Port

Port

Oak Mountain Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski women enjoying wine

Another stop on the DePortola Wine Trail. I wish I had the opportunity to walk around the grounds here and check them out, but time was pressing and we had more wineries to get to. Outside there is a very large patio with a wonderful view. There was a pizza booth to purchase a snack and a live band playing. I hope to stop by again next trip to the area. A really nice, friendly atmosphere to relax. Growing classic warm weather Mediterranean varieties of grapes which include Mourvedre, Viognier, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel and Sangiovese Brunello are keystone wines at this picturesque winery. Also included are some unique wine varietals such as Tempranillo, Primativo and our a Pinotage. I hope to meet the winemaker Stephen Andrews next time I am in Temecula Wine Country. Painting by Agata Zaborowski

J. Rickards Vineyard & Winery

corks and wine glass - Pixabay

When we drove up we were greeted by 2 dogs and Jim the owner. The place is quaint and wine is phenomenal. Jim the owner took his time and explained the wine making process to our group, he even had us taste one of the grapes on the hillside. One of my favorite wines was the wine blend called "Sisters" which is made from the traditional Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Malbec, all estate grown

Miller Wine Works

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Confessions of a Winemaker Chef - I always considered winemaking to be “cooking”. Through my entire time as a chef, I wanted to work with the flavors, textures, and aromas of grapes from the California coast. Finally I took the plunge and moved to Napa Valley.

Hecker Pass Winery

wine glass, picnic table - Pixabay

Hecker Pass Winery, established in 1972 by a third-generation vintner from Italy, produces wines in a classic European style. The winery embraces traditional methods, including dry farming, head pruning, hand picking, and wild yeast fermentation, ensuring each wine reflects a natural, Italian character. Committed to sustainability, they avoid herbicides, pesticides, and cultured yeast, focusing on crafting authentic wines. Today, the fourth and fifth generations of the family proudly continue this legacy, producing old-world wines in a sustainable way for future generations.

Quady Winery

people sharing wine

Andrew and Laurel Quady left crowded southern California and their jobs in pyrotechnics and merchandising to pursue their dream: a non-urban way of life making wine. Andrew graduated with a Masters in Food Science-Enology from UC Davis and Laurel became a licensed CPA. In 1975, at the urging of friend Darrell Corti, they made their first port from Amador County Zinfandel in Lodi. Today you can experience the passion of this couple that started with their first Amador County Zinfandel Port. Quady Winey is located in the Central Valley of California in Madera along the Madera Wine Trail. Joining the team in 1984 as winemaker Michael Blaylock to manage the growth in the winemaking operations that Essensia Orange Muscat and Elysium Black Muscat Dessert Wines. Now after more than 3 decades later Michael has a lot of award-winning sweet wines to smile about and put a smile on your face as well. Please to have Quady Wines among the wineries listed on California Corks Winery Directory*

Hours:

Mon-Fri           9:00 to 4:30pm
Sat & Sun        12:00 to 4:30pm

San Pasqual Winery

grape cluster

Sip, Savor, and Celebrate at San Pasqual Winery!

Located in La Mesa, California—just 15 miles east of San Diego—San Pasqual Winery is a delightful family-owned treasure that has transformed the local wine scene. Originally established in the 1970s in the beautiful San Pasqual Valley, this charming winery reinvented itself as San Diego's very first urban winery, earning a spot on Sunset Magazine’s “Hot 100 West Coast Trends” list!

Wine Adventures Await

With an annual production of just 3,000 to 4,000 cases, San Pasqual Winery focuses on creating intimate connections with wine lovers. Most of their wines are sold directly from the winery and nearby tasting rooms, ensuring every sip comes with a personal touch. Visitors can explore tasting rooms in the Village of La Mesa and downtown San Diego at Seaport Village, each offering a unique experience.

A Flavorful Journey Through Wine

San Pasqual wines are handcrafted in small lots, sourced from local vineyards and renowned viticultural regions across California. The winery takes advantage of diverse microclimates and strong relationships with vineyards to produce an exciting array of varietals. While classic favorites like Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon shine, adventurous wine lovers can also discover hidden gems like Tannat and Teroldego.

The fun doesn’t stop there! The winery features a thrilling line of passionfruit-based wines, including the spicy “Hot Passion,” inspired by habanero peppers—perfect for the sunny San Diego lifestyle. With numerous awards from local to international competitions, their Tannat and Cabernet Franc have even won double golds at prestigious events like the Toast of the Coast and San Francisco Chronicle competitions. A few years ago, their Malbec represented California’s style in Cahors, France—the birthplace of Malbec!

Unique Experiences at Every Location

San Pasqual Winery offers four distinctive locations, each designed for a memorable wine experience:

  • La Mesa Wine Works: Conveniently located off Interstate 8, the production winery welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Sunday. Guests can enjoy live music on the patio and delicious bites from local food vendors on weekends.

