Cold Heaven Cellars was founded in 1996 by owner/winemaker Morgan Clendenen who pioneered the cool-climate viognier style that the winery has become famous for producing. Using fruit from top-quality vineyards from three separate appellations in Santa Barbara County, Cold Heaven highlights viognier from the Le Bon Climat Vineyard, a Clendenen family-owned property that is farmed organically and the historic Sanford and Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills.
Fantastic wines, a great and knowledgable tasting team and one of my most favorite settings make Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards a wonderful and special place. We toured the vineyard in it's total seclusion, silence and peace; tasted in the caves (a must see); and lounged in their upper terrace while finishing off our tasting.
he Huber Estate was established in 1986, and the first vines were planted in 1987, making it one of the oldest vineyards in Santa Rita Hills. The premier grapes of the appellation, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, are grown on the estate, as is the much sought after German red grape varietal called Dornfelder.
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Since the first harvest, grapes from the vineyard have been purchased by select premier winemakers throughout the valley. The first wines under the Huber label debuted with the 2000 vintage. Proprietors Norman and Traudl Huber are dedicated to growing grapes of flavor and quality and crafting wines of distinction.
Isabel Mondavi Wines I
The wines of Isabel Mondavi are crafted by Isabel's son, fourth generation winemaker Rob Mondavi Jr., to offer elegant, lower alcohol style wines for everyday enjoyment. The Isabel Mondavi wines started as "just a few cases for mom," but soon gained serious interest from wine lovers seeking well made, food friendly wines that complement rather than compete with the meal.
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery is one of the closest, if not the closest winery to the ocean in all of California. From the vineyard you can see the breaking surf and the misty silhouettes of Bodega Head and Pt. Reyes far below. The vineyard’s high elevation above the coastal fog and its proximity to the ocean provide a gentle, sunny and temperate climate that has proved to be very favorable for the slow and even ripening of Burgundian varietals.
The beautiful, incredibly ornate and Victorian/ Baroque style tasting room coupled with the very friendly service makes this a great place to take out-of-towners.
Barrel tasting after barrel tasting, we truly learned a lot. The final tasting was complimented by an immaculate tray of cheese, cured meats, and bread/crackers (which, let's say, we definitely needed. . .and loved).
A beautiful fall afternoon sitting on the picnic table with 6 bottles of PInot Noir just waiting to be tasted. A tasting at Ancien is a very personal experience. It was just the two of us as the gentleman pouring walked us through their philosophy of wine making. A tour of the barrel cave and a walk through the vineyards tasting a few grapes off the vine . We enjoyed every drop and were soon members waiting for our first shipment. Great wine and very nice people. By appointment only, call ahead, your will not be disappointed
The best part of this whole experience was just sitting around this table with lovers of the industry, chatting under that shaded oak tree on a cool Sonoma morning. The owner and wine maker, Mac has an amazing story and he tells it well. Growing up in Texas, he was the son of a moonshine maker. After tasting his first bottle of fine Italian wine at the age of 12, he vowed to become a wine maker. And that's exactly what he did. He became a great one. After 1.5 hours of driving, we arrive at Vision Cellars. Down this winding road we go. Small country road where large parts had eroded. We turn into a driveway through a farm gate and park in front of a barn. To the left is a house. To the right is another barn and a newer living quarters. Behind all of that are rows of vines. Um, where's the paved road leading to the fountain in front of a lavish tasting room? Not here. No sir. Great wine with a vintner who has history to share. Vision Cellars is a boutique winery featuring Pinot Noir. Know that as you enjoy your first, it won't be your last glass of Vision Cellars wine. Sipping with Mac, is where it's at!
Gregory Graziano's grandfather, Vincenzo Graziano, and his wife Angela, first planted vineyards in Mendocino County in 1918 where they grew and sold grapes. In the late 1920's Vincenzo had to depend on selling grapes to home winemakers on the east coast and bootlegging wine to support his family. Gregory Graziano, Vincenzo's grandson, now carries on the family winemaking tradition that his grandfather set the foundation for and that his father Joseph later handed down to Gregory.
icest folks, best wine.. however if you like fruit or oak bombs or over ripe alcohol bombs this is not for you. These wines are for the lover of a more classical earlier picked style of wine like; the Cali wines from say 25 years ago. If you love old school european wines, these are the wines for you.
Doug is wonderful as well as the whole crew.
Open every Saturday 12pm-5pm. By appointment all other days.
