Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

Jaeger Vineyards

fog settles into a vineyard

Jaeger Vineyards are grape growers who sell their fruit to local wineries. Its first objective is to keep business in Napa with sustainability and good farming at the forefront, protecting the soil's terroir and following sound practices in order to do so. The family owned vineyard began back in the early 70s when Bill Jaeger came to Napa and bought some land in the district of Oak Knoll, a now renowned area for wine that is recognized worldwide. Varietals include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Jaeger Vineyards is partnered with Alpha Omega Wines and Amour Prive Winery.

Windsor Oaks

table set with bottle of wine and glasses

Windsor Oaks estate is open to the public only eighteen days a year. They do offer limited VIP tasting and tours.In an wine tasting event that sadly has become increasingly all about tour buses, limos, bridal parties and frat boys guzzling Coors Light in the parking lots, many wineries struggled to find the right balance of paying attention to those that were there to focus on the art of winemaking, and those that were there to party. The folks at Windsor Oaks rose above and created a memory for all in attendance. Special thanks goes to winemaker Julie Hagler Lumgair, who climbed atop a second tier barrel, and from above, shared a taste of yet another wine "off the list"...her passion, expertise, warmth, and generosity.

Domenico Wines

Domenico wines on a barrel

Dominick and Gloria Chirichillo’s choice of name for their winery is a reflection of their commitment to their Italian heritage and the tradition of family winemaking. In 1955 in New York, Dominick who is called Domenico in Italian was introduced to these traditions by his Nonno (grandfather), Domenico Giovinazzo. In the basement of their home was a wine press that Nonno showed Dominick; passing down from one generation to another the love of handcrafting wine. Affordable, delicious Santa Cruz Mountain wines, great tasting room, wonderful owners/winemakers. It has been inspiring in seeing Domenico Wines expand and grow. Kudos, and wishing the team the very best on their latest wines and their new tasting room location in San Carlos. Domenico Wines was included in a brief video presentation of wineries that are part of the 3rd Annual Mid Peninsula Summer Wine Trail. You can get a peek HERE We are looking forward to getting an interview (video) with Dominick Chirichillo in the near future.~

Hours:

Mon-Tue   Closed
Wed     12:00pm to 8:00pm
Thu      12:00pm to 8:00pm
Fri         12:00pm to 8:00pm
Sat        12:00pm to 8:00pm
Sun       12:00pm to 6:00pm

Hours:

Wild Horse Winery

Logo of Wild Horse Winery in Templeton California

The name Wild Horse Winery is a tribute to the herds of mustangs that once roamed the hills above the vineyards. And it is quite possibly that the owners also had in mind the Cal Poly mascot – a galloping horse ~

Banshee Wines

wine and cheese

Banshee crafts wines of uncommon purity from Sonoma and Napa California. Banshee specialize in Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc. Plus they have a special red blend called Mordecai. Banshee Wines is not your normal wine company. It is a band of wine industry insiders dedicated to producing benchmark wines without the cult wine prices. Banshee specialize in finding hidden gems in other wineries' cellars and then blending those barrels to create killer wines.

Bien Nacido Vineyards

Bien Nacido Vineyards Image

The Miller Family planted Bien Nacido Vineyards in 1970's. Togther with Winemaker Trey Fletcher this winery produces approx. 2,000 cases of wine a year. Wines produced are Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vioner, Nebbiolo.

Castle Rock Winery

Castle Rock Winery buys grapes from approximately 40 grape growers, all renowned for their expertise and consistency. In each case, vineyard practices are carried out under the guidance and instruction of Castle Rock Team, all to ensure that quality standards are maintained from start to finish.

Hours:

Not Open to Public

Fenestra Winery

Wine and cheese on a table

Fenestra Winery was established by the Replogle family on the historic Ruby Hill property and in 1980 occupied the century-old George True Winery building on Vallecitos Road. The old building had been badly neglected,and the Replogles hauled away tons of trash. Now part of the Ruby Hill development, (the Replogles lease the building and surrounding grounds) which includes a Jack Nicklaus designed course, homes and 900 acres of vineyards, the winery building has been refurbished and vineyards have been planted around the winery. The winery specializes in classically balanced, award-winning wines from primarily Livermore Valley grapes. Livermore Valley's first boutique winery, Fenestra Winery is celebrating 34 years of fine wines.

Read our guide to Livermore Wines and Wineries

Etude Wines

woman with wine glass

Wine Maker Jon Priest and General Manager, is dedicated to inspired winegrowing. His focus is on cultivating grapes in optimal locations with ideal conditions to produce wines of exceptional world-class character. Through his intentional winemaking approach, he aims to express the intrinsic qualities of each varietal while highlighting their unique characteristics and a distinct sense of place.

In 1982, Etude was established in the cool-climate Carneros region with the aim of producing world-class Pinot Noir. 

Pinot Noir is the most appropriate vehicle with which to study wine growing, precisely because of its demanding nature but also because of its delicacy and transparency. Make no mistake it is a humbling pursuit, but when it’s right, Pinot Noir is a glorious and moving thing. It is in the pursuit of that experience that we all work.

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