Wineries

Wineries

Cayucos Cellars

pouring wine - AI Generated Pixabay

Cayucos Cellars is the quintessential small family winery, owned and operated solely by a family of five, without any employees or outside help. Each family member can often be found in the tasting room, pouring wine, interacting with visitors from near and far, and enjoying a good chat.

All wines produced by Cayucos Cellars are fermented using only the natural abilities of wild yeast and are aged for three to six years in neutral oak barrels before bottling. With an annual production of between five hundred and eight hundred cases of premium wine, the family ensures incredible attention to detail in every bottle. The winery itself is located in an old dairy barn in the coastal hills above Cayucos, nestled on a working ranch. To ensure visitors' safety, the tasting room is conveniently located in town, away from the potential hazards of ranch machinery.

Cedar View Winery

Glass or Red Wine - Saman Teher, Pixabay

Jim and Debbie Van Haun founded Cedar View Winery in 1999 with an emphasis on producing rare, eclectic, hard-to-find varietals. The winery's estate “flagship” grape, Alicante Bouschet, is made as a very popular award-winning red wine as well as a very rare Rosé and Port style wine.

Cedarville Vineyard

people sharing wine

In 1995, Jonathan Lachs & Susan Marks found the perfectly situated 20 acre property at 2,500 ft. elevation, located 1/2 mile up a dirt road from Fair Play Road, which would become Cedarville Vineyard. With Cedarville Vineryard 15 acres of vineyard coming into maturity, in 2000 Jonathan & Susan built the winery here on the estate. The panoramic views from the top of our vineyard spread from Mount St. Helena to the west to Pyramid Peak in the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada to the east. Jonathan and Susan chose the name, Cedarville, in honor of a nearby ghost town (founded in 1852) that boomed for ten years during the Gold Rush. Now, 150 years later, little remains of the original town, but the winemakers feel connected to the spirit of the pioneers of this historic area.

Cendre Wines

Painting by Agata Zaborowski woman enjoying wine

Kevin, who owns Cendre is personable, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The intimate atmosphere means a high level of attention. To learn directly from Kevin about his unique wine-making techniques was fantastic. Fell in love with his Grenache, but enjoyed every one of his wines. A must-stop in Paso Robles!

Century Oak Winery

winery label to their Chardonnay

The 37-acre estate vineyard continues to provide highly sought after Cabernet Grapes and a few small Old Vine Zinfandel plots around the Acampo, Lodi and Woodbridge wine-growing areas also provide intense, high-quality fruit that help us make incredible wines. Each harvest is crushed, aged and bottled on site, with the family and winemaker running every step of the process.

Chalone Vineyard

man working among the rows in vineyard

While the grapes for Chalone Vineyard Estate come from their high mountain estate, the grapes for the Monterey County wines come from distinct vineyards in the 75-mile long Salinas Valley, which begins in Monterey Bay and runs southeastward. Ancient volcanoes, active faults and tectonic plate movement created the Santa Lucia and Gavilan Mountain ranges, which flank the valley. The mountains form a wind tunnel, drawing cool ocean breezes off the Pacific Ocean into the valley. The cool air causes the vines to shut down and delays ripening of the grapes, leading to a longer growing season and hang time that results in intense fruit flavors. Not open to the Public

Chamisal Vineyards

grape cluster - Pixabay

You will find just outside San Luis Obispo on California's stunning Central Coast, Chamisal Vineyards holds a special place in the heart of wine lovers. Established in 1973, it was the first vineyard to plant in what would become the Edna Valley AVA. Specializing in the beloved Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Chamisal Vineyards crafts wines that beautifully reflect the wild and breathtaking landscapes of this unique region, all from their enchanting 82-acre estate.

Chamisal has gained a reputation as one of the premier producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Central Coast. The estate features 82 acres of vines, thriving in three distinct soil types: Chamise Shaly Loam, Tierra Sandy Loam, and Salinas Clay Loam. Just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, this vineyard benefits from one of the coolest climates in the wine world. The maritime breezes help create a long, temperate growing season, giving grapes ample time to develop rich, complex flavors while retaining that refreshing coastal crispness that wine enthusiasts adore.

Every vintage at Chamisal is a testament to patience and evolution. The winemaking team is always learning and adapting, fine-tuning their methods to bring out the very best in each bottle. It's a delightful dance of experimentation and careful adjustments, with each wine a step closer to capturing the vineyard's fullest expression.

As for the Edna Valley itself, its east-west orientation and proximity to the Pacific make it one of California's coolest appellations. This cooler climate allows grapes like Chardonnay to bask on the vine for weeks longer than those in warmer regions, resulting in wines bursting with deep, rich flavors and remarkable fruit intensity.

At the helm of Chamisal's winemaking is the talented Brianne Engles. Growing up in the charming seaside town of Pacific Grove, California, she got her first taste of the wine world while working at a high-end restaurant at just 15 years old. Her journey led her to Cal Poly State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wine and Viticulture, along with a Level 3 Advanced Certification from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

With 17 years of experience under her belt, Brianne has honed her skills at renowned wineries such as Two Hands in South Australia, Duckhorn and Quintessa in Napa Valley, and Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles. Now at Chamisal Vineyards, she passionately honors the terroir of the grapes, striving to encapsulate the essence of the Central Coast's sunshine, soil, and each vintage's unique character. When she’s not in the winery, you can find her exploring local farmers markets, cooking up a feast for friends, hiking up scenic trails, or soaking up the sun at the beach. Cheers to the vibrant world of Chamisal Vineyards!

 

 

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