Great winery conveniently located next to a chocolate shop. Moondance offers wine and port tasting for $5 apiece. In addition to wine, they also have mustard, olive oil, and balsamic samples for you to try. They are in a mutually beneficial relationship with their chocolate selling neighbors. They offer chocolate samples as a pairing with their wines.
Bel Vino Winery is the Temecula home of Fine Wine and Good Times in Southern California in Temecula Wine Country. Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of breath-taking vistas, rolling vine-covered hills and panoramic views of the Temecula valley, Bel Vino is the perfect location for an intimate (indoor or outdoor) wine tasting or an exceptional California vineyard wedding. Beautiful winery, with a great feel to it. There was a live band playing at the little outdoor stage when we pulled up. The tasting bar was inviting, and the host was very friendly and very helpful. The reds were good. The Tatria was extremely good, one of my favorite wines from my whole day of wine tasting. Also make a Pepper Jam, which is amazing. It's a nice balance of sweet and spicy, and they served samples on crackers with cream cheese.
We are a family owned boutique winery, (Sblendorio Winery) and vineyard (De Luz Vineyard). For over 15 years we have enjoyed making homemade wines and sharing them with friends and family. Finally, in 2013, Phil and Laura Sblendorio decided to become a boutique winery, with the goal of making small-lot handcrafted wines of distinction that reflect the terroir of the land and individuality of their vineyard sources. Today, Sblendorio Winery produces only vineyard-designated wines from our own De Luz Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon. If your travels take you to our area, we would like to have you visit as our guests at the Sblendorio Winery.
David Arthur is located on the mountain with absolutely breath taking views of the valley floor. On our day it was quite pretty but extremely windy. I enjoyed having a private tour as its more intimate and you really get to know the whole story. We tried 5 different wines finishing with their Elevation. Along the way we were able to do some barrel tastings which was very exciting and interesting to learn about the process David uses. I will surely make a return trip up the hill very soon.
Jean Phillips, the visionary behind the renowned Screaming Eagle Cabernet from Napa, is returning to the wine scene after a five-year break. She has recently acquired the Pillar Rock vineyard in Napa's Stags Leap District. Phillips has purchased the 114-acre parcel of land but has not acquired the winery or its brand. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Pillar Rock, established by Ron and Teri Kuhn, first released a wine from the 1999 vintage. The winery primarily produces Cabernet Sauvignon from its 22-acre estate vineyard, which also includes some Merlot. Despite early acclaim, the winery faced issues with TCA taint in its 2003 Cabernet, a problem caused by trace amounts of a compound that imparts musty flavors and aromas to corked wine.
Industry insiders suggest that the vineyard had been on the market for some time before Phillips made her purchase. Although Phillips has not revealed her plans for the property, it is unlikely she will use it for commercial wine production. She mentioned to Wine Spectator that her interest in the vineyard stemmed from its potential for growing grapes in a "wild, wonderful" setting, with a focus on the long-term future. The fate of the Pillar Rock winery and brand remains uncertain, and Ron Kuhn declined to comment on the sale.
Phillips, who started her career as a real estate agent, bought a 57-acre vineyard in Napa’s Oakville district in 1986. Initially selling grapes, she ventured into winemaking in 1992 with her first Cabernet Sauvignon, Screaming Eagle. The wine quickly gained acclaim, becoming one of Napa's most celebrated and priciest offerings. In 2006, Phillips sold the winery for an estimated $70 million to investors Charles Banks and Stanley Kroenke. Three years later, Banks departed, leaving Kroenke as the sole owner.
Much of the beauty of Retzlaff Vineyards lies in its commitment to organic practices. As a pioneer in organic grape growing, Retzlaff stands out as the only California Certified Organic vineyard in the greater San Francisco Bay region, making it a must-visit for wine lovers.
The vineyard’s dedication to organic methods, along with meticulous canopy management and vineyard health, results in wines of exceptional quality. Visitors can savor the authenticity and complexity of wines crafted from grapes that are free from chemical residues.
The clean, bright, and evenly ripened fruit translates into fresh, delightful wines that showcase the true nature of each grape varietal. The winemaker often likens their approach to savoring an organic, sun-kissed peach plucked directly from the tree, striving to ensure that each berry in the vineyard embodies that perfect peach experience. For California wine enthusiasts, a visit to Retzlaff Vineyards promises not only exquisite wines but also a deep appreciation for the beauty of organic viticulture.
Image - Saman Teher - Pixabay
THE PROMISE OF GOLD
California was founded on the promise of gold, a standard that 1850 Wine Cellars upholds to this day. Inspired by the state's breathtaking natural beauty and a spirit of discovery, 1850 Wine Cellars exemplifies the gold standard in winemaking. By sustainably farming and sourcing grapes from vineyards primarily in Amador County, Fair Play, El Dorado County, and other Sierra Foothill growing regions, they craft high-quality wines designed to complement every adventure.
MEET THE WINEMAKER: BRIAN DARWAZEH
Winemaker Brian Darwazeh has deep roots in California agriculture. Raised in a small farming community in Northern California, and with a grandfather who worked the land, Brian's connection to California-grown fruit is personal. For him, working with local harvests and experiencing the rhythm of the land and seasons is a labor of love. Brian is drawn to the Sierra Foothills for its diverse microclimates and the wide variety of grape varietals that thrive there. His passion lies in creating fruit-driven wines that express the true character of each varietal, with minimal intervention.
Located in the small, historic town of St. Helena (yes, part of Napa Valley) Bressler like many of its neighbors is a small lot, premium producer of Cabernet Sauvignon. Bressler was started as many wineries do in Napa, with the retirement of an executive from nearby Silicon Valley. Bob Bressler spent his career at Sun Microsystems where he was a visiting scientist and advised the Sun executive team. Bob's wife Stacey is also intimately involved with the day to day operations of the winery and comes to the wine business after her own successful career in the Bay Area high tech market, although her focus was more marketing than it was the technology itself. Small production winery of approx. 500 cases.
Upon examining the Herzog label, one can discern the drive, passion, and rich history that spans nine generations, bringing the family to its current esteemed position. From the courts of Kaiser Franz Joseph of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, through a Europe ravaged by war, to the bustling streets of New York City, and finally to the sun-drenched vineyards of California, the Herzog story is a testament to a family's enduring commitment to their Jewish identity and their belief in the promise of America.
In a world where many produce wine, some create good wine, and only a select few offer a truly great wine experience, Herzog Wine Cellars stands apart. Here, great California wine is not just a claim; it is a tradition.
With 150 years of winemaking heritage, the Herzog family takes immense pride in every bottle produced. Their commitment to excellence is unwavering, reflecting a legacy built on passion and quality that resonates with wine enthusiasts everywhere.
Baldacci Family Vineyards has been a family-owned winery in the Napa Valley for over 25 years, founded by Thomas and Brenda Baldacci in 1998. Today, their son and second-generation vintner Michael Baldacci serves as winemaker, continuing the family’s legacy and dedication to crafting sustainably-farmed, world-class wines.
Within each of us lives a legacy, a story waiting to be told. Stories, like wine, are meant to be shared. Tom Baldacci understands this. Maybe not consciously – but at his core, Tom knows that for a story to become a legacy, it must be shared and passed forward to keep it alive. Almost 30 years ago, Tom drove by the property that now is home to Baldacci Family Vineyards. Where some may have seen an old house and farm in need of repair, Tom saw potential. In the breathtaking views on the Stags Leap property, in the aged vines and gnarled olive trees, Tom saw a story waiting to be told.
