Blankiet Estate is nestled high on the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains above Yountville. The vineyard, named Paradise Hills, is planted on one of the most acclaimed viticultural areas of the Napa Valley. The Estate was created in 1996 by Claude & Katherine Blankiet with the single vision of producing wines in the tradition of the great Bordeaux First Growth.

Shenandoah Vineyards

Located in Plymouth, CA, Shenandoah Vineyards was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. The couple relocated from Los Altos, California, where Leon had a successful career as a Senior Scientist at the Lockheed Research Lab. Leon’s passion for home winemaking inspired him to leave Lockheed and embark on a new journey as a winemaker.

The selection of the winery site in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County was a well-researched decision. The Sobon family, including their six children, moved to the historic Steiner Ranch outside Plymouth, where they planted a vineyard and transformed the old stone garage into the winery. In 1989, they expanded their operations by acquiring the D'Agostini winery, leading to the formation of Sobon Estate.

Over the years, Leon has earned numerous national and international awards for the wines produced at Sobon Estate and Shenandoah Vineyards. Both family labels are distributed nationally and internationally, including in Canada, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. Leon is recognized as a leader in the wine industry, having served on various industry boards and committees, and he is frequently invited as a judge for prestigious wine-tasting competitions.

Today, winemaking and business operations remain a family affair. Shirley manages finance and the gallery, while Leon continues to impart his extensive winemaking knowledge into every vintage. Their sons, Paul and Robert, along with son-in-law Tom Quinn, uphold the family tradition that began decades ago, ensuring that Shenandoah Vineyards continues to thrive.

In the eighties, after indulging in a fair amount of White Zinfandel, Angela and Darren Mitchell were converted by a bottle of 1987 Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon, sparking their passionate quest for fine red wine. By 1993, Darren, frustrated by the high costs of their new hobby, decided to take a winemaking class taught by local Zinfandel legend Charles Poalillo at Cuesta Community College. What began as a cost-saving measure evolved into a deeper pursuit of wine knowledge and production, leading to more classes at institutions such as UC Davis, Allan Hancock, Aspen School of Wine, Copia, and Cal Poly, as well as investments in equipment and supplies. Ultimately, this journey returned Darren to his farming roots with the establishment of their own vineyard.

In 1997, seeking greater control over the quality of their grapes, the couple planted their first crops: 10 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 acres of Syrah on the hilltop overlooking the old adobe farmhouse where Darren had grown up. They realized that to give the grapes the attention they deserved, they needed to move onto the property. What was intended to be a temporary two-year stay turned into a nearly nine-year adventure, culminating in the construction of the home and tasting room that exists today. Since then, their passionate endeavor has involved updating, cultivating, and nurturing the vineyard, producing small lots of truly handcrafted wines, and enjoying the fruits of their labor with friends, family, and customers.

Located just off Highway 46 East behind Robert Hall Winery, this family-owned estate winery features a rustic, Tuscan-style tasting room that extends from the main house. Visitors can enjoy award-winning estate wines in a welcoming, elegant, and relaxing atmosphere. Whether you choose to taste inside the tasting room, outside on the patio by the fountain, or within the enclosed patio, you will be treated to continuous views of the vineyard throughout your experience. It's an ideal spot for a picnic paired with a bottle of Mitchella wine. Additionally, a selection of non-alcoholic beverages, cheeses, crackers, and other small edibles are available for purchase.

Quixote is truly magical with astonishing architecture that is highlighted by vibrant colors and unorthodox design concepts such as no straight lines. In addition to the beautiful, grounds, the fun atmosphere and the charming hostesses, the wine was excellent! 4 stars for the architecture designed by Hundertwasser - colorful and whimsical. Lots of fine details - the wonderful wood floor in the tasting room and by all means do not miss the bathroom with a great tiled shower and tile framed mirror, even the loading dock is artful. This is a must see place. Make an appointment and don't forget your camera.