Conn Creek is a small but nice winery located in St. Helena. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the wine and estate even explaining to us the different regions around Napa, Sonoma, Rutherford, etc. I really liked the Cabernet Franc and the Cabernet Sauvingon. If you're a big red wine fan, they have a flight tasting of just red wines if you don't want to try their mixed wines.

If ever you decide to meander the wineries of Dry Creek Road, this place is a must! Landscape architects have touched every inch of the estate with their magic wand blending color, textures, and aromas that match the bouquet of their family owned wines. Their 2010 Chardonnay Reserve is beautiful with hints of vanilla & pear with a slight buttery finish; very smooth. The 2009 Sky High Pinot Noir from the Alexander Valley is bright & crisp with a beautiful color; it is a limited production so get them while you can. This family basically carved an opulent French estate out of the hills of Dry Creek, and it has to be seen to be believed.

Bankers by profession, Jim and Mary are no newcomers to wine. They've owned one of America's oldest wineries, Hermannhof, since 1974. It's located in their home state of Missouri, where Jim was raised in a farming tradition.The wines at Hermannhof are good, but the Missouri climate is not conducive to growing the European varietals that have made France and California famous. This winemaking couple are constructing their dream winery on the Star Lane property. It's dug into the hillside for efficient use of energy and will host some 26,000 square feet of caves for barrel aging.

Established in 1998, La Seremissima vineyards cover a gentle slope facing the Pacific Coast Trail in San Diego North County. The vineyard and winery's name, La Serenissima, pays homage to the most Serene Republic of Venice, for centuries the cultural center of the Mediterranean, where the tradition of wine making flourished, giving civilization the precious gift of wine. Annual production is limited to 1000 cases.