A Napa Valley rarity, they have free tastings here. I went all the way to Anderson Valley and most of those places still charge $5. And it's not like Heitz is pouring low-priced wine. I tasted an $80 cab that was four years out of vintage which was a joy to drink. They also sell a decades worth of library vintages from both Trailside and Martha's Vineyards. If $75 to $150 cabs are too much, then pick-up a balanced bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for $20.
Pescatore Vineyard & Winery is a small, family-owned estate. The winery's roots began when the owners started making wine 25 years ago as home winemakers. The vines were planted in 1997 and Pescatore Vineyards & Winery became a commercial winery in 2002. Dave & Patty and children with their spouses, Tim & Misti and Steve & Noelle manage the vineyards, winery & tasting room.
This is the place to go if you want some good valued Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot. I really liked their $20 per couple cheese and wine pairing. The people were very friendly and laid back which really fit this wonderful boutique cozy winery.
Volcan Mountain Winery is nestled at the base of the picturesque Volcan Mountain. Our tasting room, winery, vineyard and orchard area only a mere 2 mile scenic drive from the historic town center of Julian, which began it’s roots in the 1870’s gold rush. Get away from the hectic rush of city life…discover the charms of Julian.
Our passion at Great Bear Vineyards is to grow the highest quality grapes and to make superb wines. We are a family-run vineyard and winery.
Great Bear Vineyards is the culmination of the Meadows-Smith family’s dream to create world-class wines to share with friends, family and our community.
We proudly tend our vines by hand using sustainable farming practices, working in harmony with nature. Our winemakers, Jenny and Marcus, craft small lots of award-winning wines from our premium grape
Longtime Placer County residents, the Mendez Family, broke ground on their Auburn vineyard in 1999, with no illusions of simplicity. When Viña Castellano was started the family knew it was going to be a labor of love, with a strong emphasis on “labor”. Teena Wilkins, who co-owns and manages the vineyard and winery, is the youngest of Gabe and Carolyn Mendez’s four children. She and her father, along with her husband Craig and their vineyard & winery foreman, Victor Brambila, oversee the weekly work at the winery, but the entire family contribute to the winery in some form or fashion.
The tasting room is only by appointment, and the location is quite far off the beaten path, but the wine is worth the trip. The tasting area is a bar in a foyer run by the owner of the vineyard. It's not fancy, but if you like Howell Mountain wines, this is a great place to taste.
Bel Vino Winery is the Temecula home of Fine Wine and Good Times in Southern California in Temecula Wine Country. Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of breath-taking vistas, rolling vine-covered hills and panoramic views of the Temecula valley, Bel Vino is the perfect location for an intimate (indoor or outdoor) wine tasting or an exceptional California vineyard wedding. Beautiful winery, with a great feel to it. There was a live band playing at the little outdoor stage when we pulled up. The tasting bar was inviting, and the host was very friendly and very helpful. The reds were good. The Tatria was extremely good, one of my favorite wines from my whole day of wine tasting. Also make a Pepper Jam, which is amazing. It's a nice balance of sweet and spicy, and they served samples on crackers with cream cheese.
Hanna Winery was founded in 1985 by Dr. Elias Hanna, a world-renowned cardiac surgeon, who was eager to find a place in the country to continue the farming heritage of his upbringing in Syria. In the 1970s he realized his dream with the purchase of 12 acres in the Russian River Valley. Dr. Hanna's oldest daughter Christine now runs the winery. Great location, excellent views and a really nice and modern tasting room. Hanna makes a wide variety of wines and I was taken by their Elias Pinot Noir.
ALEXANDER VALLEY TASTING ROOM RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY TASTING ROOM
9280 HWY 128, Healdsburg, CA 95448 | 707.431.4310 x116 5353 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 | 707.431.4310 x140
Open Daily: 10:00am – 4:00pm Open Daily: 10:00am – 4:00pm
The folks at Nelson Family Vineyards believe in their motto that “Great wines are born in the vineyard.” Nelson Family's goal is to gently guide the grapes into wines that show off the balance and high quality that they strive to achieve in their vineyards.
