Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Hahn Winery

vineyard at sunset - Pixabay

This is a great vineyard and they make fantastic wines! The view from the deck is beautiful. The tasting room itself is nice. The drive up to the tasting room is beautiful and they have a lovely estate with rows of roses and trees, next to the vineyards. The service is fantastic and they are generous with the pours! I highly recommend going for a visit and enjoying the nice weather and scenery. They make a number of really nice wines and bottle under a number of labels. You may be surprised just how many different labels they have. They have some nice little snacks in the fridge there, but they are just enough to stave off hunger, so don't plan on getting stuffed with their snacks before tasting. I recommend getting a bottle and sitting on the deck with your own salami and cheese assortment.

Nickel & Nickel Wines

bottle of wine, wine glasses and gapes - Pixabay

Nickel & Nickel winery, located in Oakville, Napa Valley, is dedicated exclusively to producing 100 percent varietal, single-vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. Established by the partners of Far Niente in 1997, Nickel & Nickel is focused on producing single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the appellation's most significant growing regions. A collection of single-vineyard Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah wine complement the portfolio.

Birdstone Winery

birdstone winery logo

Tony and Kimberly Kirk established Birdstone Winery with the goal of producing world-class wines from Madera-appellation grapes. A friends and family effort from the start, Birdstone’s winemaking team includes Tony, Kimberly and their sons Travis & Conner. It’s not uncommon to find Tony & Kim’s siblings, parents or friends behind the bar in the Tasting Room or helping to crush grapes during harvest.

Shibumi Knoll Vineyards

pouring red wine into glass - Pixabay

Many years ago Don Ross read a book, Shibumi, which became one of his favorites. Adventure, intrigue, romance, the book has it all. Most importantly, the book introduced Don to the concept of Shibumi, a Japanese word describing a physical and emotional state which most nearly translates to “effortless perfection”, “understated elegance”, or “perfect peace”. Life on Don's little knoll which is surrounded by vineyards, canopied by majestic oaks and blessed with bucolic 360° views is truly one of Shibumi. Hence when Mr. Don Ross decided to make wine under his own label, “Shibumi Knoll Vineyards” seemed appropriate.

Amphora Wines

wine swirling in the glass - pixabay

The Dry Creek wineries produce a wider variety of wines and styles of wines than the traditional PN and Zin crowd along the Russian River. The Amphor tasting room location is in the same parking lot as 10 other wineries tasting rooms - right off Dry Creek Road. Stop at this location and you will be able to taste wines from Amphora, Collier Falls, Dashe, Forth, Philip Staley, Peterson, Lago di Merlo, Kokomo, Mietz and Papapietro.

Sierra Vista Winery

clusters of grapes

Sierra Vista: An El Dorado Original Since 1974

In 2024, Sierra Vista Wines proudly celebrates 50 years as one of the first and original wineries in the Sierra Foothills. This medium-sized boutique winery and vineyard is nestled in the picturesque landscape of El Dorado County, CA. Sierra Vista Winery seamlessly integrates the artistry of winemaking with the natural beauty of its 50-year-old legacy vineyard.

Each vintage begins with meticulous vineyard management, where skilled viticulturists tend to the vines, ensuring optimal grape ripening and quality. Harvesting is executed with precision, as grapes are hand-selected at their peak of maturity to capture the essence of the terroir.

Upon harvest, the grapes are immediately processed by a team of experienced and passionate winemakers and barrel hands. The winemaking process—encompassing crushing, fermenting, aging, and blending—focuses on preserving the unique characteristics of each varietal.

Sierra Vista Winery embraces sustainable and eco-friendly practices throughout its operations, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship. The winery features a welcoming tasting room where guests can savor a diverse range of wines grown, produced, and bottled on-site.

Knowledgeable Tasting Room staff members provide insights into the winemaking journey and guide visitors through curated tastings, creating memorable and educational experiences.

In addition, Sierra Vista actively hosts on-site wine events, live music, and food pairings, showcasing its exceptional products and engaging with the broader wine community. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, sustainability, and a passion for the art of winemaking, Sierra Vista aims to stand as a beacon of quality in fine wines.

photo courtesy photographer Randy Caparoso

Brick Barn Wine Estate

Brick Barn Logo

At Brick Barn Wine Estate, a winemaking philosophy is embraced that is deeply rooted in the character of the estate vineyard and the unique attributes of its location. Guided by the essence of the vineyard, the estate follows non-invasive farming practices, allowing the fruit to express its inherent qualities, resulting in wines of remarkable personality and distinction.

The commitment to the "will of the vineyard" is reflected in the estate’s approach, with minimal interventions, purposeful inputs, and a dedication to showcasing terroir clarity. This philosophy demands constant vigilance both in the vineyard and the cellar, where winemaking practices are adapted to the nuances of each variety and vineyard lot.

Under the discerning guidance of Winemaker Adrian Bolshoi, a diverse array of fermentation and maturation vessels, including neutral oak barrels, new oak barrels, oak puncheons, stainless steel, and concrete, are employed. Each wine undergoes a tailored maceration and fermentation process to accentuate and celebrate its unique characteristics.

Brick Barn Wine Estate’s pursuit of excellence remains unwavering. The team is steadfast in their quest to amplify the voice of each vineyard block, continuously exploring new techniques to honor the terroir’s intention and unlock its boundless potential for greatness.

Adrian Bolshoi, Winemaker

Adrian Bolshoi, the winemaker at Brick Barn Wine Estate, brings a wealth of experience and a global perspective to his craft. Growing up in Moldova, a region known for its wine production, Adrian learned the art of winemaking from his family. Inspired by this heritage, he pursued enology studies at the Polytechnical University of Moldova.

After completing his education, Adrian sought to expand his knowledge of winemaking methods and technologies, immersing himself in New World practices in 2011. Since joining Brick Barn Wine Estate in 2019, Adrian has risen to the position of winemaker. His focus on crafting wines that reflect the essence of each varietal has earned him recognition for his exceptional skill and dedication. For Adrian, winemaking is not just a profession, but a passion deeply rooted in family and tradition.

Chiron Wines

bottle of Chiron Wine

Wine is a magnificent creation formed by the union of natue with cultue. To sybolize this idea Mark McCoy and Bobby Moy include a stylized key, the symbol for Chiron to represent the "I" in Chiron. In January of 2020 Chieron wines became a winery partner with The Studio at Feast It Forward. 1031 McKinstry Street in downtown Napa. You can do a walk-in or call ahead for a private tasting.

Eponymous Wines

wine glasses of white wine - Pixabay

Robert Pepi who came up with the cleverest, most tongue-in-cheek name for his new winery after his first venture — Robert Pepi Winery — was sold and the rights to his name with it. Shaw, Taylor and Pepi aren’t alone. When American winemakers start a winery, many proudly name it after themselves. And not just using their last name. Often, they add their first name and sometimes a middle name or initials as well — about as eponymous as a winery brand can become. But these winemakers may not have considered what happens if they are forced to sell their winery because of one of the dreaded Ds of disaster: death, debt, or divorce. Because generally, their name is sold with it. Not only does this mean they no longer use their name commercially; the new owner might employ their birthright in embarrassing ways.

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