Tensley Wines is a family owned and operated winery focusing on vineyard designated Syrah within Santa Barbara County. Established in 1998, the first release of Tensley totaled just 100 cases. In 2006, our production reached 3,300 cases and included seven single-vineyard Syrahs, the most in Santa Barbara County.
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.
A family winemaking tradition in the Santa Clara Valley since 1925, Guglielmo Winery is a fourth-generation, family-owned establishment that produces a diverse range of award-winning varietals from approximately 50 acres of California estate vineyards, as well as from other premium wine-growing regions within the state.
Today, Guglielmo Winery (gool-yell-mo) produces over 40,000 cases annually across three labels: Guglielmo Private Reserve, Tre, and its oldest label, Emile’s. Despite its growth, the winery remains committed to its family philosophy of creating natural, high-quality wines to be enjoyed with family and friends, with family members overseeing every phase of the winemaking process.
“Wine is a traditional part of our culture and one of life’s simple pleasures to be shared with family and friends.”
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.
Labyrinth WInery is a premium producer of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir and Big French / Spanish Reds from Paso Robles. The team at Labyrinth believes that world-class wines need to be accompanied by world-class service. In addition to a comfortable and welcoming environment to taste the wines poured, you will fine a sincere endeavor to make your visit special so that you feel like a long lost friend. At Labyrinth Winery Eddie and Stephanie Schwatz "craft wines that make your palate sing." *
Hours:
Mon Closed
Tues Closed
Wed 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Thur 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Fri 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Sat 12:00am to 8:00pm
Sun 12:00am to 6:00pm
At Rhys Vineyards we aspire to make great Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah from some of California’s most unique and expressive vineyards. This pursuit has led us to search the state for exciting rocky soils that exist within the mountainous, cool, Coastal climate zone. Over the last 15 years, we have developed seven estate vineyards, six in the Santa Cruz Mountains and one in Anderson Valley, each capable of producing uniquely compelling, distinctive, soil-driven wine.
Our pourer today was Matt, who was a wealth of knowledge. Many pourers are good at recital of their product, but don't have a lotta depth. Matt is extremely well versed in wine, wine making, viticulture, and local wineries.Starting with a very nice Gewurtztraminer, it had all the great aromatics and was very sharp on the palate. The Dutton Ranch Chardonnay was excellent and a nice balance of classic and new world styles. The Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir was a great classic Russian River Pinot.
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
Where is the bottle? What’s the most delicious way to enjoy acclaimed wines without a hefty price tag? Lose the bottle. In 2003, Black Box Wines redefined the category by becoming the first U.S. vintner to offer super-premium, appellation-specific, vintage-dated wines in a box. Since then our expanding repertoire has earned 28 gold medals in wine competitions nationwide, yet still costs 40% less than comparable bottled wines.
Ursa Vineyards is a collaborative effort between the husband and wife team - Greg Stokes and Deborah Elissagaray. Greg has 25 years of experience with vineyards and winemaking, and Deborah has 18 years in winemaking. Both were part of the winemaking team at David Bruce for years. This small foothill winery produces no more than 2500 cases annually, allowing exceptional attention to be paid in both the vineyard and the cellar. All fruit is fermented in small fermenters and worked by hand. A minimal amount of handling ensures the preservation of the fruit character of the varietal being made. Ursa Vineyard's focus is petite sirah from various vineyards in California, but they also produce merlot, syrah and a unique varietal from the Pyrenees, Tannat.
