“Sonoma County is one of the most fabulous places in the world to live and make wine,” says Gary Sitton, Blackstone's winemaker. “There’s no place like it. The immense diversity—from the coastline to the mountains, valleys and rivers—still leaves me in awe. For me, tapping into this range of growing conditions is fundamental to making beautifully expressive wines.”
Fleur De Lys Winery is a winery located in Somerset, California. The winery is owned by Robert and Mireille Lajoie. The wine at Fleur De Lys Winery is produced by Robert Lajoie. De Lys Winery produces the following wine varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petite Syrah, Port, Roussanne, Syrah/Shiraz, Viognier and Zinfandel. Fleur De Lys Winery has the following amenities you can enjoy: Barrel Room, Family Environment, Pet Friendly Grounds, Private Events, Private Tastings, Retail Sales, Scenic Views, Wine & Food Pairing.
Hunnicutt is a family-owned winery in Napa Valley that specializes in producing small lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Established in 2002 by Justin Hunnicutt Stephens, the winery reflects his extensive experience in the wine industry, which he gained through part-time jobs in his youth as well as various roles in wine production, sales, and management early in his career. Situated on a hillside in the foothills of Napa’s eastern Vaca Range, Hunnicutt boasts an 18,000-foot network of caves carved into volcanic tuff. The winery's wines are crafted by Kirk Venge, a respected winemaker and close friend of Justin, and are sourced from distinctive estate vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma County.
2006 marks the first vintage of Cinquain Cellars, one of the newest wineries in the Paso Robles appellation. Cinquain Cellars is focused on estate grown reds, including Bordeaux, Rhône, and Port varieties, as well as, sourcing fruit from select vineyards for white varieties. It is run by David and Beth Nagengast, with David tending to the vineyard and winemaking while Beth manages the sales and marketing.
The Wagner family legacy of winemaking has been carried on for three generations. The family’s deep roots of farming grapes and producing wine began in 1915 in the Napa Valley. Charlie F. Wagner and Lorna Belle Glos Wagner, along with their son, Chuck, established Caymus Vineyards in 1972. Chuck saw great potential for producing quality wines outside of the Napa Valley as well, and by 1988, Chuck began planting land in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This appellation, located in Monterey County, is along the cooler coastline, yielding early ripening for Chardonnay. Mer Soleil Chardonnay became the product of this quality chosen site, and has been run by Chuck’s eldest son, Charlie F. Wagner II, since 2001.
Anthony Faustini has been a wine collector for many years. Looking to make the jump from serious collector to wine maker he began his research on Long Island in New York, visiting wineries and trying a number of wines. Looking to expand his palate and wanting to make a California wine he came to the Napa Valley where he was introduced to Crushpad in San Francisco. Faustini's first commercial vintage was small - merely 50 cases in 2005 from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena. This vintage was a teaser for Anthony and made him realize how much he wanted to be in the business. He started taking remote courses through UC Davis and because of his work for Cisco frequently found himself in California. While here for work - he also started nurturing vineyard and wine making connections. Today he lives in New York and commutes to Napa a number of times each year. Faustini currently focus on two labels, Play Date and Faustini with plans to expand. Each one of their wines involves a unique story.
Since 2002, Annadel has been in the fine wine business, importing from legendary estates and wineries in France, and producing wines of excellence from California vineyards. Annadel is privately held by Sebastian and Estelle Lane and is located in St. Helena, California.
The tasting room is beautiful, especially the natural stone bar in the room furthest from the entrance. The gardens are also worth the visit, with human-high flowers and an eclectic collection of sculptures. Oh yeah, and one of the guys in the tasting room yodels - definitely a forgotten art.
This place is tiny and quaint. The wine room has a sign to knock on the door of the house. No need, Joe has already spotted us and beaming, walks over to let us in.He is warm, amazing host. Asks about your background, shares about his family. After we try many wines, he gets a twinkle in his eye, and reaches into the fridge, retrieves a unmarked bottle, pours a taste. Its sweet, bright, and dissolves yummily on the tongue. He seems surprised I can't place it...its homemade limoncello. However its made from home made grappa, not vodka, for the infusion liquor. Wow.
Jessie’s Grove Winery in Lodi specializes in crafting small-batch, artisanal wines that showcase the vibrant flavors of the region’s renowned grape varietals, such as Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane. Visitors can explore the newly renovated tasting room, the historic barn, or enjoy a glass at the outdoor pouring stations, each offering a unique and personalized wine-tasting experience for every occasion.
With a commitment to sustainable farming, Jessie’s Grove ensures that each grape is carefully nurtured, resulting in wines that capture the true essence of Lodi. Guests can enjoy guided tours of the vineyards, exclusive barrel tastings at the historic estate, or peaceful picnics amidst the tranquil beauty of the Lodi countryside.
