Merlot

Merlot

DeRose Vineyards - Hollister

Grape Clusters

DeRose Vineyards has the single best Negrette I have ever had. Pat DeRose not only has one of the coolest moustaches on the planet, but he and Al (his son) are wine purists, not necessarily in the "Wine Spectator" since, they simply love great wines. Al DeRose search for new endeavors took him to central Chile where he produces and imports his Chilean wines. De Rose VIneyards is one of the oldest operated wineries in the US - 1854. At De Rose VIneyards they are not concerned about anything other than wine... nada. The DeRose family doesn't care about wine spectator's points, they don't care about who endorsed what, and I find that not simply amuzing, but delightful! Their style is very much like the old world where the people of the community get together. The winemakers, the farmers, the butcher and the candlestick-maker all living together, drinking together, eating together and enjoying the celebration of life. At DeRose Vineyards it is,"Good friends, good food and good wine.*

Hours:

Hollister Tasting Room
9970 Cienega Road
Hollister, CA
Hours:
Thursday - Friday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM

San Martin Tasting Room
255 Fitzgerald Avenue
San Martin, CA
Hours:
Friday: 4 PM – 8 PM

Helena View

red wine pouring into a glass

Helena View Johnston Vineyards is located on Highway 128 just five minutes north of Calistoga in the eye of Mt. St. Helena in a fertile area noted for producing exceptional red wines. Helena View specializes in bordeaux style reds, namely Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The winery is open for special events and tours by prior arrangement during the week and by appointment Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm. Picnic facilities are available and include a covered redwood gazebo and a tree shaded deck overlooking vineyards.

Kimmel Wines

glass of wine - Pixabay

For nearly fifty years, four generations of our family have enjoyed the natural beauty and diverse flora and fauna of Kimmel Ranch. It is a welcome place to gather and and even more stunning place to explore, no matter the season. THEIR PASSIONS: Great Wine, Family, Friends, & the Land.

Grey Fox Vineyards

glass of wine - Pixabay - Saman Teher

Before founding Grey Fox Vineyards in 1996, the Arrigoni and Cecchi families spent much of their free time pursuing their passion for flying small planes. It was on these getaways that conversations turned to dreams of planting a vineyard and building a winery. Bruce's family had a tradition of making wine at home and Gary had a good chemistry background. A seed was planted and it began to take hold.

Shafer Vineyards

glass of wine - Pixabay

Tasting visits are available by prior appointment from Wednesday to Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Three distinct experiences are offered for guests' enjoyment: The Terrace View Tasting, The Private Collectors Experience, and The Hillside Select Experience.

The Terrace View Tasting
The Terrace View Tasting provides an opportunity to take in the stunning sights of the surrounding hillside vineyards and the breathtaking views of Napa Valley and the Stags Leap District. Guests can enjoy a relaxing session featuring Shafer’s current releases, including Hillside Select, paired with a selection of cheese and charcuterie.

The Private Collectors Experience
Hosted in Shafer’s distinguished private tasting salon or private vineyard suite, The Private Collectors Experience includes a comprehensive lineup of current wines, alongside a library vintage of Hillside Select. This experience is enhanced with an elevated selection of cheese and charcuterie.

The Hillside Select Experience
The Hillside Select Experience is the winery’s most luxurious offering, focusing exclusively on Hillside Select. The visit begins with Billecart Salmon Champagne and Regiis Ova caviar, followed by a private tour of the estate in a Polaris Ranger vehicle. Guests will taste the current vintage of Hillside Select in the heart of the vineyard with panoramic views of the Stags Leap District. The experience concludes with a private seated tasting of three rare library selections of Hillside Select, showcasing Shafer’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon at 5+, 10+, and 20+ years of age.

Alpen Cellars

bottle of Alpen Cellars wine

Alpen Cellars, established on a family ranch in the spring of 1984, is situated in a picturesque mountain valley at the foot of towering craggy peaks in the rugged Trinity Lake region of Trinity County, California. It seems an unlikely location to attempt to grow wine grapes. But the notion, a product of a young enology student's vision, turned out to be notably rewarding.

F. Teldeschi Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

*Tiny* building with beautiful scenery, Teldeschi let us venture into the back room to see all the Oak barrels with the sweet alcoholic juices we were imbibing. There's something to be said about a winery just being a place for wine.

Hallcrest Vineyards

woman and child in flower garden

Appropriately named by the Hall family back in the 1880s, Hallcrest is at the crest of a small hill above the old town of Felton nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was a retreat for the Hall family until 1941 when Chaffee Hall, a prominent business attorney from San Francisco acted on his obsession with wine and planted the first vineyard. At the time, it was one of only three wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the only one producing varietal wines from estate vineyards.

Satori Cellars

People enjoying wine - wine artist Agata Zaborowski

Satori Cellars: A Tasting Experience in the Heart of Santa Clara Valley

Satori Cellars features an inviting outdoor tasting cabana, surrounded by 15 acres of flourishing, pampered grapes from the Santa Clara Valley. The tasting room is open to the public on the first, second, and third full weekends of each month, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on the fifth Saturday, from noon to 5 PM. Guests can enjoy private VIP tastings and large group celebrations on the fourth (or fifth) weekends of the month, available by reservation. The winery proudly showcases award-winning, estate-grown reds, including Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petite Sirah.

While the focus is on exceptional wine, the atmosphere is equally appealing. Satori Cellars is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and perfect for families and groups. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, listen to live music, catch the game, play bocce, and unwind in a relaxed setting where a memorable Satori story is sure to unfold.

Tastings are offered at $20, which includes one white wine and four red wines. Additionally, guests can enjoy wine by the glass, refreshing mimosas (sparkling wine and orange juice), and a seasonal homemade special-recipe sangria.

While reservations are not required, they are highly recommended to ensure a delightful experience at Satori Cellars.

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People enjoying wine - wine artist Agata Zaborowski

Freemark Abbey

ai generated grape cluster - Pixabay

Stopped by in the Fall to do a little tasting on our way up to the hot springs. I first went to this winery about 13 years ago and was a member for years. They have excellent red wines and fun harvest parties - complete with grape stomping! It's a quaint winery away from the crowds in Napa and couple of my favorites were the 2003 Cabernet Bosche and Zinfandel.

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