The tasting room is very small and not a sit down luxurious place. However, their wines are top notch and the service we had was friendly and helpful. Of course we had an appointment. Even though we were a few minutes late it was no problem. Tasting fee is reasonable $10 or $15 but waived with purchase.
Wines are not expensive and I fell in love with the Block 9 Zin.
Zanger Vineyards makes a number of other wines, many of them quite unconventional. They are the only winery in California that I know of that makes Mead. This is a medieval drink made out of fermented honey. Zanger also makes a number of wines made out of different fruits. Additionally, they make chocolate, candy, and dried fruits.
This winery is pleasant and makes you feel like you are at home. Decor was very casual and warm. Staff was generous with their pouring. We had some reds and sweet wines. The sweet wine with plum and chocolate notes was one of the best. Their sherry was also very good. We even had some homemade lemon marmalade with crackers.
Jim and Debbie Van Haun founded Cedar View Winery in 1999 with an emphasis on producing rare, eclectic, hard-to-find varietals. The winery's estate “flagship” grape, Alicante Bouschet, is made as a very popular award-winning red wine as well as a very rare Rosé and Port style wine.
In 1999, this family bonded their winery called Vino Con Brio, meaning “Wine with Passion” in Italian. Matzin was their other label for their Old Vine Zinfandel Wines. Vino Con Brio specialized in Rhone, Italian and out of the ordinary varietals, such as Pinotage, that are so well-suited to Lodi's climate.
Vino Con Brio is now closed.
The Matson Family has retired and the property is now owned by Mettler Family Vineyards.
Chouinard Vineyards and Winery, a tiny gem of a winery located in the wooded hills near San Francisco Bay and the Livermore Valley wine region.
Resting unobtrusively on a back road in Madera County is the home of Ficklin Tinta Port. As it was from the beginning, Ficklin's Port is widely acclaimed as one of California's finest port wines created in the Portuguese tradition.
Castelli Family Vineyards is a familiar story for many of California's wineries. What began as a hobby turned into something much more. The adventure began when Mike's daughter, Cassie, decided to get married at Cordiano Winery in 2008. Its Italian owner convinced Mike to plant some vines. A few vines turned into 3,000 vines. Mike soon realized his hobby vineyard had grown into a business of caring for his young vines. Mike he recruited his son-in-law Nelson to join him. For three years, they spent most days caring meticulously for each vine. It was not long before Mike built a 1,600 sq. ft. cellar to store the wine he anticipated. Early on Mike and Nelson soon realized that their endeavor needed advice on every aspect of growing, harvesting, and fermenting their grapes. They sought the counsel of neighbors with established vineyards, among them, Cactus Star Vineyard, Highland Hills Winery and Kohill Winery. The results? Passion, sharing knowledge of caring for the vineyard and expanded knowledge of Castelli Family Vineyards wine making empowering Mike & Nelson to take their hobby into turning their labors and grapes into some delightful award-winning wines. Today Mike and Nelson both have taken their passion for wines and the cooperative spirit of fellow winemakers to produce some delightful wines. Castelli Family Vineyards is a wonderful winery to visit for all you Red wine-lovers.
Although the original settler may have been Joaquin Murrieta, the bandit who favored the water at the property’s artesian well, it was a French native whom recognized the land’s potential for amazing wine quality. Louis Mel bought the 92-acre property in 1883 and built a winery into the hillside adjacent to the well. The old stone winery building is a gorgeous example of early California architecture. Local timber and rustic concrete made from gravel gathered from the nearby Arroyo Mocho Creek were used in the construction.
Come taste the beauty of Vineyard Grant James wine on our stone veranda overlooking our Sangiovese vineyard and the hills of the Ramona Valley. You will be welcomed with pure hospitality and have the opportunity to experience luxury wine in a perfect relaxed countryside setting. We hope that you come to visit us in Ramona, California for the chance to enjoy our wine and share in the simple pleasures of good wine and good people. While you're here be sure to try our popular and award winning wines, including: Viognier, Rose of Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Merlot, Syrah and Petite Sirah.
