Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Fog Crest Vineyard

wine barrel - Pixabay

Following a lifelong fascination for food and wine, James and Rosalind Manoogian established Fog Crest Vineyard in 1998 in the Russian River Valley area of Sonoma County, California. As a restaurateur in San Francisco, James had had close proximity to the great wine-growing regions surrounding the city, and it allowed he and his wife to become knowledgeable about wine, how it accompanied fine dining, and where each varietal excelled locally. Today, Fog Crest Vineyard produces less than 2,500 cases annually of limited production, vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that show off the classic terrior of this small Russian River Valley vineyard.

Carmel Road Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

Where vines meet ocean winds, where foothills meet the valley, and where a tranquil state of mind intersects with artisan style, lies Carmel Road Winery.

Situated inland from Monterey’s rugged coastline, yet still influenced by the ocean’s relentless presence, Carmel Road Winery crafts vibrant Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc that capture the essence of this unique region and California's coastal vineyards.

Drawn to the area two decades ago by the combination of cool, foggy nights and warm, sunny days that perfect the ripening of fruit, Carmel Road Winery has embraced what was once considered too cool for vineyards. Today, Monterey is recognized as one of California's premier growing regions. The winery's sustainably farmed vineyards span across windswept benchlands, where the maritime climate and well-drained, alluvial gravel soils yield highly expressive wines. Carmel Road's inaugural vintage was released in 1999.

A back road stretches from the town of Carmel by the Sea, passing through the Arroyo Seco and scenic gaps in the Santa Lucia hills, linking the inland growing region to the ocean. This winding trail inspired the winery’s name, Carmel Road.

Artesa Vineyards & Winery

Painting of couple sharing wine

he winery sits ontop of a hill, right at the napa/sonoma carneros region border. The building, architecture, and scenery are simply breathetaking. If you arive early enough in the morning, you can take a tour, where they walk you around the production facility downstairs. The wines are pretty pricey, but they are pretty darn good. A lot of the wines are estate grown pinots and chards, but they do source some amazing Cabs from upper valley. They are a very busy winery, but they are very attentive to each customer.

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery

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.

Georis Winery

grape clusters - Pixabay

The tasting room is located at 1 Pilot Rd., Carmel Valley, California. This adobe-style tasting room evokes the early California Mission architecture, featuring tall ceilings, a large fireplace, and hand-hewn oversized beams supporting an impressive roof adorned with antique handmade Spanish tiles. The surrounding gardens boast lush, mature landscaping and include a small decorative vineyard planted with Petrus Clone.

Visitors can enjoy the stylish interior while tasting the fine wines or choose to stroll through the gardens to find a favorite spot. The knowledgeable staff is prepared to provide insights into the winemaking philosophy and offer detailed information about the world-class wines.

Guests are welcome to visit the tasting room Wednesday through Monday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with exceptions for weather conditions and holidays. For inquiries or to make arrangements for large groups, please call (831) 659-1080. The team appreciates advance notice to ensure a delightful experience while savoring some of California’s finest wines.

Loxton Cellars

vineyard in fall colors

The property is small and nothing fancy but more likely than not, your wine tasting will be led by the vintner himself, who came to Sonoma with nothing and built this small winery with his own hands. He's a great host who truly understands and loves wine. It's a delightful experience and the wine is priced very reasonably compared to many other wineries in the area.

Alpen Cellars

bottle of Alpen Cellars wine

Alpen Cellars, established on a family ranch in the spring of 1984, is situated in a picturesque mountain valley at the foot of towering craggy peaks in the rugged Trinity Lake region of Trinity County, California. It seems an unlikely location to attempt to grow wine grapes. But the notion, a product of a young enology student's vision, turned out to be notably rewarding.

Matthiasson Family Vineyards

Wine Cellar - Pixabay

Matthiasson Family Vineyards sources grapes from several outstanding grape growers to produce their red and white blends. Steve Matthiasson and Jill Klein take a very proactive approach to tending their grapes and vinifying their wine. In Matthiasson and Klein’s words, “our hands touch every vine and every bottle.” In addition to making his own wine, Matthiasson is also a highly respected vineyard manager in the Napa and Sonoma. He oversees all of the decisions in over 30 different vineyards, and purchases choice fruit for his own wines from several of these properties.

Porter Creek Vineyards

wine by the fireplace - Pixabay

Porter Creek Vineyards began its journey in 1978 when founder George R. Davis acquired the estate, which included young Pinot Noir vines, some of which continue to produce today at 45 years old. Davis initially focused on enhancing the existing vineyards before planting the remaining available acreage. By 1982, he had successfully secured one of the property's old barns for wine production, marking a pivotal moment for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley.

In 1983, the Russian River Valley was officially designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), a period when only a few were investing in Pinot Noir. Despite the prevailing skepticism about Pinot Noir’s potential in the region, with his banker and farm advisor urging him to plant more Chardonnay instead, Davis remained committed to his vision.

Primarily a self-taught winemaker, George Davis was a voracious reader, immersing himself in literature on winemaking techniques and Burgundian winegrower philosophies. He engaged in numerous discussions with local winemakers and rented part of his winery to others, gaining invaluable insights and experience from these interactions.

Newton Vineyard

drop in the glass of red wine - Pixabay

First things first...when you book your tour here make sure Ashley is your guide! Very personable and super knowledgable about all things Newton and the region in general. Gorgeous property and epic views of the valley atop Spring Mountain. We loved the wines here and the UF Chardonnay and Merlot were delicious with the food pairings. Newton Vineyard is about sixty-five miles from San Francisco. On Highway 29 follow signs north to St. Helena. Turn left on Madrona Avenue and continue until you arrive at the end of the road. Turn right at the stop sign and follow signs to Newton Vineyard at the top of the hill.

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