Martin Ray Winery's Founder Courtney Benham acquired the historic Martini & Prati winery in July, 2003. The tasting room structure, which dates back to the 1900's, used to serve as a stable and bunkhouse where Italian immigrants stayed during harvest.
MANAGING DIRECTOR - CO-WINEMAKER
Angelo Pera took over the reigns of Mountain View Winery in 2010. Angelo has increased the amount of wine being produced by adding several small, micro-vineyards (less than 200 case annual production) to the wineries portfolio. The new, ultra-premium vineyards allow the wines to showcase not only varietal character but appellation character. In total, Mountain View now has 19 vineyards currently under management.
WINEMAKER
Winemaker Philip Zorn is a respected winemaker with broad international experience. Philip has been the winemaker at Mountain View since 1990. Born in the US and raised in Germany, Philip attended the nation's top school of enology and became winemaker at a number of top California wineries. Philip has a keen understanding of California's sub-regions and the intricacies of making wines from various California appellations.
Try a unique experience. The Blending Lab Winery is an off-winery tasting room in the heart of Los Angles, near the original Farmer's Market. While this little winery sources wine-grapes from around California they make sure the wine is being made right there in Los Angles. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at wine blending? The Blending Lab Winery offer classes in Wine Blending so that you can create your very own blend.*
Hours:
Mon closed (private events only)
Tues closed
Wed 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Thur 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Fri 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Sat 2:00pm to 9:00pm
Sun 2:00pm to 9:00pm
Painting by Agata Zaborowski woman enjoying wine
B Wise is very small production, just 20 acres of vines on their winery estate in Sonoma. They do private tastings by appointment at their wine caves, absolutely the most spectacular cave I've ever seen! The tasting room in Kenwood is open to the public. The wines are truly amazing and beautifully crafted. Amazing wines, small production.
Livingston Moffett Wines is located in the heart of the Howell Mountain Appellation. This family-run winery uses a hands on approach to farming, winemaking, and sales to produce finely crafted wines. Trent Moffett is a second-generation vintner and carefully selects grapes from vineyards around the Napa Valley as well as from his family’s vineyard to make top-notch wine.
Don and Deedee Sodaro moved to southern California in 1966 from Chicago, Illinois, the city Giuseppe Sodaro had adopted as his home in America over 70 years earlier. Though the Sodaro passion for wine ran deep, it would be another thirty years before they would be able to realize their dream of starting a winery to carry on the family namesake in the New World. In 1996, their opportunity finally arrived, and so began their search for the perfect terroir. After an extensive nine month search through the central and north coasts, Don and Deedee came upon a magnificent property set among the hillsides and alluvial terraces of the south-east Napa Valley, and immediately they knew they’d found someplace special. Gorgeous estate located in the Coombsville District, so its a close jaunt to downtown Napa. Fabulous views, and some of the best reds I have had the pleasure of tasting! A reservation is required, but definitely worth the planning to experience this romantic vineyard.
In 1983, Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle began planting vines on the hillside east of Oakville, overlooking Napa Valley. Their vineyards produce excellent quality grapes, resulting wines of great intensity, complexity and balance. Gustav passed away in 1995 and Naoko Dalla Valle continues the legacy of Dalla Valle wines. Dalla Valle Vineyards produces two wines; Maya- Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Dalla Valle Vineyards wines are on a waiting list.
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.
The legend of Chronic Cellars dates back to 2004 when our founders, Josh, and Jake Beckett, combined their winemaking skills with their wit and humor to turn an idea into reality using two tons of the best – or ‘chronic’ – grapes to make killer wine. Ever since then, Chronic Cellars has been fully committed to making seriously good wine for people looking for a little dose of adventure. Our disruptive style is matched only by the killer quality of our wines, made with character to match our clever and playful labels.
Painting by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski
At the age of five, Guillaume was captivated by winegrowing, following his father around their property in the Languedoc-Roussillon. As he grew older, his interest expanded to the winemaking process itself. After completing his studies in Oenology and Viticulture in Carcassonne, his parents sold the family property and relocated to Bourg, a village near Bordeaux. Disheartened by their move, Guillaume remained in Languedoc, visiting his parents on weekends but hesitant to join them—until he met her.
It was a “coup de foudre”—a bolt of lightning. Nothing could deter them from seeing each other, though it would be several months before they reunited.
Their lives were filled with challenges; she had to travel to Spain, and he headed to California. Despite the distance, their love endured as they faced obstacles together. When Guillaume asked her to move with him to Paso Robles, choosing to develop his own brand rather than take over the family property, she recognized his passion for wine and decided to trust him. This trust laid the foundation for the creation of Clos Solène in 2007. Although the journey has not always been smooth, Guillaume remains driven by the same passion that fuels his work, attributing much of it to the faith and trust his partner has in him.
Owner & Winemaker
Born and raised in Narbonne, in the Southeast of France, Guillaume hails from a family of grape growers and winemakers. After spending 24 years in Narbonne, he relocated to Bordeaux. While both regions are renowned for their wines, they are distinctly different, presenting unique challenges in grape growing and winemaking, such as variations in climate, soil types, and vine diseases.
Initially unsure about pursuing winemaking in Bordeaux, Guillaume accepted a harvest internship at L’Aventure in Paso Robles. There, he experienced the same spark of inspiration he felt for Solène—he fell in love with the soil and terroir of Paso Robles. What began as a three-month internship evolved into six months, during which he was offered the position of Assistant Winemaker. Throughout his time at L’Aventure, Guillaume dedicated himself to his own project, ultimately leading to the launch of Clos Solène in 2007.
Painting by Agata Zaborowski
