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Syrah

Hagafen Cellars

two friends and wine by Artist Agata Zaborowski

Nice, quaint winery. Has outdoor tables/seating and even cornhole (bean bag toss) game if you wanted to play. And a cute little picnic table for the kids. Our wine guide was friendly and super helpful. Mom enjoyed this spot because it had a nice selection of sweeter wines, e.g. Riesling. Very laid back environment. Bought some sandwiches from the deli just down the street recommended by Hagafen and ate at Hagafen outdoors while enjoying some Riesling. Art work by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski -Agata a Art Gallery 

Tin Barn Vineyards

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

The pourer is very knowledgable and passionate about their wines. I give the wine maker a lot of credit for his focus on single vineyard, single varietal wines. I thought all the wines were well made. The place is located in like an office facility / storage unit looking type building, so if you're looking for like rolling hills with neat rows of grape bushes, you have come to the wrong place. (Shouldn't be a dealbreaker necessarily in my opinion-- but I feel it's worth noting.) They also do a little tour of their facility where they show you some of the machines that are used to make the wine.

Baileyana Winery

vineyard at sunset - Pixabay

We stopped here to meet friends while visiting SLO for the first time. We brought sandwiches from an outside sandwich shop and bought a bottle of white wine to share on the benches overlooking the Bocce ball area and vineyards. It really doesn't get any more spectacular in terms of view. Combined with wine and a picnic...it's a recipe for a perfect afternoon.

Fenestra Winery

cluster of grapes

Fenestra Winery was established by the Replogle family on the historic Ruby Hill property in Pleasanton in 1976. In 1980, the winery moved into the century-old George True Winery building on Vallecitos Road in Livermore. The building, which had suffered from years of neglect, required significant restoration; the Replogles removed tons of trash, installed a new roof, and reinforced the structure. In 1997, the winery building underwent further refurbishment, and vineyards were planted around the property. Specializing in classically balanced, award-winning wines primarily from Livermore Valley grapes, Fenestra Winery is recognized as Livermore Valley’s first boutique winery and has celebrated many years of producing fine wines.

Outdoor & Indoor Wine Tasting
Tasting Room Hours: Friday- Sunday 11:30-4:30 p.m. Last Seating at 3:15 for a full wine tasting.

 Reservations encouraged, but walk-in’s welcome if space available. 

Groups over six people requries a reservation. 

Read our guide to Livermore Wines and Wineries

Baiocchi Wines

clusters of wine grapes

Baiocchi Wines

From the moment the vision to produce premium, small-lot wines took shape, the focus has remained on the land, the fruit, the wine, and the experience of life. With this in mind, the mission of Baiocchi Wines is to create fine wine from exceptional grapes grown in a high-altitude setting. As the team continues to explore the concepts of balance and harmony in winemaking, they consider the individual elements that contribute to wine: soil, water, fruit, and craft. From the composition of the soil to the careful handling of the grapes, each wine reflects this intricate relationship.

The Genesis of Baiocchi Wines

How does one transition from skydiving to winemaking? Very carefully, indeed.

While the path may not be traditional, it is uniquely their own. The passion for crafting great wine stemmed from a love of enjoying it—particularly with friends after many successful skydiving and base-jumping adventures.

This appreciation for fine wine led to formal education in viticulture and winemaking through the U.C. Davis Extension Winemaking Program. During this time, practical experience was gained through hands-on work at two Northern California winemaking properties: Miraflores Winery and Big Basin Vineyards, where they had the honor of being mentored by Proprietor and Winemaker Bradley Brown.

The hope is that a dear friend, who opened countless airplane doors and many bottles of fine wine, will someday find themselves sitting with friends, post-jump, savoring a bottle of Baiocchi wine.

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso

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.

