What a hidden gem! They only make four types of wine: sauvignon blanc, rosé, cabernet sauvignon, and a blend. Normally after you wine taste, you would just buy your favorite wines and leave the winery, right? Well, Doug, the vintner and now tour guide, then took us for a tour outside the wine cave and showed us the estate's 200+ year old rose, the extensive car collection residing in a renovated barn, and the fully restored functioning green house.
We made an unplanned stop here and were greeted by Aaron. We had a tasting of the estate wines and they were all excellent. We learned a lot about the grounds, the wine itself and the process. We also got to tag along for an impromptu tour of the grounds and the cave when someone stopped by to see the space for an event. We got to taste maybe 3 or 4 other wines that weren't even on the tasting menu. All in all, a very nice experience.
This winery feels like home. Gracing the driveway is a pond overlooking the beautiful vineyards; you would not know you were close to the highway when you are here. Entering the winery there is a pretty vast selection of tastings on the menu. We did not taste one that we did not like and it made deciding on just a few bottles so hard! This tasting room was beautiful and I truly could have stayed all day here .. and night ! There is a Crush Pad on site! A lovely little cottage sits a top the hill on the vineyard and has four rooms for guests!
Blair Allan and Simone Lagomarsino after many trips to Napa, Sonoma, and Europe, planted a vineyard to bridge their European heritage with the new world of winemaking to create remarkable wines with unique character and flavor. They planted varietals proven to grow well in the area. Among these were Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and three different clones of Pinot Noir, and thus, Al Lago Wines was born. In 2014, they proudly partnered with winemaker Guillaume Fabre who further enhanced the exceptional quality of the vineyard. Each vine is carefully tended, hand-pruned, and picked to guarantee wines of the highest quality.
Toad Hall Cellars is owned by John Komes and his family; if the last name rings a bell it is because this family is also synonymous with Flora Springs Winery. They produced their first vintage in 1984 which was merely 10 cases of a Chardonnay...talk about scraping the bottom of a wine barrel! Today, production runs about 1200 cases (still relatively small) and focuses on three wines; two Pinot noirs and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Toad Hall was started by John as a side project to his family's Flora Springs Cellars. Toad Hall owns several vineyards; their original vineyard is 6 acres just off of Highway 29 in Rutherford planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and they also have a 10-acre vineyard in the Carneros region planted to Pinot noir.
THIS WINERY HAS CLOSED
Tuscan Treasure in Temecula Cute little tasting room with a long bar set upon old wine barrels. Cozy hardwood floors with Tuscan style walls and faux awnings. Plenty of bar and table seating and many gift items for sale. But the best is it is pet friendly. You can bring your furry pals right on inside and out of hot sun. You might want to discovered their wonderful hibiscus sparkling wine. I figured I would try a sparkling though I thought it would be too sweet. Well, the hibiscus was wonderful! Not sweet at all with a unique hibiscus twist.
Bold red wines made by 5th generation Paso Roblan Scott Saunders.
We also had a fantastic little table across the creek in the trees and each wine was explained to us. We really loved our experience and the wine is fantastic. I think this is a great little gem. The level of service, the little snack plate, the wine was amazing and it isn't sold in stores, so you have to know this place. All the reds were great overall, they seem to put a lot of care and time into their wines.
Peter Kirilov, and Kukeri Wines is based out of Sebastopol. Peter has sourced the grapes for his 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder of the Mayacamas Mountains that separates Sonoma from Napa. The clay and volcanic soils that are characteristic of this area produce small, intense fruit. A rich, ruby red color, the wine is remarkably smooth and balanced considering its relatively young age.
Though Kirilov has just recently launched Kukeri he’s no stranger to wine making or the wine industry. He’s a full time wine-maker for two other wineries and founded VinoEnology.com, an industry website that offers winemaking solutions for vintners, including calculators, tools and marketplace. This boutique winery and winemaker is a good one to keep an eye on. Small production wines with the fire of the winemaker’s passion for the wines he makes.
Peter offers a Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
Teaderman Vineyards is owned by Stan and Patti Teaderman. Stan is a long time resident of Napa - since 1947 who has been exposed to viticulture and the wine industry for most of his life. He co-founded a propane gas business (headquartered in Napa) and also runs one of Napa's premier barrel storage facilities for premium wineries (Napa Vintage Storage). Their 14-acre vineyard was purchased in 1978 to help satisfy Stan & Patti's long time passion with wine and is located in the heart of Oakville; this is prime Napa Valley vineyard terroir. As a long time Napa grower and vintner, Stan's enthusiasm and energy regarding his own wine is clearly evident, almost as if he was just starting out in the industry! His nearby neighbors are Silver Oak, Groth and Screaming Eagle.
