The family story is about two families – one named McConnell and the other Wackman – that found their way to Elk Grove, California. The 5th generation from these founding families planted winegrapes in 1993 and began making wine on this historic property in 2002 for you to enjoy.
Bill Stokes, Sr. planted his first 45 acres of Zinfandel near Lodi in 1954, and established additional vineyards during the next decade. His son Tom increased the family acreage in vines from the 1960's to the 1980's, both by purchasing vineyard properties and developing new vineyards. Tom's two sons, Bill and Mike, took over active management of the family business in 1985. Under their supervision, Stokes Family Vineyard continues to grow, and now encompasses more than 2,000 acres.
It was a good trip to Ledson, the estate was impressive, and they have a deli market, which was just right when I needed a small bite between wineries. I enjoyed the tasting here, for $15 6 wine tasting, I think the lady ended up giving us 8 or 9 wine. She was generous and knowledgeable. Asked for something really "earthy", the 2004 Cab Franc was a good one. Took a few bottles home.
Bel Vino Winery is the Temecula home of Fine Wine and Good Times in Southern California in Temecula Wine Country. Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of breath-taking vistas, rolling vine-covered hills and panoramic views of the Temecula valley, Bel Vino is the perfect location for an intimate (indoor or outdoor) wine tasting or an exceptional California vineyard wedding. Beautiful winery, with a great feel to it. There was a live band playing at the little outdoor stage when we pulled up. The tasting bar was inviting, and the host was very friendly and very helpful. The reds were good. The Tatria was extremely good, one of my favorite wines from my whole day of wine tasting. Also make a Pepper Jam, which is amazing. It's a nice balance of sweet and spicy, and they served samples on crackers with cream cheese.
The Pedroncelli tasting room seems to be filled with history. The same family is still running it and everyone has a role in the business. The wines are great. They make a lovely Rose, some well-balanced cabs and a port that is delicious; just to name a few. Not sure how they do it, but the prices are extremely affordable. The staff is wonderful, probably since they are all related and are well vested into making it a great experience.
The wines are great. They make a lovely Rose, some well balanced cabs and a port that is delicious; just to name a few. Not sure how they do it, but the prices are extremely affordable. The staff is wonderful, probably since they are all related and are well vested into making it a great experience.
The Gerken family arrived in Mariposa in 1972, and have been developing their family vineyards ever since. The mountain spring water, clean climate and zesty Sierra Nevada soil provide the perfect setting for the premium wines that Butterfly Creek Winery produces. Butterfly Creek Winery and Vineyards is set on 200 acres adjoining the Sierra Foothills, yet only 45 minutes driving time from the borders of Yosemite National Park. When visiting the winery plan a picnic lunch next to bubbling "Butterfly Creek."
Mayo Family Winery produces small lots of single-vineyard wines under the premise that the world's most interesting and highest quality wines must come from a single-vineyard source that can be expressed in the wines' aroma, taste and texture. Founded in 1993, the winery has two winemaking facilities in Glen Ellen, California, each fitted and equipped to produce particular types of wines. Mayo Family wines are only sold online or in their tasting room attached to the winery in the town of Glen Ellen and their two other tasting rooms in Sonoma Valley.
LeVois Vineyards produces artisanal wines. Their terraced Bradford Mountain vineyard in Dry Creek Valley produces exceptional fruit – small production award-winning wines – Zinfandel, Cabernet and a late harvest Zinfandel.
The tasting room was cozy and had a warm ambiance to it, as do most of the wineries along Olivet Road. The pourers were friendly and conversational, not too pretentious about their wines but knew just enough to make good recommendations and tasting tips. The sparkling chardonnay and sparkling gewurztraminer were both refreshingly strange and delightful.
Myrtle Creek Vineyards is new winery that is just breaking into the San Diego wine industry. We hope to be open for on-line sales in early 2015 and have begun the process of establishing a tasting room at our Fallbrook location. We are a family run winery that specializes in small batches of hand crafted wines. At this time all our wines come from our Fallbrook vineyard or the other vineyards that we lease in the Fallbrook and Bonsall area. Varieties include Syrah, Grenache, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. We had our first small harvest in 2013 and hope to release some of those wines very soon!
