This is an appointment only winery, and it has a quiet, more laid back feel than other places in Napa. The tasting room is really cute, with artwork and photography lining the walls. The wine maker's son, Julius even sells some of his beautiful photos at the winery. Our server was the wine maker's daughter, Sam, and she was great. We tried several different wines, including a Chardonnay, Malbec, and my personal favorite, the Cab-Franc. Everything was super well done. The Chardonnay was sweet, and not overly buttery, the cab-franc was smooth and the Malbec full of flavor. Sam was even kind enough to let us try one of their Napa Jazz wines. Very good, with a fancifully designed label. The best part? The wines are moderately priced. Most bottles cost around $30-40. The scenic rolling hills of grapevines, and large, earthy smelling wine cellars are great for photo opportunities. When we visited, the vineyard was in bloom with wild flowers. Super pretty. If you're in the Valley looking for great wines and an affordable price and gorgeous vistas without all the crowd, definitely give this place a try.

Bob Levy is the winemaker for Harlan Estate, and his wife is the winemaker for the Sloan Estate. Both of them have made wines that have scored perfect 100 point ratings. They bought a 6 acre lot in the Diamond Mountain area, and the case production for their 1st and 2nd vintages is 400 cases or less. Robert Parker gave their 1st vintage, the 2004 vintage a rating of 96-98 points, and their 2005 vintage a rating of 95-97 points. What a great way to start off. Their wines look to have excellent cellaring life. Their maximum estimated case production, given their current vineyard of 6 acres is around 500-600 cases at best. This is less then half the production of Harlan and about the same as Screaming Eagle. On average, Levy & McClellans case production will be less then that of Screaming Eagle. As of right now, there is no waiting list to get into Levy & McClellan. But, I will say this right now, given the great history of these 2 great winemakers, it will not take long for their list to fill up and a very long waiting list to form. The Wine Levy & McClellan produces the following wine varietals: Bordeaux Blend and Cabernet Franc.

A hobby gone wild! That is how Idle Hour Winery, formerly Panoche Valley Vineyards, got its start. Winemaker Anna Marie dos Remedios began making wine as a hobby to relieve the stress of her day job as a newspaper journalist/business owner.  Anna Marie is focused on small lot, single-vineyard designated wines from some of California's best wine-growing regions. Anna Marie learned traditional winemaking methods from mentor and renowned Pinot Noir producer Josh Jensen at Calera Wine Company. At Idle Hour Winery the focus is on these traditional methods: native yeast fermentation, gravity flow racking and the use of neutral French Oak; all very gentle in nature, applying these to all the varieties Anna Marie ferments. While you will find all of the wines at Idle Hour Winery delightful, be sure to try the Reserve Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc and the Tannat Idle Hour Winery is located in Oakhurst, CA the gateway to Yosemite Park. Idle Hour was include in a short video we did featuring several Central Valley wineries you can view HERE *

Hours:

Mon-    11:00AM-6:00PM
Tues-   11:00AM-6:00PM
Weds-   11:00AM-6:00PM
Thurs-  11:00AM-6:00PM
Fri -      11:00AM-6:00PM
Sat -     11:00AM-6:00PM
Sun -    11:00AM-6:00PM

Join us on a delightful journey through the history of Roudon-Smith Winery, a cherished gem in California’s wine country! Founded in 1972 by the passionate duo of Bob and Anna-Maria Roudon and Jim and June Smith, this winery began as a bold dream and has blossomed into a celebrated destination for wine lovers.

In the early 1970s, Bob Roudon, a visionary engineer, shared his dream of creating a small winery in the picturesque Santa Cruz Mountains with his colleague Jim Smith. This dream ignited their adventurous spirits, leading them to purchase vineyard land and embark on their winemaking journey while balancing their careers in the burgeoning tech industry. With support from their families, they produced their first crush in a charming basement winery, laying the groundwork for what would become a beloved winery.

By 1978, Roudon-Smith had expanded to accommodate a production goal of 10,000 cases, all while ensuring the operation remained intimate and sustainable, hand-crafted by their dedicated team. As the original owners transitioned into semi-retirement, they gracefully scaled back production, ensuring the quality and integrity of their wines remained paramount.

In 2003, the winery changed hands, leading to a new chapter in its history. Al Drewke took the reins in 2006, bringing nearly 30 years of leadership experience and a passion for winemaking. He welcomed winemaker Brandon Armitage, whose expertise from Colorado and New Zealand added depth to their Pinot Noir offerings. Though challenges arose during the economic downturn, Al persevered, taking full ownership in 2011 and relocating the winery to Watsonville.

Today, Roudon-Smith thrives at a new facility in San Carlos, allowing for refined operations and enhanced wine quality. Our vibrant tasting room, now located in downtown Saratoga at 14572A Big Basin Way, invites wine enthusiasts to savor our exquisite selections.

Our commitment to excellence shines through in our award-winning wines, including exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Zinfandel. A standout favorite is our RSW Cuvée, a delightful house red blend that never fails to enchant.