Syrah

Syrah

Dante Robere Vineyards

picture or winery's label

In 2012, two families decided to officially start a winery. Wanting to own a vineyard and build a winery facility from the ground up, they purchased a 6-acre Syrah vineyard and adjoining lot on Wetmore Road in South Livermore. Their winery, Dante Robere Vineyards is named after Dan and Bob. They currently make and pour their wine on Tesla Road in east Livermore while they await completion of construction of their new facility on Wetmore Road scheduled to open in 2015. Their goal is to make wine from Livermore Valley grapes when possible but also to procure quality grapes from other wine growing regions that are well suited to certain unique varietals. Their estate-grown Syrah, blended wines featuring the estate Syrah, and other Rhone varietals such as Grenache and Mourvedre are their signature wines. But they also produce the stalwart varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay, as well as more unique wines such as Tempranillo, Touriga and Barbera.

Krissie Vineyards

grape clusters

This is a small vineyard making only 3500-4000 cases a year. A varitey for wines to choose from. Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, Barbera Rosato, Black Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Port, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Shiraz / Syrah, Tempranillo, Verdelho, Vinho Tinto, Viognier, Zinfandel

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso

Berthoud Vineyards and Winery

glass of red wine - Pixabay

Berthoud Wines (Berthoud is pronounced: BEAR2) are produced and estate bottled in the barn depicted on the label from vines that are meticulously managed to yield less than two tons of small, concentrated grapes per acre. The grapes are punched down by hand several times each day in traditional open-top redwood vats during fermentation to maximize color and flavor extraction in the gentlest mannerTasting and purchasing Berthoud Wines is available at Mayo Family Winery 13101 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, CA

Cupcake Vineyards

grape cluster

These tasty little wines were introduced nationally in 2008 from California’s Central Coast and represented a finely crafted, fruit-forward, indulgent and eminently approachable style of wine. The inaugural release included Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, Adam has used his experience and relationships around the world to add seven international wines to the lineup. http://underdogwinemerchants.com/

Read our guide to Livermore Wines and Wineries

Amista Vineyards

grape cluster

An artisan, family owned winery showcasing the fabulous fruit and friendly spirit of Dry Creek Valley. Located near the charming village of Healdsburg. Pulled in on a whim while visiting wine country for the day. Not only was it a beautiful winery/vineyard, but we practically had the place to ourselves. Patrick was very friendly and knowledgable about all the wines.

Sequum Wines

wine and cheese - Pixabay

With the 2001 harvest Paul launched his Sequum brand and released his first vintage of Napa Valley Zinfandel from his 2 acre Kidd Ranch vineyard in St. Helena. In 2002, he added a Cabernet Sauvignon from four specially selected Napa vineyard soils and named it Four Soil Melange. In 2003, the first release of the most recent addition to the Sequum portfolio, a Sonoma Dry Creek Zinfandel called Riverwash, was announced. He plans to add a vineyard designated Kidd Ranch Syrah and Kidd Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon with the 2006 vintage. Paul continues to consult for vineyards up and down the west coast and enjoys fine tuning the production of his Sequum wines.

Farella Vineyard

wine and some cheese - Pixabay

Frank Farella founded Farella-Park Vineyards in 1985, starting with a small 400-square-foot winery adjacent to his home in Napa. His journey from a modest, depression-era background to growing premium wine grapes unfolded gradually. Beginning with homemade wines from his Italian grandparents and test vintages from young Farella Vineyard grapes, the commercial venture started with a barrel of Chardonnay, a stainless-steel fermented Sauvignon Blanc, and a Merlot/Cabernet field blend in 1985.

While Frank Farella produced the first five vintages with Tom’s assistance, Tom took over winemaking duties in 1991 and continued until the end of 2018. In 2019, Ryan Pass, also a UC Davis Viticulture and Enology graduate, was promoted to Winemaker. His passion and expertise have perfectly aligned with the winery’s winemaking goals, and he and Tom continue to collaborate on the production of Farella wines.

In 2009, amidst the Great Recession, Tom Farella spearheaded the effort to petition the federal government for the designation of the "Coombsville" American Viticultural Area (AVA). This designation was granted in November 2011, making it the 16th sub-AVA of Napa Valley.

Vineyard of Pasterick

wine and cheese - Pixabay

This is a very small, private winery. The Pastericks are super friendly and will share the history of the property and their wine with you. They grow all of their own grapes and only produce one type of wine, Syrah, which is pretty tasty. Tasting is $10. They basically just pour you a glass of wine to drink while you walk around and tour the grounds.

Gershon Bachus Vintners

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - woman in bat with glass of wine

Gershon Bachus Vinters is located on De Portola Dr., across from Cougar Winery. Gershon Bachus is a wine producing estate that's located at the top of a hill, providing gorgeous 360 views of Temecula Valley. You drive up a huge hill and park your car in the gravel driveway. It's home to the "seated tasting." You walk in, are warmly greeted by Kenny and/or Christina, have a seat, and enjoy some of the better red wines I've found in Temecula. GBV is more spacious than the typical tasting room experience, so it's great for groups. Tastings are $22 each and the number of wines offered in the tasting is generous.

Truchard Vineyards

glasses and bottle of wine with chateau in the background - Pixabay

Our guide, Aida, was very welcoming, non-pretentious, and warm. She poured generously for our tasting and provided us with detailed history of the vineyard, and the couple that started it all. Still owned by the original family, this winery is beautiful, rustic, and definitely a place to stop by for good wine and some wonderful scenery. Make an appointment even if it's the same day.

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