Viognier

Viognier

Churn Creek Cellars

Churn Creek Cellars is a winery started in the Churn Creek "bottom", just outside the city limits of Redding, California, in beautiful Shasta County. Churn Creek Cellars is a local, family owned business. The principals are . Denise and Layne started started their venture in viticulture and winemaking by planting a small vineyard on their property and named the vineyard after their Basset Hounds, and it is known as Fat Basset Vineyards. This little winery is a family owned business and Denise Evans and Layne McLean have been growing grapes and producing wine for seven years. A must stop if you visit or are passing through the Redding area.

Palumbo Family Vineyards

Palumbo Family Vineyards This is a smaller, family run winery that is a bit out of the way of Temecula's bigger wineries. Tours don't come here often because they don't allow large busses or limos. However, I was happy that I was able to discovered this place. The tasting room is small, the family that makes the wine and their few employees pour your tastes. You definately get a very intimate feel here. As for the wine, it is delcious and the prices are not too high which is a giant plus given that the quality of the wines is fantastic.

Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery is committed to small lot, handcrafted wines from varieties that are grown on small block, sustainably farmed wine vineyards.

Nick Palumbo, Owner/Winemaker
is a past President of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. The highlights for me were the Viognier/Roussane and the Cabernet Sauvignon. Will definately return when in the area. If you are like me, looking for a winery that is a gem and adds to the winery experience in Temecula, CA I just might see you there one day.

Francis Coppola Winery

What a beautiful estate! This was my first time to Francis Ford Coppola and I was in awe! I don't even know where to start, but the grounds are beautiful, the tasting room was fun, the memorabilia was nostalgic, and the cellar was amazing as well!All of the staff was ever so friendly, welcoming and helpful. You wouldn't expect anything short of greatness, when you learn that Mr. Coppola is heavily involved in the operations of the winery and visits periodically to ensure that everything meets his standards.

Valley Gate Vineyards

This winery is located along Highway 12 near the gateway to Napa. The current tasting includes 6 wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The tasting room is located upstairs and allows viewing into the production area. Great experience here!
They are now re-branded as Reata.

Arroyo Robles Winery

Had a great time! Russel was a lot of fun and gave us some great info and was really accommodating. Really enjoyed our time. The wine itself was great as well, for $5 (which can go toward purchasing wine if you choose) there were about 6-7 wines. A good variety as well. We even stayed after the tasting to enjoy a bottle of wine from Arroyo Robles right away. They are also open later than some of the other tasting rooms, which is a plus! Russell also gave us some great advice on where to go next.

J. Kirkwood

We were able to do some barrel tasting and i can't wait for the 2012's to be released because they're already outstanding. Kirk, the owner, gave us an education on how they introduce new blends to existing vines through bud grafting and he told us about his neighbors and the wines they're producing. I felt like I was part of their family, just enjoying a glass or two of wine for the day.

Freemark Abbey

Stopped by in the Fall to do a little tasting on our way up to the hot springs. I first went to this winery about 13 years ago and was a member for years. They have excellent red wines and fun harvest parties - complete with grape stomping! It's a quaint winery away from the crowds in Napa and couple of my favorites were the 2003 Cabernet Bosche and Zinfandel.

Idle Hour Winery Oakhurst

Idle Hour Winery logo

A hobby gone wild! That is how Idle Hour Winery, formerly Panoche Valley Vineyards, got its start. Winemaker Anna Marie dos Remedios began making wine as a hobby to relieve the stress of her day job as a newspaper journalist/business owner.  Anna Marie is focused on small lot, single-vineyard designated wines from some of California's best wine-growing regions. Anna Marie learned traditional winemaking methods from mentor and renowned Pinot Noir producer Josh Jensen at Calera Wine Company. At Idle Hour Winery the focus is on these traditional methods: native yeast fermentation, gravity flow racking and the use of neutral French Oak; all very gentle in nature, applying these to all the varieties Anna Marie ferments. While you will find all of the wines at Idle Hour Winery delightful, be sure to try the Reserve Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc and the Tannat Idle Hour Winery is located in Oakhurst, CA the gateway to Yosemite Park. Idle Hour was include in a short video we did featuring several Central Valley wineries you can view HERE *

Hours:

Mon-    11:00AM-6:00PM
Tues-   11:00AM-6:00PM
Weds-   11:00AM-6:00PM
Thurs-  11:00AM-6:00PM
Fri -      11:00AM-6:00PM
Sat -     11:00AM-6:00PM
Sun -    11:00AM-6:00PM

Tercero Wines

Tercero Wines Santa Barbara County

tercero wines is the brainchild of Larry Schaffer, owner and winemaker. He began the brand shortly after graduating with his Masters Degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis – but this was well after he had completely switched directions in life and charted a new and exciting path.

Larry started his college career at UC Davis as an undergraduate, but had no interest in wine. The idea of getting into wine was something he had considered in the past – but more on the sales and marketing side because of his background. After graduating with his degree, he joined the winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery, where he stayed for nearly a decade before it was time to branch off and concentrate 100% on his own brand – and he could not be happier today.

Larry is adept not only at winemaking but at explaining the process in a very user-friendly manner. Visit his tasting room or follow him on social media to see for yourself.

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