Unique Varietals

Unique Varietals

Vihuela Winery

Several years ago Matt and his wife would travel to the Central Coast to enjoy the rolling hills, the laid-back attitude and of course, the wines. Through the years Matt developed a greater thirst for the Central Coast and it's wines than any weekend trip could quench. Following his heart, he enrolled into Fresno State's Enology program and next thing he knew he had graduated and was working for the likes of Geyser Peak and Rudd in Napa Valley. After several years of saving and searching, he found just the right property for a small vineyard in Templeton, California.

Praxis Cellars

“Locals” is a cooperative tasting room in Geyserville off Highway 101 about 80 miles North of the Golden Gate Bridge – at the stop sign in town. Arbios & Praxis wines and those of nine other small, local producers are poured at no charge every day. The tasting room is open daily from 11am-6pm

Behrens and Hitchock

Behrens Family Winery is an enchanting winery that makes some of the best red wine in Napa Valley. Known previously as Behrens & Hitchcock and Erna Schein, this winery is now called Behrens Family Winery, although some of their wines are labeled with the previous winery names and all of their wines have whimsical names that might confuse you. All of the bottles have labels with unusual artwork and phrases. It is all very creative and playful, with word plays mixed with a diversity of art and cartoons. In direct contrast to all of this is the seriousness of the wines.

Hendry Winery

Reservations are a must! Call a couple of weeks ahead of time, so you get the day and time slot you want. They only have two time slots, either 10am or 2pm. The wine tour and tasting runs about three hours (half tour, half tasting), but it's totally worth it! The winery grounds are gorgeous. Great scenic views. The tour and tasting combo is $40, but it's waived if you buy an equivalent amount of wine. Sweet! Their bottles range from about $25 to $50 depending on what you get.

Reverie Vineyards

Reverie Winery, located near Calistoga, California, is one of Napa Valley’s smallest estate wineries. The vineyard is nestled on a steep, 40 acre parcel high up in the Diamond Mountain appellation. It was once part of the Bonsell Property that is now divided into three vineyards – Reverie, Diamond Creek, and Von Strasser.
Norman Kiken, a New Jersey guy, is the owner and winemaker. He purchased the property in 1993 and specializes in producing ultra-premium Bordeaux style varietal blends that reflect the uniqueness of the terroir. 5 star family winery, old-fashioned style. You feel their passion for the
wine. The property is magnificent; you must walk around. The tour
is informative, interesting and fun. I've done it a couple of times, and
I look forward to a repeat. Their cab franc is sooo good.

Noble Oaks Vineyard & Winery

To garnish the table and plenish the cups of prominent personalities and distinguished visitors to the estate - winemaking took place in the cellars of Noble Oaks between 1930's. On an oak covered hill in the Ojai Valley, the property - with its rambling Spanish Colonial Revival – Andalusian Farmhouse home, was a sacred place of the Chumash people. The location and orientation of the house was chosen to preserve and protect an ancient Chumash molcajete - indigenous to the property. This large stone is located in the courtyard near the front entrance of the home which was built in 1928. Noble Oaks Vineyard was established in 2000 with a 1 acre planting of Malbec. In 2009, Tannat - another masculine robust red, was grafted to 130 vines.

Maple Creek Winery

Maple Creek Winery, Ranch and Vineyards is the dream of Vintner's Tom Rodrigues and Linda Stutz. Tom and Linda work to combine their passions of Art and Wine. Maple Creek Ranch boasts 180 acres, 7 springs, natural gardens and fruit orchards. We have edible mushrooms and wild boar and wildlife and an abundance of fresh food and water on this land. Creek Winery is "off the beaten path" situated 1/2 mile up a paved road. It is a beautiful drive past the vineyards and into the hills of Southern Mendocino. The tasting room is open daily from 10:30-5, although during the winter, the hours may be shortened. It is possible that if you arrive in the winter months, you may see a "honk for wine" sign. If that's the case, Tom or Linda will arrive shortly to open for your private tasting.

Negociant Winery

Négociant Urban Winery is located in the heart of North Park’s Boulevard District at the intersection of Texas Street and El Cajon Boulevard. Négociant joins the rapid influx of businesses and residential developments bursting into the “Boulevard” neighborhood. This revitalization is anchored by improvements to the nearby Lafayette Hotel as well as multiple new major condo developments including one directly south of the winery! The neighborhood is becoming a walking community to fit the life styles of those living in the area. Art festivals, boutique shops, coffee shops, street fairs, and area activities lend to strolling and dropping into Négociant for a pleasant afternoon of wine tasting.

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