When Kory Koehler acquired the property in 1997, all of the estate grapes were being sold to local wineries. Koehler soon recognized that some of the best wines in the valley were being produced with grapes harvested from her own vineyard so she made the resolved to launch her own winery and tasting room. From the start, Kory Koehler's vision was to create a world-class winery committed to making premium wines at affordable prices.
Image: Saman Teher - Pixabay
The Historic Galleano Winery was founded in 1927 by Domenico Galleano. Remarkably, the winery complex has remained largely unchanged to this day.
Galleano Winery is notable for being the last remaining bonded, Prohibition-era winery still owned and operated by its founding family at its original location in the Cucamonga Valley. The Galleano family takes great pride in the fact that the Cantu-Galleano Ranch complex is listed as a landmark on both the California and National Register of Historic Places.
Located in Mira Loma’s Wineville area, Galleano Winery retains much of its 1927 charm. It sits at the southern fringe of the Cucamonga Valley, a region made famous for winegrowing by Secondo Guasti, who, like Domenico, hailed from northern Italy’s Piedmont region. The name "Cucamonga" translates to "sandy place," aptly describing the alluvial plain that descends from the eastern slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains.
During the 1940s, the Cucamonga Valley boasted more than 45,000 acres dedicated to vineyards and approximately 60 wineries, showcasing the area’s rich viticultural history.
Terre Rouge and Easton Wines
Founded in the late 1980s by Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan, Terre Rouge and Easton Wines has established itself as a notable presence in the wine industry. Winemaker Bill Easton, one of the original Rhône Rangers, pioneered the cultivation of Rhône varietals in the Sierra Foothills under the TERRE ROUGE label. The EASTON portfolio features Amador County favorites, including old vine Zinfandel and Barbera.
The wines produced by Terre Rouge and Easton are characterized by their balance and elegance, with complexity that evolves as they age in the bottle. This process, known in French as élevage, refers to the "raising" of wine in the bottle. There is a distinct art to this style of winemaking, offering great pleasure in wines that are ready to enjoy while still holding significant potential for future aging.
Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso
Casque Wines, an urban winery, is just 5 minutes off of I-80 at the Horseshoe Bar exit in Loomis. A tasting room during the day and wine bar at night on the patio. Casque invites you to listen to some great music every Saturday from 6-9 pm.
Rick Quinn and David Nichols started as neighbors, became friends, and eventually joined forces to fulfill their shared dream of creating a winemaking legacy in Paso Robles.
In 1997, Rick and David began planting vineyards, and by 1999, they established their family winery in the coastal mountains of the Willow Creek District. They chose the name Opolo to honor Quinn's Serbian heritage, referencing a rosé-style wine native to the Dalmatian Coast.
Although the modern winemaking era in Paso Robles was just beginning, Rick and David recognized the region’s immense potential. They focused on Zinfandel, a heritage grape of Paso Robles, as well as Bordeaux and Rhône varieties that would come to define the area's reputation.
Since then, Opolo has become a cornerstone of the Paso Robles experience, known for its widely acclaimed estate wines, warm hospitality, and legendary wine club. Today, Opolo offers a diverse selection of wines, including the iconic Mountain Zinfandel, limited-release reserves, and vineyard designates. Visitors are invited to explore the world of Opolo at their tasting room.
When Fess Parker purchased the 714-acre Foxen Canyon Ranch in 1988, he envisioned a future filled with cattle, a modest vineyard, and perhaps one day, a small winery. His dream was to establish a family business that could be passed down through generations.
Today, Eli Parker and his sister Ashley Parker Snider carry forward their father’s vision, managing the family portfolio with the help of Winery President Tim Snider, Ashley’s husband. Many of Fess’s grandchildren are also actively involved in the family business, ensuring the legacy continues.
Fess Parker, an actor and entrepreneur, captivated audiences with his portrayals of frontiersman Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone in the 1950s and 60s, earning a devoted following across generations. His down-to-earth charm and hardworking spirit endeared him to many, paving the way for his successful transition from Hollywood to the business world in the early 1970s.
