Longtime Placer County residents, the Mendez Family, broke ground on their Auburn vineyard in 1999, with no illusions of simplicity. When Viña Castellano was started the family knew it was going to be a labor of love, with a strong emphasis on “labor”. Teena Wilkins, who co-owns and manages the vineyard and winery, is the youngest of Gabe and Carolyn Mendez’s four children. She and her father, along with her husband Craig and their vineyard & winery foreman, Victor Brambila, oversee the weekly work at the winery, but the entire family contribute to the winery in some form or fashion.

The vines were planted in 1968 of which 5 acres of the original acres are still producing adjacent to the winery which was built in 1978. The Owner, Imre Cziraki began making wine at the age of 7 with his grandfather. Today the winery produces 19,000 cases each year with its own estate fruit and an additonal 20% fruit sourced for other Temecula vineyards. Enjoy Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Temparanillo White Cabernet and more. Tastings are $12 plus tax or $15 with logo wine glass

The property was replanted in 1984 and purchased by the Sawyer family in 1994. The vineyard extends back to the Napa River and is planted mostly with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, although they also grow some Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc. Total production is only 6,400 cases, and all of their wines are estate grown and bottled. They sell off about 40% of the grapes they grow. A tasting is $10. The tour and tasting is $25. Reservations are required but easily made.