Unique Varietals

Unique Varietals

Alfaro Family Vineyards

grape cluster - Pixabay

Alfaro Family Vineyards is everything a local Santa Cruz Mountains winery needs to be. The owner is incredibly passionate about his work and drove us over his lovingly cared for property in his pick-up truck. It was an adventure to remember! Fun fact: he is so passionate about the local environment that he re-fenced his property so that the deer can go through it, without being able to access his vineyards. I had a great time touring the vineyard and an even better time tasting the wine. There was a wide variety of wines available for the tasting, and all of them were both tasty and very reasonably priced. Everyone we met here was a great conversationalist and really made me feel comfortable and relaxed. I wish I lived closer so that I could come to taste wines every Saturday for their open tastings! Open Saturdays from noon to 5:00 pm year-round; Sundays June 16 - September 1. Enjoy a flight of 7 or more wines.

Pavi Wines

glass of wine - Pixabay

Pavi Wines - you can drink (not visit) - have some wonderful Italian varieties...almost the only people in Napa who do. You'll find their wines on a lot of restaurant lists...it's great quality at good prices. I especially love the Pinot Grigio ... way better than the average "nothing there" pinot grigio, very refreshing on a hot afternoon. They sell it by the glass at Calistoga Inn - I'd say it's best on the deck there! You can also find it in St. Helena at Tra Vigne, Farmstead; in Calistoga at Brannan's; and in Rutherford at Rutherford Grill. You can also enjoy a glass at: Napa Wine Company Tasting Room “Cult Wine Central” 7830-40 St. Helena Hwy Oakville, CA 94562

Unti Vineyards

Winery Region

Dropped in here without an appointment, but our hostess kindly welcomed our group of four. The winery emphasizes on the Rhone varietals, including a serious syrah and grenache. They also make a pretty tasty zinfandel as well.

Churon Winery

painting of person drinking wine at a patio table

This winery is pleasant and makes you feel like you are at home. Decor was very casual and warm. Staff was generous with their pouring. We had some reds and sweet wines. The sweet wine with plum and chocolate notes was one of the best. Their sherry was also very good. We even had some homemade lemon marmalade with crackers.

A. Nonini Winery

A. Nonini Winery logo

A. Nonini Winery (aka Fresno's best-kept secret) was founded in 1936 by Antonio and Angiolina Nonini, and the business carries on managed by the fourth generation. We were pleased to tour the winery, starting with the 1941 Garolla grape crusher from Italy and ending with the finished product resting in the redwood tanks, which can easily be arranged by calling James Jordan.  They also have facilities for hosting special events. Be sure to try the Nonini Winery's Ruby Cabernet. The winery opens its tasting room from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.~

Hours:

Mon - Sat - 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Sunday                Closed

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

wine tasting with small bites

Jacuzzi is a unique place for sure. Yes, there are a lot of wineries that combine both vino and olive oil, but I think Jacuzzi "owns it" as good as anyone. They've got a huge facility with a very generous, separate area devoted completely to the olive oil, so you've really got two completely different tasting experiences in one stop. Both the wine and the olive oil tastings are free; another pleasant surprise since even Sonoma county is running low on the complimentary tastings.

Rosenblum Cellars

wine and cheese - ai generated - Pixabay

Rosenblum is famous for being all about Zinfandel – Old Vine Zin, High Altitude Zin, Single Vineyard Zin, BIG Attitude Zin. At Rosenblum, they make over 20 different types. Rosenblum Cellars has some of the highest rated, most-awarded Zins from California’s most highly regarded vineyards. Not just Napa and Sonoma, but all over the state. While a founding member of the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers group (ZAP!), Rosenblum does make other amazing wines, including Rhône-style red wines like Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, as well as Rhône-style white wines and dessert wines.

Woof 'n Rose Winery

Logo for Woof'n Rose Winery

Woof ’n Rose Winery, owned by Stephen and Marilyn Kahle, is a small family operated Boutique winery on a north-facing hillside overlooking the beautiful Ramona Valley. We make only red wines made exclusively from Ramona Valley grapes, mostly using our eight estate grown varietals – Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Grenache Noir, Montepulciano, and Alicante Bouschet (a very unique varietal). Relax on our outdoor dog and rose themed tasting veranda, view the vineyards and surrounding mountains and valley, and chat with the owners and operators; all while enjoying our current releases, many of which have been medalists at international wine competitions. For the enjoyment of the white wine only aficionado we normally offer a by the glass option from other sources.

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

Garre Vineyard & Winery

wine corks and glass

Garré Winery is located in Livermore California. Historians can trace the viticulture activity in the Livermore Valley back to 1832. We can trace our family wine making back to the early 19th century as well to a small village outside of Genoa Italy.

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