An artisan, family owned winery showcasing the fabulous fruit and friendly spirit of Dry Creek Valley. Located near the charming village of Healdsburg. Pulled in on a whim while visiting wine country for the day. Not only was it a beautiful winery/vineyard, but we practically had the place to ourselves. Patrick was very friendly and knowledgable about all the wines.
Gamba Vineyards is a small, family owned vineyard and winery business in Sonoma County, California. The over century old 27.5 acre Gamba Estate Vineyard parcel rests on th Eastern edge of the beautiful Russian River Valley Appellation, on gently rolling benchland above the valley floor. Planted to Zinfandel in 1900, the Gamba Estate Vineyard consists primarily of Old Vine Zinfandel, as well as small separate blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon. With ideal This vineyard winery has been family owned since 1900. Gamba Specializes in old vine zines. Gamba Estate Vineyards & Winery is only open on Sunday, by appointment only. The outside looks like a church, while inside olives, meat, cheese, and lots of Zin. It is really something to ask how long the winery has been here and have them respond that "my family planted these grapes in the early 1900s.
Wines are made in the vineyard, and harvest should take place at the perfect moment – not when dictated by a schedule” is Greg’s approach to his winemaking. In the vineyard, he harvests the grapes at the peak of fruit flavor development. In the winery, he uses boutique winemaking techniques and early bottling to preserve the flavors. His techniques allow him to control the quality, bringing out the grapes’ superior characteristics. The results are excellent Zinfandel, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet, Viognier, Sauvignon blanc, and Riesling.
Great job by the owners creating a feeling of Tuscany! Beautiful place... locals call this a "one stop shopping" tasting experience! Wood fired pizzas, a KILLER gelateria, Italian varietals in the tasting room; a deli with various panini and cheeses,salads, etc...a must stop when touring the Kenwood area!
Perfecting the old California classics, Robert Biale Vineyards has become a revered standard of heritage vineyard Zinfandel and Petite Sirah in the Napa Valley. From the winery’s inception, the Biale founders have cherished the tradition of historic old vines, some dating back to the 1880s, and they prize the small quantity of concentrated and intense fruit that these vines produce. Diligent farming, expressive terroir, and superb elegance define the winery’s hallmarks. Among the winery’s portfolio of 20 wines crafted by Winemaker David Natali, Black Chicken Zinfandel stands out as the flagship and has become a benchmark for the varietal.
The story began in the 1940s when 14-year-old Aldo Biale helped his mother make ends meet by selling homemade Zinfandel, along with eggs and produce, to insider Napans. Over the old “party line” phone system, the code words “a Black Chicken” signified a jug of bootleg wine, keeping nosy neighbors and the authorities from discovering Aldo’s underground Zinfandel operation.
For over five generations, our family has been growing premium wine grapes in California’s famous Lodi appellation. We are stewards of the land with our organically farmed winegrowing estate and our ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah which are the signatures of family pride and over 100 years of grape growing excellence.
Image - Swirling glass of red wine - Saman Teher - Pixabay
Way out along the Adelaida Road stands a little red farmhouse, home to Tolo Cellars. Josh Gibson, proprietor and winemaker, offers a sumptuous array of wines including Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Barbera, and exotic Rhone Blends all sourced from vineyards tucked away in the rustic hills, where once frolicked the pioneers of the Adelaide Township.
This historically adventures area, marked by rugged terrain, offers ideal hillside conditions for vines bearing hardy and distinctive wine grapes.
Josh's goals in winemaking is to allow these vineyards, each with its own "flora and fauna" to express themselves in a glorious harmony. Thus, all his wines are fermented on native yeast, allowing the robust and wild flavors of the vines to exude in the wines. The results are libations of uncommon depth and mysterious character - much like the surrounding hillsides.
Josh opened his tasting room in 2005, though he was well-versed in the Far Out lifestyle long before that. As assistant winemaker at Le Cuvier for several years, Josh learned the tricks of crafting high quality wines in small lots, limiting production to just around 1,200 cases.
Barr Estate Winery is a small family-owned and operated vineyard, boutique winery, and tasting room located at 6950 Union Road on the east side of Paso Robles in the Geneseo District where the warm days and cool nights are ideal for grape growing. Aglianico, Albarino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, and Tannat are grown on our 57-acre vineyard and crafted into our single vineyard estate wines. Barr Estate Winery tasting room is open Fri-Sun from 11-4. A family member is usually there to greet you and invite you to taste our handcrafted food-friendly production wines and our estate-grown cold pressed 100% extra virgin olive oil.
After working for an international company for thirty years, Tealy and Greg decided to start a second career dedicated to growing grapes and making great wines at affordable prices that enhance the culinary experience. After searching for a vineyard the couple settled on the Central Coast of California in Paso Robles in 2007. It is still a place where the vineyard farmer and the winemaker are the same person and winemaking starts in the vineyard. Greg is the winemaker.
Brophy Clark Cellars combines the talents of John Clark (winemaker) with Kelly Brophy (Viticulturest).The results, premium Central Coast wines. Enjoy their Chadonnay, Pinot Noir, GSM & Zinfandel wines.
Charter Oak Winery is a small boutique producer of the most exceptional Napa Valley red wines made by winemaker Robert Fanucci.
Charter Oak wine is unfined and unfiltered, with the grapes fermented using natural yeast. The winemaker employs tools crafted by his grandfather (Nonno in Italian) to punch down the cap three times a day, working the must into a foaming lather. This unique method sets their wine apart. The winemaker believes that the key to their success lies in the natural fermentation process and the meticulous punch-down of the cap with handcrafted wooden tools, a ritual performed with dedication. Witnessing the sun illuminate the purple grape juice as it bubbles to the surface is a sight the winemaker cherishes deeply, as it nurtures the soul.
After three to four weeks in the fermentation tank, the time comes to separate the skin from the juice, all done by hand using a 100-year-old basket press. The wine is then transferred into barrels using buckets. Although this method is not the most efficient, it adheres to the winemaking tradition passed down from the grandfather. The result is wine that is truly handcrafted, and each bottle reflects a distinct difference from mass-produced alternatives.
