Other Wines

Other Wines

Ballentine Vineyards

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Founded in 1905 and deeply rooted in Napa Valley, Ballentine Vineyards is more than a winery; it’s a celebration of a century-old heritage. As a multigenerational, family-owned and operated winery, we pride ourselves on being an enduring symbol of quality, sustainability, and authenticity in Napa Valley.

The son of Van and Betty Ballentine, Frank Ballentine has seamlessly blended his passion for wine with business acumen, crafting his own major at UC Davis, crowning his academic achievements with an MBA at Fresno State, and continually augments his expertise through executive management programs at Stanford and Harvard. After college, Frank was a winemaker in the San Joaquin Valley and Fresno. Transitioning from winemaking to food manufacturing and distribution, Frank held senior roles at Odwalla during its meteoric growth and currently serves as the President and CEO of GreenLeaf for 25 years, a prominent purveyor of high-quality produce and specialty products. In all of these pursuits, Frank has ceaselessly sought best practices to elevate his family business.

In 2012, Frank joined forces with his aging parents to oversee the Ballentine Vineyards. Here, he rekindled his love for the land and the intricate science of vineyard management with his wife Linda and children Ryan and Audrey by his side. Collaborating closely with Winemaker Bruce Devlin, a shared vision emerged. 

Grey Wolf Cellars

Painting by Agata Zaborowski

Discover the Heart of Paso Robles: Grey Wolf Cellars

Wine lovers, get ready to embark on a delightful journey to Grey Wolf Cellars, a boutique winery nestled along the iconic Highway 46 corridor in Paso Robles, California. Founded over 20 years ago by Joe Sr. and Shirlene Barton in 1994, Grey Wolf Cellars embodies a dream that blossomed into a thriving family business, dedicated to crafting exceptional wines for generations to come.

As the winery began to take shape, their son, Joe Jr., was right there alongside his parents, balancing his studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with the hands-on experience of launching a winery. Tragically, at just 23, Joe Jr. found himself stepping into his father’s shoes after Joe Sr.’s untimely passing in 1998. Rather than falter, he embraced his mission to carry on the family legacy with passion and determination.

Joe Jr. has made it his life’s work to create wines that reflect the unique character of Paso Robles. He sources grapes from dry-farmed vineyards across the Willow Creek, Templeton Gap, and Adelaida District AVAs, honing in on the distinct microclimates that make this region so special. With a keen focus on hand-crafted wines, Joe has curated a dynamic portfolio that includes heritage varietals like Zinfandel, classic Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, and a selection of both red and white Rhône varietals. Each vineyard contributes its own unique essence, allowing Joe to create wines that truly represent the spirit of Paso Robles.

Fast forward to today, and the Barton family continues to thrive. Joe and his wife, Jenny, run the winery together, with Shirlene still playing a vital role in daily operations. This family-run establishment has modernized while retaining its heart, adding a charming urban farmhouse tasting room to the property. In 2013, they introduced Barton’s Kitchen, serving up delicious farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed setting. And in 2022, the family expanded their horizons with the launch of Grain+Vine Craft Distillery, bringing even more flavor to the table.

After two decades of winemaking, Joe Jr. remains as captivated as ever by the joys of vineyard life—whether it’s revving up a tractor, witnessing bud break, or transforming luscious fruit into exquisite wine. At Grey Wolf Cellars, every sip tells a story, and every visit is an invitation to be part of their rich legacy. Cheers to family, passion, and, of course, exceptional wine!

Ramona Ranch Winery

one of the winery's wine labels

Sample handcrafted wines made with grapes from the beautiful vineyards of San Diego County at Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery located in the heart of the Ramona Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA). Taste award winning reds, a dry rose and interesting whites in our quaint tasting room or on our lovely view tasting terrace, often along with artisan cheese samples. Family owners/wine-makers Micole Moore and Teri Kerns focus on vineyard specific, single varietal wines like their Double-Gold Estate Tannat, Paccielo Reserve Sangiovese and smooth drinking Cadillac Cab. White wines include a dry Muscat, Viognier and a newly released Dessert wine called “Indulgence,” made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc.

Vineyard Grant James

Aglianico Clusters

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.

