating, the time spent talking to this husband-wife wine making team was fascinating. A visit to this winery not only includes a tasting of their wonderful Syrahs, but also great conversation about wine making, genetics and theories of growing grapes in Napa Valley. A great stop and we will remember this visit each time we open a bottle at home.

Hill Family Estate

wine dancing in the glass - Pixabay

Completely unique wine tasting experience. You can hang out on leather couches or sit at your own dining table. Super chill, great music, and across the board I found the wines really good. Jean was our super smart and gracious host. The nicest in Napa. Great place to stop in for a chill tasting and pick up something special for lunch or dinner.

C.G. Di Arie Vineyard & Winery

cluster of grapes

A 12,000 Sq ft world class facility, is perched on a hillside and has spectacular veiws of the nerby vineyards of the Sierra Foothills. Using the natural terrain, the architectural design of the winery was constructed on 2 plateaus, thus creating, "gravity feed" as part of the winemaking process. This facility, which features 2 art galleries, is built to enable the winey to produce a maximum of 16,000 cases annually.

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