Chardonnay

Chardonnay

David Girard Vineyards

Wine and Cheese - AI Generated, Pixabay

David Girard Vineyards is nestled in the Sierra foothills near where the south fork of the American River gave up its gold in 1849. At an elevation of some 1,200 feet soil, temperature and conditions, an environment ideally suited to growing the premier grape varietals of southern France's Rhône valley. Twenty years ago the folks at David Girard started with little more than good earth, a tolerance for risk and a willingness to learn from their mistakes. The winery has established a solid reputation for excellence and value by producing Rhône style wines in the heart of one of California's most historic regions.

Lambert Bridge Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

We were treated to a sit down personalized tasting with about 7 different wines. Andy our host was super nice and informative and gave a great tour. Their Viognier, Rock Pile Zin and Cuvee were nice. Their Cab Franc and Cabernet were really delicious as well.

Vinoce Vineyards

grape cluster - Pixabay

Vinoce was founded by Brian and Lori Nuss in 1996, perched high above the valley floor on Mt. Veeder. Over the past three decades, they have gained a deep understanding of cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc on the rugged hillside slopes. Vinoce is dedicated to crafting wines that capture the true essence of Mount Veeder, showcasing balance, power, and uniqueness.

The estate, located on the northern end of Mt. Veeder, comprises four blocks divided between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The dramatic topography and south-facing exposures provide an ideal growing environment for the grapes, along with one of the most stunning mountain skylines in Napa Valley.

In addition to their estate wines, Vinoce produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosado, and a St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from vineyards owned by close family friends. Given that many of their wines originate from remote locations, they chose a more centrally located tasting oasis just outside downtown Napa, situated in the historic Tannery building on the Napa River. Their funky, chic tasting room offers an educational and entertaining experience with an authentic "Wine Nut" twist. Tim and Ray, both members of the Vinoce family, are often found there, ready to guide guests through a tasting of their exceptional wines.

Dry Creek Vineyard

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Dry Creek Vineyard is known for their Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage and, starting with the 1997 vintage, Endeavour Cabernet. Dry Creek Vineyard owns over 185 acres of vineyard land, primarily in the Dry Creek and the Russian River Valleys.

Gianni Buonomo Vintners

label of winery's Sangiovese

Recently named **Top Urban Winery by San Diego Magazine**, Gianni Buonomo Vintners continues to gain attention by earning gold and double-gold medals in competitions from coast-to-coast. Located on Point Loma in the coastal community of Ocean Beach, the winery and tasting room is located just two blocks from the beach.It’s an exciting destination for both locals and tourists alike.Grapes are sourced from some of Washington’s top vineyards (Rattlesnake Hills AVA) for the **Gianni Buonomo label**.Grapes for the **Gianni California label** are sourced from California’s Sierra Foothills AVA both from El Dorado and Amador Counties.

Stony Hill Vineyard

wine tasting and small bites - Pixabay

This small, out-of-the-way winery, owned and run by a husband-and-wife team, specializes in (of all things!) white wines in Napa Valley, and they do a great job of it. There is a distinct nostalgic charm to Stony Hill. From the wonderful tour and tasting offered by Willinda, to the lovely, intimate setting and the purity of the wines, this winery offers an experience that cannot be found in most Napa Valley wineries. It is a reminder of the old days when tradition, culture, family and commitment meant more than chasing wine rating scores or optimizing profits.

Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery

clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon

The founders, Mario and Linda Clough, were enjoying a glass of wine on the hilltop of their beautiful property when Mario shared his dream of owning a vineyard and winery. This dream quickly evolved into a shared passion, leading to the founding of Lucchesi Vineyards and Winery. With the support of friends, family, and their five children, the vines were planted in 2000. Since then, this stunning, view-filled vineyard in Grass Valley has remained family-owned and operated.

The Land
The 20-acre vineyard and winery is nestled in the Sierra Foothills, offering breathtaking views of Nevada County and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The southwestern exposure of the land maximizes sunlight, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly, resulting in concentrated flavor, color, and texture. The finest grapes in the Sierra Foothills grow here, serving as the foundation for their artisanally crafted wines. The Cloughs’ love for the land is reflected in every bottle, and they hope visitors can taste this passion while enjoying wine tastings at their beautiful Grass Valley winery.

