Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Temecula Hills Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski

Don't overlook this small store and location. This is a great spot to go with friends for a FREE Olive oil tasting. The owner is passionate about his wines and olive oil and will take the time to talk about his passion. When you first walk in you will see a typical wine tasting area (with a wine tasting fee). Bypass that area and go toward the back right corner by the restroom. Here the owner will offer you a free olive oil and vinegar tasting using small pieces of dipping bread! These specialty oil and vinegars are reasonably priced and make great gifts. Then head back to the tasting bar.

Painting by Agata Zaborowski 

Zenaida Cellars

grape cluster - ai generated - Pixabay

It all started back in 1988 when Eric’s parents purchased the land where the winery and vineyard sit today. Eric was still attending Cal Poly earning his BS in Ecology and Systematic Biology at the time but helped his dad by designing and planting the vineyard. After getting the vineyard planted and producing, Eric began to expand his wine knowledge. Biologist as his day job, Eric went back to school, attending UC Davis’s enology extension courses. Eventually, landing his first wine job with Ken Volk at Wild Horse Winery in Templeton and then moving into a position with Kendal-Jackson Winery. Eventually in 1998, Eric made the first official vintage of Zenaida Cellars and has been working on developing the wines ever since.

Hawley Wine

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

The staff here was not your typical in-your-face, super-upseller, super high energy and friendly type of pourer-- but she was very helpful, sweet and laid back which was kind of nice for a change. The room itself is worth the stop! All the hand carved wood--surrounding the barrel-made bar in the middle of the room, the tasting bar, and the walls is beautiful. The wood gives this place a super relaxing, comfortable cozy wine tasting environment.

Phamus Wines

wine label for Phamus wine

Rudy Zuidema recently partnered with long time wine producer and genuinely nice guy Chris Klein for Chris’ new brand Phamus Wines. Phamus, a combination of his Vietnamese wife’s last name (Pham) and “us.” Chris says it can be pronounced with a long “a” as in “famous,” or a shortened vowel such as in “father”. Regardless of how one says it, though, the universal language of wine quality will be the same – and it is high. We will be working with Chris on providing opportunities to make some of his limited production wines available to CaCorks members. Quantities will be limited, but very enjoyable! California Corks is pleased to have Phamus Wines as part of our California Winery Directory and find Chris' wines to be one of those hard to find gems such as: The Pioneer (100% Cabernet Sauvignon), (blend-Cab Sauv,Petite Sirah and Syrah), and The Traveler (100 % Napa Chardonnay) our readers just might want to look into. Phamus offers 10% on all online orders to California Corks Winery Expweience  members. (code provide to our members)*

Sherwin Family Vineyards

vineyard at sunset - Pixabay

Steve and Linda Sherwin yearned for a quieter, more relaxed setting to raise their three children. A series of weekend visits to the Napa Valley in 1996 finally uncovered a thirty acre property near the top of Spring Mountain. The property featured a beautiful home and a serene lake but the real prize was the three acres of mixed old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. These three acres are in the same location that was originally part of a 500 acre estate producing sought-after grapes in the late 1800's through Prohibition. With a a successful career in construction development behind him and a true hands-on approach, Steve began clearing and planting vineyards around the three original acres virtually by himself. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and finished thirteen acres later. The new acreage is actually broken up into three vineyards named after the children: Jenny, Lindsey and Matthew. I had heard it was one of the most beautiful settings to taste wine and we were not disappointed. The tasting room is very relaxed and comfy. I felt like Donna had invited us into her luxury rustic open area kitchen. We sipped our first glass inside and moved out to the patio. We all agreed the weather couldn't have been more beautiful. A perfect day for a perfect taste.

Little Vineyards Family Winery

wine glass and corks - Pixabay

Little Vineyards only makes reds, but they are quite good. Tastings (as of summer '09) are only 5 bucks, and the fee is waived if you buy any of their reasonably priced wines. This place is right next door to B.R. Cohn winery Take the road that is also used for B.R. C's deliveries, and keep on going 'til you see the signs for Little Vineyards.

Naumann Vineyards

white wine tasting and small bites

Naumann is a small family estate located in the Santa Cruz Mountains with panoramic views overlooking Silicon Valley in the unincorporated part of Cupertino, California. Don Naumann’s wines come from grapes which are exclusively grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The grapes are hand cultivated, harvested and crafted in small lots in order to produce the highest quality wine. The Naumann Vineyards and the winery was founded in 2001 by winemaker and owner Don Naumann who purchased the property in 1987 and planted the vineyard in 1994. This prime location coupled with warm days and cool mountain nights produces the finest varieties of wines.

Ledson Winery & Vineyards

red wine swirling in the wine glass - Pixabay

It was a good trip to Ledson, the estate was impressive, and they have a deli market, which was just right when I needed a small bite between wineries. I think the lady ended up giving us 8 or 9 wine. She was generous and knowledgeable. Asked for something really "earthy", the 2004 Cab Franc was a good one. Took a few bottles home.

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