What a nice tasting room! I thought their wines were nice and balanced. The $5 tasting fee was certainly worth it. I am a big proponent of urban wineries and am thrilled that JC Cellars has set up shop in Oakland. If you visit in be sure to try Dasche's wines also!
Cold Heaven Cellars was founded in 1996 by owner/winemaker Morgan Clendenen who pioneered the cool-climate viognier style that the winery has become famous for producing. Using fruit from top-quality vineyards from three separate appellations in Santa Barbara County, Cold Heaven highlights viognier from the Le Bon Climat Vineyard, a Clendenen family-owned property that is farmed organically and the historic Sanford and Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills.
Nestled on the Northeast border of the Temecula Valley sits Doffo Winery. Founded in 1997 by Marcelo Doffo, it is one of a few micro-boutique wineries in the region and the only one built around the former site of a Temecula historic landmark schoolhouse. Situated on 15 acres of rolling vineyards, the winery possesses a unique combination of old world and warm family charm. It is also home to MotoDoffo, the family's private collection of over 100 racing and vintage motorcycles.
Jessie's Grove Winery is nestled between the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Lodi, the perfect environment for growing premium winegrapes and producing premium wines.
A wonderful little urban winery in San Carlos, CA. It was so nice to be able to speak with the owner Vikki Vinther and her associates while visiting wineries in the area (short video). A good variety of flavorful and enjoyable wines awaits you. Flying Suitcase Wines is a small, family-run winery owned and managed by Vikki and Anders Vinther producing around 1000 cases per year. The winery name is a nod to winemaker Anders’ Danish heritage and is inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale of the same name. Flying Suitcase Wines produces a range of varietals specializing in Syrah. This urban winery houses a unique tasting room with a homely vibe. Family-friendly too! There is a kids’ play area so you can bring the little ones. Please tell Vikki "hello" for us at CaCorks when you stop by. California Corks members welcome!~
Hours:
Mon-Thurs Closed
Fri 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Sat 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Sun 1:00pm to 5:00pm
David and DeAnn Taylor founded Cordant Winery in 2014 to produce Pinot Noir and Rhone-style wines that would become favorites in their cellar, and hopefully those of friends, family, and customers. Today the Taylors make about 3000 cases of wine per year, from Monterey County in the northern California Central Coast moving south through Santa Barbara County, a distance that covers almost 200 miles.
Brant was introduced to the Rhone Varitals in the early 1980's and had his first taste of Charbono at the Inglenook Family Winery in Saint Helena. Brant sourced the budding wood from a family that was married into them in 1993, and in 1994 planted the Charbono, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, along with twelve other Rhone Varitals. These are the source to the River Bluff Wines.
We arrived, prompted by the sign on the street, at 4:15, not knowing they close at 4pm in the winter (5pm in the summer they say). Most wineries would turn us away at this point, however John welcomed us in and invited us for a taste. Aver has a great family feel to it. The tasting room is run out of his beautiful home, and everyone knows each other. Since we arrived on a Sunday after closing, they had 2 wines open and available to taste. One thing I liked about Aver was the pairing they offered 2 types of chocolates in this case with each wine, and a brief description. In my opinion, this really enhances the experience. Their wines are some of the best I've had in the Santa Clara valley. The Syrah grapes are estate grown, and their Syrah and Syrah blends are fragrant on the nose with smooth fruit notes, yet assertive tannins and a nice finish. Prices - while I feel the wine is excellent, I have a hard time swallowing $10 for tasting and $30-$40 a bottle in the Morgan Hill area. Then again, it is becoming a common thing to do at wineries today.
Roar Wines is a winery located in Soledad, California. It is owned by Gary & Rosella Franscioni. The wine at Roar Wines is produced by Ed Kurtzman and Adam Lee. The winery produces the following varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, and Viognier. Visiting Roar Wines you can enjoy: Barrel Room, Retail Sales, and Scenic Views. ROAR was launched in 2001 to feature Pinot Noir and Syrah from Garys', Rosella's, and Pisoni Vineyards. The label was later expanded to include Soberanes and Sierra Mar vineyards (owned by the Franscionis and Pisonis), as well as Chardonnay from both vineyards. The name "ROAR" is derived from the sound of the ocean winds that characterize the Santa Lucia Highlands. Adam and Diana Lee collaborate on the winemaking with Ed Kurtzman and Gary Franscioni.
This is a very small, private winery. The Pastericks are super friendly and will share the history of the property and their wine with you. They grow all of their own grapes and only produce one type of wine, Syrah, which is pretty tasty. Tasting is $10. They basically just pour you a glass of wine to drink while you walk around and tour the grounds.
