Three Saints wines are a vivid expression of carefully selected grapes from the Dierberg Family's vineyards which are located in three of Santa Barbara County's premium wine growing regions:
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley.
Dark Star Cellars is a rustic working winery and vineyard just of the West 46 and 5 min from Central Paso Robles. We really enjoy the Mirror (Syrah/Cab/Merlot blend), Passing By (Cab/Merlot blend), the Jack of Hearts (Cab/Merlot/Petit Verdot) and Jersey Girl. Wines were great. Excellent wines would highly recommend.
Hours:
Mon 10:30am to 5:30pm
Tues 10:30am to 5:30pm
Wed 10:30am to 5:30pm
Thur 10:30am to 5:30pm
Fri 10:30am to 5:30pm
Sat 10:30am to 5:30pm
Sun 10:30am to 5:30pm
Atop the rolling hills just outside Creston, Michael & Margene Mooney began the fulfillment of their dream to plant a vineyard, build a winery and establish their home. The family took up residence on the property in the Summer of 1998 and planted the 5.5 acre estate vineyard in the Fall of 1998. Chateau Margene’s first wine was their 1997 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, with grapes sourced from a vineyard in Paso Robles’ west side Templeton Gap area and another vineyard off Airport Road in east Paso Robles. The first wines off the estate were the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2006 GSM & 2007 GSM both sold out very quickly at the two tasting rooms, as did the 2007 Syrah & 2008 Mourvedre. After producing Pinot Noirs from Paso Robles from 2002 to 2007, Michael and Margene researched the cooler weather climates of California and chose to acquire grapes from Monterey County for their Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. The 2008 and 2009’s both sold out immediately.
Chateau Margene at Limerock Orchards
Tasting Room hours: Daily from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (except major holidays)
6996 Peachy Canyon Road (Corner of Vineyard Drive & Peachy Canyon Road)
Paso Robles, CA
The winery building referred by the staff as "The Barn" was the original structure at Bander. At "The Barn" Fred Bander personally hosted wine tastings inside on a rustic picnic table. This winery today is located on the estate just yards from the nearest vines. This means grapes can almost be immediately processed ater they are harvest, which has a tremendously beneficial impact on the wines produced. Frederic "Fred" Brander, owner and winemaker, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He moved with his family and settled in Santa Barbara, California. Fred started his career in the wine business by working for a local wine merchant, and later went to work in the wholesale business. While attending college, he started his own wine import company, focusing on wines from France and Argentina. Wishing to make his own wines, and with a fondness for Santa Barbara, Fred and his family established The Brander Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley in 1975. The initial planting was mainly Bordeaux grape varietals and in 1977, the first Sauvignon Blanc grapes were taken to a neighboring winery where Fred Brander produced a wine so distinctive it captured Santa Barbara County's first gold medal for a wine at a major wine competition (1978 Los Angeles County Fair).
After a day of trekking around Yountville and St Helena I wound up at Girard Winery. Girard stays open till 7, very smart move I must say as they get the overflow of folks looking for a place to continue their wine tasting adventures or a place to grab drinks before heading off to a nice dinner. It's not a showy vineyard or winery so if you are looking for the fluff you will not find it (although it is a nice tasting room). What you will find are some REALLY GREAT WINES.
Thomas Coyne started producing wine in 1989 under his own label. In 1994 he reopened the old "Chateau Bellevue Winery", built in 1881 by French engineer Alexander Duvall. In this historical winery you will be greeted by Tom and Emilie Coyne offering samples of their fine handcrafted wines.
Abreu Vineyards was founded by David Abreu, a third-generation native of the Napa Valley. David grew up in Rutherford, California in a family with farming interests. Starting at an early age, David worked during the summers at Inglenook and Caymus vineyard. As time passed, David Abreu's interests focused on viticulture and ultimately he began to farm and manage several properties on his own. In 1980 he founded David Abreu Vineyard Management, Inc. That same year he developed the Madrona Ranch vineyard. David produced his first wine in 1986 from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc at Madrona Ranch. His first commercial release was with the 1987 Abreu Madrona Ranch.~
In 1987, Parker purchased a 714 acre ranch thirty five miles north of Santa Barbara, in the Santa Ynez Valley, where he promptly set about planning and establishing Fess Parker's Winery & Vineyard. I remember visiting some years ago the Fess Parker Winery and my wife and I having lunch at their Inn. I also remember growing up wearing a coonskin cap and pretending to be Davy Crockett. I never met Mr. Parker in person; however, I just have to admit how sentimental and touched I felt when I heard that he had died. I guess it is safe to say Fess lives on through the family he has left behind and the legacy he has left to his family and indirectly to us, Fess Parker Winery.
Findleton Estate and Vineyard is genuinely a small family owned and operated winery and vineyard. Voted "Best Kept Secret in El Dorado County"!
Tobin James Cellars is not your traditional estate with vineyards, but definitely a fun winery to visit and often the place to stop by many that are escaping the heat of the Central Valley. If you are even slightly intimidated about your knowledge of wines, come here - they will put you at ease! The staff really wants to talk about things other than tannins, oak, and other terms so common in wine articles. If you are serious about your wine, theowners - Jobin James, Lance and Claire Silver - are completely open and passionate about the wines they make. But if you are a "grape-nut" like me who would like to have fun while tasting great wines without being judged by condescending staff members - this is the place to be. It is a pleasure to have this sterling place in our wine directory.*
Hours:
Daily - 10:00AM to 6:00PM
