Zinfandel

Zinfandel

Lago Di Merlo Vineyards & Winery

people enjoying wine

At just five years old, Harry Merlo Sr. began his journey in the wine industry, stomping grapes with his feet beneath the railroad tracks in the Italian section of Stirling City, California. His father, Giuseppe Merlo, an Italian immigrant known as the wine steward of the High Sierra lumber town, would place a washtub on the woodshed floor, dump in a 50-pound lug of zinfandel grapes, and young Harry would eagerly stomp away. Harry often jokes that his years in wine qualify him as a true connoisseur—thanks to his permanently purple feet.

The family tradition flourished when Harry acquired his own vineyard near Geyserville, California, in 1965. By the mid-1960s, he delivered his first truckload of grapes to the Italian Swiss Colony Winery, receiving a receipt priced at $50 per ton after weighing his truck.

This passion for winemaking extended to the next generation, with Harry’s son, Harry Jr., pursuing viticulture and enology at California State University, Fresno. After graduation, Harry Jr. took the reins as Manager of Lago di Merlo Vineyards & Winery at the family’s Merlo Ranch in Sonoma County.

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Dutton-Goldfield

bottle of Dutton Pinot Noir

Let's begin with what everyone goes to Healdsburg/Sebastopol for: the pinots. Dutton-Goldfield had four or five pinots when we tasted there, and they were all unique and delicious. They varied from the lighter, fruit-forward classic pinots to the richer, almost-cab pinots. All of them were good, but I particularly liked the Devil's Gulch, which was on the richer side of the spectrum.

Solis Winery

Cabernet Franc - Photographer Randy Caparoso

There is simply no better place to sit back and relax than on the Solis Winery back porch, sipping a glass of wine and enjoying the scenic views of vineyards nestled against the Gabilan mountain range. 

All Solis Winery wines are grown and produced at the Vanni Estate Vineyard in Gilroy in the heart of the Santa Clara Valley, California’s oldest continuous wine-growing region. From planting the vines and harvesting the grapes to producing and bottling the wines, everything is done on-site. Nothing ever leaves the property—until bottles go home with happy customers!

The original winery was founded in 1917 by Italian immigrant Alfonso Bertero on rich, fertile land that was once part of the Rancho de Solis Mexican land grant. David and Valerie Vanni purchased the winery in 1989 and renamed it Solis Winery. The Vanni’s had a passion for creating extraordinary wines in a friendly, down-to-earth environment. The passion was passed on to their son Michael, his wife Julie as well as their daughter Frankie who are now working together to continue the family tradition of excellence.

Matson Vineyards

label for winery's Petite Sirah

Matson Vineyards is a family-owned winery located just east of Redding, California. The original vineyard was planted in 1981, and the winery was officially established in 1984. Roger Matson believes in providing high-quality, handcrafted wines at an affordable price. Oscar Matson, the patriarch of Shasta County’s oldest bonded winery, was not always a winemaker. That happened by chance. Before winemaking, he spent several years teaching modern languages—French, German, Spanish, and English and, with his wife Stella, raising a family of four boys. It was a pleasure meet Oscar on my first visit to this little family winery. Today Oscar's son Roger Matson (winemaker/owner) and his winery team make it a treat to visit. Lynette Shaw is the Manager at Matson Vineryards and Mike and Jessica Bettes can be found in the tasting room pouring some of Roger's wonderful creations. Be sure to try Tango a bold and full bodied wine and there is a list of others to please your palate.*

Hours:

Mon-Thurs Closed
Fri -  1:00PM-6:00PM
Sat - 1:00PM-6:00PM
Sun -1:00PM-6:00PM

Schwaesdall Winery

Grape Cluster - ai generated - Pixabay

John Schwaesdall, A San Diego native, started making wine from some of the old vineyards in Ramona that were planted in 1950′s. He since has planted 4 1/2 acres of various red and white wine grapes. The vineyard lies among gigantic granite boulders that are found predominately in the Ramona/Mt. Woodson area of San Diego. These boulders are true natural wonders. One great granite boulder on the property weighs 80 tons and looks just like a cat. Another looks like Moby Dick. John won’t hesitate to show visitors the fantastic natural sculptures on his 6 acres of property.

Weibel Family Vineyards

grape cluster

Winery purchased by Rack & Riddle -

Famous over the years for Weibel Green Hungarian, now known as GH, and their line of California champagnes and naturally flavored sparkling wines, Weibel Family Wines also include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah from their Estate Vineyard in Mendocino County, California.

Robert Biale Winery

bottle and glasses of wine with chateau in background - Pixabay

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.

Flying Horse Wines

wine barrel - Pixabay

he Smeding family has a four generation history of working in agriculture in the Napa Valley. It all started in the 1920’s when Lettie’s Scandinavian grandparents Ivar and Saima Asplund came to the Napa Valley, purchased land, and began farming. The Smeding family has long had a love of horses. They all ride Quarter Horses and Arabians on trail and when working their cattle. Current vintages can be tasted and purchased at Napa Wine Company. The Tasting Room At Napa Wine Company Hours: 10:00am to 4:30pm, 7 days a week No appointment necessary; Ideally located in the center of Napa Valley, just across the street from the infamous Oakville Grocery, The Tasting Room at Napa Wine Company invites you to stop in for a unique wine tasting experience.

Oak Ridge Winery

cluster of grapes

The tale of Oak Ridge Winery is one rich in family, farming, and winemaking. It all began in 1906 when Angelo Maggio immigrated from the Italian coast of Genova to Lodi, California, with his wife, Louisa. In 1928, they planted their first cuttings on the property of their first ranch home, setting the stage for a remarkable journey that would lead to the production powerhouse Oak Ridge Winery is today.

Originally built in 1934, the winery started as a winemaking cooperative, with Angelo, his son Roy, and eventually his grandson Rudy playing vital roles as multigenerational farmers. They grew grapes that were supplied to winemakers across the country. When the winery was put on the market in 2002, Rudy seized the opportunity to expand on their family’s rich legacy by producing quality wines of their own. His vision was not just about reviving history; the Maggio family transformed the winery into a state-of-the-art facility that meets the quality, style, and volume demands of an evolving market.

Laura Durham is the Chief Winemaker at Oak Ridge Winery, where she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her craft. With a background in both viticulture and enology, Laura has dedicated her career to exploring the unique terroir of California’s Lodi region. Her innovative approach combines traditional winemaking techniques with a commitment to sustainability, allowing the grapes to express their full potential. Known for her collaborative spirit and keen attention to detail, Laura has earned a reputation for crafting exceptional wines that reflect the richness of their origins. Under her leadership, Oak Ridge Winery continues to thrive as a destination for wine lovers seeking high-quality, distinctive wines.

Laura Durham has a deep appreciation for a variety of wines that showcase the unique terroir of the regions she works in. While specific favorites can vary, she often highlights the elegance of well-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon and the complexity of nuanced Zinfandel from the Lodi region. Laura also enjoys exploring the vibrant acidity and fruit-forward characteristics of Chardonnay, particularly those that are produced with a mindful approach to oak aging. Her passion for winemaking is reflected in her preference for wines that balance structure and finesse, inviting wine enthusiasts to appreciate both the craftsmanship and the story behind each bottle.

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