Nestled in the seaside foothills of Santa Barbara County is a small family-owned winery with big ideas.
Jorian Hill Vineyards produces exceptional small-lot, estate-grown wines using the meticulous techniques of France's Rhône Valley and according to the best winemaking traditions of California.
Nestled among the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, in the western edge of Cuyama Valley, Alere Vineyards produces rhone-varietals and a bit of zinfandel. At an elevation of 2,400 feet, Alere's vineyard flourishes in a climate very similiar to that of the southern Rhone Valley.
Dark Star Cellars is a rustic working winery and vineyard just of the West 46 and 5 min from Central Paso Robles. We really enjoy the Mirror (Syrah/Cab/Merlot blend), Passing By (Cab/Merlot blend), the Jack of Hearts (Cab/Merlot/Petit Verdot) and Jersey Girl. Wines were great. Excellent wines would highly recommend.
Hours:
Mon 10:30am to 5:30pm
Tues 10:30am to 5:30pm
Wed 10:30am to 5:30pm
Thur 10:30am to 5:30pm
Fri 10:30am to 5:30pm
Sat 10:30am to 5:30pm
Sun 10:30am to 5:30pm
In 2003, after 35 years as an engineer by day, and a home winemaker by night, Bob Tillman found the 130-acre parcel in Paso Robles' Adelaida District that would become Alta Colina Vineyard. The 31 planted acres and 8 Rhone varieties that make up Alta Colina Vineyard hit the dirt in 2005 and his daughter, Maggie Tillman, came on in 2008 to help in the efforts. With a complete focus on estate-grown Rhones, Bob crafts about 2,000 cases a year and continues to sell the remainder of the fruit to other great Rhone winemakers throughout the Central Coast. Quality, legacy, and love of the land are Bob's signature.
BellaGrace, like many other Plymouth wineries, is lovely and sophisticated without pretension. I must say that I am always pleased with the friendly service and warm greetings we receive when we arrive. Their 2010 Barbera is a multi-award winner. I have to say that this is a must-have! I've rarely tasted anything like it. Super friendly staff here, and the owner was very nice as well. The wine cave was worth checking out, and its cool temperature was a haven from the summer heat. And...tasting is free! Wine Cave - 22715 Upton Road Plymouth, CA Open Saturday & Sunday 11-4 during winter Sutter Creek Tasting Room 73 Main Street Sutter Creek CA Open Thursday - Monday 11-5
tephen and Jamie had a dream of owning their own vineyard someday. Their idea was to buy 5 to 10 acres in the Napa Valley and establish a vineyard. They created a five year plan to save the money they would need. Meanwhile Napa land prices skyrocketed from $35,000/ acre to well over a million dollars an acre. In the spring of 2000 their search lead them to the historic Amador County.While continuing to work full time jobs, they traveled to their ranch in Amador each weekend. Five wells were dug to find the water they would need to supply the vineyardsIn 2004, they had their first crush as a bonded winery. 2006 saw the first crop from their estate vineyards. They expect to grow the winery production to around 2,000 cases annually, which they only sell in the tasting room and through their web site.They are now open with nine wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Barbera, Mourvedre, Zinfandel, Syrah, ZinRah, Petite Sirah and a Gnarly Vine Zinfandel Port.
Lori Silkey are doing something different in Red Bluff, and it appears to be working. In addition to producing some extraordinary, "Old World" style wines, Tuscan Ridge Estate Winery in Red Bluff California is a place where you can participate in special events or enjoy time with friends watching a game on the big screen while Lori and Jeff pour the fruits of their labor into your glass. Savor a quality wine and for a moment be transported to a little corner of Italy as you sip a glass of Zinfandel or Sangiovese. While its is clear that Lori ha been accepted by many of the locals, and it is a fun and friendly winery to visit, Lori take her wine making seriously. The Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cab Franc were very nice as was the Merlot. I decided to bring home the Sangiovese, which is very nice and I did not have any other Sangiovese in my collection. I am looking forward to trying the Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel next visit. If you find yourself driving through Red Bluff, take a little break and visit Tuscan Ridged Estate Winery you will be glad you did.
Hours:
Mon - Thurs - closed
Fri - 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm*
Sat - 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm*
Sun - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm*
* Friday and Saturday are is wine and pizza nights (reservations suggested for Friday evening). Sunday is wine and antipasti. ~
The people were friendly and even though they didn't have a lot of white wine to taste their red wines were plentiful. The tasting room in Murphys is nice but you have to experience the winery and the trip to the winery to fully appreciate this twisted place. Of course, not everyone is into rubber chickens...
Wine tasting at Preston was a fun experience. The tasting room had a welcoming atmosphere with lots of funny books decorating the bookshelves and samples of their olives and sourdough. There were other groups also present, but we were attended quite quickly. Hidden gem. This is what wine country should feel like...to be continued.
THIS WINERY HAS CLOSED
Tuscan Treasure in Temecula Cute little tasting room with a long bar set upon old wine barrels. Cozy hardwood floors with Tuscan style walls and faux awnings. Plenty of bar and table seating and many gift items for sale. But the best is it is pet friendly. You can bring your furry pals right on inside and out of hot sun. You might want to discovered their wonderful hibiscus sparkling wine. I figured I would try a sparkling though I thought it would be too sweet. Well, the hibiscus was wonderful! Not sweet at all with a unique hibiscus twist.
