Merlot

Merlot

Sterling Vineyards

small bites and wine tasting - Pixabay

The brilliant white stucco stands out dramatically against the rugged Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges that flank each side of Napa Valley. Mount Saint Helena makes a lovely distant backdrop. The tour is self guided so it's at your own pace and the gondola ride is unique for the area. It's also one of only wineries that's on a hill in the middle of Napa Valley so the views are to die for. My only suggestion would be (if you enjoy wine clubs) to join the wine club before you go. You can get on the gondola for free for up to 4 people and the tour is included as well. That pays for one of your months of wine right there. Then, you get access to the VIP tasting room which is fantastic.

Smith Vineyard

grape cluster - Pixabay

Try the 2008 Primativo - spicy, black pepper, complexity, a real treat. On Saturdays, they have live music to go along with great wine tasting. Gary and Christina Smith continue the fine art of winemaking and vineyard tending, which Gary’s father began with his three sons. Now with three sons of their own, the Smiths handcraft small lots of classic varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Primitivo, Syrah and Chardonnay from their 10-acre certified organic vineyard near Grass Valley, CA.

Schwaesdall Winery

Grape Cluster - ai generated - Pixabay

John Schwaesdall, A San Diego native, started making wine from some of the old vineyards in Ramona that were planted in 1950′s. He since has planted 4 1/2 acres of various red and white wine grapes. The vineyard lies among gigantic granite boulders that are found predominately in the Ramona/Mt. Woodson area of San Diego. These boulders are true natural wonders. One great granite boulder on the property weighs 80 tons and looks just like a cat. Another looks like Moby Dick. John won’t hesitate to show visitors the fantastic natural sculptures on his 6 acres of property.

Nelson Family Vineyards

pouring a glass of wine - Pixabay

Nelson Family Vineyards, nestled in the heart of Mendocino County Wine Country, is a beautiful 2,000-acre ranch that has been family-owned and operated since 1951. The family owns approximately 200 acres of vineyards, 26 acres of Bartlett Pear trees, Olive trees, and a Christmas tree farm, and are home to an abundance of Farm animals and wildlife. 

We pride ourselves on growing and making certified sustainable wines, all of which are grown here on the ranch. The Tasting Room is located 1/2 mile off Hwy 101 where our lovely tasting room staff is eager to host you for a one-of-a-kind Mendocino Wine Country experience.

Walk-ins are welcome for groups of five or less. 

For groups of six or more, please call the tasting room at 707-462-3755 ext. 1.

Caparone Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Celebrating forty years as a small artisan winery, they specialize in high-quality red wines. Their approach involves crafting wines that reflect their own preferences, emphasizing complexity, balance, and the right amount of acidity and tannins to ensure aging potential and meal compatibility. By carefully aligning their vines with their microclimate, they produce wines with vibrant fruit and varietal character at a moderate alcohol level. Their passion lies in classic-style wines—those that can age and enhance over decades, offering multi-dimensional profiles without excessive oak influence. This is the essence of what they strive to create.

Hawkes Winery

grape cluster - Pixabay

The atmosphere of the tasting room is simple but modern. You can tell that they put their real energy into the wines. It's a nice stop with the Jimtown Store right next door where you can pick up a tasty sandwich and sit out back looking over the vineyards. When it comes to the people and service, you really get a feel that this is a family run operation. Stephen Hawkes the owner/farmer/winemaker is there every year at the barrel tasting to share the experience and crafted love that goes into these amazing red wines.

Pine Ridge Winery

wine splashing in the glass - Pixabay

Founded in 1978 by Gary Andrus, Pine Ridge Vineyards is located in the renowned Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, celebrated for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Our mission is to craft some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in the region.

Currently, Pine Ridge Vineyards boasts estate vineyards across five of Napa Valley’s premier appellations: Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros. Our dedicated team, from vineyard to cellar, is committed to producing wines that reflect their exceptional origins with distinctive character and depth.

Michael Pozzan Winery

glass of red wine - Pixabay

Michael Pozzan Winery is owned and operated by Michael and Mary Ann Pozzan, both natives of California. Michael was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but spent his summer months with his grandparents on their 35 acre vineyard estate in Sonoma County. Michael's grandfather purchased the land after WWII and planted Zinfandel grapes, which he sold to local wineries. He always made sure that he retained a portion of the grapes to make his own wine. With roots extending to Piedmont, Italy, Michael's family has been in the wine business since the mid 1800s, and still owns the original property that Michael's great grandfather planted over100 years ago.

Ironstone Vineyards

Wine at picnic table - Pixabay

Ironstone Vineyards

In the heart of California’s scenic Gold Rush Country, Ironstone Vineyards will surprise and delight you with a winery that places as much emphasis on the natural beauty and history of their surroundings, as they do on the quality of their wines.

Pages

Subscribe to Merlot