Grenache

Grenache

Reverie Vineyards

wine pouring into a glass - Pixaby

Reverie Winery, located near Calistoga, California, is one of Napa Valley’s smallest estate wineries. The vineyard is nestled on a steep, 40 acre parcel high up in the Diamond Mountain appellation. It was once part of the Bonsell Property that is now divided into three vineyards – Reverie, Diamond Creek, and Von Strasser. Norman Kiken, a New Jersey guy, is the owner and winemaker. He purchased the property in 1993 and specializes in producing ultra-premium Bordeaux style varietal blends that reflect the uniqueness of the terroir. 5 star family winery, old-fashioned style. You feel their passion for the wine. The property is magnificent; you must walk around. The tour is informative, interesting and fun. I've done it a couple of times, and I look forward to a repeat. Their cab franc is sooo good.

Clif Bar Family Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Wine was suprisingly good, Cliff did have all of the hiking/biking gear all over the place. I am a huge fan of Cliff bars so it was nice to see they are serious about winemaking. The prices are good, it was only $15 to taste a bunch of wines, and it included an expresso drink!

Cendre Wines

Painting by Agata Zaborowski woman enjoying wine

Kevin, who owns Cendre is personable, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The intimate atmosphere means a high level of attention. To learn directly from Kevin about his unique wine-making techniques was fantastic. Fell in love with his Grenache, but enjoyed every one of his wines. A must-stop in Paso Robles!

Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves

rows of wine barrels - Pixabay

This winery is situated in a cave, which makes the wine tasting experience a little different, but pretty cool. Everyone was really nice. Like a lot of wineries, they charge $10 for a tasting fee, but at Bella you get to do much more than just sampling wine. The tasting tour began with the pairing of a Rosé with some portuguese sausage and some friend plantains. You then proceed to the wine caves, which were filled with live Spanish guitar music.

Stevenot Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - two women with wine at table

The first Stevenot’s came to the area during the great Gold Rush of the mid 1800’s. During that time vineyards began cropping up throughout the region as miners from France, Germany, and Italy were creating a demand for wine on an unprecedented scale. At one time the Sierra Foothills rivaled the areas of Napa and Sonoma combined in vineyard acreage with over 100 wineries established. Although the industry eventually declined with the advent of prohibition, it wasn’t long before a 5th generation member of the Stevenot family took up where his family had left off and established the winery in the late 1970s. Recognized as one of the pioneers of the rebirth of wine production in the Sierra Foothills, Stevenot Winery quickly secured its reputation for producing world-class wines and for its innovative and award-winning style.

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - two women with wine at table

Martin Ranch Winery

Winemakers Thérèse and Dan Martin

This winery is fun! They're only open the third weekend of the month. Tucked away down Redwood Retreat Road about 3.5 miles from Watsonville Road, the drive to get here is truly spectacular. They are only open the third weekend of each month and passport weekends. They ask that you sign in and they then give you name tags with your first name on it. The staff was friendly and the owners Therese and Dan were walking around greeting people. Dan and Therese Martin clearly have a passion for making great wine. They have scores of awards for their wine but that's not what they lead with. Their tasting room is welcoming and intimate. The vibe is comfortable and engaging. Martin Ranch produces a variety of wines from Chardonnay to Cab Franc, Sauvignon Blanc to Sangiovese.

Vie Winery

wine tasting with assorted bites - Pixabay

Vie comes from the Old French word meaning "to invite" or "to give occasion for". Or, in French today, it is simply translated "Life". Vie Winery is fantastic, it has the look and feel of an urban winery, but the displacement of being on Treasure Island so you are able to feel like it is a bit of an escape. WIth beautiful views of San Francisco and the rest of the bay area, it is an awesome place to spend a beautiful day.

Broc Cellars

red wine pouring a swirling in the wine glass - Pixabay

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.

Four Brix

four brix wine glasses

Four Brix Winery – an urban winery located in the heart of Ventura – specializes in internationally-inspired wine blends. Four Brix Winery produces wines based on their four favorite grape-growing regions: Italy, France, Spain and California. The word “Brix” is a term for measurement of sugar in grapes; therefore Four Brix equals four sweet spots for great wine! With a total production of around 1,000 cases, these wines are very limited and in high demand.

Grey Wolf Cellars

Painting by Agata Zaborowski

Discover the Heart of Paso Robles: Grey Wolf Cellars

Wine lovers, get ready to embark on a delightful journey to Grey Wolf Cellars, a boutique winery nestled along the iconic Highway 46 corridor in Paso Robles, California. Founded over 20 years ago by Joe Sr. and Shirlene Barton in 1994, Grey Wolf Cellars embodies a dream that blossomed into a thriving family business, dedicated to crafting exceptional wines for generations to come.

As the winery began to take shape, their son, Joe Jr., was right there alongside his parents, balancing his studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with the hands-on experience of launching a winery. Tragically, at just 23, Joe Jr. found himself stepping into his father’s shoes after Joe Sr.’s untimely passing in 1998. Rather than falter, he embraced his mission to carry on the family legacy with passion and determination.

Joe Jr. has made it his life’s work to create wines that reflect the unique character of Paso Robles. He sources grapes from dry-farmed vineyards across the Willow Creek, Templeton Gap, and Adelaida District AVAs, honing in on the distinct microclimates that make this region so special. With a keen focus on hand-crafted wines, Joe has curated a dynamic portfolio that includes heritage varietals like Zinfandel, classic Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, and a selection of both red and white Rhône varietals. Each vineyard contributes its own unique essence, allowing Joe to create wines that truly represent the spirit of Paso Robles.

Fast forward to today, and the Barton family continues to thrive. Joe and his wife, Jenny, run the winery together, with Shirlene still playing a vital role in daily operations. This family-run establishment has modernized while retaining its heart, adding a charming urban farmhouse tasting room to the property. In 2013, they introduced Barton’s Kitchen, serving up delicious farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed setting. And in 2022, the family expanded their horizons with the launch of Grain+Vine Craft Distillery, bringing even more flavor to the table.

After two decades of winemaking, Joe Jr. remains as captivated as ever by the joys of vineyard life—whether it’s revving up a tractor, witnessing bud break, or transforming luscious fruit into exquisite wine. At Grey Wolf Cellars, every sip tells a story, and every visit is an invitation to be part of their rich legacy. Cheers to family, passion, and, of course, exceptional wine!

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