The Wines
Lucchesi Vineyards specializes in traditionally crafted wines produced in small lots to capture their varietal character and regional qualities. The winery currently grows 16 different varietals, including Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Grigio, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot, along with three Portuguese Port varietals: Tinto Cão, Tinta Negra Molé, and Touriga Nacional. They invite everyone to come for wine tasting at the vineyard, which is open daily from 12 PM to 5 PM.

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso

Castorro Cellars

Logo for Castoro Cellars

Meet Niels and Bimmer Udsen, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind Cas­toro Cellars, a fun and inviting winery that has been making waves in Paso Robles since 1983. Their journey began with a simple dream: to create world-class wines from the beautiful grapes of the Paso Robles appellation.

Niels, a Ventura native, first dipped his toes into the wine business while studying Agribusiness at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. His passion for winemaking, combined with Bimmer’s unwavering support, led them to establish their very own winery in the heart of this thriving wine region.

But the path to success wasn’t conventional. The Udsens embraced what they fondly call the “backwards approach”: they started by making and selling wine, then acquired their own equipment, and finally built their winery and tasting room. Talk about an adventure!

You can visit Cas­toro’s charming tasting room in Templeton, right off scenic Highway 46 West, while their winemaking facility is located in San Miguel on the East Side of Paso Robles—both opened their doors in 1990. With the mentorship of Tom Myers, Cas­toro Cellars’ talented winemaker, the Udsen family has transformed from crafting a few barrels for friends and family into a thriving business.

Today, Cas­toro boasts over 1,400 acres of estate vineyards, all certified organic and SIP certified. Niels and Bimmer have built a brand that reflects their values, focusing on approachability and environmental consciousness. Niels' father, a Danish immigrant and successful businessman, instilled in him a deep appreciation for agriculture and entrepreneurship, which shaped their winery’s foundation.

Niels discovered his love for the wine industry during a senior marketing project for a local winery at Cal Poly. After marrying Bimmer in 1981, he honed his winemaking skills in the cellar of Estrella River Winery, learning every aspect of the craft for five years under the guidance of Tom Myers.

In 1983, armed with experience and a sense of humor, Niels and Bimmer launched Cas­toro Cellars, named after the Italian word for “beaver” (Niels’ long-time nickname). Their motto, “Dam Fine Wine,” perfectly captures their playful spirit!

Cas­toro Cel­lars isn’t just about great wine; it’s about family values, too. Their welcoming tasting room is family-friendly, even offering alcohol-free Zinfandel grape juice for the little ones. Plus, the Udsens prioritize a work environment that understands the importance of family flexibility for their employees. So, whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or just starting your journey, Cas­toro Cellars promises a delightful experience filled with laughter, warmth, and, of course, exceptional wine!

Bargetto Winery

Glass of wine

Soquel Bargetto has the prettiest tasting room and patio overlooking a creek and wilderness. Getting to the wines, the Sauv Blanc and Pinot Grigio are pretty good and well balanced, the Chard not my preference. The reserve reds are quite delicious and the sweet wines are good if you are into the sweeter wines.

The winemaking heritage of Bargetto began with brothers Phillip and John Bargetto, who emigrated from Castelnuovo Don Bosco, a small town in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Bringing with them years of winegrowing experience, they established BARGETTO WINERY on the banks of Soquel Creek in California.

Some History 

Phillip was the first to leave Italy in 1891 at the age of seventeen. In 1909, John joined his brother in San Francisco.

The original Bargetto family winery was located in San Francisco from 1910 to 1917, operating under the name South Montebello Vineyard and Wine Company. With Prohibition on the horizon, the winery was closed, and the brothers relocated to Soquel in 1917.

In 1918, Phillip and John purchased the current site of BARGETTO WINERY and began producing wine in an old barn on the property. During Prohibition (1919-1933), the brothers continued to make wine for family and friends while selling produce to local customers and growing apples at their family ranch in Soquel. When Prohibition ended in 1933, they devoted more time to the wine business, expanding into a wholesale operation while maintaining their produce sales.

Phillip Bargetto passed away in 1936, leaving John as the sole owner of the business during the 1940s and 1950s. John continued to produce and sell wine both wholesale and retail, with the support of his sons Ralph and Lawrence during these years.

Pages

Subscribe to Chardonnay