Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Sinskey Vineyards

wine by the fireplace - Pixabay

Fine wine needs to evolve from a distinct point of view – a self imposed discipline to navigate the siren song of temptation. Otherwise, you may wake up one day to find yourself fabricating a wine to placate a critic or fill a market segment, and discover your craft has devolved into just another recipe for soulless wine.

Having a distinct point of view can also be dangerous. It invites unwelcome criticism from those who make a career out of second guessing the methods or intent of others. Yes, dig deep enough and you can find inconsistencies or incomplete execution in anything, but this is a craftsman’s journey that will only improve with repetition and refinement. The following, gleaned from 35 years of winegrowing, are our rules for great wine from our point of view.

Charles Krug

wine splashing in the glass - Pixabay

Krug is an incredible piece of Napa history but the wines don't take second seat to this fact. Their tasting room is relaxed, low-key and not overdone. They don't need to distract you from their great wines and great staff. 

Galleano Winery

woman enjoying wine

The Historic Galleano Winery was founded in 1927 by Domenico Galleano. Remarkably, the winery complex has remained largely unchanged to this day.

Galleano Winery is notable for being the last remaining bonded, Prohibition-era winery still owned and operated by its founding family at its original location in the Cucamonga Valley. The Galleano family takes great pride in the fact that the Cantu-Galleano Ranch complex is listed as a landmark on both the California and National Register of Historic Places.

Located in Mira Loma’s Wineville area, Galleano Winery retains much of its 1927 charm. It sits at the southern fringe of the Cucamonga Valley, a region made famous for winegrowing by Secondo Guasti, who, like Domenico, hailed from northern Italy’s Piedmont region. The name "Cucamonga" translates to "sandy place," aptly describing the alluvial plain that descends from the eastern slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains.

During the 1940s, the Cucamonga Valley boasted more than 45,000 acres dedicated to vineyards and approximately 60 wineries, showcasing the area’s rich viticultural history.

Scott Harvey - Clarksburg

people sharing wine - painting by Agata Zomborowski

Introducing Scott Harvey's latest tasting room in the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, CA. Clarksburg is home of some wonderful fruit and delicous wines. Why not check out the tasting lineup at this newest tasting room of Scott Harvey, maybe wonder around a few of the tasting rooms while you are there. 

Peacock Family Vineyards

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Peacock Family Vineyard is a 6.2 acre hillside Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in the Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley just west of the town of St. Helena. This is a dramatically sited mountain vineyard at an elevation of 1,000 feet. The terraced vineyard rows are configured south by southeast at slopes of up to 10%. The vineyard was planted in 1989 on Freedom rootstalk with Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon at a density of 950 vines per acre. The vines are cane pruned and trellised with three wires in the vertical shoot. The crop is limited to less than 5.5 pounds per plant, with the vineyard averaging 15 tons per year.

Back Box Wines

picture of black box wine - blackbox

Where is the bottle? What’s the most delicious way to enjoy acclaimed wines without a hefty price tag? Lose the bottle. In 2003, Black Box Wines redefined the category by becoming the first U.S. vintner to offer super-premium, appellation-specific, vintage-dated wines in a box. Since then our expanding repertoire has earned 28 gold medals in wine competitions nationwide, yet still costs 40% less than comparable bottled wines.

Hobo Wine Company

grape cluster - Pixabay

Kenny Likitprakong explains the name Hobo Wine Company; "Instead of becoming a hobo, I became a “Hobo Winemaker.” Of the two ways to make wine, with and without money, the first should probably be the only, but a few of us slip through the cracks and do it on the skinny. No winery, no vineyards, no truck, no warehouse, no employees…nothing. There are advantages. Making small lots comes naturally, the flexability to pick and choose grape type, vineyard, appellation, and winery on an ongoing basis, and a larger circle of people involved which means more ideas and expertise."

Skylark Wine Company

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Skylark Wine Company is a collaboration between Boulevard Restaurant Wine Directors John Lancaster and Robert Perkins. Both have years of experience in the Wine Industry. I wanted to taste this wine strictly because it was an interesting blend of 47% Carignane - 47% Syrah and 6% Grenache. Carignane has a long history in the state of California and add a texture layer to this wine. The wine has heavy heavy earth and spice notes. I couldn't quite put my finger on them all. The confusing part is a good thing because it made me keep coming back for a new sip to figure out the components. This wine would definitely benefit with food

Brutocao Cellars & Vineyard

Swirling wine in the glass - Pixabay - Saman Teher

Family Vineyard Heritage is a tale of two families who combined their passion and expertise to establish one of Mendocino County’s most notable wineries. In 1910, the Brutocao family brought with them a love for wine when they emigrated from Treviso, Italy (a small town near Venice). Len Brutocao met Martha Bliss while attending the University of California, Berkeley. Martha’s father, Irv, had been farming in Mendocino since 1943. After Len and Martha married, the families joined forces and continued to sell their grapes to well-known Sonoma and Napa wineries for many years before starting to make their own wine in 1980. They selected the Lion of St. Mark as their symbol of family tradition and quality. The heart of that quality is in their land: over 400 acres of vineyards in Hopland and 12.5 acres of Pinot Noir in  Anderson Valley.

Tasting: 10am – 5pm
Open: Wednesday-Sunday
Reservations appreciated but not necessary.

Agua Dulce Vineyards

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - People enjoying wine

Agua Dulce Winery is a 90 acre, fully operational winery and vineyard, featuring daily wine tasting and tours and wines. You will find Agua Dulce Vineyards just 45 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles and this winery has earned the honor of being Los Angeles County’s leading fine wine grower and producer. *

Hours:

Daily 10am - 5:30pm

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - People enjoying wine

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