Wing Canyon has played a major role in the evolution of Mt. Veeder as a prominent wine-producing region. From vineyards to carp farm, popular resort to a camp for the blind Wing Canyon has been home to valley pioneers and visitors for over a century. Captain Stalhan Wing produced the first Mt Veeder wine, which he entered into the Napa County Fair in 1864. He was also known for his carp, thousands of which he raised in man-made ponds amongst the vineyards.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, in a valley known more for cattle ranching than vineyards that the story begins. It was the Winter of 1999 when Frog's Tooth Vineyards began its life as a tadpole with the purchase of 67 acres of land in the Salt Springs Valley of Calaveras County. It slowly grew through infancy until the Spring of 2003 when it began its transition to adolescence with the planting of approximately 10 acres of premium wine grapes.
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Roblar Winery wines reflect the diversity of Santa Ynez Valley, with an east-west transverse range that allows the Pacific Ocean a significant influence with near-daily fog and crisp ocean breezes. This cooler climate leads to wines with firm structure, plenty of secondary flavors, and great potential for aging.
Love private tours? Perfect for both families and friends. It comes with both a walk tour and a formal sit-down tasting paired with complementary cheese and chocolates. Can a girl ask for more? I'm in particular a fan of their Cabernet Sauvignon - very bold without being overtly tannin-ridden and their Violetta dessert wine - seriously off the charts!
If ever you decide to meander the wineries of Dry Creek Road, this place is a must! Landscape architects have touched every inch of the estate with their magic wand blending color, textures, and aromas that match the bouquet of their family owned wines. Their 2010 Chardonnay Reserve is beautiful with hints of vanilla & pear with a slight buttery finish; very smooth. The 2009 Sky High Pinot Noir from the Alexander Valley is bright & crisp with a beautiful color; it is a limited production so get them while you can. This family basically carved an opulent French estate out of the hills of Dry Creek, and it has to be seen to be believed.
They began with a vision—to craft high-quality, hand-crafted Southern California wines that would tell a unique story from vine to glass. Planting their first vineyard by hand in 1996 not only marked the inception of Wiens Cellars but also deepened their connection to viticulture and winemaking. The initial five varieties established the foundation for what would eventually grow into a diverse portfolio of over thirty, and a modest 14-acre vineyard expanded into a sprawling 70+ acres of hand-cultivated Southern California vines.
Amid this growth, a unique extended family emerged from the business. The legacy of Wiens Cellars stands as a testament to the power of shared dreams, unwavering commitment, resilience, and perseverance. This foundational chapter, crafted through the efforts of many hands and a continuous, collective endeavor, laid the groundwork for the legacy they uphold today—an enduring commitment to family, quality, and integrity.
This is a great little winery along the Foxen Canyon trail. If you want a winery where the owners pour and you can actually talk about winemaking and the whole experience you get it here. Tres Hermanas does not make super jammy Central Coast wines but rather produces numerous wines in a more European style...lower in alcohol, higher in acid and basically more food friendly. I will have to say I enjoy 90% of what they produce. Their Tres Hermanas Cuvee is incredible as is there Nebbiolo, Refosco, Syrah/Sangiovese blend and Muscat Cannelli.
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!
The tasting rooms and grounds are beautiful and well kept. There are shaded areas to enjoy a glass of wine, as well as a great deal of manicured lawns to have a picnic or catch some rays. If you arrive with sufficient time, they gladly give tours of the production rooms, which I found interesting. Each time I've gone to a tasting here, the staff has been welcoming and informative, without being pretentious. The selection of wines for the regular tasting is good and includes several of my favorite wines from this winery. They usually give away the tasting for free if you buy a bottle.
At Beaver Creek Vineyards, our approach is simple: "Let nature create the wonders and we will work hard to support and enhance her efforts." With this credo as a guiding principle, Beaver Creek Vineyards strives to make wines of utmost quality borne from viticulture practices that are in alignment with nature. Beaver Creek Vineyards is an eco-friendly, organic and biodynamic certied boutique winery specializing in limited production, estate wines as well as select wines from exclusive organic or biodynamic certied vineyards. Harvests are done by hand, choosing only the best grapes for Beaver Creek wines.
