The gentleman in the tasting room, Scott, was friendly, knowledgeable and just nice to be around making our visit even better. He told us the tasting room have been open only three weeks which was hard to believe given the fabulous design, product displays and sense of organization. Oh dog friendly too!
Andrew Murray fell in love with the emerging Rhône varieties, Syrah and Viognier, in the late 1980’s while traveling through France’s Rhône Valley. Leaving his UC Berkeley paleontology studies behind, he pursued his new mistress, Syrah, with an internship in Australia. As Robert Parker, Jr. put it, “…Andrew Murray’s offerings are a breath of fresh air given their exceptionally high quality and realistic prices – reader take note.
Quality wine begins in the vineyard, and the estate's vineyards are a constant source of pride, concern, and inspiration. Ponte Family Estate Winery cultivates 21 varieties across nearly 300 acres, making their vineyards among the largest in Temecula. The vineyard team diligently stays informed about the latest viticulture techniques and works tirelessly to ensure the grapes thrive year after year, allowing them to deliver the exceptional wines that their guests cherish.
Named after the round stones found in its first vineyard, Cobblestone utilizes the most advanced wine-making technology, using grape varietals best suited for the wine produced.
Cobblestone Vineyards began the growing of wine grapes and wine making in 1971. Cobblestone is a small family-owned enterprise motivated by a passion-driven philosophy to make the most outstanding wines possible at affordable prices.
Named after the round stones found in its first vineyard, Cobblestone utilizes the most advanced wine-making technology, using grape varietals best suited for the wine produced. There are three vineyards dedicated to the world's most exciting grape varieties, coupled with appropriate French Oak for aging.
The original vineyard of 50 acres in the cool Central Coast of California from the Arroyo Seco appellation produces a dry, vibrant Chardonnay with just a hint of French Oak.
In 1997, a second 25 acre vineyard was added in the appellation called Atlas Peak, located on a mountain range at about 1,500 feet above sea level on the East side of Napa Valley. The volcanic soil, elevation, and climate conditions produce a world class Cabernet Sauvignon and a small allotment of Petit Verdot.
Little Vineyards only makes reds, but they are quite good. Tastings (as of summer '09) are only 5 bucks, and the fee is waived if you buy any of their reasonably priced wines. This place is right next door to B.R. Cohn winery Take the road that is also used for B.R. C's deliveries, and keep on going 'til you see the signs for Little Vineyards.
When Bennie Cassara first set foot on this mountain top retreat he knew this was the place for which he had been looking. Bennie a brick mason by trade was busy running his Masonry construction company in Orange County California, but he was looking for a place where he and his could get away from the daily grind. It was in 1990 the first vines were planted on the tiny hilltop estate. Bennie Cassara chose Pinot Noir grapes at the urging of his friend Brian Babcock of the Babcock Winery. Brian told Bennie his property would be the perfect growing environment for Pinot Noir grapes, this variatal is grown on hillsides in France, and Brian knew the combination of warm days and cool foggy nights would be perfect. Much of the rest of the story is in the glass.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery If you haven't checked out this winery yet you are missing out. Sure this place doesn't have large gardens or a picturesque picnic area... but this place is amazing where it counts... the wine.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards is a remarkable estate, nestled in the heart of the Temecula Valley. It was one of the last great undeveloped properties in Temecula and has all the characteristics of a great wine estate: rolling hills, different microclimates, three distinct soil types and multiple elevations. The property provides an ideal growing climate as well as scenic vistas from which to enjoy the beautiful landscape that is Temecula.
The property was purchased in 2006. Although a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard existed on a portion of the estate, the majority of the property was virgin soil. This soil was ideal for the planting of several varietals, including Pinot Grigio, Barbera, and Sangiovese. Indeed, it was the diversity of the land that convinced Robert and his family of the potential for the property to become a truly great wine estate.
Broc Cellars is a Berkeley-based winery known for producing refreshing and approachable wines meant for everyday enjoyment. Founded in 2002 by owner and winemaker Chris Brockway, the winery employs native fermentations and uses organically-grown grapes. Broc wines are crafted with the goal of uplifting the spirit without overwhelming the senses.
Chris Brockway’s winemaking journey began with a fascination for California Zinfandel. Drawn from his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska to California by the spicy, brambly fruit style, he discovered that the California wine scene had shifted towards the "bigger is better" trend of the time. Personally, Brockway found this approach excessive, with wines that were high in alcohol and overly robust.
Believing that California wine could offer a different experience, Brockway started with a single barrel in 2002 and has since expanded to over 20 different wine releases each year. Broc Cellars continues to focus on creating fresh, enjoyable California wines. In 2023, the winery's commitment to simple and ethical winemaking expanded with the acquisition of Fox Hill Vineyard.
The year was 1996. A young man named Neil Collins embarked on a journey at The Carver vineyard, producing the inaugural vintage of Lone Madrone, named after the solitary tree that stands watch over the vineyard. He was not alone in this venture; from the start, Neil's wife Marci and sister Jackie provided unwavering support and encouragement. Initially, there was no intention of this becoming more than a young winemaker’s hobby, something separate from his day job. However, things did not turn out that way.
Lone Madrone grew, slowly but surely. The philosophy remained consistent: each wine should be unique, with its distinctiveness derived from where the fruit was grown, how it was grown, and who grew it. Over time, they added more vineyards, focusing on the dramatic hills of West Paso Robles. The soil, the climate, the proximity to the great Pacific Ocean and its profound influence, and the people who chose to farm grapes in this beautiful but challenging land—all these factors played a role in their evolutionary choices. They chose to focus on dry-farmed vineyards, believing this method offers “the purest expression” of any given piece of land. This world-class terroir, once a hidden gem, has now gained broader recognition.
A nice find as we were wine tasting in Livermore last weekend. As you drive into the parking lot, you immediately forget about everything since the grounds are so gorgeous. There's even an outside patio where you can enjoy your wine and a packed lunch you may have brought with you. The tasting room is HUGE! The staff was super friendly and helpful, especially since we'd never been to McGrail before though I have enjoyed their Cabernet Sauvginon before this visit.
McGrail Vineyards proudly sits high on the rolling hills of the Livermore Valley and offers wine tasting daily! Visit McGrail Vineyards for several wine tasting experiences or to enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the exceptional views.
Open daily from 11:00AM – 5:00PM, last reservation at 3:30PM. Reservations are available for groups up to 6 people. For parties over 6, please call the winery [925-215-0717].
