Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Orfila Vineyards

Orfila wine bottle label for their Merlot

Located in the stunning San Pasqual Valley, just 30 minutes from San Diego, Orfila Vineyards is an ultra-premium, small-production winery that invites wine lovers to indulge in its unique offerings. Conveniently located between Interstate 15 and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, this hidden gem boasts a breathtaking tasting room and patio that overlook the sprawling 70-acre estate.

Families will feel right at home in the tree-lined picnic area, complete with grassy knolls and picnic tables—perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon with friends and a bottle of Orfila’s finest.

Orfila is known for producing critically acclaimed wines crafted from Italian and French varietals, including grapes from the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. The winery sources grapes from its estate as well as select vineyards in Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties. Under the expert guidance of winemaker Andrew Wisniewski, Orfila continues its tradition of creating award-winning wines that reflect the essence of San Diego County.

Since opening its doors in 1994, Orfila Vineyards has garnered more than 1,300 medals in national and international competitions, a true testament to the complexity, grace, and opulence of its wines. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or a casual sipper, a visit to Orfila promises a delightful experience filled with exquisite flavors and breathtaking views.

Handley Cellars

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Handley Cellars is a small, 14,000 cases per year, family-owned winery in California's Mendocino County, bonded in 1982. Handley Cellars is located at the northwest end of the Anderson Valley on 59 acres of the original Holmes Ranch. Still standing on the property are the now-refurbished ranch house, barn, and the original water tower. Handley Cellars offers a wide variety of wines that complement today's diverse cuisine with its worldwide influences. Winemaker Milla Handley seeks to make balanced wines that possess distinctive varietal characteristics, wines that reflect the soil and climate in which they were grown.

Franzia Wines

wine grapes

Distributed via Retail Outlets and stores. Franzia wines are fresh, delicious and made with a heartfelt commitment. Franzia is a wine first created by the hard work of the Franzia family during the first half of the 1900s. Today, our wines are enjoyed by people in countries all over the globe.

Mount Palomar Winery

people sharing wine

Mount Palomar Winery, located in the Temecula Valley wine appellation, is a fine wine estate dedicated to making wines of distinctive taste and high quality. Located among rolling hills and mesa lands at 1400 feet elevation, Mount Palomar is a working wine estate with 45 acres of producing vineyards overlooked by the Palomar Mountain range. John H. Poole established the original Mount Palomar vineyards, and was Mount Palomar Winery's first winemaker in 1975. He created a place where people could immerse themselves in the world of fine wine in a pleasant and relaxed Wine Country atmosphere. Today, Mount Palomar’s winemaker James Rutherford is a Northern California transplant who received his degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. He gained most of his experience on the Central Coast in both the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo wine regions.

I sat on the Patio listening to some awesome music. Three very nice ladies were sketching while the music played! I had the best lunch, Chicken, Artichoke- sun dried tomatoes-feta cheese and roasted garlic flatbread! Glass of Dry Riesling! Delicious! The perfect outdoor day! If you have never been there, I suggest you go and relax on the patio for some great food and delicious wine tasting!

Vineyard 7 and 8

barrel room - PIxabay

After an extensive and deliberate search for a vineyard property in Napa Valley, the Steffens family concluded their quest by acquiring a forty-acre estate atop Spring Mountain. Planted in the early 1980s with eight acres each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the property met the family’s rigorous standards for sustainably cultivating premium grapes, allowing them to craft wines that truly reflect their terroir.

Founded in 1999, Vineyard 7 & 8 was named to reflect proprietor Launny Steffens’s background in finance and his interest in numerology. The number seven symbolizes luck in Western culture, while eight represents prosperity and happiness in Eastern culture. Vineyard 7 & 8 captures the family’s dedication to producing fine wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, that showcase the unique character of their estate.

Optima Wine Cellars

Optima began as a dream producing just 400 cases in 1984, now, the winery is continuing their tradition of producing premium, world class wines. Optima specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel Port, and Chardonnay. Stopped by for Passport weekend. Amazing wines! Hard to find but well worth looking for.

Peay Vineyards

wine and cheese - Pixabay

“What the heck are people doing growing grapes and making wine from way out on a ridge top above the cold Pacific Ocean? I mean, it is remote. And mountainous. And, frankly, the weather can be a little inhospitable at times.” The quick answer goes something like – this is where our research and luck led us. The longer answer follows.....

Barnett Vineyards

glasses of wine - Pixabay

With passion and patience, Fiona and Hal Barnett created this vineyard and winery in 1983 with the intent of producing small amounts of hand crafted Cabernet Sauvignon wines from their estate. Since the first vintage of Barnett Vineyards, Spring Mountain has proven to deserve it's own AVA and become known as a unique mesoclimate, producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots.

Matson Vineyards

label for winery's Petite Sirah

Matson Vineyards is a family-owned winery located just east of Redding, California. The original vineyard was planted in 1981, and the winery was officially established in 1984. Roger Matson believes in providing high-quality, handcrafted wines at an affordable price. Oscar Matson, the patriarch of Shasta County’s oldest bonded winery, was not always a winemaker. That happened by chance. Before winemaking, he spent several years teaching modern languages—French, German, Spanish, and English and, with his wife Stella, raising a family of four boys. It was a pleasure meet Oscar on my first visit to this little family winery. Today Oscar's son Roger Matson (winemaker/owner) and his winery team make it a treat to visit. Lynette Shaw is the Manager at Matson Vineryards and Mike and Jessica Bettes can be found in the tasting room pouring some of Roger's wonderful creations. Be sure to try Tango a bold and full bodied wine and there is a list of others to please your palate.*

Hours:

Mon-Thurs Closed
Fri -  1:00PM-6:00PM
Sat - 1:00PM-6:00PM
Sun -1:00PM-6:00PM

Krupp Brothers Estates

small bites and wine tasting - Pixabay

Krupp Brothers Estate is a sprawling collection of over 600,000 vines planted on over 1300 acres...and growing! This winery is located 6 miles in at the end of Soda Canyon Road off of the southern part of Silverado Trail. It is a partnership between Dr. Jan Krupp and his brother as well as ownership coming from a Gordon Getty trust as well as other investors. Jan told us that he loves growing things; after growing up New Jersey he left for California for his medical shool and was exposed to California's long growing seasons; as a result he never left the "golden state". The vineyard land was originally cleared for planting in the early 90's.

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