Zinfandel

Zinfandel

Rocky Creek Cellars

glass of wine - Pixabay

Drive out on Highway 46 for a bit and you will find tucked away Rocky Creek Cellars. Rocky Creek is a homey little tasting room with the charm of a rustic cabin. The folks that run this place, like most of the wineries and tasting rooms in the area, are a family, so you can tell a certain amount of personal flair and attention has been put into everything right down to the tasty crackers they serve with their flights.

Deer Park Winery

pouring a glass of wine

Deer Park annually produces and releases award-winning estate wines available for wine tasting weekends as one of the top things to do in San Diego County (and minutes from Riverside and Los Angeles). The Auto Museum features hundreds of vehicles and Americana collections, and is the recipient of the Antique Automobile Club of America trophy for excellence. Renown collections include a world-famous collection of American convertible cars, vintage radios, TV, antique bicycles, appliances, cameras, tube television sets, neon dealership signs, classic gas pumps and gas stations, vintage vehicle garages, old oil collectibles, license plates, vintage toys and games, Coca Cola room of collectibles, and more.

Ridge Vineyards Winery - Healsburg

glass of wine

Great views, greater wines. Ridge is a must. The wines offered by Ridge are top notch, well balanced, unique wines. While you can find their wines in some stores make the trip up the mountain where you can taste some of the more limited offerings. Also and estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains * Monte Bello * Santa Cruz Mountains * 17100 Monte Bello Road * Cupertino, CA 95014

Trespass Vineyards

wine pouring glass - Pixabay

We were given the opportunity to check this place out through the wine tour we scheduled. Their operation is also one of the most intimate experiences you will have in terms of a winery visit. You literally taste their wine on some super comfy patio furniture in the middle of a field/clearing right next to their vineyard! The owner, Donny, is very knowledgable and guides you through his wines.

Long Creek Winery

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Long Creek Winery & Ranch is a boutique winery encompassing thirty acres neatly tucked away in the Sierra Foothills within a stone's throw of massive Lake Oroville, seventy miles north of Sacramento, California. The vineyards and winery are uniquely situated on the western side of the Sierra mountain range where the four seasons are relatively mild. The vineyards enjoy a micro-climate that is comparable to some of the hillside country of central and northern Italy.

Rombauer Vineyards

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Delicious wine and sparkling views of Napa. I know there are tons of quality wineries around that have similar offerings, but Rombauer is definitely one worth visiting. Gorgeous garden space with some cute little trails to walk along while you enjoy your wine and soak up the Napa Valley air. I prefer to go in Fall or early Spring or during the week. The servers or more relaxed and they seem to have a better time introducing you to their wines and letting you know more of the wine history. You get to sample 5 of their wines including their AMAZING chardonnay and Fiddletown Zin. These are the bottles we always end up with and they are usually priced pretty similar to what you would find in a big store (BevMo, Total Wine, etc.). Most of their pricier zins like the Fiddletown aren't sold in stores however. They give you the wine glasses as part of the tasting as well.

Ledson Winery & Vineyards

red wine swirling in the wine glass - Pixabay

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 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.

Windwalker Vineyard

Harvesting ancient Zinfandel vines

Good wines, good service, and a nice atmosphere. They have a fantastic assortment of reds, including some interesting ports. Go here for a picnic! They have a great patio and deck. If you call ahead with a big party, they will do their best to make sure you have fun.

Image: thanks to Randy Caparoso

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