Category: Best Off The Beaten Path Tasting Rooms

Beringer: High-Class Tours, Tastings, and Wines

7/9/2017

As the oldest continually running winery in Napa Valley, Beringer boasts an impressive 140 year record of winemaking. Designated as a historic district, the estate is adorned with 19th century architecture, verdant gardens, stained glass windows, and is widely considered one of the most beautiful properties in the Valley.

Beringer Vineyards

When it comes to seeing the estate, visitors can select between two historical tours, including the Legacy Cave Tour, which guides guests through historic tunnels under the estate, as well as the Taste of Beringer Tour, where guests are treated to wine and food pairings in the famous Rhine House. For tastings, there’s setting options from private to porch, and for a single couple to a full group. Summertime in northern California brings plenty of sunshine, making the porch an ideal shaded spot to enjoy a glass or two.

Beringer Caves

And, beginning this weekend, guests can enjoy live music in Beringer’s backyard every Saturday from 12:30 – 4:30p.m. Set-up in picnic format, guests are invited to bring a blanket and can purchase picnic items and wines by the glass from the Sherry Shack, open from 11:00am – 5:00pm.

Should you want to continue the experience after you’ve left or discover a taste of it without leaving your home, we recommend purchasing a bottle or two. A personal favorite of ours is the 2001 Beringer Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.

Beringer's Steinhauer Ranch, renamed to honor the winery's long-time vineyard manager, Bob Steinhauer, lies just northeast of the town of Angwin, at about 1800 feet elevation. Its soil is volcanic with a richly red color and the texture is friable and loose. When Beringer first planted the vineyard, the distinctive character of the grapes was immediately evident, and it was selected as a regular part of the Private Reserve blend beginning in the 1993 vintage. Check it out now.

Russian River Valley Wineries

8/8/2016

The Russian River is a fantastic Northern California summer destination. But beyond the rushing river, canoes and beaches, there is an entire world of wine tasting. Healdsburg is the “capital” of the Russian River Valley, but we encourage you to venture away from the Healdsburg hub to explore a few unique destinations.

The Russian River

Hook & Ladder Winery is the epitome of a “garage winery.” From a car garage to production facilities and a tasting room, Hook & Ladder combines the DeLoach family winemaking expertise with a laid back atmosphere. http://www.hookandladderwinery.com/

Hook & Ladder

Inman Family Winery has a Rosé reputation with sustainability as a high priority. And, yes, they are even sustainable when it comes to vehicles, providing visitors with an electric car charger. So drive your electric car over to Inman for wine and a charge. You’ll save the environment one bottle at a time. http://www.inmanfamilywines.com/

Lauterbach Cellars is a small family winery and tasting room. It has a rustic farm appeal reminiscent of old time Healdsburg. The proprietor, Stew Lauterbach is the wine-maker and the tasting room manager - really, a one-man show! https://www.lauterbachcellars.com/

Lauterbach Cellars

Porter Creek Vineyards is well known among the locals as a Pinot Pioneer. Tucked away from the road, it offers great wines and little noise from outside traffic. It’s Healdsburg’s best kept secret. http://www.portercreekvineyards.com/pages/home_main.html

Porter Creek Vineyards

Red Car Wines is a beautiful destination. If not for the wine that comes from Sonoma Coast vines, this place is a sight to see. Part music lounge, part boutique, part game hub, you will come for the wine and stay for the fun. http://www.redcarwine.com/

Red Car

Siduri is a small name with a big following! Siduri has a beautiful tasting room with wines that match. http://www.siduri.com/

Best off the Beaten Path Tasting Rooms: Hestan Vineyards

5/7/2016

The Winery: Hestan Vineyards
Unique Point: Cooks in the Vineyard
Signature Wine/Varietal: five principle red Bordeaux varietals

Situated in the rolling hills of eastern Napa Valley, Hestan Vineyards is a 56-acre tapestry of small, individually farmed blocks, planted to the five principle red Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.

