Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Rutherford Grove Winery - now (Pestoni Family Estate Winery)

glass of wine - Pixabay

Bob and Sylvia Pestoni
In the mid-1990s, Bob and his wife Sylvia were presented with a rare opportunity. A small winery adjacent to their family´s Rutherford property had become available for purchase. Over the years, Bob and Sylvia had always grown grapes on their land, but they had always sold their fruit to other wine producers. They hadn´t been interested in becoming vintners before, but the acquisition of this new property renewed Bob´s admiration for his family´s business – and for his heritage. In 1994, they opened the doors to Rutherford Grove Winery and resumed making the single vineyard, hand-crafted artisanal wines Bob´s father and grandfather had created there for more than a century before him.  In 2017, in celebration of their 125th anniversary of Napa Valley winemaking, the winery was renamed Pestoni Family Estate Winery.

Elyse Winery

wine barrels

It was back in 1987 that Ray and Nancy Coursen crushed 4.5 tons of Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford to craft 286 cases of their first wine. While the portfolio has grown over the last 25 years, the focus remains on creating vineyard driven wines that pair well with food. Total production is currently 10,000 cases and the wines are nationally and internationally distributed.

ILsLey Vineyards

wine splashing in the glass - Pixabay

Located in the Vaca Mountain foothills of Napa Valley's Stags Leap District lie the Ilsley Vineyards. For three generations our family has provided grapes for some of Napa Valley's finest wines. Now after fifty years of farming, they have hand-selected grapes from their hillside vineyards to produce two limited production, estate wines, that has captured the essence of the Stags Leap District. The "Seis Primas", a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot, blends delicious fruit flavors with elegance and balance.

Boccali Vineyards & Winery

people drinking wine

DeWayne and Marilyn Boccali have been the heart and soul behind Boccali's Pizza & Pasta, a beloved home-style Italian restaurant in the picturesque Ojai Valley, for over three decades. Renowned for its traditional Italian dishes with a local twist, the restaurant uses farm-fresh produce sourced from their very own Boccali Ranch in Upper Ojai Valley. The rich, fertile soil combined with DeWayne's impressive five decades of farming experience results in a bounty of flavorful fruits and vegetables that give their menu a unique edge. DeWayne also serves as co-winemaker and vineyard manager for the family winery.

Joining him in this venture is his partner and fellow winemaker, Joe Boccali, who also happens to be a musician and educator in Ventura County. Raised in the farming tradition, Joe has been involved in developing the land that is now home to Boccali Vineyards since he was a child. As co-winemaker and cellar master, he continues to deepen his winemaking knowledge and skills.

In 2004, the Boccali family planted their first rows of vines where their Christmas tree farm and seasonal pumpkin patch once thrived. By 2006, they harvested their first crop, which was used to create a small batch of wine exclusively for family enjoyment. The following year marked a milestone with the production of their inaugural vintages: Topa Topa Syrah, Old Winery Zinfandel, and Shangri-La Grenache Blanc, all offered to the public for the first time. Each subsequent year saw the planting of new vineyard sections, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier.

Today, Boccali Vineyards spans approximately 5 acres and produces between 1,500 and 2,500 cases of wine, depending on the whims of the growing season. For wine enthusiasts visiting the Ojai Valley, Boccali's Winery offers a delightful experience steeped in family tradition, local flavors, and the passion of two dedicated winemakers.

Read our guide to Ojai wineries                                                                                                                                                                       

E2 Family Winery

swirling glass of wine - Saman Teher - Pixabay

The Ehlers family history, within the wine business, began during the early days of prohibition. Some of the first, family ancestors arrived in California in 1835 where they settled in the town of Lockeford and in the town of Courtland, along the Sacramento river. The more recent family migrated to California after a brief stay in Minnesota after arriving from Germany.

Image - swirling glass of wine - Saman Teher - Pixabay

Hawkes Winery

grape cluster - Pixabay

The atmosphere of the tasting room is simple but modern. You can tell that they put their real energy into the wines. It's a nice stop with the Jimtown Store right next door where you can pick up a tasty sandwich and sit out back looking over the vineyards. When it comes to the people and service, you really get a feel that this is a family run operation. Stephen Hawkes the owner/farmer/winemaker is there every year at the barrel tasting to share the experience and crafted love that goes into these amazing red wines.

J. Wilkes

cluster of white wine grapes - Pixabay

In 2001, Jeff decided to venture out with the goal of making world class wines. Initially, he limited his production to Pinot Noir from Bien Nacido in 2003, he expanded his horizons a bit and added Pinot Noir from Solomon Hills Vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley. Jeff also wanted to produce a white wine so he added a Pinot Blanc from Bien Nacido in 2004 and a Bien Nacido Chardonnay in 2008. Jeff tragically passed away in 2010 just as he was coming into his prime as a winemaker. Remembered as a friend, co-worker, and extraordinary winemaker, the Miller Family, owners of Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Vineyards, purchased the J. Wilkes wine label with the intent of paying tribute to all of Jeff's accomplishments and continuing his legacy of making outstanding wines from the Santa Maria Valley.

Boyd Family Vineyards

grale cluster - Pixabay

The history of Boyd Family Vineyards began in 1998 with the purchase of a property on Big Ranch Road in Napa, driven by a vision to create exceptional wines and memorable experiences. Since then, over 20,000 vines of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Cabernet Sauvignon have been planted, tended, nurtured, harvested, crushed, and transformed into fine wine.

Situated in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley, the vineyard benefits from the area's slightly cooler climate and heavy clay soils, which are ideal for producing ultra-premium Merlot and Syrah. These conditions contribute to the creation of some of Napa Valley’s most sought-after wines.

Today, while Boyd Family Vineyards continues to sell over 50% of its grapes to other premium wineries, it also produces limited quantities of ultra-premium wine. These wines are crafted with meticulous attention to the best materials and practices, aiming to reflect a full-bodied style that showcases the finest attributes of the land.

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards

winery's barrel room

Fantastic wines, a great and knowledgable tasting team and one of my most favorite settings make Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards a wonderful and special place. We toured the vineyard in it's total seclusion, silence and peace; tasted in the caves (a must see); and lounged in their upper terrace while finishing off our tasting.

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