Syrah

Syrah

Ken Brown Wines

pouring wine in glass

Ken Brown Wines focus is on very small lots of Pinot Noir from the finest vineyards of Sta. Rita Hills. The wines are produced at the Ken Brown winery in Buellton at the gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills appellation, and most lots consist of 250 cases or less. Total annual production is only about 2,000 cases. Ken work with growers, many of whom he has known for years, to hand select vineyard blocks for our program. Some of the remarkable vineyards we work with include Cargasacchi, Clos Pepe, Rio Vista and Sanford & Benedict. Ken Brown Wines also produce limited bottlings of Chardonnay and Syrah.

Image Credits 

Miller Wine Works

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Confessions of a Winemaker Chef - I always considered winemaking to be “cooking”. Through my entire time as a chef, I wanted to work with the flavors, textures, and aromas of grapes from the California coast. Finally I took the plunge and moved to Napa Valley.

Boaventurea de Caries Vineyards

Cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Brett Caires, a self-made realtor, chef, and winemaker, hails from the stock of wine connoisseurs. BoaVentura Baptiste de Caires, Brett’s grandfather and the winery’s namesake, handed down a passion for relishing good wine. Brett recalls family meals with his Oakland, California-based grandparents, where wine was always a staple at the dinner table: “The table was set with glasses of wine, port, and milk.” To boot, according to family legend, Brett’s great grandfather, Antonio de Caires, was deported during Prohibition for winemaking after he brought his family to America. A devotion to his family heritage was a natural inspiration for Brett to cultivate his own knowledge of winemaking.

Through the influence of family, friends, and fellow winemakers, including Karl Wente, Noah Taylor, and Bob Taylor, Brett learned about the art of making wine. On a trip with Karl to Europe in 1997 – through France, Greece, Portugal, and England – he sampled regional wines, amassing knowledge that would later help him produce his first Cabernet, made available to the public in 2002.

On April 29, 1999, Brett realized his dream of owning a winery when he and his wife, Monique, purchased a five-acre property perched atop a sunny ridge in the southeast corner of Livermore Valley, California.

Birdstone Winery

birdstone winery logo

Tony and Kimberly Kirk established Birdstone Winery with the goal of producing world-class wines from Madera-appellation grapes. A friends and family effort from the start, Birdstone’s winemaking team includes Tony, Kimberly and their sons Travis & Conner. It’s not uncommon to find Tony & Kim’s siblings, parents or friends behind the bar in the Tasting Room or helping to crush grapes during harvest.

Diamond Mountain Vineyard

grape cluster - Pixabay

CONDiamond Mountain Vineyard may just be the highest, oldest (1895) vineyard, and smallest winery in the Napa Valley. Our location here at the top of the Diamond Mountain District appellation is, perhaps, one of the best places in the world to grow Bordeaux varietals and is unequivocally, the most beautiful and romantic.

An exclusive experience, akin to the wine itself, awaits high above the clouds with stunning views of the Napa Valley.

The estate, located at the summit of Diamond Mountain, is open by reservation only. Each reservation is private, and only a limited number of experiences are hosted, with priority given to loyal Diamond Collectors.

To request a reservation, please complete the request form below, and a response will be provided within 72 hours.

Omega Vineyards & Winery

Old Vine Zinfandel - photographer Randy Caparoso

Established in 2006, Alpha Omega is a gem for California wine lovers, dedicated to crafting artisanal, handcrafted wines that beautifully blend Old World vineyard traditions with New World innovation. Their mission focuses on capturing the unique terroir of Napa Valley, allowing each bottle to express a true sense of place.

Nestled on the Rutherford Bench in the heart of Napa Valley, Alpha Omega welcomes visitors with a warm and inviting atmosphere, mirroring the authentic spirit of the Napa Valley farming community. The winery's founders, Robin and Michelle Baggett, have always prioritized creating world-class wines in a convivial setting, a commitment that has remained strong since they first opened their doors on July 1, 2006.

The picturesque surroundings at Alpha Omega are nothing short of breathtaking, featuring charming water fountains, a serene reflecting pond, and stunning views of the Mayacamas Mountains. This stunning backdrop provides the perfect ambiance for savoring the handcrafted wines produced from grapes sourced from prestigious, historic vineyards, all expertly managed by Alpha Omega’s talented winemaking team.

Visitors are greeted by a friendly staff of knowledgeable wine educators, eager to share their passion for wine in a setting that feels like a postcard from paradise. The winery’s modern farm-style architecture, located along the famous Highway 29, enhances the experience, making it a delightful destination for those seeking beautiful wines and a memorable visit.

When Robin and Michelle first toured the valley in 2005, they envisioned creating an estate that rivaled the finest in Napa. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds—Robin as a seasoned attorney and grape grower, and Michelle as an international hotel interior designer turned hospitality marketing expert—they brought their ambitious vision to life. The name Alpha Omega, conceived in 2005, reflects their commitment to delivering the ultimate winery experience from start to finish. Today, Alpha Omega proudly stands as one of the top wineries in the region, inviting all to indulge in its extraordinary offerings.

Image - Old Vine Zinfandel - photographer Randy Caparoso

Willow Creek Wine Co.

pruning vines in the vineyard

Willow Creek Wine Co. is a boutique winery located on the west side of Paso Robles, owned and operated by Natalie and Brian Brown. The winery specializes in old-vine Chenin Blanc, estate Syrah, and Rhône-style blends.

The vision for Willow Creek Wine Co. began in 2016 when the Brown family purchased a small ten-acre parcel on Vineyard Drive in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. Upon moving to the property, Brian and Natalie Brown embarked on the task of rehabilitating the land, which had been overrun with underbrush and weeds. As professional winemakers, their dream was to cultivate their own piece of land and establish a winery to house their various brands. At the time, they were already producing their own projects—Emerson Brown and Rococo—and began creating wines together under the brand that would eventually become Willow Creek Wine Co. In 2019, they harvested their first crop from the property, which contributed to the development of their wine label, In Medias Res.

In 2020, they opened the doors to the estate’s brand-new production facility and tasting room, now showcasing all four of their brands for visitors to enjoy.

Imagery Estate Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

They have a beautiful scenic panoramic view. The staff are very personable, knowledgeable, and always willing to be of help. The outdoor patio is perfect for these summer months. They even have horse shoes!!! Nice selection of some pretty nice wines.

Coturri Winery

grape clusters in the vineyard

When in wine country, some enjoy a Disneyland experience -- fake castles & dungeons, tram rides, huge gift shops, docents, buses, limos, and a million things to distract you from the wine. And then, there's Coturri. The production is tiny. The facility is a garage. Check out the Syrah, Zin, or anything that they might happen to have on hand to share...and you'll get a great bottle of hand-made wine with little intervention of any sort.

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