Foursight Wines is located on a beautiful piece of land and it is one of those wineries that just transform you to another place. Plus the staff is incredible there. Family run and friendly dogs. Fine Pinot, yummy DRY gewurz and a wide range of wines to sample. The pours are generous, repeated and free. Hard to find at retail level, this is a must stop in the Anderson Valley.
“When I was a little kid, both my mother and father came from musical families. My father was a great flautist, composer, and conductor and my mother’s father was a wonderful Neapolitan songwriter. Her brother was a fine trumpet player in the same orchestra my father played in. He brought his friend home to dinner one occasion, and that’s how my father met my mother.”
-Francis Ford Coppola
Smiling Dogs Ranch produces handcrafted small lot wines - Kelseyville Tasting Room
Hours: Fri - Sun | 1pm - 5pm
Pelican Ranch Winery is a small, family owned and operated winery specializing in Rhone and Burgundy style wines from the best vineyards in California. Established in 1997, the winery is located a short distance from Monterey Bay which provides the constant, cool, coastal influence that allows for controlled, slow fermentation. The result is rich, full-flavored, complex wines.
Located off the beaten path and decidedly unpretentious, an afternoon visit to Bouchaine is a favorite. Their wine is quite good, especially considering the mostly modest bottle prices. Their riesling is crisp and wonderful, perfect for a warm sunny afternoon. Their pinots are excellent. There is a self-guided tour through the vineyards that offers great views of the southern Napa Valley.
You will find just outside San Luis Obispo on California's stunning Central Coast, Chamisal Vineyards holds a special place in the heart of wine lovers. Established in 1973, it was the first vineyard to plant in what would become the Edna Valley AVA. Specializing in the beloved Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Chamisal Vineyards crafts wines that beautifully reflect the wild and breathtaking landscapes of this unique region, all from their enchanting 82-acre estate.
Chamisal has gained a reputation as one of the premier producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Central Coast. The estate features 82 acres of vines, thriving in three distinct soil types: Chamise Shaly Loam, Tierra Sandy Loam, and Salinas Clay Loam. Just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, this vineyard benefits from one of the coolest climates in the wine world. The maritime breezes help create a long, temperate growing season, giving grapes ample time to develop rich, complex flavors while retaining that refreshing coastal crispness that wine enthusiasts adore.
Every vintage at Chamisal is a testament to patience and evolution. The winemaking team is always learning and adapting, fine-tuning their methods to bring out the very best in each bottle. It's a delightful dance of experimentation and careful adjustments, with each wine a step closer to capturing the vineyard's fullest expression.
As for the Edna Valley itself, its east-west orientation and proximity to the Pacific make it one of California's coolest appellations. This cooler climate allows grapes like Chardonnay to bask on the vine for weeks longer than those in warmer regions, resulting in wines bursting with deep, rich flavors and remarkable fruit intensity.
At the helm of Chamisal's winemaking is the talented Brianne Engles. Growing up in the charming seaside town of Pacific Grove, California, she got her first taste of the wine world while working at a high-end restaurant at just 15 years old. Her journey led her to Cal Poly State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wine and Viticulture, along with a Level 3 Advanced Certification from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
With 17 years of experience under her belt, Brianne has honed her skills at renowned wineries such as Two Hands in South Australia, Duckhorn and Quintessa in Napa Valley, and Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles. Now at Chamisal Vineyards, she passionately honors the terroir of the grapes, striving to encapsulate the essence of the Central Coast's sunshine, soil, and each vintage's unique character. When she’s not in the winery, you can find her exploring local farmers markets, cooking up a feast for friends, hiking up scenic trails, or soaking up the sun at the beach. Cheers to the vibrant world of Chamisal Vineyards!
John and Mancy now offer 4 wines: Chardonnay Pinot noir Zinfandel Mescalanza (a blend) Syrah Mescalanza ( a blend ) All 4 are great. You will be tasting at their house, by appointment only. It is a wonderful intimate experience. The Pinot is amazing.
Although Failla (pronounced FAY-LA) has a relatively brief history, it is marked by complexity. The first vintage release, under the name Failla-Jordan, was in 1998. That year, Failla debuted its Alban Vineyard Viognier from Edna Valley and Que Syrah Syrah from Sonoma Coast, while simultaneously planting the initial blocks at their Estate Vineyard in Cazadero. The first Estate releases would not emerge for several more years.
Ehren Jordan, the founder, has a passion for experimenting with his favorite varietals, exploring their diverse expressions across different climates—cool, cooler, and coolest—as well as varying soil types and rootstocks.
In 1998, Failla acquired a parcel adjacent to an earlier purchase and planted it with five acres of rootstock in 2002, later grafting Pinot Noir clones the following year. Ehren's viticultural training in France profoundly influences his farming and winemaking decisions. Today, Failla’s eleven acres of Estate vineyards produce Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir that embody the essence of California’s coolest regions.
After honing his skills with Pinot Noir from Keefer Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley in 1999, Ehren sought out unique, cool-climate Pinot Noir sources to fuel his ongoing experimentation and passion.
Rexford Winery handcrafts wines in small lots using grapes from select local vineyards. Their focus on single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, and other premium varieties. Rexford wines accurately reflect the varietal characteristics of the grapes and the unique microclimates and soils of the vineyards from which they come. Visitors are welcome at the winery located on the west side of Santa Cruz. The winery is open for tasting and sales Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and by appointment. NOTE: Rexford Winery is the new name for Hillcrest Terrace Winery. Rexford is a very small-scale operation that offers high quality wines. Sauvignon Blanc ($19), a Pinot Noir from Monterey ($29) and a Cab Sauv from Carmel Valley ($32). All were delicious and well made. We chatted with the winemaker. He teaches astro-physics at UCSC and decided to break into the commercial wine business after making some good homemade batches. He was knowledgeable and friendly.
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.
