Built into the side of a picturesque hill atop the famed Dry Creek Valley, the Fritz Winery creates award-winning, small production wines with a respect for the vineyards, and the traditions of artisan, hand-crafted wine making. Jay Fritz's vision for a winery grounded in responsible stewardship is what has allowed the quality of the natural bounty of our 120+ Estate to thrive over the past thirty years.
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.
We had four distinct wines and it was so difficult to choose which ones to go home with! We bought 2 and will be joing their wine club for sure. The grounds were so beautiful ~ such rich history. This small family owned winery is a hidden treasure! The old barn, the cave and the tasting room were so beautiful. I strongly recommend this as your first stop..... it will be hard to find anything better.
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.
Founded in 1905 and deeply rooted in Napa Valley, Ballentine Vineyards is more than a winery; it’s a celebration of a century-old heritage. As a multigenerational, family-owned and operated winery, we pride ourselves on being an enduring symbol of quality, sustainability, and authenticity in Napa Valley.
The son of Van and Betty Ballentine, Frank Ballentine has seamlessly blended his passion for wine with business acumen, crafting his own major at UC Davis, crowning his academic achievements with an MBA at Fresno State, and continually augments his expertise through executive management programs at Stanford and Harvard. After college, Frank was a winemaker in the San Joaquin Valley and Fresno. Transitioning from winemaking to food manufacturing and distribution, Frank held senior roles at Odwalla during its meteoric growth and currently serves as the President and CEO of GreenLeaf for 25 years, a prominent purveyor of high-quality produce and specialty products. In all of these pursuits, Frank has ceaselessly sought best practices to elevate his family business.
In 2012, Frank joined forces with his aging parents to oversee the Ballentine Vineyards. Here, he rekindled his love for the land and the intricate science of vineyard management with his wife Linda and children Ryan and Audrey by his side. Collaborating closely with Winemaker Bruce Devlin, a shared vision emerged.
The vineyard of Chatom Vineyards is nestled in the breathtaking Esmeralda Valley of the Sierra Foothills in Calaveras County. The valley was originally planted with low-field crops, fruits, and nut trees. When Gay Callan, owner and native San Franciscan, purchased the property in 1980, her vision was to plant a vineyard. Her first varietals were planted in 1981, totaling 21 acres of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Today, the vineyard boasts 13 varietals planted on 65 acres, including Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sangiovese and 5 Portuguese varietals. Image - Harvesting Viognier Grapes - Randy Caparoso
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.
A winery in Los Angeles? Yes! Whether you arrive for a tour, meal, or celebration at San Antonio Winery you will discover the variety and quality of their collection of fine wines in the only producing winery in Los Angeles. The San Antonio Winery in LA offers 4 wine flight tastings and winery tours. *
Hours:
Mon 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Tues 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Wed 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Thur 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Fri 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Sat 11:00am to 5:00pm
Sun 11:00am to 5:00pm
people enjoying wine - Wine Artist Agata Zamborowski
For those who cherish California wines and the experience of visiting its picturesque wineries, the story of Bent Creek Winery is truly inspiring. In 1981, Tom Heineman and his wife, Pat, fulfilled their dream of land ownership by purchasing 12 acres in Livermore, CA, with the intention of cultivating grapes for local wineries. Their journey began with viticulture classes at UC Davis, leading to the establishment of Bent Creek Vineyard.
After several years of selling their grapes to Livermore wineries, Tom and Pat teamed up with friends Rich and Carol Howell to take their passion a step further. The two couples delved into enology at UC Davis, turning their vision into reality by opening Bent Creek Winery in 2002. Their commitment to quality quickly paid off, as they began producing award-winning wines.
At Bent Creek, the owners are hands-on in every aspect of wine production—from nurturing the vines and processing the grapes to welcoming guests in the tasting room. Currently, eight to nine of the original 12 acres are in production, featuring 6,000 thriving vines. The winery proudly produces around 3,500 cases of exceptional wine each year, inviting wine lovers to savor the fruits of their labor.
Located in Plymouth, California, Helwig Winery offers guests a multitude of wine-tasting experiences in a setting that cannot be beaten. With the winery's sweeping vistas overlooking lush vineyards, breathtaking views of the Sierra and Coastal mountains, and sunsets that will take your breath away, we are confident your experience will be a memorable one. If you are going to visit Amador County Wineries be sure to put Helwig WInery on the list. Tell winemaker Scott Helwig we suggested his wines and winery.
