Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc

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           
 

Black Sears Estate

grape cluster - Pixabay

A small, family-owned-and-operated vineyard and winery, located at the top of Howell Mountain, producing estate-bottled Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Black Sears offers an authentic Napa Valley winery experience that stands out. Visitors can expect to meet knowledgeable farmers, encounter adorable vineyard dogs, and enjoy exciting wildlife sightings all while taking in panoramic views of two majestic valleys from Howell Mountain's highest estate.

Please note that white pants and heels are not recommended.

Guests are welcome at the winery Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm, by appointment only.

Delorimier Winery

grape cluster - Pixabay

Alexander Valley is often referred to as “California’s Bordeaux”, as the local landscape is itself a genuine mosaic of soil types and microclimates. Some of the finest grapes in the world are grown here making this a winemaker’s dream location for producing world-class wines. So when Ken and Diane Wilson discovered this property they knew at once this would be there new Cabernet Sauvignon Showcase. It is their intent to produce wines known more for the character of the estate than for the varietal content.

Barlow Vineyards

wine by the fireplace - Pixabay

Wow! What a great place to come across. I have been coming up to Napa for the past few years now and I have tasted alot of good wine but Barlow wines might be some of the best wines I have tasted in Napa Valley and not many people know about it! It's a family owned business with a father (Warren) and his son (Barr) who run the tastings at Warren's house on the Silverado trail. They only do two tasting appointments a day, so try and get an appointment ahead of time. There wines are fantastic! They do a Merlot, Zin, Sauvignon Blanc, Curvee blend and Cabernet Sauvignon. My favorite was the Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. They only make around 1,000 cases in total production a year and approaching their goal of 2,000 case a year!

Bel Vino Winery

people sharing wine

Bel Vino Winery is the Temecula home of Fine Wine and Good Times in Southern California in Temecula Wine Country. Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of breath-taking vistas, rolling vine-covered hills and panoramic views of the Temecula valley, Bel Vino is the perfect location for an intimate (indoor or outdoor) wine tasting or an exceptional California vineyard wedding. Beautiful winery, with a great feel to it. There was a live band playing at the little outdoor stage when we pulled up. The tasting bar was inviting, and the host was very friendly and very helpful. The reds were good. The Tatria was extremely good, one of my favorite wines from my whole day of wine tasting. Also make a Pepper Jam, which is amazing. It's a nice balance of sweet and spicy, and they served samples on crackers with cream cheese.

Obrien Estate

grape clusters in the vineyard - Pixabay

Bart and Barb Obrian's property is a 33 acres of vineyards, a bonded winery, and their home. When you visit, you will be treated to an intimate experience in their backyard sitting at picnic tables under oak trees. Tour and Tasting – a 60 minute tour and tasting experience. Your tour starts outside at a picnic table overlooking hundreds of acres of vineyards. Then you will visit the main fermentation and barrel storage room of the winery and learn about how wine is fermented in our 500 to 3,000 gallon stainless steel tanks and then aged in French oak barrels. Your tour will conclude in our bottling line room, where you can see thecrusher/de-stemmer, must pump, and bottling line. $20 per person; fee waved with the purchase of 1 bottle of wine per person or wine club signup per couple.

Merriam Vineyards

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Nestled in the warmest edge of the Russian River Valley, Merriam Vineyards invites guests to cross cultures while tasting California-crafted Bordeaux-style wines in a beautifully appointed tasting room designed with the comfort and warmth of a New England-style home. This new winery, representing an east meets west experience, lies in the hub of three major California appellations, Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley, and is the gateway to Healdsburg’s wine country.

Sol Rouge

group of women enjoying wine

Sol Rouge is a family estate vineyard and winery located in the Red Hills Appellation at elevations over 1800 feet. North of Napa Valley in the foothills of the dormant volcano which formed the North Coast wine country, this land contains rich, red volcanic soil and, from this unique profile, Sol Rouge derived its name – translating to “Red Soil” in French.

Wine Tasting:

Sol Rouge @ Winery Collective
485 Jefferson Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

415-756-2254

Titus Vineyards

wine and cheese - Pixabay

f you can get an appointment here, I highly suggest doing it. A lot of the valley wineries are commercial and push sales and have tons of tourists - not here! This is a laid back, family owner, quality one on one experience. We arrived and were the only ones there and were greeted by our tour guide and his dog 29 (aptly named after the highway that runs through Napa). We sat on a bench outside the old house that serves as their headquarters and enjoyed many of their wines and their homegrown olive oil. A small family winery on the Silverado Trail. Just love their reds. Great Deal ! ! Wines are underpriced at least 30%, and no charge for tasting. You need to call for an appointment and it is a little hard to find but worth it.

Bella Vista Winery

people sharing wine

The vines were planted in 1968 of which 5 acres of the original acres are still producing adjacent to the winery which was built in 1978. The Owner, Imre Cziraki began making wine at the age of 7 with his grandfather. Today the winery produces 19,000 cases each year with its own estate fruit and an additonal 20% fruit sourced for other Temecula vineyards. Enjoy Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Temparanillo White Cabernet and more. Tastings are $12 plus tax or $15 with logo wine glass

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