Chardonnay

Chardonnay

HDV Wines

I heard about HDV through a Sommelier. Based on his recommendation, I decided to pay them a visit. They're owned by Larry Hyde of Hyde Vinyards & Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanee Conti in Burgundy, France.

This winery and tasting room are among the more intimate and rustic in Napa. I was treated to a private tasting that was hosted by their in-house wine pro, Lawrence Townsend. He slowly walked us through the wines (tasting lasted almost 1.5 hours) and shared the HDV story from the very beginning. We were pretty curious about their vineyard and their unique style of wines. Lawrence gave us his undivided attention and answered our questions leaving no stone unturned.
Tasting: $25 pp
Extremely reasonable tasting fee considering the quality and length of the tasting.
Fee waived with 3 bottle purchase- again, totally worth it.
By appointment only*
Private tasting*
4 delicious wines

Robert Hunter Winery

The estate is very modest and the owners live on the property. The tour starts with a history of the brand and an introduction of the backyard. Then we were invited into the home of the owner, Robert Hunter. The tasting took place in the living room.

Fenestra Winery

Fenestra Winery was established by the Replogle family on the
historic Ruby Hill property and in 1980 occupied the century-old George True Winery building on Vallecitos Road. The old building had been badly neglected,and the Replogles hauled away tons of trash. Now part of the Ruby Hill development, (the Replogles lease the building and surrounding grounds) which includes a Jack Nicklaus designed course, homes and 900 acres of vineyards, the winery building has been refurbished and vineyards have been planted around the winery. The winery specializes in classically balanced, award-winning wines from primarily Livermore Valley grapes. Livermore Valley's first boutique winery, Fenestra Winery is celebrating 34 years of fine wines.

Cardella Winery

The vineyards at Cardella Ranch were first panted in the 1970's and have been sold to premier California wineries ever since. Nathan Cardella, 4th generation, after graduating from the Enology and viticulture program at Fresno State in 204, founded Cardella Winery with his father Rod. Nathan and Rod believed premium artisan wines were lacking n the San Joaquin Valley and felt that the Cardella family could help fill this niche. Today the winery producs numerous award-winning varieties and has earned a reputation for being a cut above.

Macrostie Winery & Vineyards

Want to love every wine you taste more than the previous one, have a great time chatting with the knowledgeable and fun folks pouring for you. You just might find yourself unable to resist the wine club, and drive away with some affordable wine and the feeling that you've found one awesome Sonoma secret, then Macrostie Winery & Vineyards just might be your place.

Sonoma - Cutrer Vineyards

Despite the fact that this winery is owned by behemoth wine and spirits company, Brown Forman, we could not have picked a better winery to have a midday tasting. The three ladies that were manning the tasting room could not have been more charming as they set us up with a flight of pourings outside on the beautiful patio. We were surprised at the many offerings that Sonoma-Cutrer only provides from the winery or to wine club members.

Bargetto Winery

Soquel Bargetto has th prettiest tasting room and patio overlooking a creek and wilderness. Getting to th 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.

Deaver Vineyards

Ken Deaver stoops his broad shoulders to uncork a bottle of Zinfandel, wearing his trade- mark denims and cowboy hat, and you soon learn that Ken knows his wines. And his grapes. As you look upon Deaver’s 300 acres you will see 140-year-old Zinfindel vines and eight acres of Mission vines, so called because they were brought from Mexico by the Jesuits and Franciscans. The Deaver mission vines were planted around 1854 by Ken Deaver's great grandfather John A. Davis.

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