Ancient Peaks Winery Vineyard stands alone as the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region, tucked beneath the peaks of the Santa Lucia Mountains just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Here, the vines unfold along a rare array of soils amid one of the region’s coolest growing environments. The resulting wines express an unmistakable sense of place, with balanced structure and flavors that are native to Margarita Vineyard.
Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski
The name "Carica" and the fig leaf featured on the label are inspired by the fig trees (Ficus carica) that still thrive on the hillsides of premier northern California vineyards. Historically, both the grapevine and fig tree have symbolized a life of peace and prosperity.
About the Winemaker
Carica Wines was founded in 2005 by Charlie Dollbaum, who serves as both the original winemaker and owner. As a hands-on winemaker, Dollbaum meticulously oversees the grapes throughout the summer, obsessively monitoring ripeness and sugar content as harvest approaches. He is present before dawn during hand-harvesting and personally handles every step of the winemaking process, from crushing and fermentation to barrel selection and aging program design.
With a PhD in microbiology and over a decade of private winemaking experience, Dollbaum established Carica Wines with a commitment to producing wines of the highest quality. His approach focuses on ensuring that each wine authentically represents its varietal characteristics and achieves a perfect balance of flavor and acidity.
Making Wine in an Urban Environment
In 2009, Carica Wines relocated from Sonoma County to San Francisco’s East Bay. Now situated in a newly restored WWII structure in Richmond's historic Shipyards District, the winery and its scenic tasting room benefit from an ideal location. This urban setting provides close proximity to California’s premier wine grape-growing regions, a temperate climate well-suited for winemaking, and a vibrant community of food and wine enthusiasts.
Vineyards
Over the past 15 years, Carica Wines has curated premium northern California vineyards to create small-lot wines of exceptional character. By not being limited to a single estate, Carica Wines has the freedom to source outstanding fruit from various locations, fulfilling the winemaker’s vision of working with the best available resources.
Stroll through the vines of Laujor Estate Winery. Your walk to the tuscan style tasting room where often you will be greeted by the winemaker. Enjoy with your friends and family or make new friends as you relax and sip our award winning wines in our courtyard. The views here are breathtaking!
Hours: Daily | 11 am - 5 pm
Perfecting the old California classics, Robert Biale Vineyards has become a revered standard of heritage vineyard Zinfandel and Petite Sirah in the Napa Valley. From the winery’s inception, the Biale founders have cherished the tradition of historic old vines, some dating back to the 1880s, and they prize the small quantity of concentrated and intense fruit that these vines produce. Diligent farming, expressive terroir, and superb elegance define the winery’s hallmarks. Among the winery’s portfolio of 20 wines crafted by Winemaker David Natali, Black Chicken Zinfandel stands out as the flagship and has become a benchmark for the varietal.
The story began in the 1940s when 14-year-old Aldo Biale helped his mother make ends meet by selling homemade Zinfandel, along with eggs and produce, to insider Napans. Over the old “party line” phone system, the code words “a Black Chicken” signified a jug of bootleg wine, keeping nosy neighbors and the authorities from discovering Aldo’s underground Zinfandel operation.
This little hidden gem is very easy to miss while whizzing past on Silverado Trail. But don't overlook this one. You won't be disappointed. Some of the best zinfandel and very good cabernet sauvignon. It is a great value wine that will hold its own against some higher priced wines. This is a very small winery with limited production and only offers a few wines. You won't find this in too many stores so you will need to make a trip out there of go on-line.
m2 Wines was founded in 2004 with the aim of creating dynamic artisan wines from distinctive vineyards in Lodi, the Sierra Foothills, and Napa Valley. The winery blends traditional and modern winemaking techniques to ensure each bottle captures the true essence of its vineyard. Their wines are enjoyable right away and improve with age. Whether visitors are in the stunning tasting room or savoring a bottle at home, they can feel the passion and care that goes into every wine.
Guests are invited to join for a tasting and experience the dedication and artistry that define m2 Wines. The state-of-the-art facility, surrounded by picturesque vineyards, provides the perfect backdrop for enjoying their award-winning wines. From bold Zinfandels to elegant blends, there is something to delight every palate. Visitors can explore the legacy of m2 Wines and become part of its story.
When Fess Parker purchased the 714-acre Foxen Canyon Ranch in 1988, he envisioned a future filled with cattle, a modest vineyard, and perhaps one day, a small winery. His dream was to establish a family business that could be passed down through generations.
Today, Eli Parker and his sister Ashley Parker Snider carry forward their father’s vision, managing the family portfolio with the help of Winery President Tim Snider, Ashley’s husband. Many of Fess’s grandchildren are also actively involved in the family business, ensuring the legacy continues.
Fess Parker, an actor and entrepreneur, captivated audiences with his portrayals of frontiersman Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone in the 1950s and 60s, earning a devoted following across generations. His down-to-earth charm and hardworking spirit endeared him to many, paving the way for his successful transition from Hollywood to the business world in the early 1970s.
While he continued to star in and produce numerous hits for Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros., Parker laid the groundwork for his second career in real estate development. With his warm Texas demeanor and a keen eye for opportunity, he purchased the Foxen Canyon ranch and dedicated himself to producing high-quality wines from estate-grown grapes and the finest vineyards in the county.
Fess and his wife, Marcella, enjoyed a 50-year marriage and raised two children in Santa Barbara, where they lived for over 30 years. They were blessed with 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Fess passed away in March 2010, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom, warmth, and friendship.
Visitors to the Fess Parker Winery can still feel his presence, as his spirit lives on through his family and the remarkable wines they produce. For wine lovers exploring California's wineries, Fess Parker Winery offers not just exceptional wines, but a heartfelt connection to a beloved figure and his enduring legacy.
We had four distinct wines and it was so difficult to choose which ones to go home with! We bought 2 and will be joing their wine club for sure. The grounds were so beautiful ~ such rich history. This small family owned winery is a hidden treasure! The old barn, the cave and the tasting room were so beautiful. I strongly recommend this as your first stop..... it will be hard to find anything better.
When we visited they had a vintage car display as well as lots of vendors selling their goods and offering food samples. The tasting room is quite large, and while there were lots of groups there, we did not have to wait too long for the tasting. They also have a separate olive oil and balsamic tasting room. B.R. Cohn is a large winery with retail distribution and they make wines using grapes not only from their local estate, but mostly from all over wine country.
Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery - Gallery | Agata Art Gallery
Charter Oak Winery is a small boutique producer of the most exceptional Napa Valley red wines made by winemaker Robert Fanucci.
Charter Oak wine is unfined and unfiltered, with the grapes fermented using natural yeast. The winemaker employs tools crafted by his grandfather (Nonno in Italian) to punch down the cap three times a day, working the must into a foaming lather. This unique method sets their wine apart. The winemaker believes that the key to their success lies in the natural fermentation process and the meticulous punch-down of the cap with handcrafted wooden tools, a ritual performed with dedication. Witnessing the sun illuminate the purple grape juice as it bubbles to the surface is a sight the winemaker cherishes deeply, as it nurtures the soul.
After three to four weeks in the fermentation tank, the time comes to separate the skin from the juice, all done by hand using a 100-year-old basket press. The wine is then transferred into barrels using buckets. Although this method is not the most efficient, it adheres to the winemaking tradition passed down from the grandfather. The result is wine that is truly handcrafted, and each bottle reflects a distinct difference from mass-produced alternatives.
