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.
The Hope family arrived in Paso Robles in 1978 in search of land and new opportunity. As they’ve planted vineyards, grown grapes and made wine over the past 30 years, Paso Robles has become a viticulture region of significance, capable of producing world-class wines. As one of the pioneering families of this distinctive wine community, the Hope family is dedicated to sustainable farming and making wines that are delicious, accessible and memorable. Still family-owned and operated, Hope Family Wines now makes five individual brands: Liberty School, Treana, Candor, Troublemaker and Austin Hope.
Lusso Della Terra Cellars is a boutique winery situated in the Fiddletown AVA, nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Fiddletown, California. Known for its small-lot specialty wines, the winery consistently wins competitions across the country and delights wine connoisseurs from around the globe. Lusso Della Terra focuses on high-quality, handcrafted, ultra-premium wines, released in limited quantities and designed to be shared with loved ones.
Luxury
The winery offers a luxurious experience for visitors, featuring a beautiful space for private events and stunning vineyard backdrops for small, intimate weddings.
Craftsmanship
Lusso Della Terra also provides full-service Custom Crush for a variety of clients, collaborating with winemakers from around the world, both large and small. Guests can experience true wine craftsmanship with the winery’s award-winning winemaker.
The tasting room host was very sweet and hospitable. All of the wines were good and VERY reasonably priced, but the one wine that stood out the most to me was the late harvest sauvignon blanc. Late harvest sauv blanc is not an easy wine to come by, giving Rued brownie points in my book! It's a lusciously sweet wine that's reminiscent of ripe yellow peaches and honey.
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!
This was also a fabulous winery to taste at. They let us picnic in their beautiful courtyard, complete with bocce court, and supplied us with complementary glasses of wine to enjoy while we ate. The employees were chatty, knowledgeable, and not at all pushy.
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery is one of the closest, if not the closest winery to the ocean in all of California. From the vineyard you can see the breaking surf and the misty silhouettes of Bodega Head and Pt. Reyes far below. The vineyard’s high elevation above the coastal fog and its proximity to the ocean provide a gentle, sunny and temperate climate that has proved to be very favorable for the slow and even ripening of Burgundian varietals.
Top notch experience with top notch wine. Our host for the day started by taking us into a big room with a fully set table. I appreciated that we were each given multiple glasses that were appropriate for the wine were were tasting - Chardonnay, Pinot & Cab. It makes such a difference and that should have been the first clue to the experience we were about to have.
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.
What I can say, I love visiting this winery. First of all, you get the fantastic views of San Francisco and the East Bay from Treasure Island. Some really great wines The building is a cool space that the Winery uses for tastings, storage, and production of a few other smaller winemakers too. The folks at Treasure Island Wines are extremely knowledgeable. We had an opportunity to sit down with Jim Mirowski and do a little video interview with him. You can take a peek at what your visit to Treasure Island Wines will be like by clicking HERE. Prices are right for most budgets and this is a fun and unique space to visit with friends! Open on the weekends and for special events.~
Hours:
Mon-Fri Closed
Sat 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Sun 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
