We were taking to a back table in the warehouse and went through the tasting. Ask for the Passionaie (off menu) as it's quite delightful. They also have a bottle called BDX that is on the wine list at The French Laundry, but I far preferred the Passionaie. Pricey wines and a pricey tasting but totally worth the experience.
Plateau Vineyards planted its first grapevines in 1993 on a beautiful property high above the local valleys on Santa Rosa Plateau. The vineyard is blessed with warm sunny days and cool nights, all making for Plateau to grow some of the finest winegrapes in California. Come taste their small batch premium estate bottles.
Nickel & Nickel winery, located in Oakville, Napa Valley, is dedicated exclusively to producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. Established by the partners of Far Niente in 1997, Nickel & Nickel is focused on producing single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the appellation's most significant growing regions. A collection of single-vineyard Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah wine complement the portfolio.
Grown on over 1000 acres in Monterey County, the diverse vineyards of Hahn Estate make up some of the best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah plantings in the region. The unique qualities of the vineyards coupled with the sunny days and foggy nights helps to create wines of depth and complexity.
At Hahn Family Wines, a family-owned and operated winery, founders Nicky and Gaby Hahn arrived in the Santa Lucia Highlands in the late 1970s. The Swiss-born couple swiftly identified the area's capacity to yield wines with remarkable nuance and character, deserving recognition on a global scale.
They expressed their vision: "We produce world-class fruit from meticulously managed vineyards. Therefore, we merit recognition through our own premium pricing and an exciting appellation that wine writers can discover, acclaim, and celebrate."
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Smiling Dogs Ranch produces handcrafted small lot wines - Kelseyville Tasting Room
Hours: Fri - Sun | 1pm - 5pm
Come taste the beauty of Vineyard Grant James wine on our stone veranda overlooking our Sangiovese vineyard and the hills of the Ramona Valley. You will be welcomed with pure hospitality and have the opportunity to experience luxury wine in a perfect relaxed countryside setting. We hope that you come to visit us in Ramona, California for the chance to enjoy our wine and share in the simple pleasures of good wine and good people. While you're here be sure to try our popular and award winning wines, including: Viognier, Rose of Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Merlot, Syrah and Petite Sirah.
Aglianico Clusters - courtesy photographer Randy Caparoso
Smith Madrone makes only three wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling. In each case, the wine's mountain roots shine through. The chardonnay is leaner and tighter than most examples from the area, despite full ML and all new oak. This tightly structured wine needs time, and is built for it. The current release Cabernet is the 2006...how's that for integrity? The Smith brothers hold back their Cabs until they feel they're ready. While not a tannic monster, this wine has strong bones, to be sure, and needs time as well, though it wouldn't be out of place with a hearty red meat dish right now.
Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon were initially planted in 1972. Cabernet Franc and Merlot were added in 1998. Petite Verdot was added in 2007. Pinot Noir was planted in 1972 but grafted over to Chardonnay in 1986.
You really do feel like family at Frias Family Vineyard. Had the opportunity to taste here with a car service we hired and were greeted by Manny. It was a rainy December day so we tasted indoors, but Manny pointed out to the vineyard where there are chairs on the hillside to taste when it's sunny. Definitely need to come back to taste with that view. Manny is also a bit of a comedian which pairs well with the wine! The Frias wines we tasted across the board were darn good. From the Chardonnay to the Rose to the many Cabs, it's all well done
Parsonage Village Vineyard is planted on a seven-acre south-facing hillside bench 500 feet above the Carmel River and a half mile east of the Carmel Valley Village. The mesoclimate(yes, it's not a microclimate which encompasses a larger area than meso) here is ideal for the all red varietals--Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Verdot that make up the Estate Vineyard.
We had four distinct wines and it was so difficult to choose which ones to go home with! We bought 2 and will be joing their wine club for sure. The grounds were so beautiful ~ such rich history. This small family owned winery is a hidden treasure! The old barn, the cave and the tasting room were so beautiful. I strongly recommend this as your first stop..... it will be hard to find anything better.
