Port

Port

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.

TKC Vineyards

grape cluster - Pixabay

The tasting room that I like to visit. There is nothing touristy about it - it is simple and understated. And the wine? So good! A great little find. A campy tasting room that includes the aroma of wine laden wooden barrels ended up with some of the most aged wines.

Old Creek Ranch Winery's flagship wine is Zinfandel, a varietal that has been part of the winery's legacy since its inception in 1981. In 1993, the winery expanded its vineyard with the planting of Mourvèdre, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (clone 7) shortly thereafter. By 2000, Syrah Noir was added to their diverse selection.

The winery specializes in boutique wines crafted from these varietals, along with exquisite blends and a unique Syrah Port. Old Creek Ranch Winery is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays, welcoming walk-ins with open arms. For parties of six or more, reservations are requested. Appointments are available Monday through Friday for those looking to explore the winery's offerings further.

Anaba Wines

wine and cheese - pixabay

Anaba wines are handcrafted from the best Rhône and Burgundian grape varieties grown at our Carneros Estate vineyard and in selected outstanding vineyard properties throughout Sonoma County. Anaba Wines Rhône-style wines are artistic blends, inspired by the rugged earthiness of France's Rhône Valley and replicated in the rocky Sonoma soils.

Amista Vineyards

grape cluster

An artisan, family owned winery showcasing the fabulous fruit and friendly spirit of Dry Creek Valley. Located near the charming village of Healdsburg. Pulled in on a whim while visiting wine country for the day. Not only was it a beautiful winery/vineyard, but we practically had the place to ourselves. Patrick was very friendly and knowledgable about all the wines.

Scott Harvey Wines - Sutter Creek

Scott Harvey Wines logo

Scott Harvey Wines has tasting room in Sutter Creek and would love to welcome you to experience their wonderful wines. Scott Harvey and his wife have three tasting rooms for your pleasure and at each one "you will discover Old World winemaking meets New World Style".  Scott and Jana Harvey are serious about his winemaking yet they have never lost their focus that you are a visitor and they are quick to make you feel warm and cozy in their tasting room in Sutter Creek. Scott Harvey Wines also has tasting rooms n the Shenandoah Valley and in Clarksburg and are located in The Old Sugar Mill so don't miss them when you visit there. While all of Scott's wines are wonderful, don't miss out on a chance to get a bottle of Scott's "Vineyard 1869". This Zinfandel comes from a vineyard that dates back to 1869 and is a wonderful expression of "Old Vine Zin". 

Hours:
Mon-     11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tue-    11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wed-    11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thu-   11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fri-        11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat-       11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sun-      11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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

Thomas Fogarty Winery

Cluster of gapes - ai generated - Pixabay

Thomas Fogarty Winery was founded in 1978 by inventor Dr. Thomas Fogarty and winemaker Michael Martella. Dr Fogarty’s penchant for innovative thought and Martella’s viticulture instincts allowed them to lead the development of the cool Skyline Ridge area; true pioneers in one of California’s premiere Pinot Noir and Chardonnay regions.

Ecluse Wines

painting of people enjoying wine outside - wine artist Agata Zamobowski

Écluse Wines and Lock Vineyard, created by Steve and Pam Lock, is a small, family-owned boutique winery producing estate wines from their Lock Vineyard. In 1997, they purchased 30 acres of gently rolling hillside terrain on the highly sought-after Westside of Paso Robles. The Locks are dedicated to producing limited-production, handcrafted, award-winning wines.

From the start, their philosophy has been that great fruit makes great wine. Owning their own winery onsite allows them the added benefit of picking and crushing small lots throughout the vineyard when the fruit has reached its peak flavors. This control from vineyard to bottle ensures that Écluse wines remain truly remarkable.

A frequently asked question is the origin of the name Écluse. Écluse is the French word for the locks on the canals that gently carve their way through the French countryside. Having enjoyed several beautiful barge trips in France, and with their last name being Lock, the name Écluse for their wines was a natural choice. Their label depicts an “écluse” from a photo taken while traveling down the canals through an actual lock in France.

Three Steves Wines

3 bottles of 3 Steves Winery wine

The idea for 3 Steves Winery was conceived by three friends who gathered over a glass of wine to discuss starting their own winery. Having previously owned a stake in a small boutique winery, they gained valuable experience in the art, science, and business of the wine industry. Together, they produced a significant amount of wine and received positive feedback from their customers. It soon became clear that they wanted to create their own label from the ground up, leading to the natural choice of naming their new venture 3 Steves Winery.

They obtained their license in early 2010 and spent several years crafting their wines at a custom-crush facility, which served them well. However, the dream of owning their own winery and vineyard remained. In late 2012, they discovered the perfect location, and in July 2013, they opened their doors for the first time at 5700 Greenville Road in Livermore. The site offers stunning 360-degree vistas of the Livermore Valley and is surrounded by remarkable wineries along Greenville Road, making it a must-visit destination for wine tasting.

Their philosophy is to cultivate the best grapes possible from their vineyard while sourcing additional grapes from Livermore and other regions known for specific varietals. They bring these high-quality fruits back to their winery to create their wines. By establishing strong relationships with award-winning vineyards, they are able to access exceptional fruit while continuously refining their winemaking skills as dedicated students of the craft. Their tagline, “3 Friends Striving To Make The Perfect Wine,” reflects their commitment to quality and value in every bottle.

Proud of their wines and the awards they have won, they are determined to remain a fixture in the Livermore wine region for years to come. The local wine community has been incredibly supportive, with fellow winemakers generously sharing their expertise and resources. In such a collaborative environment, the pursuit of quality wine becomes a natural outcome.

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