Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

Miner Family Vineyards

Location:
A delightful tasting facility perched on the hillside that feels spacious and has a great view.

Service:
Knowledgeable and friendly staff, although this is hit and miss. The first gentleman who poured for us was very helpful, but then a brusque lady came along and stole our spit bucket that we were using and gave it to the couple she was attending.

Wines:
We had a $25 flight of 5 wines that came with the flexibility to pick any combination of the wines they were pouring. Miner does not produce estate wines and their grapes are sourced from third party vineyards.

It was fun to compare the difference between the two styles of Chardonnay, one of which (2008 Chardonnay, "Wild Yeast") received more oak aging & malolactic fermentation % than the other (2010 Chardonnay, "Napa Valley").

Cuvaison Estate Wines

They have a simple tasting room with seats and tables outside facing the vineyards. If the weather is lovely definitely opt for sitting outside! I came here for a girl's wine tasting day. Our wine guide was nice and friendly, he was nice enough to give us two extra tastings.

We sat outside and admired the pretty vineyards wine sipping our wine. We got three tastings and just split among the five of us. My favorite was the chardonnay, nice and light and as our wine guide said "can go with anything."

Great winery with nice staff. If you're around this area, definitely stop by.

Milliaire Winery

The girl that poured for us was the single most welcoming and knowledgeable tasting room employee we dealt with that day. She was interested in what we were looking for but gently encouraged us to try some other wines they had available without being pushy.Most of all when you walk out of the winery you come away with such a great experience.

Aubin Cellars

Aubin Cellar's vision is to make wine that reflects each vineyard's pedigree: soil, clonal selection, and appellation. In blending old world methods and modern concepts of wine production, Aubin Cellars attempts to craft wines that show balance, fruit purity and Verve.

Esser Vineyards

German-born Manfred Esser began his career as a salesman for a large European winery; in 1974, he came to the United States. Esser joined Napa Valley's Cuvaison Winery as President in 1986 and, in a little over 10 years, made it one of the most successful estates in the industry. His unique approach to converting customers into "company ambassadors" has set an industry standard for client relations. Having achieved success at Cuvaison, Esser sold his partnership in 1998, fueled by the desire to begin a project of his own.
Years of preparation went into the development of the Esser Vineyards brand. Working closely with Manfred Esser is renowned consulting winemaker Paul Moser, whose style received praise for eight consecutive years from Robert Parker as a "breath of fresh air" in the California wine market.

Lusso Della Terra Winery & Vineyards

In San Miguel, California Lusso Della Terra, which name means "Luxury of the Land" makes its goal to live up to the name by drawing on the passion and love for both the land and the wine it produces. Winemaker Edward Cholakian starting from cellar rat, worked his way up the production later over time. His experience at well-know wineries such as Cakebread Cellars, Chateau St Jean, Monterey Wine Company, Fetzer Vineyards as well as serving as consultant for 30 other winereis has shaped Edward in creating his own style and winemakeing and shows in the wines of Lusso Della Terra.

Hours:

Monday through Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm

Bjornstad Cellars

The wines, Pinot Noir's, range from garnet color to deeply colored (2009 Hellenthal Vineyard Pinot Noir) with a hint of blue at the edge of the glass. Complex aromas open slowly to show savory spices, pungent cedar and subtle earth. Dark, brooding fruit aromas suggest a bramble of wild blackberries. Flavors follow aromas on the palate with a sweet, round core of cherries. The palate weight is significant and the mouth coating tannins are firm, but yielding.

Del Dotto Vineyards

The beautiful, incredibly ornate and Victorian/ Baroque style tasting room coupled with the very friendly service makes this a great place to take out-of-towners.

Barrel tasting after barrel tasting, we truly learned a lot. The final tasting was complimented by an immaculate tray of cheese, cured meats, and bread/crackers (which, let's say, we definitely needed. . .and loved).

Thorne Wine

The current Rio Vista Vineyard property was settled in the late 1800’s by Portuguese immigrants, many from the Azores.The farmhouse, recently restored, was built around the turn of the century. There have been a number of visits from early occupants who were born or grew up on the property. Their stories describe an original vineyard that was in the same location as block 7 of the present Rio Vista Vineyard.

Calcareous Vineyards

Let the Soil Speak ! The one thing that makes for the creation of uniqueness amongst wines is the exact place the vines reside. The oneness of soil, water, sun and ai in each vineyard creates wines as individual as snowflakes.

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