Tobin James Cellars is not your traditional estate with vineyards, but definitely a fun winery to visit and often the place to stop by many that are escaping the heat of the Central Valley. If you are even slightly intimidated about your knowledge of wines, come here - they will put you at ease!  The staff really wants to talk about things other than tannins, oak, and other terms so common in wine articles.  If you are serious about your wine, the owners - Jobin James, Lance and Claire Silver - are completely open and passionate about the wines they make. But if you are a "grape-nut" like me who would like to have fun while tasting great wines without being judged by condescending staff members - this is the place to be.  It is a pleasure to have this sterling place in our wine directory.*

Hours:

Daily - 10:00AM to 6:00PM

 

Winemaker Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

 

Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

 

Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

 

Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

 

Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

 

Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

 

Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

 

Laely Heron’s philosophy and wines embody her adventurous, daring, and non-traditional spirit. A global traveler, she has visited or lived on six continents and all 50 states, with a remarkable ability to converse in multiple languages, including French, Danish, and several others.

By age 10, Heron had already lived in 12 states due to her father’s career as a mining engineer and adventurer. The family’s move to Algeria led to extensive travels through southern Africa and other regions before returning to the U.S. for her high school education.

After two years at the University of Colorado, Heron spent her junior year in France, which ignited her passion for wine and led her to the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux. Following her studies, she became the first American employee of Lindeman’s in San Francisco before moving to Denmark to start an import company, open a restaurant, teach wine classes, and pursue Master of Wine certification.

In 1995, Heron founded Heron Wines in San Francisco, breaking new ground as a female business owner in a male-dominated industry. Her first release, a Merlot from St. Chinian, quickly gained acclaim. Over the years, Heron Wines expanded to include a diverse portfolio of wines from California and Spain, earning a reputation as a “cult wine” among sommeliers and top restaurants.

Today, Heron Wines continues to produce California Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating 28 years of success in the wine industry.

 

Larkmead puts out some of the finest Cabs and Sauv Blancs in the valley. The vineyard itself is beautiful, located right on the valley floor. Sonny treated us great, explaining the winemaking process and the unique history behind Larkmead. Not to be missed if you are in Napa. The Larkmead Vineyards tasting room is open from 10am to 3pm, by appointment.