In 2003, Covenant founders Jeff Morgan and Leslie Rudd were inspired to bring a new California perspective to a 3500-year-old winemaking tradition. What started as a 500-case Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon project has now grown more than ten-fold. Today, Covenant’s 9,000-square-foot urban winery is situated in Berkeley, California, also home to other urban wineries.
Ramey Wine Cellars the tasting room is just a simple conference room, and the wine making area looks like a shipping facility. but the staff was friendly, and the wines are quite tastey. The reds we tried were bold and complicated. The whites were dry and earthy.
High on a hill, Rutherford Hill Winery commands a spectacular view of the Rutherford bench in Napa Valley. Drawing from a select handful of Napa's finest vineyards, Rutherford Hill continues its tradition of crafting legendary wines. In 1972, as the world was just beginning to recognize the potential of Napa Valley, Rutherford Hill's founders identified a unique opportunity. They saw that the valley's climate and soil, akin to those of Pomerol, were ideally suited to Merlot and became pioneers of what would become one of Napa's premier varietals.
In 1996, the Terlato family acquired the winery, bringing with them a legendary commitment to quality over quantity. Their pursuit of excellence started with a thorough review of the property, leading to significant enhancements that enriched the portfolio with wines of remarkable complexity and character.
Bill and John Terlato continue their father Anthony Terlato’s legacy by working closely with Rutherford Hill’s winemaker to tackle the challenges of consistently improving the wine, year after year. The exacting standards applied by the Terlato family to all their ventures were evident at Rutherford Hill from the moment of acquisition.
Building on Tradition To prioritize quality, Rutherford Hill created an environment where reserve wines could receive the time, care, and attention they deserved within the winery’s portfolio.
A new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the production of reserve wines—a "winery within a winery"—began construction in the spring of 2000 and was operational by that year’s harvest. This $7 million, 5,100-square-foot addition features 24 fermentation tanks ranging from 1,500 to 6,000 gallons. It is fully self-contained, equipped with its own press, refrigeration capabilities (with tanks jacketed for both warming and cooling glycol), and a dedicated harvest crew.
Creating the Ideal Wine-Storage Environment Rutherford Hill pioneered the use of caves and a pallet-stacking system within those caves in Napa Valley. Year-round, 8,000 wine-filled French and American oak barrels age in an optimal storage environment of 59ºF and 90 percent humidity. This setup significantly reduces wine evaporation, leading to wines with lower alcohol concentrations. The improvements made to the caves since 1999 exemplify the Terlato family's broad vision and steadfast commitment to quality.
Viano Vineyards enjoys the cooling breezes from the Carquinez Straits, providing the perfect balance of heat and coolness. This location boasts a combination of ideal soil and climatic conditions favorable for growing premium wine grapes, including Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard, Muscat Canelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel.
Founded by the Viano family in 1920, this family estate, now in its 4th and 5th generations, purchased an already planted vineyard established in 1888. The vineyard reminded the Viano family of their vineyards in Piedmont, Italy. Once named Vine Hill, this area was rich in grapes and home to more than 15 wineries.
Some of the original vines still remain, while the rest of the vineyard has been expanded and replanted to cater to new world tastes and desires. Using the most natural cultural practices possible, combined with traditional winemaking techniques, including natural yeast and aging in small oak cooperage, Viano Vineyards brings fine handcrafted wines to their patrons.
Established in 2006, Alpha Omega is a gem for California wine lovers, dedicated to crafting artisanal, handcrafted wines that beautifully blend Old World vineyard traditions with New World innovation. Their mission focuses on capturing the unique terroir of Napa Valley, allowing each bottle to express a true sense of place.
Nestled on the Rutherford Bench in the heart of Napa Valley, Alpha Omega welcomes visitors with a warm and inviting atmosphere, mirroring the authentic spirit of the Napa Valley farming community. The winery's founders, Robin and Michelle Baggett, have always prioritized creating world-class wines in a convivial setting, a commitment that has remained strong since they first opened their doors on July 1, 2006.
