Blush/Rose Wines

Blush/Rose Wines

Helwig Winery

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Helwig Winery

Located in Plymouth, California, Helwig Winery offers guests a multitude of wine-tasting experiences in a setting that cannot be beaten. With the winery's sweeping vistas overlooking lush vineyards, breathtaking views of the Sierra and Coastal mountains, and sunsets that will take your breath away, we are confident your experience will be a memorable one. If you are going to visit Amador County Wineries be sure to put Helwig WInery on the list. Tell winemaker Scott Helwig we suggested his wines and winery. 

Oso Libre Winery & Ranch

winery logo

Oso Libre Winery & Ranch us a biytuque winery producing acclaimed red blends and single varietal wines.

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.”

Costa De Oro Winery

Winery sign

Costa de Oro Winery's mission is to craft the finest wines from the Central Coast by blending the artistry of Old-World winemaking with New-World grape growing practices.

In 1989, Ron Burk and Bob Espinola, owners of Gold Coast Farms, planted the Gold Coast Vineyard. This 30-acre vineyard, featuring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, is situated on a stunning bluff at Fuglar's Point in the esteemed Santa Maria Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County.

The vineyard began yielding fruit in the early 1990s, with grapes sold to local wineries including Au Bon Climat, Foxen, Lane Tanner, and The Hitching Post. During this period, Gary Burk, Ron Burk's son, formed a friendship with Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat. In 1994, Clendenen offered Gary a harvest position at the renowned Au Bon Climat/Qupé Winery, where Gary eventually accepted a full-time role and remained until 2002.

While at Au Bon Climat/Qupé in 1994, Gary produced the first Costa de Oro wines—one barrel each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Costa de Oro continued to expand each year, reaching 2,500 cases by 2002, when Gary chose to dedicate himself entirely to the winery. Today, Costa de Oro produces 6,500 cases annually and also creates special private labels for clients such as James Beard Award Winner Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants, the Halekulani Hotel on Waikiki Beach, and CF Pinot Noir for Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya of the Sansei Restaurant Group.

The Costa de Oro Tasting Room opened in 2006 at the original location of the Gold Coast Farms' strawberry stand off the 101 Freeway in Santa Maria. Gary and his wife, Teresa Gasca-Burk, manage the tasting room, where visitors can enjoy local live music on weekends. Occasionally, they can even be seen performing with the bands. Guests are invited to savor wine, music, and the relaxed ambiance at Costa de Oro.

Saucelito Canyon Vineyards

cluster of grapes

Discover the Rich Heritage of Saucelito Canyon Vineyard

Nestled in the picturesque hills just five miles east of Arroyo Grande, Saucelito Canyon Vineyard invites California wine lovers to explore its storied legacy. Established in 1880, this vineyard faced abandonment during Prohibition, only to be lovingly revived in 1974 by visionary Bill Greenough, who poured his heart and soul into restoring these historic vines.

As you journey along the winding roads past Lopez Lake and deeper into the serene canyon, you’ll be greeted by a charming Zinfandel vineyard that has flourished amidst the chaparral for over 130 years. Once a pioneer of the Central Coast’s wine scene, this hidden gem has reclaimed its place in California's rich viticultural tapestry.

Bill Greenough saw potential in the gnarled, overgrown vines, and his intuition bore fruit—literally! Today, Saucelito Canyon Vineyard is celebrated for its exceptional Zinfandel, crafted with a deep respect for tradition.

This family-owned winery is now a labor of love spanning two generations, dedicated to producing a diverse range of limited-production wines. Join us in savoring the unique character of our estate-grown Zinfandels, each bottle a testament to our vineyard's remarkable journey and the passion that continues to drive us forward. Come and taste the history!

Saucelito specializes in Zinfandel, and has some really nice ones. Great place to enjoy a picnic and a bottle of wine. The history of Zin presentation on the outside wall should not be missed by lovers of the grape.

Ecluse Wines

painting of people enjoying wine outside - wine artist Agata Zamobowski

Écluse Wines and Lock Vineyard, created by Steve and Pam Lock, is a small, family-owned boutique winery producing estate wines from their Lock Vineyard. In 1997, they purchased 30 acres of gently rolling hillside terrain on the highly sought-after Westside of Paso Robles. The Locks are dedicated to producing limited-production, handcrafted, award-winning wines.

From the start, their philosophy has been that great fruit makes great wine. Owning their own winery onsite allows them the added benefit of picking and crushing small lots throughout the vineyard when the fruit has reached its peak flavors. This control from vineyard to bottle ensures that Écluse wines remain truly remarkable.

A frequently asked question is the origin of the name Écluse. Écluse is the French word for the locks on the canals that gently carve their way through the French countryside. Having enjoyed several beautiful barge trips in France, and with their last name being Lock, the name Écluse for their wines was a natural choice. Their label depicts an “écluse” from a photo taken while traveling down the canals through an actual lock in France.

Elizabeth Spencer Wines

bottles, glasses of wine and grapes - Pixabay

The best part about the tasting room is the staff. I enjoyed someone taking the time to talk to me about what I was drinking. Also, there is an adorable outside patio where you can sit and sip your wine. Plenty of buttery breadsticks and fresh water refreshed our palates between sips. Such an experience helped us to trust our own responses to the wine. Bryanna allowed us to explore the wines without overloading us with facts about the grapes or winemaking process. She responded to our questions with sensitivity and no hint of arrogance. All of us came away from the experience with a heightened awareness of the care with which Elizabeth Spencer wines are sourced and crafted. The reds we tasted were distinctively delicious, each proudly representing its appellation and the winemaker's skill.

