We were told about this place from another tasting room; it was said we just have to try it so we did! Oscar was a very gracious host and told us all kinds of facts about the wines, which were great. We ended up with the barrel chaser, nice! A bit pricey for tastings, about $20 for 4, but worth it especially if you buy a bottle. A must try for beginners and winos alike.
In addition to so great wines Longshadow Ranch plays host to a variety of fun and family-friendly events throughout the year. From concerts to family babecues.
Founded in 2004, Tricycle Wine Co. produces small quantities of hand-crafted wines from Napa and the Mayacamas Range under the labels Molnar Famliy, Kazmer & Blaise, and Obsidian Ridge.
The story begins in 2000. Like most very good, or very bad, ideas, this one began over beers in a bar. Bruce and Randy were in Atlanta. Randy told Bruce of his idea to develop a vineyard in the foothills of El Dorado county. Only months earlier, Bruce had been looking at property in the area for a completely different reason and knew of a parcel that might work for a vineyard project. Once back in California, they visited and walked the property. It seemed perfect. They planted 6 acres of Syrah with the initial intention of growing and selling grapes. The first harvest is traditionally a small - not enough tonnage to sell, but too much to let go to waste. They experimented and made wine for the first time. It became clear that it would be a lot more fun to make wine than grow grapes. The two self-educated themselves in the science and art of winemaking and produced their first vintage in 2004 under their local High View Vineyards label. Released in 2006, won a Gold Medal at a regional, a Bronze Medal at a national competition, and sold out. These two new winemakers have never looked back.
A.J. Simmons is a small wine company dedicated to making simply great wine. By picking the best grapes from outstanding vineyards in Napa and Sonoma
This is a first class operation! Every employee you see is smiling, friendly, and happy. The tour was fantastic and seeing the inside of the caves they built years ago was memorable. The tasting room was big enough and there was no pressure to purchase any wines or join the clubs. Every wine we tasted was explained in detail and needless to say, superb. We enjoyed seeing the sheep grazing on the hillside and then running back to the barn. This is a don't miss winery and tour in Sonoma County.
Big Basin Vineyards was founded in 1998 on an historic site in the Santa Cruz Mountains next to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The old ranch property was first settled in the late 1800s. Wine grape cultivation had been started by French immigrants by the early 1900s and continued until 1965 when the property was sold by Justin Lacau, who had named the property "Frenchy's Ranch", to a timber company. By the 1990s, all that remained of the vineyards were redwood stakes and scattered vines hidden by brush and poison oak bushes. The mission has been to restore this historic vineyard site using modern, organic viticultural methods. The winery building was completed in December 2003 on the same site as the original 1890s house/winery structure which burned down in the 1970s. It is a 'Monitor'-style barn with a timber frame construction built using redwood selectively harvested from the estate.
Presidio strongly believes in matching varietals to their preferred climactic regions. The Presidio Vineyard’s cool climate is particularly well-suited for Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Extensive research was required to discover the highest quality clones to produce the highest quality ultra-premium wines. This required Presidio to engage a French firm to assist them in acquiring the optimum clones.
This is not a winery location so much as a classy tasting room in quaint downtown Healdsburg. But every bit warm and welcoming.
Wattle Creek Winery has brought Sonoma wine country to the city! The Wattle Creek tasting room is located in San Francisco's historic Ghirardelli Square and is open seven days a week. WInery by appointment only.