Aglianico Clusters  - courtesy photographer Randy Caparoso

Lusso Della Terra Cellars

Lusso Della Terra Cellars is a boutique winery situated in the Fiddletown AVA, nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Fiddletown, California. Known for its small-lot specialty wines, the winery consistently wins competitions across the country and delights wine connoisseurs from around the globe. Lusso Della Terra focuses on high-quality, handcrafted, ultra-premium wines, released in limited quantities and designed to be shared with loved ones.

Luxury
The winery offers a luxurious experience for visitors, featuring a beautiful space for private events and stunning vineyard backdrops for small, intimate weddings.

Craftsmanship
Lusso Della Terra also provides full-service Custom Crush for a variety of clients, collaborating with winemakers from around the world, both large and small. Guests can experience true wine craftsmanship with the winery’s award-winning winemaker.

Dancing Coyote Wines

clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon - Randy Caparoso

Legend has it, each year at the beginning of the growing season, a band of coyotes from the nearby foothills, sneak into our vineyards, and for no apparent reason other than treachery, chew on our irrigation lines with wild abandon. Following these scandalous acts, they have been known on occasion to join paws and dance around, howling at the moon in celebration.

Murrieta's Well Winery

grape cluster - Pixabay

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.

Stehleon Vineyards

Stehleon wine label

Stehleon Vineyards wines are San Diego grown and produced. Owned by Al and Lisa Stehly, their grove and vineyard management company cares for the vines that produced these first vintages. Small, custom vineyards have been hand pruned and the fruit hand harvested. Wine-making has become a family affair, and daughter Alysha Stehly produces and bottles the wine in Escondido in northern San Diego County. Having recently planted their vineyard of Rhone varietals, the Stehlys hope to eventually expand their offerings of wine that always pair well with friends

Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - People sharing wine

Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery: A Legacy Rooted in Tradition

The journey of Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery began in 1995, when Emilio Castelli moved from his beloved Lake Como in Italy to the picturesque landscape of Sonoma County. With him, he brought not only a passion for winemaking but a deep family tradition that had shaped his life for generations.

For Emilio, wine has always been more than just a drink—it’s a part of life. Growing up in Italy, his childhood was filled with vibrant family dinners, where his father and uncles would passionately debate over the wines on the table. As more bottles were uncorked, the discussions grew livelier, filling the room with laughter and memories that stayed with him long after the evening was over.

But the family’s connection to wine goes back even further. During World War II, Emilio’s grandfather’s villa in Como was ransacked, yet the family managed to save a precious collection of wines from Piemonte, Valtellina, and Burgundy—some even crafted by Emilio’s grandfather himself. These bottles, stashed away in their new home, became treasured family heirlooms, and over the years, the men in the family would ceremoniously open them, sparking guessing games about the wine’s origin and how well it had aged.

It’s those early moments—filled with mystery, joy, and tradition—that inspired Emilio’s passion for winemaking. Today, with the Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery firmly rooted in Sonoma County, he and his family are dedicated to crafting wines that capture the essence of this beautiful region. Each bottle is a reflection of their commitment to the land and the shared memories that inspire their work.

Nebbiolo: The Wine of Kings

At Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery, Nebbiolo takes center stage. Though not commonly grown in California, this noble grape thrives in the Russian River Valley’s Green Valley AVA. Native to Northern Italy, Nebbiolo is the grape behind the famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines, known for their elegance and complexity. The grape’s name, "nebbia" (Italian for fog), speaks to the misty climate of its homeland, which mirrors the conditions in Sonoma County.

Growing Nebbiolo is no simple feat. It’s an early budder and a late ripener, making it susceptible to frost and requiring close attention to the vineyard’s microclimates. But the effort pays off with a wine that’s light in color yet rich in character. Nebbiolo’s intense aromas, balanced by firm tannins and acidity, make it a perfect choice for aging and an excellent companion for meals. It pairs beautifully with classic Northern Italian dishes like mushroom risotto, braised meats, polenta, and aged cheeses.

At Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery, every bottle of Nebbiolo tells a story—a story of tradition, family, and the timeless connection between the land and the people who nurture it. With each sip, wine lovers are invited to share in the passion and history that define the Castelli family’s winemaking journey.

Churon Winery

painting of person drinking wine at a patio table

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.

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