Tours & Tastings
Salvestrin was recently voted one of Napa Valley’s Top 10 Small Undiscovered Wineries
by Legendary Napa Valley. If you are looking for an intimate, off the grid, winery experience, then look no further
Good wines, good service, and a nice atmosphere. They have a fantastic assortment of reds, including some interesting ports. Go here for a picnic! They have a great patio and deck. If you call ahead with a big party, they will do their best to make sure you have fun.
Image: thanks to Randy Caparoso
Brochelle Vineyards is located in Paso Robles and has some really nice wines. Their flagship is Zinfandel but their Petite Sirah and Chardonnay speak for themselves as well. The tasting room is very nice, a great find! Two locations for your tasting pleasure:
1. Westside Location: 6996 Peachy Canyon Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446
2. Eastside location: 2323 Tuley Rd #130, Paso Robles, CA 93446
There are a lot of wineries to choose from in El Dorado county, but this should be one of the first that you try. The tasting room at Mira Flores Winery is beautiful, and included high ceilings and a nice roomy tasting bar. The patio outside is stunning, and would be a nice place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Dick, our pourer, was friendly, accommodating, and we really enjoyed spending time with him. Five stars for ambiance and service.
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.
For over five generations, our family has been growing premium wine grapes in California’s famous Lodi appellation. We are stewards of the land with our organically farmed winegrowing estate and our ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah which are the signatures of family pride and over 100 years of grape growing excellence.
Image - Swirling glass of red wine - Saman Teher - Pixabay
BK Cellars is a unique urban winery in Escondido. Here you can enjoy aiir conditioned, crystal chandelier tasing lounge. Enjoy the wide selection and flights of 5 or 6 of their wines. Feel free to bring along a few snacks to enjoyr with your tasting.
The wines at Wiens Family Cellars were very good. Not too crowded inside. Good vibe inside. We had a lot of first timers in my group so they were a little unsure of what to do but the staff there were very friendly and eager to answer any questions. The hostess I dealt with was very friendly and had good recommendations. I have to say their "Perspective" blend was a very good red that I enjoyed. I also really like their Cab selection. From what I understand their big reds are in the premier tasting room....that will be my next stop when I return to Temecula Wine and wine country.
In a world where wines are marketed with flashy labels and endless award stickers, Beckmen Vineyards stands proudly apart, grounded in traditional family values and a commitment to authenticity. Here, wine lovers can forget the "paradox of choice" and enjoy the comfort of wines that genuinely reflect their origins.
Nestled in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley, Beckmen Vineyards became Santa Barbara County’s first biodynamically farmed vineyard. Rather than chasing trends, they focus on what truly matters—cultivating exceptional grapes. The result? A lineup of critically acclaimed Rhône-style wines enjoyed in prestigious restaurants and homes nationwide, even making its way to the White House.
For California wine lovers, Beckmen’s portfolio offers a reliable, genuine experience every time, celebrating the valley's unique terroir with every sip.
Shypoke calls the Calistoga AVA home, with its Estate vineyard nestled in the northwestern corner of the world-famous Napa Valley. The dirt-to-bottle journey began in 1904 when Peter Heitz’s great-grandparents, having immigrated from Alsace, planted roots and established bonded winery #130 for the production of fine wines. Over five generations of grape growers and winemakers, the Heitz family has continued the vision and efforts initiated in 1904. Each wine honors the traditions of a family working together to farm heirloom vines and handcraft the resulting fruit into uniquely elegant and honest wines that reflect their place and vintage.
