Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Stewart Cellars

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Stewart Cellars is a multi-generational, family-owned and operated winery that has been producing premium-quality wines since its inception in 2000. With a heavy focus on vineyard designate wines, we continue to produce high-quality wines while simultaneously driving industry change in sustainable farming and minimal intervention winemaking. 

Wine has the power to create compelling experiences, spark adventures, and enrich lives. Our goal is to make wines that embody excellence and bring people together, all while showcasing the exemplary terroir of each of these vineyards whose lineage can be traced back to the Valley’s early pioneers.

Sunset Cellars

pouring wine into a glass - Pixabay

Doug and Katsuko Sparks started their winemaking journey as home winemakers in their garage in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset District. In 1997, having completed winemaking courses at UC Davis, Doug and Katsuko took their winemaking hobby commercial and made their first vintage of Sunset Cellars at a shared facility inside Rosenblum Winery in Alameda.

Over the years they built long-lasting relationships with some top growers such as the Teldeschi family in Dry Creek Valley and Wirth Ranch in Solano County Green Valley. Many of these are old vine Zinfandel vineyards, with many vines over 90 years old. Working with such precious fruit, Doug and Katsuko’s goal has been to create supple red wines that emphasize the grapes’ natural fruit flavors. They like to call their red wine approach “Zen Zin,” a minimalist winemaking style that allows the wines to express the flavors and characteristics created in the vineyards.
 

Findleton Estate and Vineyard

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Findleton Estate and Vineyard is a small, family-owned and operated winery that has earned the title of "Best Kept Secret in El Dorado County."

Visitors can enjoy the award-winning wines crafted by winemakers Tom Findleton and Carrie Golden at their charming tasting room at 3500 Carson Road, Camino, CA. With over 18 varietals to choose from, guests can also appreciate a "Fine Art Gallery" experience, as the tasting room features the artwork of Pamela Findleton. Producing approximately 2,500 cases of wine annually, the estate’s vineyard sits at a 3,000-foot elevation in the Sierra Foothills of El Dorado County.

The vineyard enjoys a distinctive microclimate, with Pinot Noir vines flourishing creekside, benefiting from cool mountain air and well-drained, chalky soils. Historically known as "Pneumonia Gulch" by early settlers, the site has proven to be perfect for growing Pinot Noir, resulting in wines reminiscent of the celebrated Pinot Noirs of Burgundy, France.

 

 

 

 

Miner Family Vineyards

glass of red wine - Pixabay

Location: A delightful tasting facility perched on the hillside that feels spacious and has a great view. Service: Knowledgeable and friendly staff, although this is hit and miss. The first gentleman who poured for us was very helpful, but then a brusque lady came along and stole our spit bucket that we were using and gave it to the couple she was attending. Wines: We had a $25 flight of 5 wines that came with the flexibility to pick any combination of the wines they were pouring. Miner does not produce estate wines and their grapes are sourced from third party vineyards. It was fun to compare the difference between the two styles of Chardonnay, one of which (2008 Chardonnay, "Wild Yeast") received more oak aging & malolactic fermentation % than the other (2010 Chardonnay, "Napa Valley").

Tres Sabores

grape cluster - Pixabay

You definitely need reservations for this place as it's quite small and off the beaten path. Hopefully next time we visit we'll be able to meet Julie the owner, although our server (whose name escapes me at the moment) was outstanding, very friendly and fun.

Star Lane Vineyards

rows of wine barrels - Pixabay

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.

Simi Winery

table, wine, grapes, and cheese

“As we focus on evolving SIMI into a leading premium consumer lifestyle brand, we have made the decision to cease hospitality operations at SIMI Winery early next year,” wrote Alex Wagner, Constellation's vice president of communications in the wine division.

Chappellet Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

This is a very interesting place to taste. They take their wine seriously, it is off the beaten path, and reservations are required. View - absolutely breathtaking! Plan to spend some time taking pictures throughout the vineyard and of the lake. This is one of the best spots to get pictures in Napa.

Parrish Family Vineyards

ai - generated cluster of grapes

The Parrish family has deep roots in the Paso Robles area. Earl Henderson is David Parrish’s grandfather and was one of the first people to plant in Atascadero during Prohibition. In fact, he had P.O. Box 1. Today, his home is the site of the Atascadero Historical Museum.

In the 1920s, Henderson planted 540 acres and managed approximately 740 acres of wine grapes including Alicante, Charbon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel. The Zinfandel cuttings were purchased from the famed Paderewski Ranch.  

Henderson grew grapes through the beginning of Prohibition and then got into the golf course business.

Inspired by his grandfather's stories, David Parrish set out to test his own green thumb. After graduating from U.C. Davis in 1974, he pursued his passion for grape growing by establishing A&P Ag Structures, a vineyard trellising company. His expertise caught the attention of Napa Valley's Robert Mondavi, leading to collaborations on trellising installations for Mondavi's vineyards and other renowned wineries like Beringer.

Nearly two decades later, Parrish returned to California's Central Coast, aiming to carry on his grandfather's legacy of grape growing. In 2004, he produced the first vintage under the Parrish Family label, now managing 70 acres in Paso Robles.

In 2018, marking another milestone, the Parrish family opened a wine and food destination on Adelaida Road. The tasting room offers vineyard walks, winery tours, food and wine pairings, tastings, bottle services, event spaces, and conference facilities. Indoors and outdoors, guests can explore their palate preferences, relax with wine, and find inspiration. The property even features a putting green with complimentary putters and golf balls for those looking to unwind.

Wine Tasting Experience: 
Open Daily 11am-5pm (last reservation at 4:15pm)  
Reservations for Visiting - They try to accommodate walk-ins when we can, but cannot guarantee.

Freemark Abbey

ai generated grape cluster - Pixabay

Stopped by in the Fall to do a little tasting on our way up to the hot springs. I first went to this winery about 13 years ago and was a member for years. They have excellent red wines and fun harvest parties - complete with grape stomping! It's a quaint winery away from the crowds in Napa and couple of my favorites were the 2003 Cabernet Bosche and Zinfandel.

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