Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Bella Luna Estate Winery

Grape cluster - Pixabay - AI Generated

Bella Luna Estate Winery, founded in 1998 by lifelong friends Kevin Healey and Sherman Smoot, has a charming story that traces back to their childhood on the Central Coast of California. The duo first bonded while playing t-ball and later became the quarterback and center of their high school football team in Atascadero. After serving their country in the Vietnam War, their paths diverged, but fate brought them back together years later.

The idea for Bella Luna Winery sprouted during a nostalgic night of reminiscing about their shared past. When morning came, the dream of starting a winery still felt enticing, and at the youthful age of 50, they planted dry-farmed Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Ruby Cabernet grapes on their estate.

Both friends are proud fathers. Sherman has a daughter, Carly, and a son, Jimmy. Interestingly, Carly was the only 8-year-old who didn’t dream of having a pony, so Sherman decided to name the vineyard after her. Kevin’s daughter, Nichole, had her own unique experiences in the family business. Often grounded during her high school years, she was assigned to work with her dad in the vineyard or winery as a form of punishment. However, what started as a chore turned into a passion; Nichole loved the vineyard life and eventually pursued a degree in Enology and Viticulture at Fresno State.

After completing her studies, Nichole took her talents to Australia, where a three-month internship in Margaret River turned into a remarkable 7.5-year adventure. There, she fell in love with both the local wine scene and Lukas, a fellow wine industry professional.

For visitors exploring California’s wineries, Bella Luna Estate Winery offers a delightful glimpse into the intertwined lives of friendship, family, and winemaking. Each bottle reflects the dedication and passion of its founders, making it a must-visit destination for anyone eager to savor exceptional wines and enjoy the warm camaraderie that defines this unique winery.

Opus One Winery

glass of red wine - Pixabay

Beautiful property with elegant tasting rooms and a lovely upper balcony for you to enjoy your "tasting" on. They don't do the typical 1oz tasting that most wineries offer. Opus One's tastings are full glasses of their two wines being offered that season. Opus One, unlike many other wineries, offers intimiate tours just to your group. There's no feeling of being herded along with 15 other strangers, straining to hear what the winemaker or guide is trying to say. Caleb, our guide, was perfect. He spent just the right amount of time on relevant topics and in each area of the winery. We saw the barrel room, the vines, all the sorting processes, the vats, the winemaking room, even some executive offices! This was service at its best. We were given the Overture (2009, I think), Opus One 2009, and Opus One 2006 to taste throughout our two-hour tour. I wouldn't recommend this winery if you are with 15 friends on a party bus, looking to get drunk. Or if you're just looking to "check out" Napa for the first time. Or if you couldn't tell the difference between red wine or white wine with red food coloring . The money and the prestige are not worth it. It's a special treat to learn and experience Opus On

Burnsini Vineyards

cluster of grapes

At Burnsini Vineyards, history and wine come together in a way that’s as lively as it is laid-back. Tucked into the rolling hills of Cottonwood, this is true cowboy country, where a livestock brand is more than just a mark—it’s the logo of the winery, a symbol of the land’s agricultural roots. The “lazy B” on every bottle speaks to the easygoing vibe you’ll find at Burnsini, while the intertwined goblets in the logo remind you that it’s all about sharing the experience, just like founders Tom Burnham and Jim Tomasini did when they started it all.

Now, that tradition is in the hands of winemaker Brandi Greene—a Northstate local who’s as passionate about winemaking as she is about sustainability. Brandi, an Environmental Chemist with a winemaking degree from Oregon State University, worked in vineyards across California and Oregon before realizing her dream of owning a winery. Today, she’s managing nearly eight acres of organic estate vines at Burnsini, continuing the legacy with a modern twist. Her focus is on crafting consistently exceptional red wines, while also introducing new offerings like rosé and sparkling wines. But don’t worry—the things you’ve always loved about Burnsini are still here: those famously smooth reds, lazy afternoons at the tasting room, and the kind of celebrations that get the whole community on its feet.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s woven into every aspect of Burnsini’s operations. Solar panels power the winery, organic methods nurture the vines, and after the grapes are pressed, any waste is either returned to the vineyard or fed to the bulls next door. Inside, water-saving ozone sanitation and recyclable shipping materials keep things eco-friendly. And while you might spot an electric car charger for visitors, there’s a grounded humility in knowing the tractors still run on diesel—after all, progress takes time.

Burnsini’s story started in 2000 when Tom and Joy Burnham teamed up with Jim and Deanna Tomasini to turn their shared hobby of grape-growing into a full-fledged winery. Their blend of passion, fun, and winemaking sparked not just great wines, but a tight-knit community. From their early days of hosting Spring Flings and harvest parties, to creating wines like the “Friends” blend (a nod to the friendships formed at the vineyard), Burnsini has always been about more than just wine—it’s about connection. Events like the “Ladies Night Out” at the Cottonwood Rodeo and “Music & Merlot” grew so popular they had to move to bigger venues, but the heart of Burnsini remains at its vineyard, where the good times—and even better wine—keep flowing.

So come on by. Sip, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine that’s rooted in cowboy country but crafted for the future. There’s always something new to discover at Burnsini Vineyards—whether it’s a new wine, a new friend, or just the perfect sunset over the hills.

