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Boccali Vineyards & Winery

people drinking wine

DeWayne and Marilyn Boccali have been the heart and soul behind Boccali's Pizza & Pasta, a beloved home-style Italian restaurant in the picturesque Ojai Valley, for over three decades. Renowned for its traditional Italian dishes with a local twist, the restaurant uses farm-fresh produce sourced from their very own Boccali Ranch in Upper Ojai Valley. The rich, fertile soil combined with DeWayne's impressive five decades of farming experience results in a bounty of flavorful fruits and vegetables that give their menu a unique edge. DeWayne also serves as co-winemaker and vineyard manager for the family winery.

Joining him in this venture is his partner and fellow winemaker, Joe Boccali, who also happens to be a musician and educator in Ventura County. Raised in the farming tradition, Joe has been involved in developing the land that is now home to Boccali Vineyards since he was a child. As co-winemaker and cellar master, he continues to deepen his winemaking knowledge and skills.

In 2004, the Boccali family planted their first rows of vines where their Christmas tree farm and seasonal pumpkin patch once thrived. By 2006, they harvested their first crop, which was used to create a small batch of wine exclusively for family enjoyment. The following year marked a milestone with the production of their inaugural vintages: Topa Topa Syrah, Old Winery Zinfandel, and Shangri-La Grenache Blanc, all offered to the public for the first time. Each subsequent year saw the planting of new vineyard sections, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier.

Today, Boccali Vineyards spans approximately 5 acres and produces between 1,500 and 2,500 cases of wine, depending on the whims of the growing season. For wine enthusiasts visiting the Ojai Valley, Boccali's Winery offers a delightful experience steeped in family tradition, local flavors, and the passion of two dedicated winemakers.

Read our guide to Ojai wineries                                                                                                                                                                       

Napa Wine Company

glass of red wine - Pixabay

Great place to taste a lot of boutique wines. Friendly knowledgable staff. Great spot to taste a broad variety of wines from a number of wineries and winemakers! It's a custom crush facility, so a whole array of wines are represented and the tasting menu changes regularly. Pahlmeyer, Blackbird, Ghost Block and more are poured here. It's rather like Ma(i)sonry in Yountville, but without the art. Michael Pozzan's wines are always tasty and very affordable. Rob Lawson's Pavi wines and Fisticuffs also offer high quality at a very reasonable price. Definitely worth a stop to get some variety.

Poetic Cellars

couple embrassing

Poetic Cellars was established in 2005 with one thought in mind; that of combining the passionate excellence of their winesand with exquisite and original poetry on each varietal. This interesting Santa Cruz Mountains winery is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains on 33 Redwood studded acres. Just minutes from Highway 17, it is only about 40 minutes from San Jose and 15 minutes from Santa Cruz. Bring a picnic Lunch to enjoy the views along with a bottle of Poetic Cellars wine.

Bacio Divino

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – People enjoying wine on patio

On the sun-soaked, vine-dappled slopes of Napa Valley, overlooking the town of St. Helena, a family took a chance. Driven by an unshakable desire to create something truly their own and to leave a lasting impression, they embarked on a journey to craft a signature wine worthy of their name. It was 1993, and the world of wine shimmered with possibility.

Winemaking is a blend of mystery and mischief, and with this alchemy, they produced not just one but two proprietary blends. The first was Bacio Divino—a “divine kiss” composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced by Sangiovese and, occasionally, other varietals. In 1999, its vivacious younger sibling, Pazzo, made its debut—an exuberant Sangiovese-centric blend enriched by Merlot, Syrah, and a touch of estate Cabernet.

Ever curious, they expanded their vision, venturing into single-varietal wines. This evolution led to the creation of their namesake wines: Janzen (2004), Vagabond (2004), and Lucie (2009).

Now, twenty vintages into their small, family-run venture, they take great pride in each bottle. Every accolade humbles them, yet the drive to single out, blend, taste, and create remains unwavering. Through hard work and dedication, many dreams have been realized. They invite others to discover a favorite among their offerings, with the hope that the enjoyment of each will come effortlessly.

 

Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery

Gallery | Agata Art Gallery

Markus Wine Co

Markus Wine Co Team - Markus Wine

Founded in 2014, Markus Wine Co was launched from Lodi’s first boutique winery, Borra Vineyards. Swiss-born winemaker Markus Niggli selects from wisely-planted ancient vines and newly-planted unusual offerings.  The wines produced are ageless and memorable – to drink young or with a decade or more of age, and still be elegant. Markus Wine Co wines are fruit-driven, yet balanced with higher acidity than you find in many wines, and with soft, integrated tannins, to be enjoyed with meals. The Markus team believes that the real winemaking happens out in the vineyard and allow the vineyard and the wine grapes show their full expresion in your glass. 

Currently offering their delightful wines online through their website. Califonria Corks will be notified when on-site tastings become available. 

Paloma Vineyards

red wine splashing in the glass - Pixabay

Paloma Vineyard makes some of the best red wine in the world. It is a unique, small, family run winery up in Spring Mountain near St. Helena. If you are a serious wine drinker and love great Bordeaux or Napa red wines, then you will certainly want to visit. If you can't visit, then buy a bottle of their Merlot if you can find it. This is not your one dimensional, easy to drink, but easier to forget Merlot. It is a complex, layered, fascinating Merlot that is very different from your usual California Merlot regardless of price.

Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery

lady in bathtub with wine

Discover Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery and the Land Bill “Poppo” Van Pelt, our father and grandfather.  Bill vowed to keep the land as a sanctuary for the elk. Several ponds around the property serve as water sources for waterfowl, otters, beaver, wild turkeys, deer, and elk. Owl boxes placed throughout the vineyard provide a natural method of gopher control. 

Hours: Daily | 10:30 am - 5:00 pm

Bovino Vineyards

Painting by Agata Zaborowski

Dan Souza is the winery owner and an entrepreneur of many businesses who has found new passion in the fine art of viticulture and winemaking. He comes from a long line of farmers and cattle ranchers, and cultivating the land with extraordinary results is nothing new to him. Besides successful efforts in many of his ventures, he also greatly enjoys donating his time and resources to those who need it.

Bovino Vineyards is an 83.5-acre property with about 45 acres planted to grapes. There are 16 different grape varieties grown on the ranch. Some, like the sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon. The different clones were selected for the characteristics each brings to the finished wine. There are 27 separate blocks with different rootstock/clone combinations in each. Add this complexity to the fact that there are three primary soil types on the property loam, silt loam, clay loam, the elevation ranges from 1,020 and 1,125 feet above sea level, and the blocks have multiple exposures and sun tracks, and it makes the winemaker glad he does not also manage the vineyard.

Chatom Vineyards

Harvesting Viognier Grapes - Randy Caparoso

The vineyard of Chatom Vineyards is nestled in the breathtaking Esmeralda Valley of the Sierra Foothills in Calaveras County. The valley was originally planted with low-field crops, fruits, and nut trees. When Gay Callan, owner and native San Franciscan, purchased the property in 1980, her vision was to plant a vineyard. Her first varietals were planted in 1981, totaling 21 acres of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Today, the vineyard boasts 13 varietals planted on 65 acres, including Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sangiovese and 5 Portuguese varietals. Image - Harvesting Viognier Grapes - Randy Caparoso

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