The Stunning Hestan Estate

The vineyard is named for owners Stanley and Helen Cheng, who purchased the property in 1996. Cheng is CEO of Meyer Corporation, the world’s second largest cookware company with brands including Anolon, Circulon, KitchenAid and Faberware.

Hestan

In 2005, the Chengs released their first wines from the property, the 2002 Hestan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and 2002 Meyer Cabernet Sauvignon; both made by consulting winemaker Mark Herold. The wines were a critical success and were followed in 2008 by the launch of Stephanie, a line of red Bordeaux blends made by consulting winemaker Jeff Gaffner.

Hestan & Cookware

While the tasting room is small, it’s an absolutely gorgeous addition downtown Yountville. The modern space incorporates wonderful natural materials, including repurposed woods, iron, glass, copper, venetian plaster, travertine and porcelain.

The Hestan Tasting Room

In addition to the selection of estate wines, the winery also showcases artisinal Italian copper cookware, manufactured in northern Italy, bringing together the food and wine elements so many visitors to Napa Valley love.

6548 Washington Street
Yountville CA 94599
707-945-1002

Hours:
11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tastings/Appointments:
707-945-1002

Best off the Beaten Path Tasting Rooms: Franciscan Estate

5/1/2016

The Winery: Franciscan Estate
Unique Point: Classic Napa
Signature Wine/Varietal: Cab, Merlot, Malbec

Another historical landmark, Franciscan is one of Napa Valley’s most venerable wineries. Its rich history reaches back more than three decades. Franciscan wines take their signature style—the rare combination of rich, vibrant flavors framed by supple tannins—from the ideal climate offered by Napa Valley’s cool, southern half and from the time-honored tradition of small-lot winemaking, blending from hundreds of barrels to craft fine wines that fully express the classic varieties.

Franciscan Estates

At the winery, tasting offerings include casual tasting at the bar as well as daily small-group Taste Explorations, blending seminars, wine and food pairings and varietal tastings that explore wine from the vineyard to the table.

The Franciscan Tasting Room

Franciscan also encourages the company of canine companions should you choose to enjoy their expansive picnic grounds.

1178 Galleron Road
Saint Helena, CA 94574
707-967-3830

Hours:
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., seven days a week
Tastings/Appointments:
707.967.3993

Best Off The Beaten Path Tasting Rooms- Far Niente

4/24/2016

The Winery: Far Niente
Unique Point: Past meets Present
Signature Wine/Varietal: Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon

Now on the National Register of Historic Places, Far Niente produces critically acclaimed, estate bottled Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines that are renowned for their consistent house style and ability to evolve with extended age. Founded by John Benson in 1885, Far Niente prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when the winery ceased operation and the buildings and estate were abandoned. Sixty years later, in 1979, Gil and Beth Nickel purchased the old stone shell of a winery and spent three years restoring the building to its original, 19th century grandeur.

Far Niente

During restoration the name, "Far Niente," which romantically translated means "without a care," was found carved in stone on the front of the building. In 1998, Far Niente was reunited with its past when a bottle of 1886 Far Niente Sweet Muscat, intact with its original cork, capsule and label, was found in a wine cellar in Marin County, California.

Guests Socialize In The Caves Of Far Niente

Guided tours and tastings are offered several times each day, by appointment. Tours begin with a walk through the historic, tri-level winery, which is built into the surrounding hillside. Guests are then led through a portion of the 40,000 square-foot Far Niente wine aging caves, which were the first modern wine caves built in North America when excavation began in 1980. The tour ends in the Carriage House, home to an incredible collection of classic automobiles.

A Far Niente Holiday Reception

Tastings follow each tour and feature the current releases of Far Niente estate wines, including a Napa Valley Chardonnay and Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as carefully aged Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Far Niente Cave Collection. A seasonal cheese pairing is also featured. Each tasting ends with a taste of Dolce, the sumptuous, late harvest wine produced by Far Niente’s sister winery, also called Dolce.