Lange Twins Winery & Vineyard

Picture or the Lange Twins

For five generations our family has been growing sustainable winegrapes in the Lodi Appellation and in 2006 we opened a winery to showcase our passion for growing winegrapes – because great wine starts in the vineyard. Building on our successes as a vineyard management company, the winery was our first step into crafting wines made solely from our estate vineyards. Since opening in 2006, we have continued to expand our state-of-the-art winery to keep up with the demand for our LangeTwins wines as well as private labels and custom winemaking services. Unfortunately, our winery is closed for public tastings. If you are visiting the Lodi Appellation, please visit the Lodi Wine & Visitors Center to try our wines as well as other great Lodi selections.

Galleano Winery

woman enjoying wine

The Historic Galleano Winery was founded in 1927 by Domenico Galleano. Remarkably, the winery complex has remained largely unchanged to this day.

Galleano Winery is notable for being the last remaining bonded, Prohibition-era winery still owned and operated by its founding family at its original location in the Cucamonga Valley. The Galleano family takes great pride in the fact that the Cantu-Galleano Ranch complex is listed as a landmark on both the California and National Register of Historic Places.

Located in Mira Loma’s Wineville area, Galleano Winery retains much of its 1927 charm. It sits at the southern fringe of the Cucamonga Valley, a region made famous for winegrowing by Secondo Guasti, who, like Domenico, hailed from northern Italy’s Piedmont region. The name "Cucamonga" translates to "sandy place," aptly describing the alluvial plain that descends from the eastern slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains.

During the 1940s, the Cucamonga Valley boasted more than 45,000 acres dedicated to vineyards and approximately 60 wineries, showcasing the area’s rich viticultural history.

Twisted Roots Vineyard

wine tasting with small bites

The name "Twisted Roots" originates from the deep and gnarled roots of Lodi old vine Zinfandel found in Julie Ruiz’s childhood vineyard, where the vines date back to the early 1900s. One day, while excavating vines, Julie's beloved uncle remarked, “Those roots are really twisted; that would be a great name for a winery.” This moment became a cherished memory for both Julie and her husband, Josh, marking the true birth of the winery.

Both Josh and Julie share a profound love for agriculture, community, and friendship. Josh's mission has been to cultivate a sense of community around wine, a beverage that was not common in his own upbringing. As an entrepreneur, he was determined to create a winery rooted in the legacy of Lodi Vineyards and to share those wines with his new home in Carmel Valley.

By fortunate circumstances, he partnered with several close friends to develop a dynamic winery and hospitality experience, offering a diverse selection of wines not typically found in the area, including Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Hard Cider. Each wine is produced in small batches, carefully sourced from unique sites to ensure quality and meticulous attention to detail. Visitors are invited to explore the charming, newly renovated tasting room, the perfect setting for enjoying life’s most important treasures—connection with others.

Busby Cellars

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Founded in 1999, proprietors Sherrie and Elliot Graham purchased a picturesque 34-acre parcel of rolling hills and sprawling oak and pine trees. The property, which is a portion of the old Meyer’s Ranch, was bare with the exception of a historic barn, once a notable stopping point for miners to change horses en route to Placerville.

An experience in Fair Play showcases the many diverse attractions of El Dorado County.  Why not make your adventure to Fair Play more than just a day trip?  Busby Cellars offers on-site lodging, and many quaint Bed & Breakfast Inns and Vacation Rentals are also nearby.  In addition to over 25 award-winning Fair Play wineries, historic downtown Placerville is just a short drive and features gold-rush charm along with gourmet restaurants and shopping.  Wonderful hiking trails and pristine lakes are nearby, and world-class ski resorts are just a one-hour drive to Lake Tahoe. Isn’t it time to experience Fair Play today?

Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery

people sharing wine

Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery If you haven't checked out this winery yet you are missing out. Sure this place doesn't have large gardens or a picturesque picnic area... but this place is amazing where it counts... the wine.

Robert Renzoni Vineyards is a remarkable estate, nestled in the heart of the Temecula Valley. It was one of the last great undeveloped properties in Temecula and has all the characteristics of a great wine estate: rolling hills, different microclimates, three distinct soil types and multiple elevations. The property provides an ideal growing climate as well as scenic vistas from which to enjoy the beautiful landscape that is Temecula.

The property was purchased in 2006. Although a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard existed on a portion of the estate, the majority of the property was virgin soil. This soil was ideal for the planting of several varietals, including Pinot Grigio, Barbera, and Sangiovese. Indeed, it was the diversity of the land that convinced Robert and his family of the potential for the property to become a truly great wine estate.

Markham Vineyards

red wine splashing in the glass - Pixabay

I came here on Sunday at 11am and it was empty! I was so glad we could get personal service. Ryan was friendly and knowledgable. I love the merlot but after the estate tasting, I fell in love with the Altruist as well. As mentioned by others, the exterior of the building is beautiful but the interior looks like a highway rest stop. While sipping our last wine, we were able to browse the gallery containing rock and roll photos which used grace the cover of Rolling Stone. Like other Napa wineries it can get busy in peak season.

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