In the heart of California’s scenic Gold Rush Country, Ironstone Vineyards will surprise and delight you with a winery that places as much emphasis on the natural beauty and history of their surroundings, as they do on the quality of their wines.
A hobby gone wild! That is how Idle Hour Winery, formerly Panoche Valley Vineyards, got its start. Winemaker Anna Marie dos Remedios began making wine as a hobby to relieve the stress of her day job as a newspaper journalist/business owner. Anna Marie is focused on small lot, single-vineyard designated wines from some of California's best wine-growing regions. Anna Marie learned traditional winemaking methods from mentor and renowned Pinot Noir producer Josh Jensen at Calera Wine Company. At Idle Hour Winery the focus is on these traditional methods: native yeast fermentation, gravity flow racking and the use of neutral French Oak; all very gentle in nature, applying these to all the varieties Anna Marie ferments. While you will find all of the wines at Idle Hour Winery delightful, be sure to try the Reserve Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc and the Tannat Idle Hour Winery is located in Oakhurst, CA the gateway to Yosemite Park. Idle Hour was include in a short video we did featuring several Central Valley wineries you can view HERE *
Hours:
Mon- 11:00AM-6:00PM
Tues- 11:00AM-6:00PM
Weds- 11:00AM-6:00PM
Thurs- 11:00AM-6:00PM
Fri - 11:00AM-6:00PM
Sat - 11:00AM-6:00PM
Sun - 11:00AM-6:00PM
Palmeri Wines is all about mountain fruit. Most of the vineyards designated for Palmeri are located above 1,000 feet, which provides a more balanced growing season. In hotter years, the grapes benefit from a more temperate climate at high elevations, while in colder years, the higher temperatures atop the mountains offer protection from the frost found on the valley floor. The well-draining, nutrient-poor soils of these mountain vineyards produce grapes that are generally more flavorful, show greater complexity, and yield more age-worthy wines.
When Kory Koehler acquired the property in 1997, all of the estate grapes were being sold to local wineries. Koehler soon recognized that some of the best wines in the valley were being produced with grapes harvested from her own vineyard so she made the resolved to launch her own winery and tasting room. From the start, Kory Koehler's vision was to create a world-class winery committed to making premium wines at affordable prices.
Image: Saman Teher - Pixabay
Wilson Creek Winery is warm and friendly, comfortable yet exhilarating, simple yet elegant, all inspirations from the Estate wines, vineyards and Mount Palomar in the distance. What makes this Winery for me is the grounds. Tons of places to sit and enjoy your wine tastings. I think what makes it for me, is that I don't feel confined to standing at the tasting bar. I can walk around with my tastings. I don't particularly feel as free to do that at other Wineries. This winery has a lot to offer to visitors that are looking to do a little wine tasting in Temecula Wine Country.
Although Caddis is new it is quickly becoming one of my favorite wineries in Livermore. The winemaker Chris has had years if experience in the Livermore Valley and it shows in his wines. It's no surprise the Caddis took home a number of Chronicle wine awards, their wines is phenomenal! Caddis is located next to Wood Family and are only open a select amount of days throughout the year. Just a quick update. Caddis Wines now has two locations, in Livermore and Sonoma.
Caddis Sonoma Plaza
Guests are invited to enjoy a tasting of small lot wines from Sonoma County and the Livermore Valley. Caddis Sonoma Plaza is open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM, with extended hours on occasion. While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are recommended. Parties are limited to a maximum of 8 guests.
Caddis Livermore
Currently, Caddis Livermore is open for public tastings on 7 weekends each year. For more details on tastings and openings throughout the year, visitors should check the Special Events tab. Any questions can be directed to (707) 931-6939.
Read our guide to Livermore Wines and Wineries
Grape Cluster - Pixabay
Abundant, beautiful, and joyful, the vineyard expresses an idea that the best things in life are simple and honest. If there is truth in wine, it comes from the plain transition of fruit and soil and sun into a blend of art and fate. Granite Lion Cellars begins with the best vine stock and cherishes the distinctive characteristics that make every variety unique because we understand that all we take through life is ourselves. A young winery, Granite Lion Vineyards presents a rich and distinctive taste intrinsic to the passion of youth.
Rick Quinn and David Nichols started as neighbors, became friends, and eventually joined forces to fulfill their shared dream of creating a winemaking legacy in Paso Robles.
In 1997, Rick and David began planting vineyards, and by 1999, they established their family winery in the coastal mountains of the Willow Creek District. They chose the name Opolo to honor Quinn's Serbian heritage, referencing a rosé-style wine native to the Dalmatian Coast.
Although the modern winemaking era in Paso Robles was just beginning, Rick and David recognized the region’s immense potential. They focused on Zinfandel, a heritage grape of Paso Robles, as well as Bordeaux and Rhône varieties that would come to define the area's reputation.
Since then, Opolo has become a cornerstone of the Paso Robles experience, known for its widely acclaimed estate wines, warm hospitality, and legendary wine club. Today, Opolo offers a diverse selection of wines, including the iconic Mountain Zinfandel, limited-release reserves, and vineyard designates. Visitors are invited to explore the world of Opolo at their tasting room.
Founded in 1996, DuMOL is committed to crafting highly nuanced, vineyard-focused Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from distinct sites in the cool-climate Russian River Valley. The winery is led by Winegrower and Partner Andy Smith, who oversees a small, experienced team dedicated to producing wines of depth, clarity, and elegance through meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyards and vintage-specific winemaking.
DuMOL operates on the belief that the best fertilizer is the footsteps of the farmer, and is devoted to maintaining a portfolio of estate and grower-partner vineyards primarily within a 10-mile radius. Building on over twenty-five years of experience, DuMOL also cultivates and produces small-lot Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Mencía from some of the finest vineyards in Sonoma and Napa.
The full range of DuMOL wines is available through allocations to the mailing list, with select offerings distributed to top restaurants worldwide.
Quiet, nice little place by our hotel (Andaz Napa). Good place to go for a quick bite and maybe a little wine, nice since it's open late and convenient. Nice ambiance. Wine is spectacular. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Definitely check this place out if you are wondering around downtown Napa.
