Thomas Fogarty Winery was founded in 1978 by inventor Dr. Thomas Fogarty and winemaker Michael Martella. Dr Fogarty’s penchant for innovative thought and Martella’s viticulture instincts allowed them to lead the development of the cool Skyline Ridge area; true pioneers in one of California’s premiere Pinot Noir and Chardonnay regions.
Susan, the Grower, and Sal, the Winemaker, offer an immersive vineyard and cellar tour that showcases their commitment to Sustainable, Organic, Green, and Dry Farming practices.
During the tour, the winemaker presents four one-ounce samples of their Estate wines, paired with four carefully selected artisanal cheeses, homemade and steam-baked bread, and an assortment of nuts. This experience is available for $45 per person.
Guests also have the opportunity to purchase bottles of wine and enjoy them at the Mid-Vineyard deck, surrounded by over 3,000 vines under a canopy of oak trees, with views of the most beautiful undulating hills.
Woof ’n Rose Winery, owned by Stephen and Marilyn Kahle, is a small family operated Boutique winery on a north-facing hillside overlooking the beautiful Ramona Valley. We make only red wines made exclusively from Ramona Valley grapes, mostly using our eight estate grown varietals – Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Grenache Noir, Montepulciano, and Alicante Bouschet (a very unique varietal). Relax on our outdoor dog and rose themed tasting veranda, view the vineyards and surrounding mountains and valley, and chat with the owners and operators; all while enjoying our current releases, many of which have been medalists at international wine competitions. For the enjoyment of the white wine only aficionado we normally offer a by the glass option from other sources.
We booked the 10am tour and tasting and I was very impressed. The tour was about an hour and a half. We started in the front tasting room, went outside to the vineyards, to the caves where they store the barrels and finally to the room with the tanks. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. She was willing to answer any questions we had. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants the full winery experience!
Reservations are a must! Call a couple of weeks ahead of time, so you get the day and time slot you want. They only have two time slots, either 10am or 2pm. The wine tour and tasting runs about three hours (half tour, half tasting), but it's totally worth it! The winery grounds are gorgeous. Great scenic views. The tour and tasting combo is $40, but it's waived if you buy an equivalent amount of wine. Sweet! Their bottles range from about $25 to $50 depending on what you get.
Back in 1995, when Victoria and Russel started (Russell Bevan and Victoria De Crescenzo), dating in Des Moines, their favorite game was “Guess the Wine.” They would take turns bringing a blind wine and make the other person guess the varietal and region. When the couple looks back on those dates, there is little mystery about how they arrived where they are today. "We started taking regular trips to wine country in California, where we met many of the finest winemakers. We were so inspired by them that to this day we follow many of their principles. Soon enough we were searching for property in our native California. Victoria spent three years trying to find the right site. Finally, she found her dream home on eight acres of land in Bennett Valley..."
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
Eric Engleman believes that balance starts in the vineyard at LoMac Winery. For four generations the Engelman family has been growing grapes and making wine in the rich soil of the San Joaquin Valley. Today Eric is cultivating balance in their family vineyard and producing handcrafted boutique wines with vibrant varietal characters that showcase the terroir of California's center of winegrape production. Enjoy LoMac Winery "from vine to wine" with their light Moscato, a smooth Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and maybe a Pinot Noir. ~
Hours:
Sat - 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sun - 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The Peachy Canyon "Old Schoolhouse" tasting room, situated in the heart of Paso Robles' wine country along Highway 46 West, is a landmark attraction. The historic Old Bethel Schoolhouse, dating back to 1886, is a must-visit destination. Guests can enjoy tasting the world-famous Estate Zinfandels, along with over 15 other handcrafted small-batch Rhone and Bordeaux varietals that are exclusive to this location.
The last available guided-tasting session is at 4:00 PM, with a by-the-glass option offered until 4:30 PM.
Please note that while reservations are recommended, they are not required. Walk-ins are welcome as long as a team member is available. There is also a new dog policy: while dogs are beloved, they are not allowed inside the tasting room. Well-behaved and properly socialized dogs on a leash are permitted in the designated "dog area" with their owners. However, dogs that bark, growl, or are off-leash will be asked to leave. Tasting service in the dog area is limited to flight service, or one person from the group can come inside to receive the next wine pour.
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
