Schrader Cellars produces an ultra-premium portfolio of wines from single vineyard estate vineyards from the Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Red Hills Lake County appellations. Schrader Cellars offers their wines exclusively via our mailing list and at the finest restaurants and wine shops in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Meander is the personal project of winemaker Amy Aiken, who has been crafting wines in Napa Valley since 1989. Starting in 2000, her exclusive focus has been limited production, ultra-premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Established 2003 Cases/year: 400 Winemaker: Amy Aiken
his is the perfect small-scale vineyard with just the right amount of unique character that makes wine tasting so charming and fun. Art, history, and vino. This is a triple threat of a vineyard. The tasting room is very simple but certainly warm and welcoming with lovely artwork on the walls and big french doors opening onto the winery with rows of grapes as far as you can see. The moment you pull in, you face a huge, regal barn and immediately feel welcomed by the beautiful grounds. Rob and Amanda led our tasting and both were very friendly and down to earth. Rob was very generous with his pours, giving a taste of the Cabernet Franc to both of us at the mere mention of the wine - the Cab Franc was a wine on the reserve tasting list, which was not the list we were tasting from.
Before founding Grey Fox Vineyards in 1996, the Arrigoni and Cecchi families spent much of their free time pursuing their passion for flying small planes. It was on these getaways that conversations turned to dreams of planting a vineyard and building a winery. Bruce's family had a tradition of making wine at home and Gary had a good chemistry background. A seed was planted and it began to take hold.
Fetzer Vineyards was founded in 1968 in beautiful Mendocino County by Barney and Kathleen Fetzer. One of the first California wineries to branch out into serious Chardonnay production, Fetzer remains committed to sustainability and environmentally conscious wine production. Dennis Martin oversees all wine-making at Fetzer and is assisted by Charlie Gilmore and Michael Chupp, who are in charge of white wine making and red wine making respectively.
We tasted: 2008 Dry Creek Zin - Old vine zinfandel, fruity with oak notes. I tasted pomegranate with some spice. Very enjoyable (too bad there isn't much left!) 2008 Oak Hill Estate Zin - I liked this zin. The grapes are grown on property. Hints of vanilla & caramel with the fruit upon first whif. Then a very silky mouth feel with plum and spice. We all agreed this would pair well with eggplant or other roasted/grilled veggies. 2008 Calistoga Cab Sauvignon - The bottle we tasted had been opened late the day before which helped soften the tannins. Hints of cherry on the palate. 2006 Napa Valley Cab - I liked this more than the 2008 from Calistoga. It was balanced acidity/fruit. 2010 Michael's Muse - Delicious tawny port style wine that they had just bottled! Complex fruit, not too over-poweringly sweet. I think it had zin & petite syrah grapes (I wasn't paying as much attention). Very good!
After his retirement as a teacher, Dan & Marian decided to start a vineyard. They and their children took many viniculture classes at U.C. Davis and with their four daughters and their families, hand planted the first vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay rootstock in 1993. The Merlot field followed in 1997 hand planted with potted bench grafts.Lucero Vineyards & Winery is owned by Dan and Marian Lucero on family owned property dating back to 1906. We are located in Dobbins, California; 72 miles northeast of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.
Bella Grace, like many other Plymouth wineries, is lovely and sophisticated without pretension. I must say that I am always pleased with the friendly service and warm greetings we receive when we arrive. Their 2010 Barbera is a multi-award winner. I have to say that this is a must-have! I've rarely tasted anything like it. Super friendly staff here, and the owner was very nice as well. The wine cave was worth checking out; its cool temperature was a haven from the summer heat. And...tasting is free! Wine Cave - 22715 Upton Road Plymouth, CA Open Saturday & Sunday 11-4 during winter Sutter Creek Tasting Room 73 Main Street Sutter Creek CA Open Thursday - Monday 11-5
Located in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Byington Vineyard & Winery offers an inspiring blend of natural beauty and winemaking mastery. Spread across 95 acres of mountainous terrain, framed by majestic redwood forests and boasting views of Monterey Bay, Byington provides a stunning glimpse into the essence of Northern California. Visitors can savor the winery's award-winning Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and a range of other exciting varietals.
Discover the Unique Santa Cruz Mountains AVA Experience
At Byington, the commitment to crafting a remarkable experience is paramount. The winery's focus on producing premium wines stems from sustainable and biodynamic growing practices. Each bottle narrates its journey, handcrafted with precision from grapes meticulously handpicked to highlight the very best of Northern California’s terroir.
In 1977 Sunol's grape growing tradition was revived by the planting of 55 acres of premium grape varieties on San Francisco Water Company land. In 1984 the Awtreys obtained rights to the Sunol Valley Vineyards and also replanted Elliston's own vineyard at the estate with three acres of Chardonnay. The original carriage house was converted into the winery, and Don Blackburn was hired as Elliston's first winemaker. Trained in Burgundy, Don's wines from 1985 to 1990 were classically Burgundian in style employing French Oak exclusively, barrel fermentation, "sur lie" aging, and malolactic fermentation emphasizing complexity and the unique flavors of the vineyard. Since 1992 the winery and Elliston Estates have been owned and operated by the Awtrey's daughter Donna and her three children Mark, K.J., and David.