The picturesque surroundings at Alpha Omega are nothing short of breathtaking, featuring charming water fountains, a serene reflecting pond, and stunning views of the Mayacamas Mountains. This stunning backdrop provides the perfect ambiance for savoring the handcrafted wines produced from grapes sourced from prestigious, historic vineyards, all expertly managed by Alpha Omega’s talented winemaking team.
Visitors are greeted by a friendly staff of knowledgeable wine educators, eager to share their passion for wine in a setting that feels like a postcard from paradise. The winery’s modern farm-style architecture, located along the famous Highway 29, enhances the experience, making it a delightful destination for those seeking beautiful wines and a memorable visit.
When Robin and Michelle first toured the valley in 2005, they envisioned creating an estate that rivaled the finest in Napa. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds—Robin as a seasoned attorney and grape grower, and Michelle as an international hotel interior designer turned hospitality marketing expert—they brought their ambitious vision to life. The name Alpha Omega, conceived in 2005, reflects their commitment to delivering the ultimate winery experience from start to finish. Today, Alpha Omega proudly stands as one of the top wineries in the region, inviting all to indulge in its extraordinary offerings.
Image - Old Vine Zinfandel - photographer Randy Caparoso
Anthony Faustini has been a wine collector for many years. Looking to make the jump from serious collector to wine maker he began his research on Long Island in New York, visiting wineries and trying a number of wines. Looking to expand his palate and wanting to make a California wine he came to the Napa Valley where he was introduced to Crushpad in San Francisco. Faustini's first commercial vintage was small - merely 50 cases in 2005 from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena. This vintage was a teaser for Anthony and made him realize how much he wanted to be in the business. He started taking remote courses through UC Davis and because of his work for Cisco frequently found himself in California. While here for work - he also started nurturing vineyard and wine making connections. Today he lives in New York and commutes to Napa a number of times each year. Faustini currently focus on two labels, Play Date and Faustini with plans to expand. Each one of their wines involves a unique story.
This place specializes in Zins and they make it very well here. It's actually on the jammier fruit forward side rather than the peppery notes of some zins you may have but it was very good. Enjoyed their white wines as well. There was only two that they make I believe and even the rose was pretty good.
With Saxon Brown, owner/winemaker Jeff Gaffner has parlayed his longstanding grower relationships, developed as a consulting winemaker, into a line of small, site-driven bottlings that celebrate his favorite vineyard sites.
Jeff began his career at Chateau St. Jean, under the tutelage of renowned vintner Richard Arrowood, who Jeff credits with teaching him the importance of being as passionate about growing the grapes as making the wine. While at Chateau St. Jean, Jeff was part of the winemaking team responsible for the winery’s celebrated 1996 Cinq Cepages, which was named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine.
In the years since, Jeff has become one of the most sought after winemakers for artisan labels, having gained critical acclaim and a loyal following for his site-specific focus and restrained winemaking style. The Wall Street Journal has said that they “love his vineyard voice”, while the Wine Spectator has lauded his winemaking as “deft”.
Canyon Road Winery owns 140 acres of vineyards. The majority of the grapes for its wines are sourced from coastal appellations and selected Northern California vineyards. The California appellation is part of the key to the brand's success, since it allows winemakers to roam prime California sources for just the juice they want.
First things first...when you book your tour here make sure Ashley is your guide! Very personable and super knowledgable about all things Newton and the region in general. Gorgeous property and epic views of the valley atop Spring Mountain. We loved the wines here and the UF Chardonnay and Merlot were delicious with the food pairings. Newton Vineyard is about sixty-five miles from San Francisco. On Highway 29 follow signs north to St. Helena. Turn left on Madrona Avenue and continue until you arrive at the end of the road. Turn right at the stop sign and follow signs to Newton Vineyard at the top of the hill.