While he continued to star in and produce numerous hits for Disney, Paramount, and Warner Bros., Parker laid the groundwork for his second career in real estate development. With his warm Texas demeanor and a keen eye for opportunity, he purchased the Foxen Canyon ranch and dedicated himself to producing high-quality wines from estate-grown grapes and the finest vineyards in the county.
Fess and his wife, Marcella, enjoyed a 50-year marriage and raised two children in Santa Barbara, where they lived for over 30 years. They were blessed with 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Fess passed away in March 2010, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom, warmth, and friendship.
Visitors to the Fess Parker Winery can still feel his presence, as his spirit lives on through his family and the remarkable wines they produce. For wine lovers exploring California's wineries, Fess Parker Winery offers not just exceptional wines, but a heartfelt connection to a beloved figure and his enduring legacy.
Like a good number of California wineries Crystal Basin Cellars has its roots in amateur cooperative winemaking. Beginning under the house in 1981, Cyrstal Basin Cellars created a long string of vintages that captured fun times with friends. Steadily growing from 3 barrels to 25, Cyrstal Basin Cellars outgrew its space and was formed as a commercial winemaking operation in 2000. Since then, Crystal Basin Cellars has produced more than 10,000 cases of wine that have been eagerly devoured by their fans and the winemakers. Each vintage has won at least one Gold Medal in major competitions. with that being said may we suggest that you be sure to try the El Dorado Barbera and Cabernet Franc if you are serious about your Reds.
Hours:
Open every day 11AM - 5PM
When Matt and Maureen Trevisan founded Linne Calodo in 1998, they played a pivotal role in ushering in the modern wine era in Paso Robles. By the early 2000s, Paso Robles had transformed from an unproven wine region to an unstoppable force, thanks in large part to Rhône variety blends that garnered widespread critical acclaim. Linne Calodo was at the heart of this movement, and the rest is history.
This passion for the unconventional endures at Linne Calodo. The defining characteristic of all their wines can be encapsulated in one word: intentional. Matt Trevisan is far from an absentee winery owner; he is the farmer, winemaker, cover crop sower, fix-it man, amateur electrician, and sheep herder. Every Linne Calodo wine is meticulously guided from the field to the bottle under his dedicated care.
Ten years ago, Orin Swift first opened its doors, welcoming both old and new friends to share in a drink. Now, a decade later, they are excited to unveil an expanded and reimagined tasting experience. This new venture builds on everything learned over the past ten years.
Housed in a historic bank building in downtown St. Helena, the newly designed space invites guests into the Orin Swift world. The thoughtful use of raw materials and careful attention to detail create the perfect setting for four unique tasting experiences: Rock, Paper, Scissors, and The Vault. Ranging from casual to curated, the new tasting room offers an ideal introduction to Orin Swift Cellars (OSC) and serves as the exclusive location for devoted fans to enjoy personalized deep dives into their wines.
You will find in the picturesque rolling foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains near Paso Robles, California, lies a contemporary gem of a winery owned by the Hoffman family. Operated by Dr. Stanley Hoffman and his two sons, David and Michael, this idyllic winery boasts 12-year-old vineyards perched at elevations of 1,400 to 1,800 feet, all dedicated to producing premium estate-bottled wines.
The story of this remarkable winery dates back to 1964 when Dr. Hoffman first planted French varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. He discovered that the unique climate, terrain, and chalky, lime-rich soil of his Central Coast ranch closely resembled the renowned viticulture regions of France.
In 1973, Dr. and Mrs. Hoffman made the bold move from Southern California to Paso Robles, setting out to create a winery focused solely on estate-bottled premium wines. That same year, they welcomed the legendary Andre Tchelistcheff, the “dean of California Winemasters,” as a consultant. With Andre’s expert guidance, the Hoffman brothers began crafting wines that soon garnered prestigious accolades, including a gold medal at an international wine competition in London in 1975.
Tchelistcheff praised the Hoffmans, noting, “Love, devotion, and self-sacrifice are rare in this day but essential for making great wines,” and he believed the Hoffman brothers embodied these qualities. He also referred to HMR Vineyards as “a jewel of ecological elements,” predicting that some of the best white and red Burgundies would emerge from this exceptional region.
For those who adore California wines, the Hoffman family's commitment to quality and their stunning vineyard is a true treasure waiting to be explored!
