Peter Franus Wine Company
Peter Franus Wine Company produces the following wine varietals: Bordeaux Blend, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Rhone Varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. By Appointment Only
Peter Franus Wine Company produces the following wine varietals: Bordeaux Blend, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Rhone Varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. By Appointment Only
THE PROMISE OF GOLD
California was founded on the promise of gold, a standard that 1850 Wine Cellars upholds to this day. Inspired by the state's breathtaking natural beauty and a spirit of discovery, 1850 Wine Cellars exemplifies the gold standard in winemaking. By sustainably farming and sourcing grapes from vineyards primarily in Amador County, Fair Play, El Dorado County, and other Sierra Foothill growing regions, they craft high-quality wines designed to complement every adventure.
MEET THE WINEMAKER: BRIAN DARWAZEH
Winemaker Brian Darwazeh has deep roots in California agriculture. Raised in a small farming community in Northern California, and with a grandfather who worked the land, Brian's connection to California-grown fruit is personal. For him, working with local harvests and experiencing the rhythm of the land and seasons is a labor of love. Brian is drawn to the Sierra Foothills for its diverse microclimates and the wide variety of grape varietals that thrive there. His passion lies in creating fruit-driven wines that express the true character of each varietal, with minimal intervention.
What is wine? Some might say it’s a fine beverage meant for a glass. The folks at Bonterra Vineyards won’t argue with that. They believe that a wine should also be a perfect expression of the grape from which it’s made and the land on which those grapes are grown.
Decor at Baily Winery is fun with an amusing assortment of gargoyle and medieval statuary scattered about the very pleasant grounds. We ate on the lovely patio (Carols) with refreshing breezes and the sounds of wind chimes. It was a spectacularly sparkling day and the patio was just delightful.
All of the wines are crafted from grapes grown in the estate vineyards by Winemaker Phil Baily at a state-of-the-art production facility. Specializing in Bordeaux varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon—Baily's red wines are renowned for their smoothness and expressive varietal character. This is achieved by aging the wines in barrels for 24 to 30 months, significantly longer than the typical industry standard of 12 to 18 months. Baily's white wines are celebrated for their crisp, clean freshness and distinctive aromas. The consistency of the wines, honed over more than twenty years of production from the same vineyards, is a quality that few wineries in the region can match.
Additionally, all of Baily's wines are sealed with Nomacorc®, a synthetic cork that offers the benefits of natural cork while eliminating the risk of tainted wines or bottle-to-bottle variation.
Upon examining the Herzog label, one can discern the drive, passion, and rich history that spans nine generations, bringing the family to its current esteemed position. From the courts of Kaiser Franz Joseph of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, through a Europe ravaged by war, to the bustling streets of New York City, and finally to the sun-drenched vineyards of California, the Herzog story is a testament to a family's enduring commitment to their Jewish identity and their belief in the promise of America.
In a world where many produce wine, some create good wine, and only a select few offer a truly great wine experience, Herzog Wine Cellars stands apart. Here, great California wine is not just a claim; it is a tradition.
With 150 years of winemaking heritage, the Herzog family takes immense pride in every bottle produced. Their commitment to excellence is unwavering, reflecting a legacy built on passion and quality that resonates with wine enthusiasts everywhere.
Tom Burgess established Burgess Cellars in 1972, but these Howell Mountain slopes were first planted in the 1870s by Italian-speaking immigrants from the Swiss canton of Ticino. The Poncetta & Rossini families, in the way of their Alpine homeland, cultivated vines on the rugged mountainside at extreme elevations. With the same ambition and imagination, Lee Stewart planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah grapes on Howell Mountain’s steep hillsides, naming his winery Souverain, meaning “sovereign.” Subsequent Napa Valley greats also saw the high promise of the land. Before starting the historic Stag’s Leap and Grgich wineries, Warren Winiarski and Mike Grgich each learned his trade at the Estate known today as Burgess.
Our vineyard and winery represent the culmination of nearly 6 years of hard work, patience, and persistence. Since 2001, our dream and vision has been to build a small San Diego mountain winery in Warner Springs that offers an incredibly intimate wine-tasting experience. In April 2008 our dream became a reality as we proudly opened Hawk Watch Winery to the public. Our wines are hand-crafted from only the finest fruit using hands-on, old-world wine-making techniques. Each bottle truly represents the excitement and enthusiasm we have for premium wine making and the passion and obsession we have for viticulture.
A stone’s throw from both Julian and Temecula, we invite you to take a short, scenic drive through the mountains of Northern San Diego County and stop by our tasting room. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. – Mike & Lisa Schnell
Someone here is doing something right. These wines are perfectly balanced, complex, except the Rose - it's soft and subtle and perfect in its own right and give any wine drinker a good indication of what prime location and winemaker's expertise can deliver.
Carter Cellars produced their first vintage in 1998 with the help of veteran Winemaker Nils Venge. Since then they have had a string of fantastic releases and highly rated wines. Their focus has long been big Napa Cabernet, Merlot and Blends. They now focus on Vineyard Designate Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blends from the famous Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville and the steeply terraced Hossfeld Vineyard in Soda Canyon. The Carter Cellars wines are all deeply extracted and highly nuanced with bright fruit and intense structure that can be appreciated young, but will reward patience in the cellar.
The staff here was not your typical in-your-face, super-upseller, super high energy and friendly type of pourer-- but she was very helpful, sweet and laid back which was kind of nice for a change. The room itself is worth the stop! All the hand carved wood--surrounding the barrel-made bar in the middle of the room, the tasting bar, and the walls is beautiful. The wood gives this place a super relaxing, comfortable cozy wine tasting environment.