Michel-Schlumberger

wine barrels - Pixabay

It's almost not fair for me to give this place a review-- as there has recently been a change in ownership. The new owner is renovating and updating a majority of the property. The drive up to Michel-Schlumberger is absolutely gorgeous; at least it is in April because it is not directly off the freeway; instead it is through several windy roads, and then through more curvy windy roads. It feels like you've reached some kind of sanctuary or private retreat in the countryside by the time you've arrived.

Castorro Cellars

Logo for Castoro Cellars

Meet Niels and Bimmer Udsen, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind Cas­toro Cellars, a fun and inviting winery that has been making waves in Paso Robles since 1983. Their journey began with a simple dream: to create world-class wines from the beautiful grapes of the Paso Robles appellation.

Niels, a Ventura native, first dipped his toes into the wine business while studying Agribusiness at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. His passion for winemaking, combined with Bimmer’s unwavering support, led them to establish their very own winery in the heart of this thriving wine region.

But the path to success wasn’t conventional. The Udsens embraced what they fondly call the “backwards approach”: they started by making and selling wine, then acquired their own equipment, and finally built their winery and tasting room. Talk about an adventure!

You can visit Cas­toro’s charming tasting room in Templeton, right off scenic Highway 46 West, while their winemaking facility is located in San Miguel on the East Side of Paso Robles—both opened their doors in 1990. With the mentorship of Tom Myers, Cas­toro Cellars’ talented winemaker, the Udsen family has transformed from crafting a few barrels for friends and family into a thriving business.

Today, Cas­toro boasts over 1,400 acres of estate vineyards, all certified organic and SIP certified. Niels and Bimmer have built a brand that reflects their values, focusing on approachability and environmental consciousness. Niels' father, a Danish immigrant and successful businessman, instilled in him a deep appreciation for agriculture and entrepreneurship, which shaped their winery’s foundation.

Niels discovered his love for the wine industry during a senior marketing project for a local winery at Cal Poly. After marrying Bimmer in 1981, he honed his winemaking skills in the cellar of Estrella River Winery, learning every aspect of the craft for five years under the guidance of Tom Myers.

In 1983, armed with experience and a sense of humor, Niels and Bimmer launched Cas­toro Cellars, named after the Italian word for “beaver” (Niels’ long-time nickname). Their motto, “Dam Fine Wine,” perfectly captures their playful spirit!

Cas­toro Cel­lars isn’t just about great wine; it’s about family values, too. Their welcoming tasting room is family-friendly, even offering alcohol-free Zinfandel grape juice for the little ones. Plus, the Udsens prioritize a work environment that understands the importance of family flexibility for their employees. So, whether you’re a seasoned wine lover or just starting your journey, Cas­toro Cellars promises a delightful experience filled with laughter, warmth, and, of course, exceptional wine!

Napa Cellars

wine and cheese - Pixabay

The Napa Cellars tasting room is a uniquely refreshing experience in the Napa Valley. Down-to-earth, laid-back and fresh are the words that best describe the tasting room where you’ll often find guests rocking out to AC/DC. If you want to have an entertaining and fun experience in the Napa Valley, this is the tasting room to visit.

Brutocao Cellars & Vineyard

Swirling wine in the glass - Pixabay - Saman Teher

Family Vineyard Heritage is a tale of two families who combined their passion and expertise to establish one of Mendocino County’s most notable wineries. In 1910, the Brutocao family brought with them a love for wine when they emigrated from Treviso, Italy (a small town near Venice). Len Brutocao met Martha Bliss while attending the University of California, Berkeley. Martha’s father, Irv, had been farming in Mendocino since 1943. After Len and Martha married, the families joined forces and continued to sell their grapes to well-known Sonoma and Napa wineries for many years before starting to make their own wine in 1980. They selected the Lion of St. Mark as their symbol of family tradition and quality. The heart of that quality is in their land: over 400 acres of vineyards in Hopland and 12.5 acres of Pinot Noir in  Anderson Valley.

Tasting: 10am – 5pm
Open: Wednesday-Sunday
Reservations appreciated but not necessary.

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