1350 Acacia Drive
Oakville CA 94562
707-944-2861
farniente.com

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday
Tastings/Appointments: (707) 944-2861

Best Off The Beaten Path Tasting Rooms- ZD Wines

4/17/2016

The Winery: ZD Wines
Unique Point: Eco-centric, organic certified
Signature Wine/Varietal: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon

Producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, ZD Wines is located in Rutherford on the beautiful Silverado Trail. Founded in 1969, ZD Wines is owned and operated by three qenerations of the deLeuze Family. ZD's mantra of "(Z)ero (D)efects" is based on founder Norman deLeuze's history in Aerospace. It sets the tone for the winery's focus on quality, consistency and style. The ZD style is to craft rich, flavorful wines that reflect the varietal character of the grape.

ZD also has a strong internal emphasis on ecology. ZD's Estate Vineyards located in Rutherford and Carneros have been certified organic for more than 15 years. The use of an implemented waste reduction program and a water recycling system are in place, and the entire winery is powered by solar, truly reflecting ZD's commitment to the health of the environment surrounding us.

The winery welcomes visitors 7 days a week for public tastings. In addition, special tour experiences are available by appointment including our Cellar Tour & Tasting, Eco Vineyard Tour, Unwined Tasting, Library Selection Tasting and Private Group Tastings. The ZD website provides more detailed information about each of these options at www.zdwines.com or call 800-487-7757.

Best Off-The-Beaten Path Tasting Rooms

3/20/2016

The Winery: Cline Cellars
Unique Point: Country charm and expansive picnic area
Signature Wine/Varietal: Zinfandel

The Experience
With the unique appearance of old country home, Cline Cellars is an unpretentious and peaceful spot in Sonoma. Surrounded by rose bushes and a variety of other trees and plants, Cline offers expansive picnic areas, a half dozen fountains and pools (no swimming) and a bird zoo.The grounds are quite spread out so finding some privacy for an intimate picnic is relatively easy.The winery offers public tastings. Winery tours are by appointment.

Cline is also home to the California Mission Museum which showcases handcrafted models of all twenty one California Missions made for the 1939 World's Fair.It's a unique addition not to be missed if you have the time. Call ahead to schedule a tasting and tour.

Best Off-the-Beaten Path Tasting Rooms

3/6/2016

After having visited numerous renowned wineries, many of us are looking for the hidden gems within the Napa Valley. Good wines are certainly valued, but the entire experience a winery provides leaves guests wanting to return and telling their friends and family to visit. To this end, we’re starting a series on best off-the-beaten-path wineries. Criteria for inclusion are that the winery is:

Not readily found or can be easily missed when driving the usual routes
Small or medium-sized in terms of wine production or size
Unique in some way
Open to the public, no appointments necessary

1. The Winery: Artesia Vineyards and Winery
Unique Point: Bold architecture and stunning views
Signature Wine/Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting and Other Fees:$10-$15
The Experience
By far, the most extraordinary approach to any out-of-the-way tasting room is that of Artesa Vineyards & Winery. Take Highway 121 to Old Sonoma Road in Napa, and you will drive country roads lined with fields of wildflowers until you finally see signs into the entrance of the winery. The entrance itself is unique - it keeps going. And going.

The winery structure is built into the side of the hill and has been compared to a modern art museum. Interiors are reminiscent of the 1960s, with bold colors and graphic paintings hung throughout. Outside, the pristine pool requires true reflection.

Artesa’s collection comprises pinot blanc, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, albarino, pinot noir, merlot, syrah, cabernet franc,cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo and sparkling wines. Their Estate Pinot Noir is classic for the grape, while their upper tier Limited Release Carneros Pinot Noir is bigger and inkier.

Enhance your visit by upgrading from the $10 basic tasting to a Reserve and Limited Release Wine Flight for $15 or a glass of Grand Reserve Sparkling Wine for $10. Or book a Vino con Queso pairing on a Saturday or Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and enjoy artisan cheeses paired with reserve wines. Or skip the enhancements - a basic tasting in this beautiful is all you need for an experience that is truly off the beaten path.

Stay tuned for more in this series...