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Brassfield Estate Winery & Vineyards

Painting by Agata Zaborowski women enjoying wine

At the top of High Valley AVA in Lake County, CA lives an Estate and winery unlike any other. Planted at an altitude matched by only 1% of vineyards in the world, Brassfield Estate Vineyards & Winery is not bound by the traditions of the valley floor. Precision, sustainable farming is our base to craft 17 varietals; from vine to bottle the wines never leave our hands. We go above and beyond; for the land we reside on, the animals we share it with, the people who join us, and of course our award-winning wines.

Bon Niche Cellars

Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski

Melani, Owner & Winemaker
Melani’s love of wine started when she was a Navy nurse stationed in Naples, Italy, in 2009.  While living in Italy, she traveled throughout Europe and gathered wines along the way, creating an impressive collection. She fell in love with the way wine brought people together. Over the next 10 years, she hosted wine gatherings, taught and took classes, and took an informal but fun approach to learning about wine.

In 2017, Melani began volunteering at the Tackitt Family Vineyards for a Warrior Helping Warriors fundraiser, where she fell further in love with the winemaking process, the people, and Paso Robles.  She offered to assist the Tackitts at their events and started to learn more about the intricacies of winemaking and viticulture under the tutelage of Leon Tackitt- this is where she realized her dream of owning a winery.  Melani knows the importance of the translation of the Bon Niche name- “a good place.”  Through the years, she has come to realize that life is about enjoying the people, the place, and the moment.  Wine has brought many people, places, and special moments to life for Melani, and her dream is to create a very good place with great wine.

Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery

glasses of wine in front of fireplace - Pixabay

Cinnabar Winery is a family-owned establishment that embraces winemaking as a harmonious blend of science and nature's magic. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, their vibrant Saratoga and Gilroy Tasting Rooms serve as the heart of the winery, where they collaborate with local growers to transform California's finest grapes into distinctive and approachable wines.

History

Founded in 1983 by the late Tom Mudd, Cinnabar initially planted vineyards and constructed a majestic winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Following Tom's passing, the estate changed hands in 2007, and Cinnabar relocated to its new home in downtown Saratoga.

In 2019, Ron Mosley, the original vineyard manager, took ownership, completing a remarkable full-circle journey. Ron is dedicated to honoring Cinnabar's legacy while steering the business toward an exciting future. Cinnabar's philosophy remains rooted in the joy of creating serious wine with a sense of fun.

Lodi Wine & Visitor Center

picnic table and wine glass

What makes Lodi wine so unique is that it is actually grown and made in seven different AVA’s; each one boasting its own distinct character, soil conditions and micro-climate. In fact, conditions here make it possible to grow more kinds of varietals from around the world than anywhere else in California. Anywhere else, period. The results of which you’ll discover as you navigate your way around these parts. Enjoy.
 

Parsonage Village Vineyard

woman enjoying picnic and wine - by wine artist Agata Zaborowski

It started over 20 years ago as a fantasy: living on a lush beautiful vineyard, producing your own style of favorite premium varietal wines that are well received and appreciated by those who have discovered the wines and shared them among friends.

Drive along the scenic Highway 46 West, about three miles west of the 101 Fwy at Oakdale Road, you will find this dream has become reality for David Hunt, Winemaker and owner of Hunt Cellars, a winery committed to producing “Memorable Wines.” We believe that great wines leave indelible impressions when poured with wonderful meals and great friends and scintillating conversations.

The Parsons Family, Bill and Mary with daughters Rachael, Ali and Brooke, planted the seven-acre Parsonage Village Vineyard in June 1998. The south-facing hillside vineyard is 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean and a half mile east of the Village on Carmel Valley Road. The vineyard is planted to 3.5 acres of Syrah, 2.0 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.0 acre of Merlot and 0.5 acre of Petit Verdot. The Parsons were the first to plant Syrah in Carmel Valley.

Yields averaged about half a ton per acre for the first harvest in 2000. The tiny yield was just enough to produce 200 cases. Annual production since then has been in the 1500-2000 case range.

Over 20 years later, Parsonage is still very much a family-run vineyard and winery. Ali's husband, Frank Melicia, has been the winemaker and vineyard manager for many years.  Ali and Rachael also work full-time while Brooke and her husband, Marshall, help out whenever they can.  Bill and Mary live in the center of the vineyard and pretend that they are semi-retired while the business roars around them every day.

