Viognier

Viognier

Leoness Cellars

Painting by Agata Zaborowski woman enjoying wine

The tasting was fun even though it was very crowded in the tasting room. But once we had a good amount of wine in us, we were warmed up and ready to eat. Since it was end of December, it was cold and dreary outside and most of the seating for the restaurant is outside and but luckily I was able to suggest a table for us by a heater which was cozy. We didn't order anymore wine because we had, had enough. We were served bread and butter. Then we order a caesar salad and lobster bisque and the addicting and famous parmesan garlic fries. ALL were very scrumptious! The bisque warmed me right up! Then we shared the lobster mac and cheese because we knew it was going to be a huge portion and it was! And boy...was it delicious!

Cotere Cellars

Logo for Coterie Cellars

It may have been a bit of romanticism at the start, but Coterie's founders, Shala and Kyle Loudon, were hooked the first day they worked at a small winery. Shala, whose family has a history with wine in Italy, and Kyle, a lifelong foodie, envisioned a future inspired by their pasts. Plenty of points test your resolve when you create a winery from scratch, but the spiritual sway of the land and wine are strong in California. These feelings run deep.

Shala and Kyle believe in a little of the unconventional. They believe in making wine primarily by hand, without the homogenization imposed by too much technology. They offer the wines of Coterie primarily through a members list, directly from the winery, and at a small number of fine restaurants, rather than through wide distribution. They take special pride in receiving accolades that are volunteered, rather than soliciting scores, reviews, and awards. Furthermore, they don’t engage much in publicity; they are honored that the winery has a special clientele.

Paul Mathew Vineyards

wine by the fireplace - Pixabay

Mat Gustafson, the former winemaker at Sebastopol-Dutton Estate Winery and current co-winemaker at Moshin Vineyards, crafts small lots of Pinot Noir and other varietals from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast under his personal label. Prior to starting his own label, he had worked for twenty years in the restaurant business and in retail sales. Along with business partner, Paul Sloan, he launched the label in 1999, but by 2001 had assumed full control and began to concentrate on Pinot Noir.

Conundrum

wine and cheese - Pixabay

It all began at the dinner table. Charlie Wagner Sr., who co-founded Caymus Vineyards in 1972 with his wife, Lorna, and their son, Chuck, would experiment with blending wines to find the ideal pairing for his meals. At that time, blending wines was unconventional, making his experiments quite revolutionary.

In 1989, this experimentation led to the creation of Conundrum White, which quickly gained popularity with its enigmatic tropical notes and remarkable versatility. Conundrum Red, which is both serious and approachable, was introduced in 2011. Today, it is Charlie’s grandson, Charlie Wagner II, who continues to maintain the original essence of Conundrum.

Krupp Brothers Estates

small bites and wine tasting - Pixabay

Krupp Brothers Estate is a sprawling collection of over 600,000 vines planted on over 1300 acres...and growing! This winery is located 6 miles in at the end of Soda Canyon Road off of the southern part of Silverado Trail. It is a partnership between Dr. Jan Krupp and his brother as well as ownership coming from a Gordon Getty trust as well as other investors. Jan told us that he loves growing things; after growing up New Jersey he left for California for his medical shool and was exposed to California's long growing seasons; as a result he never left the "golden state". The vineyard land was originally cleared for planting in the early 90's.

Bien Nacido Vineyards

Bien Nacido Vineyards Image

The Miller Family planted Bien Nacido Vineyards in 1970's. Togther with Winemaker Trey Fletcher this winery produces approx. 2,000 cases of wine a year. Wines produced are Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vioner, Nebbiolo.

Windwalker Vineyard

Harvesting ancient Zinfandel vines

Good wines, good service, and a nice atmosphere. They have a fantastic assortment of reds, including some interesting ports. Go here for a picnic! They have a great patio and deck. If you call ahead with a big party, they will do their best to make sure you have fun.

Image: thanks to Randy Caparoso

Lusso Della Terra Cellars

Lusso Della Terra Cellars is a boutique winery situated in the Fiddletown AVA, nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of Fiddletown, California. Known for its small-lot specialty wines, the winery consistently wins competitions across the country and delights wine connoisseurs from around the globe. Lusso Della Terra focuses on high-quality, handcrafted, ultra-premium wines, released in limited quantities and designed to be shared with loved ones.

Luxury
The winery offers a luxurious experience for visitors, featuring a beautiful space for private events and stunning vineyard backdrops for small, intimate weddings.

Craftsmanship
Lusso Della Terra also provides full-service Custom Crush for a variety of clients, collaborating with winemakers from around the world, both large and small. Guests can experience true wine craftsmanship with the winery’s award-winning winemaker.

M2 Wines

Picture of M2 winemaker Layne Montgomery

m2 Wines was founded in 2004 with the aim of creating dynamic artisan wines from distinctive vineyards in Lodi, the Sierra Foothills, and Napa Valley. The winery blends traditional and modern winemaking techniques to ensure each bottle captures the true essence of its vineyard. Their wines are enjoyable right away and improve with age. Whether visitors are in the stunning tasting room or savoring a bottle at home, they can feel the passion and care that goes into every wine.

Guests are invited to join for a tasting and experience the dedication and artistry that define m2 Wines. The state-of-the-art facility, surrounded by picturesque vineyards, provides the perfect backdrop for enjoying their award-winning wines. From bold Zinfandels to elegant blends, there is something to delight every palate. Visitors can explore the legacy of m2 Wines and become part of its story.

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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