Teneral Cellars

grape cluster

Teneral Cellars was founded in Northern California in 2020. It is a certified women-owned and operated producer of sustainable, award-winning wines. From the outset, the company aimed to harness the power of business for good, using wine as a conduit for change. Every bottle opened sparks essential conversations, and Teneral Cellars donates 10% of its profits to organizations that empower women and fight for gender and racial justice.

In June 2023, Teneral Cellars purchased Wilderotter Vineyard, establishing a new home to share its passion for wine, community, and a sense of place. Thus, Teneral Cellars at Wilderotter Vineyard was born. The 40-acre estate, located in the heart of the Sierra Foothills AVA in Plymouth, CA, Amador County, includes 26 acres of vineyards, a full winery production facility, and a five-star luxury boutique hotel called the Grand Reserve Inn. Additionally, Teneral Cellars has 28 acres of vineyards in Amador County and 10 acres in the Fair Play AVA of El Dorado County. Wilderotter Vineyard has produced some of the region's finest wines, including award-winning Sauvignon Blanc and Nebbiolo. This merger of two exceptional brands allows Teneral Cellars to continue crafting phenomenal wines and providing every guest with an extraordinary experience.

Barbieri Wine Company

Grape Cluster - Pixabay

Barbieri Wine Company (BWC) has been delighting wine lovers since its founding in 2005 by Master Sommelier and Winemaker Paolo Barbieri. Before BWC came to be, Paolo began his winemaking journey crafting small lots in his garage in Las Vegas, fueled by a passion for producing exceptional wines. His goal was clear: to create Rhone varietals from the top vineyards in Santa Barbara County, using a minimalist approach that emphasizes the quality of the grapes without heavy oak influence.

With over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Paolo's expertise has been shaped by managing world-class wine lists in both Europe and the United States. This background not only honed his palate but also inspired his philosophy toward winemaking. Joining him on this adventure was Erin Kempe, and together they cultivated their passion for crafting hand-made boutique wines that truly reflect their love for the art of winemaking.

Meet Paolo Barbieri

Born in Parma, Italy, Paolo Barbieri developed a passion for wine at a young age, with a bottle of wine always gracing his family’s dinner table. His curiosity about the winemaking process led him to study farming management in Rome, where he deepened his love for nature. Paolo's career took him to England, where he started working in restaurants, further igniting his passion for food and wine.

After relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, he helped develop wine programs for several esteemed restaurants. In 1998, Paolo moved to Las Vegas, where he played a pivotal role in opening high-profile establishments like the Bellagio, Wynn, and Cosmopolitan Hotel. His dedication and extensive knowledge earned him the prestigious title of Master Sommelier, a testament to his hard work and passion.

During his time in the industry, Paolo discovered the remarkable quality of Santa Barbara County's vineyards. Inspired by their potential, he partnered with long-time friend and winemaker Joey Tensley to launch Barbieri Wine Company, producing just 375 cases from Colson Canyon Vineyard in its inaugural year. Over time, Paolo expanded his portfolio to include some of the region's finest vineyards, creating both single vineyard and blended wines that showcase the unique terroir of Santa Barbara.

For those who love exploring California's wineries and learning about its exceptional wines, Barbieri Wine Company offers a delightful journey into the heart of winemaking. Each bottle tells a story of passion, dedication, and the beauty of the vineyards that produce these remarkable Rhone varietals.

Jean Edwards Cellars

Entrance to Jean Edwards

Karen and John Troisi started Jean Edwards Cellars in 2004 and released their first wine in 2006, which was spectacular. Wine Spectator Magazine named them as one of "20 new cabernet producers to watch that could be the next cult wines". Jean Edwards Cellars is in the good company of well-known producers such as Scarecrow, Kapscandy, Ghost Block, MacAuley, and Oakville East. The fruit for this wine comes from the Stagecoach Vineyard located on Pritchard Hill on the eastern side of the Napa Valley. Their vines (neighboring with Paul Hobbs) have produced a delicious full-bodied, solid and classically styled Napa Cabernet. In the glass deep garnet-purple, with lovely dark cassis, plum, cedar and earth notes, hints of tobacco and vanilla and a delicious hint of dark chocolate on the palate. Aged 24 months in French Oak, the wine is 92% cabernet sauvignon and 8% cabernet franc. Jean Edwards Cellars produces full-bodied and wines yet not at all over the top, this wine has a balance and fineness that so many of the huge framed super expensive Napa Cabs seem to lack. Drinkable now, especially with a decanter, it will continue to gain complexity with additional cellaring for 5-10 years. Production was a mere 250 cases.~

Hours:
Tuesday & Wednesday  - Closed
Thursday - Monday- 11:00 am to 5:00 pm           
 

Chateau Margene

Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski

Chateau Margene, now celebrating its 26th year, is the realization of a dream brought to life by Michael and Margene Mooney. Back in 1997, they envisioned planting a vineyard, crafting a winery, and establishing their home in the beautiful Paso Robles area. By the summer of 1998, the family settled into their property, where they still reside, and kicked off their adventure by planting the estate vineyard that fall.

With annual production ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 cases—thanks to the whims of Mother Nature—Chateau Margene embraces a "quality over quantity" mantra. The estate boasts two charming vineyard blocks: Stella’s Vineyard, named in honor of Margene's mother and their granddaughter, Jon's daughter, showcases two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, planted in 2014. Meanwhile, the front vineyard, Michael's Vineyard, pays tribute to Michael and Margene's older son and grandson, featuring a delightful mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Sangiovese.

Their farming practices are all about being organic and sustainable, with Michael taking the reins on vineyard management and winemaking alongside his son Jon. Meanwhile, Margene steers the day-to-day operations and works her magic as the winemaker for their exquisite Cabernet Franc. Cheers to this vibrant family legacy in the heart of Paso Robles!

Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski

Pages

Subscribe to Blush/Rose Wines