Sparkling Wines

Sparkling Wines

Faustini Wines

wine pouring into wine glasses - Pixabay

Anthony Faustini has been a wine collector for many years. Looking to make the jump from serious collector to wine maker he began his research on Long Island in New York, visiting wineries and trying a number of wines. Looking to expand his palate and wanting to make a California wine he came to the Napa Valley where he was introduced to Crushpad in San Francisco. Faustini's first commercial vintage was small - merely 50 cases in 2005 from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena. This vintage was a teaser for Anthony and made him realize how much he wanted to be in the business. He started taking remote courses through UC Davis and because of his work for Cisco frequently found himself in California. While here for work - he also started nurturing vineyard and wine making connections. Today he lives in New York and commutes to Napa a number of times each year. Faustini currently focus on two labels, Play Date and Faustini with plans to expand. Each one of their wines involves a unique story.

Palmina Wines

wine swirling in the glass - Pixabay - Saman Teher

Palmina is more than a winery. It is a philosophy, a passion and a strongly held belief that wine is an extension of the plate, a component of a meal and a means to bring people together. Formed by winemaker Steve Clifton in 1995, Palmina is named in honor of Steve’s great friend Paula. Like a grandmother to him, she taught Steve to love cooking, wine and the Italian lifestyle and was a spark in his life. After Paula succumbed to breast cancer, Steve found that her given name on her Italian birth certificate was Palmina, and the winery was thus fittingly named.

Bella Grace Vineyards

winery sign

Bella Grace, like many other Plymouth wineries, is lovely and sophisticated without pretension. I must say that I am always pleased with the friendly service and warm greetings we receive when we arrive. Their 2010 Barbera is a multi-award winner. I have to say that this is a must-have! I've rarely tasted anything like it. Super friendly staff here, and the owner was very nice as well. The wine cave was worth checking out; its cool temperature was a haven from the summer heat. And...tasting is free! Wine Cave - 22715 Upton Road Plymouth, CA Open Saturday & Sunday 11-4 during winter Sutter Creek Tasting Room 73 Main Street Sutter Creek CA Open Thursday - Monday 11-5

Deaver Vineyards

pouring some red wine - pixabay

Ken Deaver, with his signature denims and cowboy hat, bends his broad shoulders to uncork a bottle of Zinfandel, a task that reveals his deep knowledge of both wine and grapes.

A tour across Deaver's 300 acres offers a glimpse of history, with 140-year-old Zinfandel vines and eight acres of Mission vines, originally brought from Mexico by Jesuits and Franciscans. These Mission vines were planted around 1854 by Ken Deaver's great-grandfather, John Davis, and a decade later, Ken’s grandfather planted the now-famous Zinfandel vines.

For years, Deaver's "old vine" grapes were sold primarily to home winemakers. The first vintage of Deaver Vineyards Zinfandel was bottled under the "Lakeshore" label in 1985.

Today, Deaver Vineyards is celebrated worldwide for its velvety Zinfandels. The Tuscan-like climate of Amador County also provides ideal conditions for producing exceptional Sangiovese, Barbera, and rich Ports.

With over four generations of Deavers cultivating grapes in Amador County, Deaver Vineyards boasts a deep heritage. Known for its velvety Zinfandel and some of the oldest vines in the region, their wines are widely regarded as true classics.

Silt Wine Company

grape cluster

Silt Wine Company

The Team at Silt Wine Company Shannon Ogilvie, Phil Ogilivr and Tom Merwin are proud to represent what Clarksburg AVA has to offer to winelovers. This boutigue winery has taken on the name for the rich "silt" soil that is found in the Clarksburg AVA. Silt Wine Company you can experience in you glass a little of what has kept the families at Silt to have roots reaching back generations. Clarksburg AVA offers some of the finest winegrapes produced in California and the folks at Silt are proud to share with you the fruits of their labor. Just outside of Sacramento you can enjoy in every bottle a combination of passion of the Clarksburg farmer and the gift that the rich Delta Soils bring to your glass. *

Hours:

Thur     11:00am to 5:00pm
Fri        11:00am to 5:00pm
Sat       11:00am to 5:00pm
Sun      11:00am to 5:00pm

By Reservation

V. Sattui Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

V. Sattui embodies the essence of the American Dream. Vittorio Sattui, who emigrated from Genoa, Italy, in 1882, established a winery in San Francisco three years later. The Sattui family successfully ran the business for 35 years until Prohibition forced them to close their doors.

