Sangiovese

Sangiovese

Burnsini Vineyards

cluster of grapes

At Burnsini Vineyards, history and wine come together in a way that’s as lively as it is laid-back. Tucked into the rolling hills of Cottonwood, this is true cowboy country, where a livestock brand is more than just a mark—it’s the logo of the winery, a symbol of the land’s agricultural roots. The “lazy B” on every bottle speaks to the easygoing vibe you’ll find at Burnsini, while the intertwined goblets in the logo remind you that it’s all about sharing the experience, just like founders Tom Burnham and Jim Tomasini did when they started it all.

Now, that tradition is in the hands of winemaker Brandi Greene—a Northstate local who’s as passionate about winemaking as she is about sustainability. Brandi, an Environmental Chemist with a winemaking degree from Oregon State University, worked in vineyards across California and Oregon before realizing her dream of owning a winery. Today, she’s managing nearly eight acres of organic estate vines at Burnsini, continuing the legacy with a modern twist. Her focus is on crafting consistently exceptional red wines, while also introducing new offerings like rosé and sparkling wines. But don’t worry—the things you’ve always loved about Burnsini are still here: those famously smooth reds, lazy afternoons at the tasting room, and the kind of celebrations that get the whole community on its feet.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s woven into every aspect of Burnsini’s operations. Solar panels power the winery, organic methods nurture the vines, and after the grapes are pressed, any waste is either returned to the vineyard or fed to the bulls next door. Inside, water-saving ozone sanitation and recyclable shipping materials keep things eco-friendly. And while you might spot an electric car charger for visitors, there’s a grounded humility in knowing the tractors still run on diesel—after all, progress takes time.

Burnsini’s story started in 2000 when Tom and Joy Burnham teamed up with Jim and Deanna Tomasini to turn their shared hobby of grape-growing into a full-fledged winery. Their blend of passion, fun, and winemaking sparked not just great wines, but a tight-knit community. From their early days of hosting Spring Flings and harvest parties, to creating wines like the “Friends” blend (a nod to the friendships formed at the vineyard), Burnsini has always been about more than just wine—it’s about connection. Events like the “Ladies Night Out” at the Cottonwood Rodeo and “Music & Merlot” grew so popular they had to move to bigger venues, but the heart of Burnsini remains at its vineyard, where the good times—and even better wine—keep flowing.

So come on by. Sip, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine that’s rooted in cowboy country but crafted for the future. There’s always something new to discover at Burnsini Vineyards—whether it’s a new wine, a new friend, or just the perfect sunset over the hills.

Shypoke Winery

wine corks and wine glass - Pixabay

Shypoke calls the Calistoga AVA home, with its Estate vineyard nestled in the northwestern corner of the world-famous Napa Valley. The dirt-to-bottle journey began in 1904 when Peter Heitz’s great-grandparents, having immigrated from Alsace, planted roots and established bonded winery #130 for the production of fine wines. Over five generations of grape growers and winemakers, the Heitz family has continued the vision and efforts initiated in 1904. Each wine honors the traditions of a family working together to farm heirloom vines and handcraft the resulting fruit into uniquely elegant and honest wines that reflect their place and vintage.

Long Meadow Ranch

wine drop in the wine glass - Pixabay

We stumbled in here after hitting up a winery or five, and I'm so glad we did. While we waited for our table, we went next door to the tasting room where the staff was casual and personable. Fun fact - if you are dining at Farmstead, they give you discounted wine tastings! Inside the restaurant, it has a classic yet modern farmhouse feel, decorated with aged wood planks on the walls and mason jars filled with fresh flowers. Our waiter was helpful and knowledgeable

Emilio Guglielmo Winery

Cacorks founder in front of winery

A family winemaking tradition in the Santa Clara Valley since 1925, Guglielmo Winery is a fourth-generation, family-owned establishment that produces a diverse range of award-winning varietals from approximately 50 acres of California estate vineyards, as well as from other premium wine-growing regions within the state.

Today, Guglielmo Winery (gool-yell-mo) produces over 40,000 cases annually across three labels: Guglielmo Private Reserve, Tre, and its oldest label, Emile’s. Despite its growth, the winery remains committed to its family philosophy of creating natural, high-quality wines to be enjoyed with family and friends, with family members overseeing every phase of the winemaking process.

“Wine is a traditional part of our culture and one of life’s simple pleasures to be shared with family and friends.”

Caparone Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Celebrating forty years as a small artisan winery, they specialize in high-quality red wines. Their approach involves crafting wines that reflect their own preferences, emphasizing complexity, balance, and the right amount of acidity and tannins to ensure aging potential and meal compatibility. By carefully aligning their vines with their microclimate, they produce wines with vibrant fruit and varietal character at a moderate alcohol level. Their passion lies in classic-style wines—those that can age and enhance over decades, offering multi-dimensional profiles without excessive oak influence. This is the essence of what they strive to create.

