No sane person with great taste can fail to admire the feeling of drinking good wine. So, if you like drinking wine, we know you have great taste.
But wine is not only about taste, is it? Every bottle of wine you pour into your glass has a story. A story that wants to be told. From the vineyard to your backyard, the wine travels a long way through various processes that require effort, regularity, and, most of all, an innate passion for winemaking!
We would love to tell you the story of a wine, but then we would stray away. So let’s just start with the place where the story begins: the vineyard.
A vineyard is a place where the wine comes into existence. Where the grapes grow in large numbers to produce delectable wine. If you want to know the story of wines, a vineyard is the best place to seek answers.
This blog will take you through some of the most amazing vineyards you can explore in the heart of America’s wine production– California. After all, what can be a better place to explore wineries and vineyards than the state that produces more than 80% of the nation’s wine?
Let’s get straight into ten vineyards in California that you’d never regret visiting (in no particular order).
Tobin James Cellars
Want to explore a great vineyard and winery that are both simplistic yet grand? Hop into Tobin James Cellars to get your perfect vineyard tour.
The winery looks minimalistic– much like home– from the outside. But as you enter the tasting room, the wooden grandness and splendor of the place are sure to break all your presumptions. The vineyard is not very large, but it produces great wine nevertheless.
Address
8590 Union Road, Paso Robles, California 93446
Contact: (805) 239-2204
Visiting hours: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sangiacomo Vineyards
Sangiacomo Vineyards are one of the oldest vineyards in Sonoma County and one of the state’s most reputed ones. They own and maintain fifteen vineyards spread over 1600 acres across four AVAs!
Sangiacomo Vineyards are mainly famous for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals. But they also produce Cabernet in Napa Valley. Once on their premises at the right time, you’ll find yourself amazed by seemingly innumerable swathes of grapes all around you.
Address
21543 Broadway, Sonoma, California 95476
Contact: (707) 938-5503
Visiting hours: 10 AM – 5 PM (Thursday – Monday)
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery
If you want to have a state-of-the-art experience in a winery, head to Sebastiani Vineyards in Sonoma, California. They have been making wine in the region for over 110 years!
The Sebastiani Vineyards have been growing grapes in Sonoma since 1904 and have never had to look back even once. They were the only winery to remain open during Prohibition and the Great Depression. The varietals available here range from all-time favorites like Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot to the more seasoned ones like Gravel Bed Red and Barbera.
Address
389 4th St E, Sonoma, California 95476
Contact: (707) 933-3230
Visiting hours: 10:30 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Hyde Vineyards
At first glance, Hyde Winery looks like a solitary mansion surrounded by vines. But as you enter the mansion, you know why. They want you to feel at home and enjoy fine wine on their estate.
The vineyards constitute over 200 acres in Napa Valley and are a source of grapes for over 35 wineries. The top vines that grow here include Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. But you can also find many other varietals, such as Viognier and Zinfandel.
Address
3250 Carneros Highway, Napa, California 94559
Contact: (707) 265-7626
Visiting hours: They usually don’t allow a tour of the vineyards, but you can contact them for requests.
Pine Ridge Vineyards
There is a reason why Pine Ridge Vineyards are respected across California. And it is not only the 160 acres of vineyard estate that produces world-class wines.
The place is especially famous for its delectable Cabernet Sauvignon varietals. But you can also savor other wines like Chenin Blanc and Savor. Besides, the exotic blends of these varietals are also a popular highlight. The winery offers multiple tasting arrangements. You can book a reservation via a call to taste what they offer.
Address
5901 Silverado Trail, Napa, California, 94558
Contact: (800) 575-9777
Visiting hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
Hirsch Vineyards
Hirsch Vineyards provide a scenic view of the Pacific. The vicinity of the Pacific means a highly unpredictable climate that makes it difficult to know whether last year’s wines will grow the same way this year.
The people at Hirsch Vineyards are commendable at handling such a climate and never fail to come up with different varieties for different conditions. As a result, you get a mix of vintages and current releases that range from Pinot Noir to Chardonnay. You can make a
Address
45075 Bohan Dillon Road, Cazadero, California 95421
Contact: (707) 847-3001
Visiting hours: They offer bookings for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Contact them for timings.
Hess Persson Estates
Hess Person Estates can not only offer you great wine and beautiful vineyards but also provide something you would seldom expect at a winery: great pieces of art!
Reservations are a must, so you need to book an appointment in advance to visit the estates for wine tasting and a guided tour of the place. Once inside, you can choose from a great collection of delicious wines to taste or just enjoy the vibe! The art gallery is a remarkable example of how wines and art combine gracefully. You will definitely want to come again after you return.
Address
4411 Redwood Road, Napa, California 94558
Contact: (707) 255-1144
Visiting hours: 10 AM – 4:30 PM from Friday to Monday (Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
Bien Nacido Vineyards
Bien Nacido is one of the most premium vineyards in California and, inarguably, the most iconic vineyard in Santa Maria Valley AVA. The reason is simple: great quality wine and one of the largest estate sizes.
The estate spans 3000 acres of land with around 600 acres of vineyards. The region’s cool climate makes it an ideal place to grow many varietals of wine, chiefly Chardonnay, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. And while these wines are great, you cannot taste any of them in the vineyard, as the tasting room is in Los Olivos.
Address
4705 Santa Maria Mesa Road, Santa Maria, California 93454
Contact: (805) 318-6600
Visiting hours: 11 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Tuesday)
Scheid Vineyards
The Scheid Vineyards have been in existence since 1972. But at that time, they constituted merely 10 acres of land in Monterey County in Greenfield. Fifty years on, they have over 11 vineyards spanning over 70 miles.
The vineyard is home to many different varietals, with several sub-varieties within the same grape. Each sub-varietal has a unique taste. You can get Chardonnay from containers of 100% stainless steel containers, 100% oak, or a blend. They have two tasting rooms– one in Carmel and another in Greenfield. So, you can make an appointment and visit any of them to taste their wine.
Address
Carmel Tasting Room: San Carlos & 7th, Carmel, California 93923
Greenfield Tasting Room: 1972 Hobson Avenue, Greenfield, California 93927
Contact: (831) 455-9990
Visiting hours:
Carmel Tasting Room: Sunday – Thursday – 12 PM – 7 PM; Friday & Saturday – 12 PM – 8 PM
Greenfield Tasting Room: 11 AM – 6 PM
Del Dotto Vineyards & Winery
Want to taste great wine and feel the Italian vibe? Check out Del Dotto Vineyards for an exotic Italian escape without going to Italy. The vineyards are present across several prominent AVAs, including Oakville, Helena, and Howell Mountain.
They first introduced tastings in 1999. And since then, Del Dotto Vineyards and Winery have kept people in delight with their fine wine, with several varietals, such as cabernet franc, merlot, and sauvignon blanc. You can visit any of their tasting rooms via reservations or walk-ins.
Address
1055 Atlas Peak Road, Napa, California 94558
Contact: (707) 963-2134
Visiting hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
Cheers!
We have talked enough about the vineyards. Now it’s time for you to visit some of these vineyards and experience the wines firsthand, straight out of the winery!
So, which one of these vineyards are you going to visit first? Tell us in the comments, and let us know if you would like more of these recommendations. We love preparing these blogs for you and will be happy to make another.
That’s enough of talking. We’ll meet you in yet another blog. Cheers!
If you’re a travel junkie – always on the lookout for the next spot to see – keep visiting our Travel & Adventure section to never run out of travel ideas!