A cozy tasting room and they were even dog friendly! Wine was delicious and owners were really friendly and great to talk to. The tasting was $6 - not bad at all when you compare them to Napa, but a little different when you compare them to all the wineries in Grass Valley who don't charge for tastings. This is more of a place you spend the evening with a good glass of wine rather than a "learn about each type of wine in detail" because there were lots of people in the tasting room and they didn't have a lot of time to explain every wine to us. However, on a recent weekend visit, a Sunday it was far more relaxed.

Image Randy Caparoso

Just ten minutes up from Highway 29 and you have the view - of Napa Valley. Then, if you book a tasting tour, instead of standing at a bar, or a cold cellar, you will be seated in a room streaming with sunshine. From there a generous sampling of their current releases will be poured, alongside a nice place of cheese, nuts and chocolate. Time to consider the tasting...and what you will buy to have at home. I know that one of my Cabernet favorites.

Anaba wines are handcrafted from the best Rhône and Burgundian grape varieties grown at our Carneros Estate vineyard and in selected outstanding vineyard properties throughout Sonoma County. Anaba Wines Rhône-style wines are artistic blends, inspired by the rugged earthiness of France's Rhône Valley and replicated in the rocky Sonoma soils.

Viano Vineyards enjoys the cooling breezes from the Carquinez Straits, providing the perfect balance of heat and coolness. This location boasts a combination of ideal soil and climatic conditions favorable for growing premium wine grapes, including Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard, Muscat Canelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel.

Founded by the Viano family in 1920, this family estate, now in its 4th and 5th generations, purchased an already planted vineyard established in 1888. The vineyard reminded the Viano family of their vineyards in Piedmont, Italy. Once named Vine Hill, this area was rich in grapes and home to more than 15 wineries.

Some of the original vines still remain, while the rest of the vineyard has been expanded and replanted to cater to new world tastes and desires. Using the most natural cultural practices possible, combined with traditional winemaking techniques, including natural yeast and aging in small oak cooperage, Viano Vineyards brings fine handcrafted wines to their patrons.