Little Vineyards only makes reds, but they are quite good. Tastings (as of summer '09) are only 5 bucks, and the fee is waived if you buy any of their reasonably priced wines. This place is right next door to B.R. Cohn winery Take the road that is also used for B.R. C's deliveries, and keep on going 'til you see the signs for Little Vineyards.
John and Kimberly Cabot set out to be self sufficient and live off of the land. After college on the Humboldt coast they moved inland where more fruits and vegetables could ripen. They grew a wide assortment of organic produce and marketed it through Northern California retailers and Farmer’s Markets. Ten years of growing experience on the Klamath River in Northern California nurtured within them a deep respect for the land. They also developed a deep appreciation for red wine from their families. They set out to bring their love for growing, wine and the land together into one dream… They began planting wine grapes in 1998. It was exciting to pioneer an undiscovered wine area in California. The land is carved by narrow gorges and steep mountains making ideal vineyard sites rare little gems. They now have three small vineyards that they hand planted with small crews of locals. Each of the vineyards is individual and is meticulously tended in accordance with its unique needs.
Coates Vineyards, certified organic biodynamic winery, is in the Six Rivers National Forest near the small town of Orleans in Northern California. It was founded by Norman Coates, an organic farmer, winemaker, and vineyard manager in 1991 with the planting of the first of five vineyards.The first vineyard was Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Sangiovese from cuttings that were from organic vineyards in Sonoma County, California. The cuttings were rooted in nursery beds and then planted out in vineyard rows the following spring. The vineyards on the Klamath have the luxury of being established on their own roots instead of being grafted onto disease resistant rootstocks for the simple reason that Orleans is far away from the large grape growing areas where diseases are prevalent.
Recently we got introduced to Adam Mariani of Scribe Winery in Sonoma. The winery produces a nice selection of wines without producing so many to miss giving proper attention to each varitiel. Adam and his brother Andrew believe that the best wines are the result of a healthy relationship. between man and nature. The Mariani brothers manage their winery taking into consideration that site-specific wines represent the vineyard, the time and the place from where the fruit grows. The result, the vineyard and it's ecosystem are reflected in the wines produced by Scribe Winery. The winery is closed to visitors at the time of this entery due to the Covid-19 situations that is experienced by us all. The Mariani's look forward to pouring their wines for your pleasure as soon as circumstances permit. You can make a reservation at frontdesk@scribewinery.com or order some delicious Scribe wines online.
This place is really different and relaxing. The wines are very reasonable and great quality. Love the historic aspect and the grounds are beautiful to get your picnic on. Great Pinots and Cabs the atmosphere is so cool and off the beaten track. This winery is a little out of the way, but well worth the trip! The tasting room is lovely and the wines are good. There is a really nice lawn/yard outside of the tasting room that you could have a picnic on and there is a covered area with picnic tables for larger groups. The entire place has a very relaxing atmosphere.
History
The term "Sisquoc" is a native Chumash word meaning quail. The Sisquoc River meanders through Los Padres National Forest, the San Rafael Wilderness area, and Rancho Sisquoc before merging with the Cuyama River, north of Santa Barbara.
James C. Flood arrived in California in 1850 in search of opportunity and sunshine. By 1882, the Flood family was established in California, engaging in farming and ranching. James C. Flood’s grandson, Jim, and his wife, Betty, continued the family tradition when, in 1952, they acquired the historic Rancho Sisquoc, an 1852 Mexican land grant.
During the 1950s, the Floods operated Rancho Sisquoc primarily as a cattle ranch, while also farming beans and grain. Jim and Betty taught their four children—Jimmie, Judy, Johnny, and Elizabeth—how to ride horses and round up cattle. Today, their great-grandchildren (the 6th generation Floods) refine their riding skills with the ranch’s cowboys, as the cattle operation persists.
Inspired by the chaparral watershed and the classic Mediterranean climate, the Floods planted their first vineyards in the late 1960s, among the earliest in Santa Barbara County. With guidance from Napa Valley enologist Andre Tchelistcheff, they matched grape varieties to the climate and soils of Rancho Sisquoc. By 1972, the Floods produced their first wine. Over the years, they have selected additional varieties based on the ranch’s microclimates, resulting in superb vineyards and award-winning estate wines.
Dropped in here without an appointment, but our hostess kindly welcomed our group of four. The winery emphasizes on the Rhone varietals, including a serious syrah and grenache. They also make a pretty tasty zinfandel as well.
Donelan Wines is a journey of quality and passion: for wine, for people, for terroir expressed in a series of Rhone- and Burgundy-inspired Cuvees and Sonoma County single vineyard wines. The Donelan Family of Wines strives to produce pure unadulterated wines that are a pleasure to drink on release and will reward your patience as they age gracefully in your cellar.
Rich and Siri Gilpin are the owners and operators of Lavender Ridge Vineyard. Rich has a BS degree in Enology from the University of Davis, CA. He has 25 years of experience in the wine industry and comes from a background of making wine for reputable wineries in Healdsburg, Napa, and the Sierra Foothill regions of California. Rich and Siri both have a passion for organic farming and the use of herbs in the culinary arts, including the use of lavender in special dishes they have created. You'll have to visit them at their tasting room to find out more details.
With a small overall production, yet making a dozen or more wines, case production is small, with some lots between 50 and 300 cases. Wines are sourced from Los Alamos, Ballard Canyon, and Santa Ynez Valley, as well as the warmer climes of Paso Robles for their Zinfandel, Nebbiolo and El Pomar Syrah. In additional to their individual varietal wines, the winery makes a “Cote du Rhone” style blend, as well as a blend from the Italian grapes of Nebbiolo and Barbera.
Six Hands is a boutique family winery nestled in the Sacramento River Delta, where warm summer days and cool evening breezes create optimal conditions for grape cultivation. Six Hands wines will be represented at special events, celebrations and ordinary Tuesday night dinners, motivates us to produce handcrafted wines of the highest caliber at value-oriented prices.
