Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Dante Robere Vineyards

picture or winery's label

In 2012, two families decided to officially start a winery. Wanting to own a vineyard and build a winery facility from the ground up, they purchased a 6-acre Syrah vineyard and adjoining lot on Wetmore Road in South Livermore. Their winery, Dante Robere Vineyards is named after Dan and Bob. They currently make and pour their wine on Tesla Road in east Livermore while they await completion of construction of their new facility on Wetmore Road scheduled to open in 2015. Their goal is to make wine from Livermore Valley grapes when possible but also to procure quality grapes from other wine growing regions that are well suited to certain unique varietals. Their estate-grown Syrah, blended wines featuring the estate Syrah, and other Rhone varietals such as Grenache and Mourvedre are their signature wines. But they also produce the stalwart varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay, as well as more unique wines such as Tempranillo, Touriga and Barbera.

Orfila Vineyards

Orfila wine bottle label for their Merlot

Located in the stunning San Pasqual Valley, just 30 minutes from San Diego, Orfila Vineyards is an ultra-premium, small-production winery that invites wine lovers to indulge in its unique offerings. Conveniently located between Interstate 15 and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, this hidden gem boasts a breathtaking tasting room and patio that overlook the sprawling 70-acre estate.

Families will feel right at home in the tree-lined picnic area, complete with grassy knolls and picnic tables—perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon with friends and a bottle of Orfila’s finest.

Orfila is known for producing critically acclaimed wines crafted from Italian and French varietals, including grapes from the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. The winery sources grapes from its estate as well as select vineyards in Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties. Under the expert guidance of winemaker Andrew Wisniewski, Orfila continues its tradition of creating award-winning wines that reflect the essence of San Diego County.

Since opening its doors in 1994, Orfila Vineyards has garnered more than 1,300 medals in national and international competitions, a true testament to the complexity, grace, and opulence of its wines. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or a casual sipper, a visit to Orfila promises a delightful experience filled with exquisite flavors and breathtaking views.

A. Rafanelli Winery

painting friends with wine

The A. Rafanelli Winery was founded in the early 1900's and this unique winery is still family owned and operated.  The founder, Alberto Rafanelli, was an Italian immigrant who settled in the Healdsburg, California area and started making wine.

In the 1950's the winery was moved to the Dry Creek Valley and by 1970 had established the current label. This winery specializes in Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot producing only 11,000 cases annually.  The philosophy is quality over quantity.

Tasting and purchases are by appointment only. Wines are only available through direct purchase or through selected fine restaurants. - Art work by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery

B. R. Cohn Winery

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – couple enjoying wine together

When we visited they had a vintage car display as well as lots of vendors selling their goods and offering food samples. The tasting room is quite large, and while there were lots of groups there, we did not have to wait too long for the tasting. They also have a separate olive oil and balsamic tasting room. B.R. Cohn is a large winery with retail distribution and they make wines using grapes not only from their local estate, but mostly from all over wine country.

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery  - Gallery | Agata Art Gallery

Croze Wines

pouring a glass of wine - Pixaby

Croze Wines is operated by Gary Wooten, a long time resident in the Napa Valley. He has worked as winemaker with several smaller area wineries during their formative stages and helped them become established. He currently runs two labels; Croze wines which includes a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sauvignon Blanc and the second label, Smith Wooten featuring a 100% Cabernet Franc (he originally made a barrel of Cabernet Franc to use for blending purposes but after tasting, found this wine to be excellent as a stand along varietal and ended up bottling it) and a Syrah. Croze ages their wines longer than many area wineries and as a result the current vintages are typically several years older than what you usually find on the market. The barrel aging program usually runs up to 40+ months and all the wines are tasted during this time and are removed from barrel when they are ready, in other words the barrel aging program is not locked into a certain amount of time like you may find with some of the larger wineries.

Pacific Star Winery

Purple grapes - Art - Pixabay

The imposing redwood and stone barn structure nestles into the cliff side, protected from crashing waves by a flat rock bench eroded over eons. The cellar is filled with French, Hungarian and American oak barrels and specialty equipment suited to handcrafted wine production. The unique location lets magical forces come into play; waves crash into sea caves under the cellar, naturally filtering wine from its sediment. Salt from sea air deposits on barrels accelerating osmosis while creating viscous and dense wines. This is what Sally Ottoson has come to call Pacific Star Winery.

Oak Ridge Winery

cluster of grapes

The tale of Oak Ridge Winery is one rich in family, farming, and winemaking. It all began in 1906 when Angelo Maggio immigrated from the Italian coast of Genova to Lodi, California, with his wife, Louisa. In 1928, they planted their first cuttings on the property of their first ranch home, setting the stage for a remarkable journey that would lead to the production powerhouse Oak Ridge Winery is today.

Originally built in 1934, the winery started as a winemaking cooperative, with Angelo, his son Roy, and eventually his grandson Rudy playing vital roles as multigenerational farmers. They grew grapes that were supplied to winemakers across the country. When the winery was put on the market in 2002, Rudy seized the opportunity to expand on their family’s rich legacy by producing quality wines of their own. His vision was not just about reviving history; the Maggio family transformed the winery into a state-of-the-art facility that meets the quality, style, and volume demands of an evolving market.

Laura Durham is the Chief Winemaker at Oak Ridge Winery, where she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her craft. With a background in both viticulture and enology, Laura has dedicated her career to exploring the unique terroir of California’s Lodi region. Her innovative approach combines traditional winemaking techniques with a commitment to sustainability, allowing the grapes to express their full potential. Known for her collaborative spirit and keen attention to detail, Laura has earned a reputation for crafting exceptional wines that reflect the richness of their origins. Under her leadership, Oak Ridge Winery continues to thrive as a destination for wine lovers seeking high-quality, distinctive wines.

Laura Durham has a deep appreciation for a variety of wines that showcase the unique terroir of the regions she works in. While specific favorites can vary, she often highlights the elegance of well-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon and the complexity of nuanced Zinfandel from the Lodi region. Laura also enjoys exploring the vibrant acidity and fruit-forward characteristics of Chardonnay, particularly those that are produced with a mindful approach to oak aging. Her passion for winemaking is reflected in her preference for wines that balance structure and finesse, inviting wine enthusiasts to appreciate both the craftsmanship and the story behind each bottle.

Kamen Wines

glass of wine - Pixabay

In 1980, Robert Mark Kamen came to Sonoma to celebrate the sale of his first screen play. While hiking the rugged hillsides of the Southern Mayacamas Mountians, Robert came upon a piece of property with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. Remote, rugged, and without roads, water or electricity, the 280 acres had an immediate visceral impact on Robert. A week later the property was his. Inky, robust Cabs, just the way I like them. 2005 or 2006, I was having a hard time determining which one I liked better. Just great - these are wines I could drink regularly. Of course, they cost $100/bottle, and aren't all that common - so my desire to regularly drink the '05 Cab will definitely be squashed by price and availability.

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