The Room, not to be confused with their Estate a few minutes away, is super modern. This is where you want to go if you want a quick stop. If you want to tour/cave experience, take the extra time to go to the estate. If you're your timing is right, you may even get to pipette from the barrel! The Estate:1978 West Zinfandel Lane No Appointment required The Room: 677 St Helena Highway (Highway 29) By Appointment
Try a unique experience. The Blending Lab Winery is an off-winery tasting room in the heart of Los Angles, near the original Farmer's Market. While this little winery sources wine-grapes from around California they make sure the wine is being made right there in Los Angles. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at wine blending? The Blending Lab Winery offer classes in Wine Blending so that you can create your very own blend.*
Hours:
Mon closed (private events only)
Tues closed
Wed 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Thur 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Fri 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Sat 2:00pm to 9:00pm
Sun 2:00pm to 9:00pm
Painting by Agata Zaborowski woman enjoying wine
Several years ago Matt and his wife would travel to the Central Coast to enjoy the rolling hills, the laid-back attitude and of course, the wines. Through the years Matt developed a greater thirst for the Central Coast and it's wines than any weekend trip could quench. Following his heart, he enrolled into Fresno State's Enology program and next thing he knew he had graduated and was working for the likes of Geyser Peak and Rudd in Napa Valley. After several years of saving and searching, he found just the right property for a small vineyard in Templeton, California.
Whitehall makes some great wine! We were surprised by the mostly empty parking lot and even considered turning away before entering. Did an empty parking lot mean bad wine? Everything we sampled, from white to red was great. Easy drinking and definitely well priced. Come summer time it can be very busy at times. Well worth a visit.
Caymus Vineyards is located in the center of the Napa Valley. Primary production is Cabernet Sauvignon grown on low-fertility soils on both the valley floor and the mountains that surround the valley. Attention to viticulture details, some dry farming, high-density plantings (with some blocks spaced as close as meter x meter), thinning of the yield, along with healthy vines and harvesting at an elevated degree of ripeness – all of these elements produce a unique and singular style of Cabernet.
While the wine has sufficient tannins and structure for long-term bottle aging, Caymus Cabernet is dark and concentrated, with ripe, luxurious, fruit-driven softness that shows from the day of release.
In addition, Caymus produces a smaller amount of Special Selection Cabernet. A limited bottling of Napa Valley Zinfandel honors winery co-founder Charlie Wagner Sr., for whom it was a favorite. All a part of Wagner Family of Wines.
Optima began as a dream producing just 400 cases in 1984, now, the winery is continuing their tradition of producing premium, world class wines. Optima specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel Port, and Chardonnay. Stopped by for Passport weekend. Amazing wines! Hard to find but well worth looking for.
The place is very relaxed, dog- and child-friendly, and the grounds are rustic with a nice view of Carneros. It's getting the wine country experience without venturing too far up the 121, and without the tour buses and connoisseurs.
In 1945 retired Sheriff Deputy Amos Beauregard purchased 157 acres of which 13 acres have been planted with winegrapes. Cabernet Saugivgon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and an old grape know as Charabono were originally planted in 1880. Over the years Jim Beuregard has planted hundreds of acres of vines throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains and still maintains his 68 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim and his family live on the estate and Ryan Beauregard is the Winemaker.
Gold Hill Vineyard was founded in 1980 by Hank Battjes. Hank worked for 27 years as an electrical engineer at GTE. During those years, Hank increased his knowledge of home wine making, applying it to his hobby and passion. Pursuing his dream he searched for suitable land and when a friend, Bruce, suggested 5 acres of vineyard on an 80 acre parcel near Coloma, California, he bought it.
The staff was great and wines are amazing. Vicky was very warm and welcoming. We went on a Friday evening it was busy but still attentive to our needs.One of the bigger wineries, open to the public, that gets a lot of foot traffic. But heck, the wines are great! so no complaining. Some really unique blends mixed in with the more traditional. Their at the vineyard only Gewurztraminer was heaven and the Ridiculous Red plus some good Cabs and solid Sauvignon Blanc.
