Malbec

Malbec

McKenzie-Mueller Vineyards And Winery

red wine pouring into a wine glass - Pixabay

This is an appointment only winery, and it has a quiet, more laid back feel than other places in Napa. The tasting room is really cute, with artwork and photography lining the walls. The wine maker's son, Julius even sells some of his beautiful photos at the winery. Our server was the wine maker's daughter, Sam, and she was great. We tried several different wines, including a Chardonnay, Malbec, and my personal favorite, the Cab-Franc. Everything was super well done. The Chardonnay was sweet, and not overly buttery, the cab-franc was smooth and the Malbec full of flavor. Sam was even kind enough to let us try one of their Napa Jazz wines. Very good, with a fancifully designed label. The best part? The wines are moderately priced. Most bottles cost around $30-40. The scenic rolling hills of grapevines, and large, earthy smelling wine cellars are great for photo opportunities. When we visited, the vineyard was in bloom with wild flowers. Super pretty. If you're in the Valley looking for great wines and an affordable price and gorgeous vistas without all the crowd, definitely give this place a try.

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!

Wilson Creek Winery

grape cluster

Wilson Creek Vineyards benefits from its diverse terrain, rich soil, and unique micro-climate, all contributing to an ideal growing environment. However, it is the time-tested, hands-on family approach that has distinguished Wilson Creek among Temecula vineyards, earning it prestigious awards. Recognized by Temecula Valley Wine Growers and reviewed favorably by thousands on platforms like TripAdvisor and Yelp from around the globe, Wilson Creek owes its distinctive flavor to the collective contributions of many. This commitment drives Wilson Creek to maintain its standing as one of the premier vineyards in Temecula.

Visitors are invited to explore Wilson Creek's offerings, whether it's the Tasting Room, a reserved Wine Tour, or any of the inviting outdoor seating areas. Wine Club Members are especially welcome at the Upper Room, ensuring a memorable experience for all who visit.

Restaurant
The Creekside Grille offers a warm and friendly setting with an amazing staff to anticipate your every need. ALL recipes are thoughtfully created with each ingredient complimenting the other for an incredible dining experience. Enjoy one of the best of Temecula’s restaurants.

Ciento Cellars

Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski

"CIENTO" was born out of two inspirations.  "Cielo" or heaven in Spanish and "Viento" or wind.  In other words, "Heaven Wind."  It also happens to be the number one hundred in Spanish, perfection in the world of wine.  This is not about perfection, it's about joy, creativity, hard work, and family.  If perfection comes someday, the team at Ciento will be doubly blessed. 
The dream of Dave, Antonia, Sam, and Diego at this small family vineyard and winery started nearly 20 years ago.  It was just a dream then, but took a big step toward reality when we purchased our property in Paso Robles, CA in 2012.  It took seven long years of thinking, planning, raising a family, and dreaming before planting the vineyard in 2019.  
Ciento is 14 acres under vine with eight grape varietals.  The vines are thriving, producing beautiful, aromatic, and complex wines.   The team at Ciento is excited to showcase their handcrafted, small-batch wines! 

Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski

Darioush Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Elegant lovely and the reds wow I just had a moment. Not casual but elegant. Unique tasting room built by a very wealthy Persian businessman. Blocks of travertine imported from Iran, rare blue granite and fine craftsmanship are on full display. The staff is knowledgable and friendly and the cabernets, given some time to age and soften the abundant tannins, are terrific.

Artesa Vineyards & Winery

Painting of couple sharing wine

he winery sits ontop of a hill, right at the napa/sonoma carneros region border. The building, architecture, and scenery are simply breathetaking. If you arive early enough in the morning, you can take a tour, where they walk you around the production facility downstairs. The wines are pretty pricey, but they are pretty darn good. A lot of the wines are estate grown pinots and chards, but they do source some amazing Cabs from upper valley. They are a very busy winery, but they are very attentive to each customer.

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery

Odonata Wines Salinas

Denis, Claire and others at Odanata Winery

Winemaker Denis Hoey released his first commercial vintage at the age of 21. He now blends old-world methods with new-world techniques to create nouveau-style wines. His goal is to produce wines that are rich, textured, and balanced, while respecting both terroir and varietal character. Hoey's success stems from meticulous attention to detail and the purposeful application of each step in the winemaking process, including grape sourcing, fermentation techniques, pressing regimens, barrel selection, and aging programs. The result is a line of clean, focused wines.

A native of Sacramento, Hoey grew up in a family that appreciated fine wines, exposing him to a diverse range of quality selections that helped refine his palate. In 2004, he graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a degree in Business Management. Shortly after, he met Jeff Emery, the owner and winemaker at Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard. This relationship quickly evolved into an Old World apprenticeship for Hoey, who eventually became the production manager at SCMV before founding Odonata Wines in Santa Cruz in 2005.

Hoey honed many of his cellar practices at Bison Organic Brewery in Berkeley, where he worked with a more perishable product. This experience emphasized the importance of careful attention to spoilage organisms. He continues his education by following current trends in winemaking research from major universities and has traveled to Italy and France multiple times to gain a broader perspective on European winemaking techniques and varietal fidelity. His commitment to quality is evident in his practice of tasting frequently to maintain a sharp palate for the nuances of wine. He consistently challenges himself to improve by learning from the successes and missteps of others in the industry.

In 2014, Hoey and his wife, Claire, relocated to the Santa Lucia Highlands, where they are raising their family and operating Odonata Winery. Their property features a 2-acre vineyard, a production facility, a tasting room, and a welcoming patio where visitors can enjoy their unique wines.

McConnell Estate Winery

grape cluster - pixabay

The family story is about two families – one named McConnell and the other Wackman – that found their way to Elk Grove, California. The 5th generation from these founding families planted winegrapes in 1993 and began making wine on this historic property in 2002 for you to enjoy.

Marin's Vineyard

grape cluster - pixabay

Because we are a very small family vineyard, we farm for flavor. The flavor is also imparted from the subtle virtues of our terrior that is identifiable from our rocks and limestone. We also are now expanding to include exciting wine from local grapes which we do not grow in our own vineyard.

Clavo Cellars

corks and wine glass - Pixabay

If you appreciate handcrafted Californian wines made in an honest 'Old World' style, welcome to Clavo Cellars. It's great to have you with us.Clavo Cellars is the winemaking project of respected Central Coast viticulturist Neil Roberts. A pioneer of regenerative vineyard farming, Neil's wines exemplify boutique production. Crafted with an expert light touch from premium grapes, Clavo Cellars wines are perfect expressions of the vineyard and terroir that nurtured them.

Whether you enjoy Clavo Cellars wines at home, in a restaurant, or in the Templeton tasting room, you will taste the time, care, and attention that goes into each bottle. The grapes are sourced from vineyards known and managed by Neil, and picked only when they are ready. This ensures that Clavo Cellars wines tell a story not just of their place, but of their time as well.

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