Cakebread Cellars' story begins with a piece of land, a family passionate about wine, and a community of friends and partners who helped bring the winery to life. Since its founding in 1973, Cakebread Cellars has aimed to create quality wines that pair beautifully with good food and good company. The wines reflect the personalities of their estate vineyards as well as the spirit of the entire team. They take pride in sharing these wines—from their family to yours.
Parsonage Village Vineyard is planted on a seven-acre south-facing hillside bench 500 feet above the Carmel River and a half mile east of the Carmel Valley Village. The mesoclimate(yes, it's not a microclimate which encompasses a larger area than meso) here is ideal for the all red varietals--Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Verdot that make up the Estate Vineyard.
Husch Vineyards is a small, family owned and operated winery. It is the oldest winery in the Anderson Valley appellation, located in Mendocino County (Northern California) just 2 1/2 hours north of San Francisco. The tasting room is in a hobbit cottage straight out of the Shire. Worth stopping just to see it. People were friendly. The wines were very earthy and herby, almost gamey. Definitely distinctive. The tasting is free, which is rare even in Anderson Valley, so you have nothing to lose but a little bit of time and room in your stomach for something else.
Owner-Operator: Ed Muns, a former technology manager in Silicon Valley, acquired his viticulture knowledge from Northern California wine-growers and extension courses at the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology while establishing his own vineyard. Ed is hands-on in the vineyard, overseeing the crew and handling all the tractor work. Outside the vineyard, Ed is an avid Ham radio contester (W0YK) and holds world records in the field. Both Ed and Mary have enjoyed sailing and racing Hobie Cats and monohulls, though the demands of the vineyard and winery have recently limited their time on the water.
Partner: Mary Lindsay manages marketing and sales for Muns Vineyard wines, marking her second career. Formerly, she was President of Lindsay Public Relations, where she shaped the image and messaging for young high-tech companies in Silicon Valley. Mary also handles marketing for Silver Mountain Vineyards and previously managed their tasting room on Cannery Row in Monterey. She is President of the Viticulture Association of the Santa Cruz Mountains (VASCM), supports various winery groups, and assists in the vineyard, particularly during harvest. Her additional interests include foraging for wild mushrooms, collecting rocks, and knitting.
We hold tours of the vineyard on specific scheduled dates (please see our Events page), and will provide address and directions with your reservation. We participate in Passport Day at Vino Locale, 431 Kipling St., Palo Alto 650-328-0340 .
Fitzpatrick Winery and Lodge is located in the Fair Play AVA (American Viticultural Area) at the heart of the California's Gold Country, in the beautiful and idyllic Sierra Foothills of El Dorado county, nearby historic Placerville. We feature fine hand crafted wines made from organically grown premium wine grapes and a unique Irish Bed & Breakfast. 37 years in Fair Play. Fitzpatrick Winery & Lodge became Fair Play's first winery in 1980.
Nice, quaint winery. Has outdoor tables/seating and even cornhole (bean bag toss) game if you wanted to play. And a cute little picnic table for the kids. Our wine guide was friendly and super helpful. Mom enjoyed this spot because it had a nice selection of sweeter wines, e.g. Riesling. Very laid back environment. Bought some sandwiches from the deli just down the street recommended by Hagafen and ate at Hagafen outdoors while enjoying some Riesling. Art work by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski -Agata a Art Gallery
Over a 100 years ago, the first known woman wine grower in California, Dona Marcelina Felix Dominguez, grew Mission vines on her Santa Barbara property. The vines survived, and when Deborah Hall and her late husband, William, brought the property in 1994, they discovered these vines under a heavy cover of brush. They originally thought the vines were Zinfandel, and sold them as such to other vintners. DNA testing at University of California Davis later revealed that they were Mission vines. Mission vines were brought into California in 1767 by Spanish Padres from Mexico who established a chain of missions from San Diego to Sonoma from 1767 to 1833. Deborah’s ancient Mission vineyard of three acres is part of only ten acres still growing in California.
Schrader Cellars produces an ultra-premium portfolio of wines from single vineyard estate vineyards from the Napa Valley, Sonoma County, and Red Hills Lake County appellations. Schrader Cellars offers their wines exclusively via our mailing list and at the finest restaurants and wine shops in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Roth Estate is a family-owned winery dedicated to crafting full-flavored wines grown in exemplary Sonoma County vineyards. Beginning in 2001, Roth committed to producing classic Bordeaux varietals in Alexander Valley. A decade later the winery expanded its winemaking to include cool-climate varietals from the Sonoma Coast.
Meet Niels and Bimmer Udsen, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind Castoro Cellars, a fun and inviting winery that has been making waves in Paso Robles since 1983. Their journey began with a simple dream: to create world-class wines from the beautiful grapes of the Paso Robles appellation.
Niels, a Ventura native, first dipped his toes into the wine business while studying Agribusiness at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. His passion for winemaking, combined with Bimmer’s unwavering support, led them to establish their very own winery in the heart of this thriving wine region.
But the path to success wasn’t conventional. The Udsens embraced what they fondly call the “backwards approach”: they started by making and selling wine, then acquired their own equipment, and finally built their winery and tasting room. Talk about an adventure!
You can visit Castoro’s charming tasting room in Templeton, right off scenic Highway 46 West, while their winemaking facility is located in San Miguel on the East Side of Paso Robles—both opened their doors in 1990. With the mentorship of Tom Myers, Castoro Cellars’ talented winemaker, the Udsen family has transformed from crafting a few barrels for friends and family into a thriving business.
Today, Castoro boasts over 1,400 acres of estate vineyards, all certified organic and SIP certified. Niels and Bimmer have built a brand that reflects their values, focusing on approachability and environmental consciousness. Niels' father, a Danish immigrant and successful businessman, instilled in him a deep appreciation for agriculture and entrepreneurship, which shaped their winery’s foundation.
Niels discovered his love for the wine industry during a senior marketing project for a local winery at Cal Poly. After marrying Bimmer in 1981, he honed his winemaking skills in the cellar of Estrella River Winery, learning every aspect of the craft for five years under the guidance of Tom Myers.
In 1983, armed with experience and a sense of humor, Niels and Bimmer launched Castoro Cellars, named after the Italian word for “beaver” (Niels’ long-time nickname). Their motto, “Dam Fine Wine,” perfectly captures their playful spirit!
Castoro Cellars isn’t just about great wine; it’s about family values, too. Their welcoming tasting room is family-friendly, even offering alcohol-free Zinfandel grape juice for the little ones. Plus, the Udsens prioritize a work environment that understands the importance of family flexibility for their employees. So, whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or just starting your journey, Castoro Cellars promises a delightful experience filled with laughter, warmth, and, of course, exceptional wine!
