From the lofty heights of Montebello Mountain the grapes make the journey down to the historic ranch where they are examined, pressed and crushed in the shadow of the original Picchetti homestead house. Under the gaze of the ever watchful and vigilant peacocks, sweet juice is magically turned to wine.
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 place is really different and relaxing. The wines are very reasonable and great quality. Love the historic aspect and the grounds are beautiful to get your picnic on. Great Pinots and Cabs the atmosphere is so cool and off the beaten track. This winery is a little out of the way, but well worth the trip! The tasting room is lovely and the wines are good. There is a really nice lawn/yard outside of the tasting room that you could have a picnic on and there is a covered area with picnic tables for larger groups. The entire place has a very relaxing atmosphere.
History
The term "Sisquoc" is a native Chumash word meaning quail. The Sisquoc River meanders through Los Padres National Forest, the San Rafael Wilderness area, and Rancho Sisquoc before merging with the Cuyama River, north of Santa Barbara.
James C. Flood arrived in California in 1850 in search of opportunity and sunshine. By 1882, the Flood family was established in California, engaging in farming and ranching. James C. Flood’s grandson, Jim, and his wife, Betty, continued the family tradition when, in 1952, they acquired the historic Rancho Sisquoc, an 1852 Mexican land grant.
During the 1950s, the Floods operated Rancho Sisquoc primarily as a cattle ranch, while also farming beans and grain. Jim and Betty taught their four children—Jimmie, Judy, Johnny, and Elizabeth—how to ride horses and round up cattle. Today, their great-grandchildren (the 6th generation Floods) refine their riding skills with the ranch’s cowboys, as the cattle operation persists.
Inspired by the chaparral watershed and the classic Mediterranean climate, the Floods planted their first vineyards in the late 1960s, among the earliest in Santa Barbara County. With guidance from Napa Valley enologist Andre Tchelistcheff, they matched grape varieties to the climate and soils of Rancho Sisquoc. By 1972, the Floods produced their first wine. Over the years, they have selected additional varieties based on the ranch’s microclimates, resulting in superb vineyards and award-winning estate wines.
From vine to bottle Mounts Family Winery specializes in hand-crafted, limited production lots of Petite Sirah, Malbec, Grenache, Viognier, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
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
The original riding area now houses prized wines, instead of prize-winning horses. However, Black Stallion Estate Winery carries its heritage forward. The estate’s legacy honors the world-class terroir of Napa Valley, the pioneering spirit of the Silverado Trail, and the Indelicato family’s warm hospitality and generations of wine expertise.
From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, The Silverado Trail was home to cattle and horse ranching. In the 1950s, Richard Tam and Ben Hardister built the Silverado Horseman’s Center covering 32 acres along the southern end of Silverado Trail. The original facility featured an equestrian center with an indoor riding track, 36 horse stalls, and a grandstand for indoor riding events. The property also included an outdoor arena with a grandstand that sat 3,000 people, a half-mile race track, recreation buildings, a private paddock, riding trails, and a stallion breeding center. The center thrived until the 1990s.
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!
Volcan Mountain Winery is nestled at the base of the picturesque Volcan Mountain. Our tasting room, winery, vineyard and orchard area only a mere 2 mile scenic drive from the historic town center of Julian, which began it’s roots in the 1870’s gold rush. Get away from the hectic rush of city life…discover the charms of Julian.
The Fords are renowned for their passion for family, friends, travel, and, of course, wine. John and his wife, Kimiko, have journeyed extensively throughout California, often favoring cozy bed-and-breakfast inns as they explore the local wine scene. With a degree in geology, John’s fascination with science and soil laid the groundwork for his deep interest in the history and technology of winemaking. As their appreciation for wine blossomed, John and Kimiko shared their enthusiasm with family and friends, who became regular companions on wine excursions to Northern and Central California.
By the early 1980s, John and Kimiko began dreaming of creating their own estate winery destination, complete with an elegant Tuscan-style bed-and-breakfast inn. This vision soon attracted the involvement of John’s brothers, Steve and Lance, who also embraced the dream. Captivated by the stunning landscapes of the Central Coast, the brothers were drawn to the rapidly growing wine region.
In 1999, the Ford brothers took a significant step by purchasing a 24-acre parcel of land in Templeton, California, which would become Moss Lane Estates and John Alan Winery. This picturesque property now features an 11-acre vineyard and a beautiful cut flower garden, providing a serene setting for wine lovers seeking to immerse themselves in the rich viticultural heritage of the area.
For those exploring California’s wineries, John Alan Winery offers a unique experience that reflects the Fords’ love of wine, family, and the enchanting landscapes of the Central Coast.
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.
