The tasting room is beautiful, especially the natural stone bar in the room furthest from the entrance. The gardens are also worth the visit, with human-high flowers and an eclectic collection of sculptures. Oh yeah, and one of the guys in the tasting room yodels - definitely a forgotten art.
Vines were plentiful in 1867 in Placer County. As gold was depleted the miners switched to planting vineyards and orchards to make a living. Secret Ravine's property at one time produced Zinfandel and Tokay grapes. In later years the vines were removed and cows grazed the area. In the late 1900’s the property was used for the raising and training of horses, consequently the need for the large barn (now the winery). In 1998 one acre of the property was once again returned to the production of wine grapes. Currently Secret Ravine has 3.5 acres producing, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sangiovese, Barbera and Sauvignon Blanc. Hours are Sat. and Sun. from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
We visited many wineries during our stay in Napa and thought that this was one of the best tours for the money. The location was beautiful and if you have nice weather, pack a picnic and plan to eat your lunch in their picnic area. Its located in an olive grove high on the hillside. Bring a camera.
In 1987, Jim Summers acquired a 28-acre vineyard nestled in Knights Valley, a region located northwest of Calistoga between Mount St. Helena and the Alexander Valley. At the time, the property was predominantly planted with Merlot grapes, established 30 years earlier by Dan Duckhorn, along with some Muscat Canelli. The inaugural vintage of Summers Ranch Reserve Merlot was produced in 1992, yielding 900 cases. Today, the estate also produces Petite Sirah from the Knights Valley vineyard. Known for its warm climate, volcanic soils, and proximity to Napa Valley, Knights Valley has recently garnered increased attention for its Bordeaux varietals.
In 1996, Summers expanded their vineyard holdings by acquiring 25 acres at the intersection of Highway 128 and Tubbs Lane in Napa Valley. This property, now known as Summers Estate Wines, is home to the Villa Andriana Vineyard, named in honor of their daughter. While the estate has been fully revitalized to maximize its potential, the 40-year-old Zinfandel vines are meticulously preserved. The winery and tasting room, surrounded by over 22 acres of Zinfandel, Charbono, and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, strike a perfect balance between pleasure and productivity.
Summers' signature wine is the distinctive Charbono, a varietal believed to be an early Italian adaptation of Charbonneau, a French grape. Some argue it is closely related to the Dolcetto variety, which is commonly grown in northern Italy. The Charbono vine produces large berries that create a deeply colored red wine, known for its rich fruit flavors and low tannin content when subjected to extended skin contact during fermentation.
The Summers Estate, with its scenic vineyard views in Calistoga, California, stands as a testament to the region's rich winemaking heritage.
Abundant, beautiful, and joyful, the vineyard expresses an idea that the best things in life are simple and honest. If there is truth in wine, it comes from the plain transition of fruit and soil and sun into a blend of art and fate. Granite Lion Cellars begins with the best vine stock and cherishes the distinctive characteristics that make every variety unique because we understand that all we take through life is ourselves. A young winery, Granite Lion Vineyards presents a rich and distinctive taste intrinsic to the passion of youth.
Great people great service great wine!!! So happy we went here. I want to become a member because of the great prices and people. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
The Chimney Rock estate began to take shape in 1980 when Hack and Stella Wilson purchased a 180-acre parcel on the east side of the Silverado Trail, which included a golf course. They constructed a country house inspired by Cape Dutch-style architecture and soon began planting vineyards.
The initial 59 acres were planted with a mix of red and white grape varieties, leading to the production of the first vintage of Chimney Rock estate wines in 1984. In the early 1990s, the estate saw the addition of a Cape Dutch-style winery building, featuring a massive allegorical frieze of Ganymede, the cupbearer to the gods, and a new tasting room.
In 2000, the Terlato family partnered with the Wilson family, bringing additional resources and a vision to enhance Chimney Rock’s reputation for producing exceptional estate Cabernet Sauvignons. By 2002, the remaining 46 acres of land were exclusively planted with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Since the Terlato family assumed sole ownership of Chimney Rock in 2004, they have been dedicated to realizing the estate's full potential. They have consistently upheld the highest standards in viticulture and winemaking. Today, the Chimney Rock estate spans 119 acres of vineyards, divided into 28 distinct blocks, each tailored for specialized viticulture to match the unique characteristics of each site.
Deer Park annually produces and releases award-winning estate wines available for wine tasting weekends as one of the top things to do in San Diego County (and minutes from Riverside and Los Angeles). The Auto Museum features hundreds of vehicles and Americana collections, and is the recipient of the Antique Automobile Club of America trophy for excellence. Renown collections include a world-famous collection of American convertible cars, vintage radios, TV, antique bicycles, appliances, cameras, tube television sets, neon dealership signs, classic gas pumps and gas stations, vintage vehicle garages, old oil collectibles, license plates, vintage toys and games, Coca Cola room of collectibles, and more.
It may have been a bit of romanticism at the start, but Coterie's founders, Shala and Kyle Loudon, were hooked the first day they worked at a small winery. Shala, whose family has a history with wine in Italy, and Kyle, a lifelong foodie, envisioned a future inspired by their pasts. Plenty of points test your resolve when you create a winery from scratch, but the spiritual sway of the land and wine are strong in California. These feelings run deep.
Shala and Kyle believe in a little of the unconventional. They believe in making wine primarily by hand, without the homogenization imposed by too much technology. They offer the wines of Coterie primarily through a members list, directly from the winery, and at a small number of fine restaurants, rather than through wide distribution. They take special pride in receiving accolades that are volunteered, rather than soliciting scores, reviews, and awards. Furthermore, they don’t engage much in publicity; they are honored that the winery has a special clientele.
Located in Rutherford at the heart of Napa Valley, Frog’s Leap was founded by John Williams in 1981 and is renowned for its commitment to farming. The winery has been certified organic since 1989 and has practiced dry farming since its inception. After forty years, the Williams family and their team continue to receive accolades for Frog’s Leap’s signature style: wines characterized by balance, restraint, and a profound respect for the natural expression of the vine. The estate features the historic Red Barn, constructed in 1884, along with certified organic culinary gardens and fruit orchards. Visitors are invited to experience the winery’s rich history, much of which is true, through engaging stories shared by the Wine Specialist team.
Appointments are necessary for all visits, including same-day reservations. Walk-ins are accommodated by making a same-day reservation online or in-person at the host stand.
