Banshee crafts wines of uncommon purity from Sonoma and Napa California. Banshee specialize in Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc. Plus they have a special red blend called Mordecai. Banshee Wines is not your normal wine company. It is a band of wine industry insiders dedicated to producing benchmark wines without the cult wine prices. Banshee specialize in finding hidden gems in other wineries' cellars and then blending those barrels to create killer wines.
This is a cute little tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara if you don't want to make the trek up to Los Olivos, or just want to stop by for another tasting. Tastings are $10. Friendly, attentive staff. Great wines and a shop filled with olive oils, they had olive oil tasting there, cheese boards, wine-infused chocolates and tons of things that would be great to accompany a wine party.
In 1962, at the age of thirty-two, Pierre Lafond founded the first post-prohibition commercial winery in Santa Barbara County. Two years later, he located a winery facility on Anacapa Street, just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Santa Barbara Winery has become an extremely visible and successful wine concern, winning many medals for an array of wines. Lafond is now in the midst of a significant expansion in order to meet the desires of the consuming public.
Lafond was originally a retailer, and his wine and cheese shop was a meeting place for many of Santa Barbara's wine aficionados. He decided to go into wine production for two reasons: he enjoyed fine wines, primarily French, and it would be a good business venture.
Since their first vintage in 1998, Jim and Judy Schultze at Windy Oaks objective has been to produce world-class Pinot Noir that represents their unique vineyard terroir, no compromises, minimal intervention to fully preserve the grape quality achieved in the vineyard.
The story of Broken Earth begins at Continental Vineyards. A 2500-acre parcel of land quietly harboring stories of hard-working caballeros, cattle barons, and grape growers whose dedication and vision shaped this place.
Originally named Rancho Tierra Rejada “Land of worked earth”, it is the determination of those who preceded us, and our care for this land that makes our wines unique. Our wines are bold representations of the place where they were born. Crafted with minimal intervention to reflect the soil, fruit, and character of this place.
Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski - People enjoying wine
Delicato Vineyards wines are distributed via retail market. See Delicato website for more details.
In 2002, two generations of our family - both winemakers by trade - came together to create BAXTER, highlighting the very best in North Coast viticulture. Father & son partners, Phil L Baxter and Phil T G Baxter, produce handcrafted single vineyard wines focusing on the Anderson Valley and surrounding Mendocino appellations. Known primarily for their Pinot Noir.
Clay Shannon has always been a bit of a maverick. In 1996, he decided to shake things up by embarking on a bold journey to establish a progressive and pioneering winery and ranch in Lake County, California.
This rugged, challenging terrain captured Shannon’s imagination and fueled his unwavering commitment to the land itself. “We wanted to grow the best fruit possible,” says Clay, “but we also wanted to enjoy living here.”
Today, Shannon Family of Wines encompasses over 2,000 acres of mountain property, with about half of that area dedicated to vineyards. In the face of a changing climate, the winery is stepping up to make a difference. They’re transforming 1,000 acres into a regenerative organic farming system, significantly reducing their environmental impact.
Nestled on ridges of ancient volcanic soil at higher elevations, Shannon Family of Wines offers an extraordinary guest experience. While the conditions may seem extreme, visitors are treated to rustic charm, breathtaking lake views, and abundant wildlife that celebrate the western spirit of Clear Lake.
Guests can indulge in award-winning wines and a diverse range of varietals—all crafted with an earth-first approach that prioritizes sustainability and quality. At Shannon Family of Wines, the commitment to authenticity shines through, staying true to both the land and their own values. Cheers to an adventure that promises unforgettable sips and stunning scenery!
The Dierberg family began cultivating Drum Canyon Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation of Santa Barbara in 2008. Siblings Ellen Dierberg Milne and Michael Dierberg, now second-generation growers, have embraced a sustainable approach to producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This commitment has established Dierberg as one of the select few California Certified Sustainable vineyards.
Winemaker Tyler Thomas, who apprenticed with the renowned Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, employs a minimalist approach in crafting exceptional wines. His focus is on allowing the unique character of the vineyard site to shine through in every bottle of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
For wine lovers exploring California’s wineries, Dierberg offers not only outstanding wines but also a genuine connection to sustainable viticulture and a commitment to quality that truly reflects the beauty of the Sta. Rita Hills.
Since its inception in 2001, Due Vigne Winery has pioneered the production of hand-crafted Italian varietals, cultivated in carefully selected wine regions across California. The winery is committed to sourcing grapes from vineyards with distinct terroir, each suited to enhancing the characteristics of these varietals. From the high-elevation Sierra Foothills to the coastal and forest influences of Monterey County, every bottle of Due Vigne reflects the unique flavors of its terroir. The winery is centrally located in these renowned regions, situated at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, California, with a mission to create world-class Italian varietals nurtured in Californian soil.
Winemaker Ken Musso can often be found among the vineyards, tending to the rows, stirring the soil, and caring for the vines. His passion for Italian wines is driven by the terroir, or “sense of place,” and his meticulous attention to detail ensures that every bottle of Due Vigne is exceptional.
Ken Musso’s lifelong passion for winemaking began in his youth, inspired by observing his father and grandfather making wine in the basement of a historic San Francisco building. The sight and aroma of fermenting grapes left a lasting impression, strengthening his dedication to winemaking. This passion was further fueled when Ken and his cousin discovered several bottles of their grandfather’s last vintage, a 1937 Zinfandel, igniting his determination to uphold the family tradition.
In 1973, Ken embarked on a thirty-year career in firefighting, temporarily setting aside his winemaking aspirations until the establishment of Due Vigne in 2004. As a relatively new firefighter in 1975, Ken brought his first ton of Zinfandel home from Sonoma in his father’s car and fermented it in the garage, emulating his father and grandfather’s methods. The success of this wine among family and friends inspired him to seek out more grapes, ideally those he could grow himself.
Ken continued to produce wines for family and friends over thirty vintages while refining his winemaking skills through classes and seminars at UC Davis and other educational institutions. In 1995, Ken and his wife Ann realized their dream of establishing a vineyard by purchasing a five-acre parcel in Garden Valley, California, where they planted their acclaimed Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Sagrantino.
By 2004, Ken released his inaugural vintage of Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, and Cabernet Sauvignon under the Due Vigne label. Since then, Due Vigne has expanded to produce over 3,000 cases annually and offers more than 15 different varietals, many of which are rooted in the Sierra Foothills. Alongside his business partner, Nina Fadelli, Ken Musso has developed a portfolio of well-balanced, richly complex, and distinctive Italian varietals, all cultivated and grown in California’s fertile soil.
A fun winery to visit during Hopland's Passport event (once in spring and once in fall each year) when it opens up and gives space to local craftspeople. They also make olive oil and process it for others. Fourth generation Mendocino wine family - these people know what they are doing.
