Zinfandel

Zinfandel

Woffard Acres Vineyard

Cabernet Sauvignon grape clusters

This was homiest and friendliest of the 3 wineries we visited. The view off the hill cannot be beat. It is gorgeous. It was neat to see the vines with fruit hanging off of them. Some of it had been picked and was waiting for pick-up, which happened quite often as the owner whizzed by on his ATV. We could see people in the back taking the grapes he had just delivered and running them through a press.

Come for the Wine. Stay for the View.

Guests are invited to savor award-winning, small-batch wines while enjoying breathtaking canyon views. With a production of only 1,500 cases each year, these wines are exclusively sold through the Sales Room. Reservations are recommended, and required on weekends in October. Walk-in guests will be seated as space allows. For reservation information, guests are encouraged to reach out.

Dogs are welcome on a supervised leash, and children may visit with parental supervision. Limos are not permitted without prior approval, especially during events and on weekends in September and October. Photographers are welcome during business hours.

Photo courtesy of Photographer Randy Caparoso

Akash Winery

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - friends sharing wine

The story of the Winery begins at the vineyard. Located in the heart of Temecula’s Wine Country, off of Calle Contento, the vineyard stretches across a 20 acre parcel where the Patels, Winemaker Renato Sais, and the winery staff give the vines the upmost care all year long. Working together, learning and understanding viniculture, curating the perfect grape & vine, and learning the wine business have become a huge passion for the team. 100% estate grown & single vineyard, Akash wines are developed with passion and sophistication. The wines showcase familiar varietals in contemporary, eye catching packaging, and are crafted with consistency of style and quality across all vintages. The Akash Winery & Vineyards tasting room officially opened mid 2019, though the Patels also hope to open a resort, spa, events venue, and bed & breakfast in the coming years.

Greenwood Ridge Vineyards

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

The Greenwood winery tasting room is definitely a head turner. This is one of those drink wineries that are beautifully crafted building designed by the owner/winemakers' father. The setting is so gorgeous, you'll wish they had lodging accommodations, Wow! and you haven't even stepped a foot inside. The tasting here is free though small. We tried about 5 wines (2 desserts) and ended up buying two bottles: a sauvignon blanc and merlot (double gold winner). Their bottles are beautifully designed with dragons as well as their wine glasses.


 

Fernwood Cellars

clusters of grapes

Every winemaker pours a little bit of their self into their handcrafted wines. From the soil, vineyard, grapes and the actual end product, the wine. Six generations our family has cared for and improved the estate and has heavily shaped what the Fernwood Cellars brand has become today.

Matt Oetinger, the only child of Linda Pond and Lew Oetinger, established Fernwood Cellars and built the winery on Redwood Retreat land. He became the fifth generation of his pioneering family to work on and enhance the land through a successful agri-business. After graduating from U.C. Davis with a degree in Biology, Matt served as vineyard manager at Clos LaChance Winery in Morgan Hill, CA. He continued to pursue his passion for winemaking and eventually dedicated all his time and energy to the evolution of Fernwood Cellars.

Roudon Smith

Roudon Smith Winery Sign at entrance of tasting room

Join us on a delightful journey through the history of Roudon-Smith Winery, a cherished gem in California’s wine country! Founded in 1972 by the passionate duo of Bob and Anna-Maria Roudon and Jim and June Smith, this winery began as a bold dream and has blossomed into a celebrated destination for wine lovers.

In the early 1970s, Bob Roudon, a visionary engineer, shared his dream of creating a small winery in the picturesque Santa Cruz Mountains with his colleague Jim Smith. This dream ignited their adventurous spirits, leading them to purchase vineyard land and embark on their winemaking journey while balancing their careers in the burgeoning tech industry. With support from their families, they produced their first crush in a charming basement winery, laying the groundwork for what would become a beloved winery.

By 1978, Roudon-Smith had expanded to accommodate a production goal of 10,000 cases, all while ensuring the operation remained intimate and sustainable, hand-crafted by their dedicated team. As the original owners transitioned into semi-retirement, they gracefully scaled back production, ensuring the quality and integrity of their wines remained paramount.

In 2003, the winery changed hands, leading to a new chapter in its history. Al Drewke took the reins in 2006, bringing nearly 30 years of leadership experience and a passion for winemaking. He welcomed winemaker Brandon Armitage, whose expertise from Colorado and New Zealand added depth to their Pinot Noir offerings. Though challenges arose during the economic downturn, Al persevered, taking full ownership in 2011 and relocating the winery to Watsonville.

Today, Roudon-Smith thrives at a new facility in San Carlos, allowing for refined operations and enhanced wine quality. Our vibrant tasting room, now located in downtown Saratoga at 14572A Big Basin Way, invites wine enthusiasts to savor our exquisite selections.

Our commitment to excellence shines through in our award-winning wines, including exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Zinfandel. A standout favorite is our RSW Cuvée, a delightful house red blend that never fails to enchant.

 

Wiens Family Cellars

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - woman enjoying wine at beach

The wines at Wiens Family Cellars were very good. Not too crowded inside. Good vibe inside. We had a lot of first timers in my group so they were a little unsure of what to do but the staff there were very friendly and eager to answer any questions. The hostess I dealt with was very friendly and had good recommendations. I have to say their "Perspective" blend was a very good red that I enjoyed. I also really like their Cab selection. From what I understand their big reds are in the premier tasting room....that will be my next stop when I return to Temecula Wine and wine country.

Adobe Road Winery

cluster of grapes

Adobe Road Winery is a great place to hang. 

Uniquely connected to the thrilling world of professional sports car racing, Kevin Buckler understands that achieving victories at speeds of 180 miles per hour requires extreme focus, attention, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. This same dedication applies to his passion for winemaking.

Following the remarkable success of his professional racing team, The Racers Group (TRG), Kevin and his wife Debra established Adobe Road Winery in the heart of Sonoma County in 2002. Their mission is to craft wines that embody the true essence of California’s most esteemed winegrowing regions. “We work hard to ensure that each bottle of Adobe Road wine showcases the best attributes of each individual vineyard within the appellations we source from,” Kevin explains. “We select the finest sites in Sonoma and Napa Valley for our elite Cabernet Sauvignons, while Dry Creek is chosen for our hedonistically rich Syrahs and Zinfandels. The Russian River and Petaluma Gap provide the ideal conditions for our ethereal Pinot Noirs and lavishly flavored yet sleek Chardonnays.”

Michael David Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Michael and David Phillips represent the fifth generation of growers in Lodi, and things are changing. With 650 acres of premium wine grapes, there is plenty of room for experimentation and innovation.

The Phillips Family and Lodi have a long history together. They have been farming the soil since the 1860s and cultivating wine grapes since the early 20th century. The founders, brothers Michael and David Phillips, are 5th generation grape growers who raised their families in the vineyard. Now, the 6th generation has joined the team with Mike’s daughter, Melissa. The Phillips Family, more than most, understands the importance of leaving the land better than they found it for future generations. Their family legacy and love of Lodi drive their focus on sustainability.

A. Nonini Winery

A. Nonini Winery logo

A. Nonini Winery (aka Fresno's best-kept secret) was founded in 1936 by Antonio and Angiolina Nonini, and the business carries on managed by the fourth generation. We were pleased to tour the winery, starting with the 1941 Garolla grape crusher from Italy and ending with the finished product resting in the redwood tanks, which can easily be arranged by calling James Jordan.  They also have facilities for hosting special events. Be sure to try the Nonini Winery's Ruby Cabernet. The winery opens its tasting room from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.~

Hours:

Mon - Sat - 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Sunday                Closed

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