  • La Mesa Village Tasting Room: This cozy wine bar invites guests to become fast friends over sidewalk seating and lively conversations with the owners every Friday afternoon.

  • Seaport Village Tasting Room: Ideal for vacationers and locals alike, this spot offers stunning views of San Diego Bay from the deck patio, creating the perfect backdrop for sipping exceptional wines.

  • Toast Bubble Bar: Recently opened in Seaport Village, this sparkling wine haven provides an elevated experience every weekend, along with a fantastic venue for private parties or corporate events.

Sobon Estate

white wine grape cluster - Pixabay

Shenandoah Vineyards

Located in Plymouth, CA, Shenandoah Vineyards was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. The couple relocated from Los Altos, California, where Leon had a successful career as a Senior Scientist at the Lockheed Research Lab. Leon’s passion for home winemaking inspired him to leave Lockheed and embark on a new journey as a winemaker.

The selection of the winery site in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County was a well-researched decision. The Sobon family, including their six children, moved to the historic Steiner Ranch outside Plymouth, where they planted a vineyard and transformed the old stone garage into the winery. In 1989, they expanded their operations by acquiring the D'Agostini winery, leading to the formation of Sobon Estate.

Over the years, Leon has earned numerous national and international awards for the wines produced at Sobon Estate and Shenandoah Vineyards. Both family labels are distributed nationally and internationally, including in Canada, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. Leon is recognized as a leader in the wine industry, having served on various industry boards and committees, and he is frequently invited as a judge for prestigious wine-tasting competitions.

Today, winemaking and business operations remain a family affair. Shirley manages finance and the gallery, while Leon continues to impart his extensive winemaking knowledge into every vintage. Their sons, Paul and Robert, along with son-in-law Tom Quinn, uphold the family tradition that began decades ago, ensuring that Shenandoah Vineyards continues to thrive.

Trentadue Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

Trentadue Winery is a great experience from start to finish. This house of ports was impressive from the moment we pulled in the parking lot, which is much larger than most other wineries. As you walk towards the tasting room one can't help but be drawn to the beautiful grounds. There is a large picnic area which can be rented for parties or weddings and would serve as a wonderful backdrop for either. Trentadue was one of the better wineries we went to in Geyserville. Their grounds are really nice for a picnic and the wine was pretty good too.

Deaver Vineyards

pouring some red wine - pixabay

Ken Deaver, with his signature denims and cowboy hat, bends his broad shoulders to uncork a bottle of Zinfandel, a task that reveals his deep knowledge of both wine and grapes.

A tour across Deaver's 300 acres offers a glimpse of history, with 140-year-old Zinfandel vines and eight acres of Mission vines, originally brought from Mexico by Jesuits and Franciscans. These Mission vines were planted around 1854 by Ken Deaver's great-grandfather, John Davis, and a decade later, Ken’s grandfather planted the now-famous Zinfandel vines.

For years, Deaver's "old vine" grapes were sold primarily to home winemakers. The first vintage of Deaver Vineyards Zinfandel was bottled under the "Lakeshore" label in 1985.

Today, Deaver Vineyards is celebrated worldwide for its velvety Zinfandels. The Tuscan-like climate of Amador County also provides ideal conditions for producing exceptional Sangiovese, Barbera, and rich Ports.

With over four generations of Deavers cultivating grapes in Amador County, Deaver Vineyards boasts a deep heritage. Known for its velvety Zinfandel and some of the oldest vines in the region, their wines are widely regarded as true classics.

D'Art Wines

red wine pouring into glass

Helen and Dave Dart started their dream as home winemakers with a passion for great wines. After winning several awards in that category, they decided to make small lot commercial wines to share with like-minded enthusiasts.

What does a Spanish dancer have to do with a winery that has a French name? Absolutely nothing and everything. It was one of the first artworks created by Dave around the same time he and Helen began making wine at home. This piece has served as the winery's logo since their days as garagistes. Their journey began when they took Best of Show at the Sacramento Home Winemakers wine competition with their very first wine, a 2000 Syrah, igniting their passion for winemaking. Although Helen has French heritage, the name Dart is purely English.

Now residing on their Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, where the winery is located, the tasting room is a feast for the eyes. Dave and Helen have adorned the space with Dave's photo art, reflecting their travels around the world. Most days, Helen is present in the tasting room, eager to share her special wine-pairing recipes and insights into winemaking.

Through the tasting room lies the barrel room, where Dave and his daughter, Jessie, handle the winemaking process. They divide their responsibilities, with Jessie managing fermentation and barrel aging while Dave focuses on master blending and bottling.

The d’Art team is their most valuable asset. Visitors are warmly welcomed in the tasting room, where the couple loves getting to know their customers.

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