Award winning wines. Ramos Torres Winery is committed to crafting wines with intensity, richness and elegance. The estate vineyard, Love Ranch, is a fine example of what meticulous care and sustainable winegrowing can achieve in the Central Valley.
Broc Cellars is a Berkeley-based winery known for producing refreshing and approachable wines meant for everyday enjoyment. Founded in 2002 by owner and winemaker Chris Brockway, the winery employs native fermentations and uses organically-grown grapes. Broc wines are crafted with the goal of uplifting the spirit without overwhelming the senses.
Chris Brockway’s winemaking journey began with a fascination for California Zinfandel. Drawn from his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska to California by the spicy, brambly fruit style, he discovered that the California wine scene had shifted towards the "bigger is better" trend of the time. Personally, Brockway found this approach excessive, with wines that were high in alcohol and overly robust.
Believing that California wine could offer a different experience, Brockway started with a single barrel in 2002 and has since expanded to over 20 different wine releases each year. Broc Cellars continues to focus on creating fresh, enjoyable California wines. In 2023, the winery's commitment to simple and ethical winemaking expanded with the acquisition of Fox Hill Vineyard.
We go down the road less traveled. We appeal to wine drinkers that wish to explore the joys of Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Carmine, Petit Verdot, Alicante Bouschet, Tempranillo, Graciano, Souzao, Touriga National, Grenace, Mourvedre, Montepulciano, Barbera, Dolcetto, or Corvina as blends or varietal wines.
John and Kimberly Cabot set out to be self sufficient and live off of the land. After college on the Humboldt coast they moved inland where more fruits and vegetables could ripen. They grew a wide assortment of organic produce and marketed it through Northern California retailers and Farmer’s Markets. Ten years of growing experience on the Klamath River in Northern California nurtured within them a deep respect for the land. They also developed a deep appreciation for red wine from their families. They set out to bring their love for growing, wine and the land together into one dream… They began planting wine grapes in 1998. It was exciting to pioneer an undiscovered wine area in California. The land is carved by narrow gorges and steep mountains making ideal vineyard sites rare little gems. They now have three small vineyards that they hand planted with small crews of locals. Each of the vineyards is individual and is meticulously tended in accordance with its unique needs.
los LaChance is a family-owned and operated winery in the Northern Central Coast region of California. Tucked into the beautiful Hayes Valley, Clos LaChance is a true wine country experience located only 30 minutes from the Silicon Valley. Clos LaChance is a unique site, elegant yet quietly informal—the perfect place for a memorable event.
If you are going Temecula wine tasting from winery to winery in Temecula here is one well worth the short trip out to Vindemia Vineyards and Winery. The setting is lovely, and is a welcome break from the crowded and hurried tasting rooms along the main strip. We were there in the afternoon on a pleasant long weekend, when the whole area was teeming with wine tourists. Even so, Vindemia was laid-back and pleasant. The wine was good, and the server was pleasant and helpful.
Fitzpatrick Winery and Lodge is located in the Fair Play AVA (American Viticultural Area) at the heart of the California's Gold Country, in the beautiful and idyllic Sierra Foothills of El Dorado county, nearby historic Placerville. We feature fine hand crafted wines made from organically grown premium wine grapes and a unique Irish Bed & Breakfast. 37 years in Fair Play. Fitzpatrick Winery & Lodge became Fair Play's first winery in 1980.
Nestled in the picturesque hills just five miles east of Arroyo Grande, Saucelito Canyon Vineyard invites California wine lovers to explore its storied legacy. Established in 1880, this vineyard faced abandonment during Prohibition, only to be lovingly revived in 1974 by visionary Bill Greenough, who poured his heart and soul into restoring these historic vines.
As you journey along the winding roads past Lopez Lake and deeper into the serene canyon, you’ll be greeted by a charming Zinfandel vineyard that has flourished amidst the chaparral for over 130 years. Once a pioneer of the Central Coast’s wine scene, this hidden gem has reclaimed its place in California's rich viticultural tapestry.
Bill Greenough saw potential in the gnarled, overgrown vines, and his intuition bore fruit—literally! Today, Saucelito Canyon Vineyard is celebrated for its exceptional Zinfandel, crafted with a deep respect for tradition.
This family-owned winery is now a labor of love spanning two generations, dedicated to producing a diverse range of limited-production wines. Join us in savoring the unique character of our estate-grown Zinfandels, each bottle a testament to our vineyard's remarkable journey and the passion that continues to drive us forward. Come and taste the history!
Saucelito specializes in Zinfandel, and has some really nice ones. Great place to enjoy a picnic and a bottle of wine. The history of Zin presentation on the outside wall should not be missed by lovers of the grape.
The Foxen Boys (aka Bill Wathen and Dick Doré) have been making wine together since 1985, when they founded Foxen Winery & Vineyard at the historic Rancho Tinaquaic on Foxen Canyon Road.
The name "Carica" and the fig leaf featured on the label are inspired by the fig trees (Ficus carica) that still thrive on the hillsides of premier northern California vineyards. Historically, both the grapevine and fig tree have symbolized a life of peace and prosperity.
About the Winemaker
Carica Wines was founded in 2005 by Charlie Dollbaum, who serves as both the original winemaker and owner. As a hands-on winemaker, Dollbaum meticulously oversees the grapes throughout the summer, obsessively monitoring ripeness and sugar content as harvest approaches. He is present before dawn during hand-harvesting and personally handles every step of the winemaking process, from crushing and fermentation to barrel selection and aging program design.
With a PhD in microbiology and over a decade of private winemaking experience, Dollbaum established Carica Wines with a commitment to producing wines of the highest quality. His approach focuses on ensuring that each wine authentically represents its varietal characteristics and achieves a perfect balance of flavor and acidity.
Making Wine in an Urban Environment
In 2009, Carica Wines relocated from Sonoma County to San Francisco’s East Bay. Now situated in a newly restored WWII structure in Richmond's historic Shipyards District, the winery and its scenic tasting room benefit from an ideal location. This urban setting provides close proximity to California’s premier wine grape-growing regions, a temperate climate well-suited for winemaking, and a vibrant community of food and wine enthusiasts.
Vineyards
Over the past 15 years, Carica Wines has curated premium northern California vineyards to create small-lot wines of exceptional character. By not being limited to a single estate, Carica Wines has the freedom to source outstanding fruit from various locations, fulfilling the winemaker’s vision of working with the best available resources.
