Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

Elliston Vineyards

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

In 1977 Sunol's grape growing tradition was revived by the planting of 55 acres of premium grape varieties on San Francisco Water Company land. In 1984 the Awtreys obtained rights to the Sunol Valley Vineyards and also replanted Elliston's own vineyard at the estate with three acres of Chardonnay. The original carriage house was converted into the winery, and Don Blackburn was hired as Elliston's first winemaker. Trained in Burgundy, Don's wines from 1985 to 1990 were classically Burgundian in style employing French Oak exclusively, barrel fermentation, "sur lie" aging, and malolactic fermentation emphasizing complexity and the unique flavors of the vineyard. Since 1992 the winery and Elliston Estates have been owned and operated by the Awtrey's daughter Donna and her three children Mark, K.J., and David.

Read our guide to Livermore Wines and Wineries

Saracina Vineyards

grape cluster - Pixabay

Saracina wine production focuses on Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Roussanne, Syrah, and Zinfandel grapes for their historical significance in Mendocino County and for the tremendous potential they have to produce world-class wines. By sourcing from the extreme meso-climates and soil types in Mendocino County -- from the foggy coastal zones of Anderson Valley to the mountaintop high above the Ukiah Valley, down to the day-time warmth of the inland valleys -- Saracina Vineyards is able to create more stylish and inherently interesting wines.

Larson Family Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

The place is very relaxed, dog- and child-friendly, and the grounds are rustic with a nice view of Carneros. It's getting the wine country experience without venturing too far up the 121, and without the tour buses and connoisseurs.

 

Beuregards Vineyards

Cluster of grapes

In 1945 retired Sheriff Deputy Amos Beauregard purchased 157 acres of which 13 acres have been planted with winegrapes. Cabernet Saugivgon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and an old grape know as Charabono were originally planted in 1880. Over the years Jim Beuregard has planted hundreds of acres of vines throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains and still maintains his 68 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim and his family live on the estate and Ryan Beauregard is the Winemaker.

Fults Family Vineyards

women sharing wine

Lying on the banks of Clayton Creek in Lake County, CA, Fults Family Vineyards is founded on 150 years of mid-west work ethics, family values, and the love of fun.  With the help of family and friends, what started as a hobby has grown into a passion for producing great wine. We invite you to create your own experience while you enjoy a glass of our hand crafted wine.  

Hours: Mon-Wed By Appointment 

Costa De Oro Winery

Winery sign

Costa de Oro Winery's mission is to craft the finest wines from the Central Coast by blending the artistry of Old-World winemaking with New-World grape growing practices.

In 1989, Ron Burk and Bob Espinola, owners of Gold Coast Farms, planted the Gold Coast Vineyard. This 30-acre vineyard, featuring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, is situated on a stunning bluff at Fuglar's Point in the esteemed Santa Maria Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County.

The vineyard began yielding fruit in the early 1990s, with grapes sold to local wineries including Au Bon Climat, Foxen, Lane Tanner, and The Hitching Post. During this period, Gary Burk, Ron Burk's son, formed a friendship with Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat. In 1994, Clendenen offered Gary a harvest position at the renowned Au Bon Climat/Qupé Winery, where Gary eventually accepted a full-time role and remained until 2002.

While at Au Bon Climat/Qupé in 1994, Gary produced the first Costa de Oro wines—one barrel each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Costa de Oro continued to expand each year, reaching 2,500 cases by 2002, when Gary chose to dedicate himself entirely to the winery. Today, Costa de Oro produces 6,500 cases annually and also creates special private labels for clients such as James Beard Award Winner Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants, the Halekulani Hotel on Waikiki Beach, and CF Pinot Noir for Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya of the Sansei Restaurant Group.

The Costa de Oro Tasting Room opened in 2006 at the original location of the Gold Coast Farms' strawberry stand off the 101 Freeway in Santa Maria. Gary and his wife, Teresa Gasca-Burk, manage the tasting room, where visitors can enjoy local live music on weekends. Occasionally, they can even be seen performing with the bands. Guests are invited to savor wine, music, and the relaxed ambiance at Costa de Oro.

Byron Vineyards

Grape Cluster - Pixabay

Hit the tasting room in Los Olivos for an afternoon of Pinot drinking. Staff very friendly and fun to taste with. Pinot is solid and enjoyable. This place is nearby several tasting rooms. Upon entering, it was calm and quiet. Since it was a weekday, it was a much different ambiance from the busy weekends as mentioned by the staff. The tasting included three whites and three reds. It was three chardonnays, two pinot noirs, and one syrah.

Francis Coppola Winery

Swirling wine n a glass - Pixabay - Saman Teher

What a beautiful estate! This was my first time to Francis Ford Coppola and I was in awe! I don't even know where to start, but the grounds are beautiful, the tasting room was fun, the memorabilia was nostalgic, and the cellar was amazing as well!All of the staff was ever so friendly, welcoming and helpful. You wouldn't expect anything short of greatness, when you learn that Mr. Coppola is heavily involved in the operations of the winery and visits periodically to ensure that everything meets his standards.

Cayucos Cellars

pouring wine - AI Generated Pixabay

Cayucos Cellars is the quintessential small family winery, owned and operated solely by a family of five, without any employees or outside help. Each family member can often be found in the tasting room, pouring wine, interacting with visitors from near and far, and enjoying a good chat.

All wines produced by Cayucos Cellars are fermented using only the natural abilities of wild yeast and are aged for three to six years in neutral oak barrels before bottling. With an annual production of between five hundred and eight hundred cases of premium wine, the family ensures incredible attention to detail in every bottle. The winery itself is located in an old dairy barn in the coastal hills above Cayucos, nestled on a working ranch. To ensure visitors' safety, the tasting room is conveniently located in town, away from the potential hazards of ranch machinery.

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