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woman enjoying picnic and wine - by wine artist Agata Zaborowski 

Obsidian Ridge Vineyards

two people at table enjoying wine

When volcanoes last erupted in Lake County, people had just migrated to this region. That was 11,000 years ago. Still, in geological time, that is recent. The area around Mount Konocti bears evidence of this volcanic activity, including its famous red soil and ubiquitous obsidian rock. Today, those rocks gleam in the sun, their shiny silica surfaces reflecting their origin – and lend their name to the business Peter Molnar helped build alongside partner Michael Terrien, brother Arpad, and their family: Obsidian Ridge Vineyards. 
 

Cinquain Cellars

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - Woman enjoying wine

Ciento Cellars is a charming boutique winery with an incredibly small yet dedicated team: Dave, Tonia, Jake, and their beloved dog, Oakley! While they may be few in number, the beauty of their wines and the quality of their fruit are the results of a collaborative effort that extends far beyond their small crew.

At the heart of their success are the tireless vineyard crews led by second-generation grape growers Mia and Juan Nevarez, whose hard work nurtures the vines that produce Ciento's exceptional grapes. Equally important are the mentors, teachers, and friends from the vibrant Paso Robles community, whose wisdom and support have shaped their winemaking journey.

And let’s not forget the families and friends whose love and encouragement fuel their passion for winemaking year-round. Ciento Cellars’ estate vineyard spans 14.4 acres, nestled between 1,200 and 1,400 feet above sea level. Here, gently rolling terrain meets steep hillsides, creating a diverse landscape that enhances the complexity of their wines.

The vineyard's soils are rich in calcareous limestone shale, characteristic of Paso Robles' westside terroir. With just the right amount of clay to retain moisture and loamy soils that provide essential nutrients, the ground is perfectly suited for growing premium grapes. Wine lovers are invited to visit the tasting room and check out samples of the limestone shale that contributes to the unique character of their wines!

Most of Ciento's estate vineyard was planted in the spring of 2019, with the Cinsault and Petit Verdot blocks added in 2021. As these blocks come into production in 2024, the team is thrilled to introduce new, intriguing components to their wine portfolio. The Viognier block, situated just below the tasting patio, was planted in 2023, so it will be a couple of years before this block begins to yield fruit.

For those seeking an intimate wine experience filled with passion and community spirit, Ciento Cellars is a must-visit destination in Paso Robles!

Barr Estate Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski

Barr Estate Winery is a small family-owned and operated vineyard, boutique winery, and tasting room located at 6950 Union Road on the east side of Paso Robles in the Geneseo District where the warm days and cool nights are ideal for grape growing. Aglianico, Albarino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, and Tannat are grown on our 57-acre vineyard and crafted into our single vineyard estate wines. Barr Estate Winery tasting room is open Fri-Sun from 11-4. A family member is usually there to greet you and invite you to taste our handcrafted food-friendly production wines and our estate-grown cold pressed 100% extra virgin olive oil.

After working for an international company for thirty years, Tealy and Greg decided to start a second career dedicated to growing grapes and making great wines at affordable prices that enhance the culinary experience. After searching for a vineyard the couple settled on the Central Coast of California in Paso Robles in 2007. It is still a place where the vineyard farmer and the winemaker are the same person and winemaking starts in the vineyard. Greg is the winemaker.

Barlow Vineyards

wine by the fireplace - Pixabay

Wow! What a great place to come across. I have been coming up to Napa for the past few years now and I have tasted alot of good wine but Barlow wines might be some of the best wines I have tasted in Napa Valley and not many people know about it! It's a family owned business with a father (Warren) and his son (Barr) who run the tastings at Warren's house on the Silverado trail. They only do two tasting appointments a day, so try and get an appointment ahead of time. There wines are fantastic! They do a Merlot, Zin, Sauvignon Blanc, Curvee blend and Cabernet Sauvignon. My favorite was the Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. They only make around 1,000 cases in total production a year and approaching their goal of 2,000 case a year!

Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery

lady in bathtub with wine

Discover Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery and the Land Bill “Poppo” Van Pelt, our father and grandfather.  Bill vowed to keep the land as a sanctuary for the elk. Several ponds around the property serve as water sources for waterfowl, otters, beaver, wild turkeys, deer, and elk. Owl boxes placed throughout the vineyard provide a natural method of gopher control. 

Hours: Daily | 10:30 am - 5:00 pm

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