Rutherford Grove Winery - now (Pestoni Family Estate Winery)

glass of wine - Pixabay

Bob and Sylvia Pestoni
In the mid-1990s, Bob and his wife Sylvia were presented with a rare opportunity. A small winery adjacent to their family´s Rutherford property had become available for purchase. Over the years, Bob and Sylvia had always grown grapes on their land, but they had always sold their fruit to other wine producers. They hadn´t been interested in becoming vintners before, but the acquisition of this new property renewed Bob´s admiration for his family´s business – and for his heritage. In 1994, they opened the doors to Rutherford Grove Winery and resumed making the single vineyard, hand-crafted artisanal wines Bob´s father and grandfather had created there for more than a century before him.  In 2017, in celebration of their 125th anniversary of Napa Valley winemaking, the winery was renamed Pestoni Family Estate Winery.

Eberle Winery

bottle and glasses of wine with chateau in background - Pixabay

Eberle Winery is a family-owned producer and marketer of premium wines, including offerings from the Eberle Estate, single varieties, and designated vineyards. Since 1979, Eberle wines have highlighted the history and diverse flavors of the Paso Robles Appellation.

Gary Eberle, who grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, attended Penn State University on a football scholarship. After earning a Bachelor of Science in biology, he continued his studies at Louisiana State University (LSU), focusing on cellular genetics. During his time at LSU, Gary developed an appreciation for wine, which led him to shift his academic focus towards winemaking.

Gary began his winemaking career and became known as a “Pioneer” of the Paso Robles Wine Region by helping establish his family's Estrella River Winery & Vineyards. In the late 1970s, he decided to embark on his own venture and acquired nearly 64 acres of land near Estrella River Winery. Soon after, Gary released his first Eberle wine, a 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon, which featured the iconic boar logo. This logo symbolizes the German origin of the name Eberle, meaning “small boar.”

The staff were super friendly and I think the owner was hanging out outside drinking wine with his show dogs running around. Modern vineyard that has literally everything! From Bocce Ball, Cave Tours, Private Tasting, and to holiday themed events, they have it all. The cave tour and flight of wine was complimentary and exquisite. Their Cotes du Robles Blanc white honeysuckle and candied ginger, tingled delightfully as an opening for the palate. Their Red Barbera gold medal with tones of raspberry. Their Reserve estate Cabernet Sauvignon Cassis (black currant), was clean and smooth.

Peterson Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Tasting room location is in the same parking lot as 10 other wineries tasting rooms - right off Dry Creek Road. Stop at this ONE location and you will be able to taste wines from Amphora, Collier Falls, Dashe, Forth, Philip Staley, Peterson, Lago di Merlo, Kokomo, Mietz and Papapietro. We went in for wine tasting- which was complimentary. Melissa, who helped us out, was so nice! Friendly and enlightened us on the wine. Some nice wines.

Vincent Arroyo Family Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Vincent Arroyo Family Winery was founded by Vincent Arroyo, who discovered his passion for viticulture in the early 1970s. While browsing the San Francisco Chronicle, Vince came across a listing for a farming property just north of Calistoga, California. Feeling more connected to the land than to his career as a mechanical engineer in Silicon Valley, he was drawn to the prospect of a rural lifestyle and decided to make a change. In 1972, he purchased the 23-acre property and began transforming the existing prune and walnut orchards into what is now Vincent Arroyo Family Winery.

Initially, Vince sold all of his grapes to the Napa Co-Op. However, he soon began experimenting with winemaking, releasing the first commercial vintage of Vincent Arroyo Family Winery in 1984. In the early days, Vince managed everything himself, from driving the tractor to making the wine. Today, the winery produces 8,000 cases annually but remains a true family affair. Vince's daughter, Adrian, and her husband, Matt Moye, are dedicated to preserving the family's traditions while keeping the winery relevant and current, with the hope that Vince's three grandsons will one day carry on the family business.

Matthew Moye, the co-proprietor and winemaker at Vincent Arroyo Family Winery, has been tending to the wines under Vince's guidance for the past decade. Originally from California's Central Valley, Matt graduated from the University of San Diego and pursued a law degree at the University of the Pacific-McGeorge, where he met his future wife, Adrian, who is Vince's daughter. After passing the California Bar, Matt realized that law wasn't his true calling. Vincent offered him a position at the winery while he figured out his path, and it didn't take long for Matt to discover his passion for winemaking.

When he's not in the cellar crafting wines, Matt enjoys golfing, fishing, and beachcombing with his family. He and Adrian live in Napa with their three sons, who they hope will one day lead Vincent Arroyo Family Winery into its third generation.

Abiouness Wines

bottle of Abiouness wine

The name I chose, you might have figured out, is my beloved last name (compliments of a Lebanese father). Since it is not one of those easily pronounced names, like Smith, I decided it would be best to have something else on the label to catch the eye. I decided on the lotus flower. A variety of waterlily, the lotus rises in the morning from the muddy waters to open its perfectly symmetrical petals symbolizing the creation of life; purity, resurrection and perfect beauty; the union of bliss and emptiness, night and day, male and female. The closed lotus bud signifies potential.

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