In 1997 began the pursuit of a dream; it started with 75 acres on Jack Creek Road in Templeton, CA. Before the first vine was planted Jack Creek Cellars made the commitment to farm the finest fruit possible, even if it meant a longer period of time before the vineyard became financially viable. The first priority with the fruit produced from the vineyard has always been excellence, believing strongly that without remarkable fruit you cannot make a world-class wine.
Let's begin with what everyone goes to Healdsburg/Sebastopol for: the pinots. Dutton-Goldfield had four or five pinots when we tasted there, and they were all unique and delicious. They varied from the lighter, fruit-forward classic pinots to the richer, almost-cab pinots. All of them were good, but I particularly liked the Devil's Gulch, which was on the richer side of the spectrum.
This winery is fun! They're only open the third weekend of the month. Tucked away down Redwood Retreat Road about 3.5 miles from Watsonville Road, the drive to get here is truly spectacular. They are only open the third weekend of each month and passport weekends. They ask that you sign in and they then give you name tags with your first name on it. The staff was friendly and the owners Therese and Dan were walking around greeting people. Dan and Therese Martin clearly have a passion for making great wine. They have scores of awards for their wine but that's not what they lead with. Their tasting room is welcoming and intimate. The vibe is comfortable and engaging. Martin Ranch produces a variety of wines from Chardonnay to Cab Franc, Sauvignon Blanc to Sangiovese.
A very friendly small winery with it's focus on Pinot Noir. I first experienced La Rochelle's wines back in 2010 or 2011. I was inspired that day at a tasting to start my blog www.california-wine-trails starting with the tasting notes on a napkin that same day. It has been sometime since I last visited but if you enjoy Pinot Noirs this is certainly one winery to experience just how versatile this grape is and the different ways it can end up in the glass. Yes, I had a couple of favorites, but it was the best tasting of that day. While they do their best to accommodate walk-ins, they encourage setting an appointment so you have the time and attention to enjoying these wonderful wines.
Longtime friends Todd Williams and Rodney Strong created Toad Hollow Vineyards when they released their first vintage of unoaked chardonnay in 1994. As one of the leaders in unoaked Chardonnay, their consistent style featuring bright, crisp fruit flavors, continues to be a favorite.
The wines are very nice. Pinots, Syrah, Chard, Cab. All amazing! And the staff is friendly and very knowledgeable.
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.
They are a family-owned estate winery is in the Willow Creek District of the picturesque Paso Robles. They believe the most memorable experiences occur at the crossroads of exceptional wine and food. Open daily, they offer seated tasting flights and a fresh, seasonal lunch menu sourced from local farms and their Chef’s Garden.
Milliaire Winery, a small family-owned establishment, was founded by Liz and Steve Millier in 1983 in the cellar of their former home in Murphys, CA. By 1990, the winery had relocated to an old Flying A gas station on Main Street in Murphys. Every part of the building was put to use for daily operations: barrels stacked in the repair bays, wine tanks in the backyard, bottling done in the front yard, and a tasting room set up in the office. Locals joked about the contents of "those tanks," and a friend humorously named it the "Roadside Chateau." Driven by their passion for crafting premium wines from the Sierra Foothills, Milliaire Winery has since expanded to occupy an over 8,000-square-foot facility with a dedicated barrel room and modern crush pad. Despite this growth, the Milliaire tasting room remains in the beloved "Roadside Chateau" at 276 Main Street.
The Winemaker
Winemaker Steve Millier began his winemaking journey in 1975 at David Bruce Winery in Santa Cruz after earning his enology degree with an emphasis in viticulture from Fresno State. With over 40 harvests under his belt, Steve possesses a deep understanding of both the science and art of winemaking and grape growing. Part alchemist, part artist, and part farmer, Steve continues to explore, learn, and most importantly, have fun in the winery. His life's work results in great bottles of wine that everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy.
Milliaire Winery, a small family-owned establishment, was founded by Liz and Steve Millier in 1983 in the cellar of their former home in Murphys, CA. By 1990, the winery had relocated to an old Flying A gas station on Main Street in Murphys. Every part of the building was put to use for daily operations: barrels stacked in the repair bays, wine tanks in the backyard, bottling done in the front yard, and a tasting room set up in the office. Locals joked about the contents of "those tanks," and a friend humorously named it the "Roadside Chateau." Driven by their passion for crafting premium wines from the Sierra Foothills, Milliaire Winery has since expanded to occupy an over 8,000-square-foot facility with a dedicated barrel room and modern crush pad. Despite this growth, the Milliaire tasting room remains in the beloved "Roadside Chateau" at 276 Main Street.
The Winemaker
Steve Millier began his winemaking journey in 1975 at David Bruce Winery in Santa Cruz after earning his enology degree with an emphasis in viticulture from Fresno State. With over 40 harvests under his belt, Steve possesses a deep understanding of both the science and art of winemaking and grape growing. Part alchemist, part artist, and part farmer, Steve continues to explore, learn, and most importantly, have fun in the winery. His life's work results in great bottles of wine that everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy.
Boutique winery. Appointment only but that ensures that they can make time for you to taste in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Very informative and the wines were outstanding. Not inexpensive but not overly pricey either.