In 1976, Vittorio's great-grandson, Dario Sattui, revived the family legacy in Napa Valley, aiming to create a "Napa D'Italia," where visitors could savor a slice of the good life. It became the 46th winery to open in Napa Valley since Prohibition, now known for its rustic Italianate architecture, hidden gardens, expansive picnic grounds, beautiful vineyards, a stone winery and tower, barrel room, museum, artisan deli & marketplace, salumeria, gelateria, and various event spaces.

V. Sattui was among the first Napa Valley wineries to offer wine experiences, beginning with a few picnic tables where guests could relax and enjoy themselves. This early display of hospitality sparked a movement, reflecting the winery's belief that wine is best enjoyed when shared with friends and family.

What sets V. Sattui apart is that nearly every aspect of its business is handled onsite—from grape growing, crushing, winemaking, bottling, and cellaring to fulfilling orders and preparing a variety of house-made delicacies in the extensive kitchens. The wines are sold exclusively to customers through the website and the winery.

Over 140 years after Vittorio Sattui first arrived in America, V. Sattui remains a significant part of the Napa Valley community, where generations of families return time and time again, and lifelong friendships are forged. As stewards of the environment, the winery is committed to leading the next generation, holding firm to the belief that the best is yet to come.

L'Aventure

grape cluster

Wine lovers, get ready to dive into the captivating story of L'Aventure, where Stephan Asseo’s passion and innovative spirit have brought world-class wines to life in the stunning Paso Robles, California.

How It All Began
Stephan's journey began at L'Ecole Oenologique de Macon in Burgundy, France, and in 1982, he established Domaine de Courteillac in Bordeaux. Over the next 15 years, he cultivated his skills as an artisan winemaker, earning a reputation as a maverick vigneron. Yet, constrained by AOC regulations, he longed for the freedom to innovate and explore new possibilities.

The Adventure Begins
In 1998, seeking to expand his horizons, Stephan and his family set off on an adventurous quest to find the perfect location for their winemaking dreams. They traveled through renowned wine regions across the globe—from South Africa to Lebanon, Argentina to Napa—until they stumbled upon the unique terroir of west side Paso Robles. It was here that L'Aventure was born, igniting a new chapter in their winemaking journey.

Stephan's philosophy is centered on crafting wines that truly embody the essence of Paso Robles. Each cuvée is a carefully crafted blend of the estate's premium varieties, enhancing the wines’ authenticity, complexity, and balance.

Celebrating Milestones
In July 2023, L'Aventure proudly celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a journey filled with remarkable achievements. The winery became 100% estate-produced, unveiled a stunning new tasting room and caves, partnered with the Thiénot family, acquired a new vineyard, and embarked on exciting collaborative wine projects. As they continue to innovate and evolve, their commitment to quality remains steadfast, honoring the roots that inspired their adventure.

Join L'Aventure for a tasting experience that embodies the spirit of innovation and passion for wine. Cheers to the journey ahead!

Cougar Vineyard & Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - enjoying wine with pet cat

They specialize in Italian varietals! But they have a number of non-Italian varietals too. And was really surprised at how much I enjoyed their White Cabernet. Yup... you heard right... WHITE CAB. It's light and refreshing.... fruity but not sweet.... on the dry side. It's a lovely rose to sit by the pool and relax with. Get a little bit of Italy while you are enjoying you Temecula Wine Tasting adventures.

McIntyre Tasting Studio

red wine swirling in the glass - Pixabay

Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre McIntyre Estate Vineyard (with 60 acres planted) is home to some of the oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Another estate property, the 81-acre Kimberly Vineyard in Arroyo Seco, complements the winery’s holdings. Proprietor Steve McIntyre, a highly knowledgeable viticulturist, also owns and operates Monterey Pacific, overseeing 16,000 acres of vineyards in Monterey County. The McIntyre Estate Vineyard was one of the first in the Santa Lucia Highlands to earn SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certification.

The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA has quickly risen to prominence, with 6,000 acres of vines—primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah—thriving on the terraces below the Santa Lucia mountain range. The region benefits from a unique climate shaped by daily morning fog and strong winds channeled through the Salinas Valley from Monterey Bay. This combination gives the Santa Lucia Highlands one of California's longest and coolest growing seasons.

Had an excellent time here. The gentlemen doing the tasting was very personable and informative, I highly recommend.

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