Zinfandel

Zinfandel

Lagier Meredith

red wine splashing in the glass - Pixabay

After following the challenging road up the mountainside we came to this beautiful home overlooking the valley and their fields. While the view from their home porch was breathtaking, and the active hummingbird feeders captivating, the time spent talking to this husband-wife wine making team was fascinating. A visit to this winery not only includes a tasting of their wonderful Syrahs, but also great conversation about wine making, genetics and theories of growing grapes in Napa Valley. A great stop and we will remember this visit each time we open a bottle at home.

Girard Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

After a day of trekking around Yountville and St Helena I wound up at Girard Winery. Girard stays open till 7, very smart move I must say as they get the overflow of folks looking for a place to continue their wine tasting adventures or a place to grab drinks before heading off to a nice dinner. It's not a showy vineyard or winery so if you are looking for the fluff you will not find it (although it is a nice tasting room). What you will find are some REALLY GREAT WINES.

Labyrinth Winery

winer logo

Labyrinth WInery is a premium producer of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir and Big French / Spanish Reds from Paso Robles. The team at Labyrinth believes that world-class wines need to be accompanied by world-class service. In addition to a comfortable and welcoming environment to taste the wines poured, you will fine a sincere endeavor to make your visit special so that you feel like a long lost friend. At Labyrinth Winery Eddie and Stephanie Schwatz "craft wines that make your palate sing." *

Hours:
Mon      Closed
Tues     Closed
Wed       3:00pm to 8:00pm
Thur      3:00pm to 8:00pm
Fri         3:00pm to 8:00pm
Sat       12:00am to 8:00pm
Sun      12:00am to 6:00pm

Toca Medera Winery

Grape Cluster

Walt Whelan and his son, Brian Whelan started making wine in their garage with long-time friends Justin Gennock and Tony Storelli. After earning several best of shows in the Fresno Fair, the team entered larger competitions and won State-wide Gold and Silver awards for winemaking. So begins Toca Madera Winery in Madera, CA with the goal to share their love of winemaking and fine wine with everyone. The Toca Madera Winery is located in Madera, California on Avenue 9 just a short drive east of Highway 99 where you will find beautiful undulating hills covered with majestic vines. Toca Madera Winery frequently has local musicians entertaining guest as they enjoy the wines of Shayne Vetter, Winemaker at Toca Madera.~

Hours:

Sat      12:00pm to 5:00pm
Sun     12:00pm to 5:00pm

Dover Canyon Winery

people enjoying wine - wine artist Agata Zaborowski

Dover Canyon Winery: A Commitment to Quality and Sustainability

Dover Canyon Winery is nestled on Vineyard Drive in the Willow Creek appellation of Paso Robles. Owner and winemaker Dan Panico has long believed that the calcareous soil along Vineyard Drive is ideal for cultivating Zinfandel and Rhône varieties. The estate vineyard showcases Organic, Dry-Farmed Zinfandel and Syrah, reflecting the winery's dedication to sustainable practices.

Focusing on small lots of artisanal wines, Dover Canyon often produces vineyard-designated selections that highlight the unique characteristics of each site. With a passion for the heritage grape of Paso Robles, the winery actively seeks out Dry-Farmed, Mountain Grown, and Old Vine Zinfandel from local vineyards, ensuring a commitment to quality and tradition in every bottle.

people enjoying wine - wine artist Agata Zaborowski

LJ Crafted Wines

winery's logo

The Jooste family, consisting of Lowell, Anne, and their four children, relocated from Cape Town, South Africa, to the scenic shores of La Jolla in 2012. Drawing from their experience managing the family-owned Klein Constantia and Anwilka vineyards—ventures they shared with two renowned French winemakers—they began crafting the vision for their new business.

Lowell, a fourth-generation member of a family devoted to the wine industry, cultivated deep ties in the international wine scene during his 20+ year career in South Africa. Launching a wine business in Southern California required both a pioneering mindset and entrepreneurial innovation to stand out in the emerging urban winery landscape. Their commitment to creativity and reducing environmental impact became key elements of their distinctive approach.

Zahtila Vineyards

corks and wine glass - Pixabay

We tasted: 2008 Dry Creek Zin - Old vine zinfandel, fruity with oak notes. I tasted pomegranate with some spice. Very enjoyable (too bad there isn't much left!) 2008 Oak Hill Estate Zin - I liked this zin. The grapes are grown on property. Hints of vanilla & caramel with the fruit upon first whif. Then a very silky mouth feel with plum and spice. We all agreed this would pair well with eggplant or other roasted/grilled veggies. 2008 Calistoga Cab Sauvignon - The bottle we tasted had been opened late the day before which helped soften the tannins. Hints of cherry on the palate. 2006 Napa Valley Cab - I liked this more than the 2008 from Calistoga. It was balanced acidity/fruit. 2010 Michael's Muse - Delicious tawny port style wine that they had just bottled! Complex fruit, not too over-poweringly sweet. I think it had zin & petite syrah grapes (I wasn't paying as much attention). Very good!

Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery

people sharing wine

Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery If you haven't checked out this winery yet you are missing out. Sure this place doesn't have large gardens or a picturesque picnic area... but this place is amazing where it counts... the wine.

Robert Renzoni Vineyards is a remarkable estate, nestled in the heart of the Temecula Valley. It was one of the last great undeveloped properties in Temecula and has all the characteristics of a great wine estate: rolling hills, different microclimates, three distinct soil types and multiple elevations. The property provides an ideal growing climate as well as scenic vistas from which to enjoy the beautiful landscape that is Temecula.

The property was purchased in 2006. Although a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard existed on a portion of the estate, the majority of the property was virgin soil. This soil was ideal for the planting of several varietals, including Pinot Grigio, Barbera, and Sangiovese. Indeed, it was the diversity of the land that convinced Robert and his family of the potential for the property to become a truly great wine estate.

Page Mill Winery

cluster of grapes - pixabay

After 35 years of production there have been many changes at Page Mill, but our focus remains constant..... "Peace through wine, one glass at a time" Page Mill Winery offers more than a dozen wines from local vineyards as well as appellations across the state. The winery is located in the Livermore Valley within minutes of the downtown shopping district

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