What makes Lodi wine so unique is that it is actually grown and made in seven different AVA’s; each one boasting its own distinct character, soil conditions and micro-climate. In fact, conditions here make it possible to grow more kinds of varietals from around the world than anywhere else in California. Anywhere else, period. The results of which you’ll discover as you navigate your way around these parts. Enjoy.
 

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!

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.

Indoor offers couches and casual seating throughout their modern wood paneled tasting room. Ourdoor tastings allow you to lay back on a chaise lounge and enjoy the sun and bask over the vineyards. A truly great tasting experience that is relaxed, cozy, tasty, fun, informative, and for a reasonable price. Paraduxx is the 2nd Tier (of 4) winery brand from Duckhorn with others being Decoy and Goldeneye. These are blend wines so while tasty are not yet appreciated by serious wine enthusiasts though this is changing. They do table service a little differently than most, which I enjoyed. They bring out your entire flight of tastings at the same time and give you information on each wine. I like a little more privacy to decide if I like the wine without feeling pressure. Our sommelier was really energetic and passionate about the wine - loved his interest in us and the wine.