Merlot

Merlot

Lava Cap Winery

pouring red wine into glass - Pixabay

Lava Cap is a family-owned winery in Placerville, California. The Jones family planted their first vines in 1981 and opened the winery in 1986 on a special site in the heart of the Sierra Foothills. The family of geologists specifically selected this location for its prime volcanic soil that is particularly well suited to growing fine wine grapes. They named their new business after this unique "lava cap," where their grapes flourish in the volcanic soil, warmed by the foothill sunshine and cooled by gentle Sierra night breezes.

Francis Coppola Winery

Swirling wine n a glass - Pixabay - Saman Teher

What a beautiful estate! This was my first time to Francis Ford Coppola and I was in awe! I don't even know where to start, but the grounds are beautiful, the tasting room was fun, the memorabilia was nostalgic, and the cellar was amazing as well!All of the staff was ever so friendly, welcoming and helpful. You wouldn't expect anything short of greatness, when you learn that Mr. Coppola is heavily involved in the operations of the winery and visits periodically to ensure that everything meets his standards.

Thomas Fogarty Winery

Cluster of gapes - ai generated - Pixabay

Thomas Fogarty Winery was founded in 1978 by inventor Dr. Thomas Fogarty and winemaker Michael Martella. Dr Fogarty’s penchant for innovative thought and Martella’s viticulture instincts allowed them to lead the development of the cool Skyline Ridge area; true pioneers in one of California’s premiere Pinot Noir and Chardonnay regions.

Cante Ao Vinho

grapes

Cante Ao Vinho is Portuguese for "Sing to the wine" since we love to play beautiful music as we make our wine. Cante Ao Vinho is located just outside the city of Wheatland California, near Camp Far West Lake and Beal Air Force Base

Di Vittorio Winery

harvesting wine grapes

A boutique winery that is located in the Sierra Foothills that uses tradititonal proceww that the diVittorio family has used since their immigrated to America in 1904. A small on-site still is used to produce the distillate that is the brandy composing the port wines and soon to come California Calvados. The wines and brandy are aged in oak barrels in the stable environment of a cave for at least 2 years before bottling.

Orfila Vineyards

Orfila wine bottle label for their Merlot

Located in the stunning San Pasqual Valley, just 30 minutes from San Diego, Orfila Vineyards is an ultra-premium, small-production winery that invites wine lovers to indulge in its unique offerings. Conveniently located between Interstate 15 and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, this hidden gem boasts a breathtaking tasting room and patio that overlook the sprawling 70-acre estate.

Families will feel right at home in the tree-lined picnic area, complete with grassy knolls and picnic tables—perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon with friends and a bottle of Orfila’s finest.

Orfila is known for producing critically acclaimed wines crafted from Italian and French varietals, including grapes from the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. The winery sources grapes from its estate as well as select vineyards in Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties. Under the expert guidance of winemaker Andrew Wisniewski, Orfila continues its tradition of creating award-winning wines that reflect the essence of San Diego County.

Since opening its doors in 1994, Orfila Vineyards has garnered more than 1,300 medals in national and international competitions, a true testament to the complexity, grace, and opulence of its wines. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or a casual sipper, a visit to Orfila promises a delightful experience filled with exquisite flavors and breathtaking views.

Roth Winery

wine by the fireplace - Pixabay

Roth Estate is a family-owned winery dedicated to crafting full-flavored wines grown in exemplary Sonoma County vineyards. Beginning in 2001, Roth committed to producing classic Bordeaux varietals in Alexander Valley. A decade later the winery expanded its winemaking to include cool-climate varietals from the Sonoma Coast.

Treasure Island Wines

Glass of white wine at Treasure Island Wines

What I can say, I love visiting this winery. First of all, you get the fantastic views of San Francisco and the East Bay from Treasure Island. Some really great wines The building is a cool space that the Winery uses for tastings, storage, and production of a few other smaller winemakers too. The folks at Treasure Island Wines are extremely knowledgeable. We had an opportunity to sit down with Jim Mirowski and do a little video interview with him. You can take a peek at what your visit to Treasure Island Wines will be like by clicking HERE. Prices are right for most budgets and this is a fun and unique space to visit with friends! Open on the weekends and for special events.~

Hours:

Mon-Fri     Closed
Sat        1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Sun       1:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Gnarly Head Cellars

Glass of red wine - Saman Teher - Pixabay

At Gnarly Head it all starts in the vineyard. Our quest for outstanding Zinfandel led us down a country road into the heart of Lodi, California revealing a sea of gnarled, 35-80 year-old vines pruned in a special, mop-topped way called “head trained.” True gnarly heads, these old vines yield fewer grape clusters with smaller berries than trellised vines. These mighty little berries produce intense, bold wines that are deep in color with concentrated dark fruit flavors.

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