Nestled on the Northeast border of the Temecula Valley sits Doffo Winery. Founded in 1997 by Marcelo Doffo, it is one of a few micro-boutique wineries in the region and the only one built around the former site of a Temecula historic landmark schoolhouse. Situated on 15 acres of rolling vineyards, the winery possesses a unique combination of old-world and warm family charm. It is also home to MotoDoffo, the family's private collection of over 100 racing and vintage motorcycles.
A fun winery to visit during Hopland's Passport event (once in spring and once in fall each year) when it opens up and gives space to local craftspeople. They also make olive oil and process it for others. Fourth generation Mendocino wine family - these people know what they are doing.
Scribner Bend Vineyards, located just 12 minutes south of the Capital on the beautiful Sacramento River, is Sacramento’s Local Winery and Wedding Venue. Award winning wines, tasting room, authentic Italian dining room and over 6000 square feet of outdoor lawn and gardens serves to provide a location for your dream wedding or just a relaxing afternoon picnic.
Fun, unassuming tasting room. The service was really friendly and I got the impression that the "$10 for 5" tasting is rarely a sticking point. Meaning, they poured my group additional samples and even asked me which one I wanted to try one last time as I was paying. Never with the feeling I was being pressured to buy anything, far from it. Ample picnic area in the back. BYO whatever and enjoy the scenery and play a game of bocce ball in one of their 2 courts. This is a perfect stop on your way to the beach or when heading back home.
Emerald Creek Winery is located in Warner Springs on the North slope of Palomar Mountain of San Diego County. The elevation at the winery is at 2,400 ft. from sea level. This area has a unique micro-weather system. The weather at this elevation from April to October is ideal for grape growing. Daytime temperatures are warm and nighttime temperatures are cool. The soil is made from mainly decomposed granite ideal for grapes. At Emerald Creek Winery, we are committed to creating award-winning wines.
Perhaps the most helpful, most friendly of all sparkling tasting rooms we visited in the area. Rather than tether you to a bar, you're able to get service at a table. Just look at the menu selection, and someone will be with you shortly. Mumm Napa is the best place to stop by at the end of the day. The reason being is that they have outdoor seating overlooking their vineyards. It's a special winery because they have a variety of sparkling wines. Don't fret, if it's hot (just like it was yesterday at 94 degrees) they turn on their mist sprays and instantly you are cooled down. They have 3 pour flights plus the full glass. It's located on the Silvarado Trail so this gives you a chance to take a peek on what this trail has to offer.
This hidden gem of a winery boasts a no-frills approach to great wine. Their taste is a bit different -- fruity & light merlots, light cabs, amazing port. The true gem here is Petra. She's a great conversationist and has remembered me and my friends every time we come. This one is WAY out of the way, but a completely unique experience in Napa. The basic tasting was free, and the reserve tasting was $15. The wine was pretty good and the bocce court outside was a nice distraction. The place is like a deserted farm with dogs wandering around and unfinished road through the vineyard. It is NOT fancy, but it is often deserted and gives you the feel that you are in your own country vineyard.
Maréchal Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery located a few minutes north of Sanger in Fresno County. Conveniently located on the way to Kings Canyon National Park. Maréchal Vineyards makes wines from both their estate vineyards as well as from partner growers in Fresno, Madera and Paso Robles. Maréchal was good enough to let us drop in and do some video for a video project we were working on You can watch that video HERE While the winemaker Josh Marshall was busy in the vineyard that day his wife Jenifer Marshall took the time to show us around and even poured a few of their wines on a day they were normally closed. Be sure to stop in for a visit. Haley Washburn is the Winery's Manager and in charge of the tasting room and she always greets with a smile. If you time it right Josh and Jenifer just might be doing the pouring that day. There is a nice variety of wines to enjoy but a hint, be sure to try the Primitivo and the Petite Sirah if it is offered.*
Bell is an incredible winery in Yountville. If you can, book a private tour and tasting where you'll get the full story behind the single clone Cabernets and their winemaker Antony. If you're lucky, Maggie will do your tour. Brace yourself for the Clone 6!
Tasting Room and award-winning Witch Creek Winery is located in Carlsbad, CA directly on the historic Highway 101 just a block from the beach and the Coaster. Founded in 1993, this boutique winery focuses on quality over quantity, by producing small-lot,handcrafted wines using traditional winemaking techniques. The result is full-bodied well balanced wines rich in flavor that have earned many medals over the years at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Orange County Wine Competition. Witch Creek prides itself on being a source of some of the more unique and harder to find domestically produced varietals,such as Nebbiolo, Teroldego and Montepulciano.
