Blankiet Estate is a winery in the Napa Valley area. Its vineyard, Paradise Hills, produces a highly-regarded Bordeaux. Its 2008 proprietary red was designated a 95+ rating by Robert Parker; its 2007 gained a 97 rating, to name a few of many stellar recommendations. Blankiet Estate was founded nearly a decade ago by Claude and Katherine Blankiet.
Eight miles from downtown Healdsburg, along the rural Westside Road, Porter Creek Vineyards, is one of the oldest wineries in the area—and still one of the smallest. Alex Davis is the owner and winemaker, having taken over from his father in both jobs; his daughter is now learning the ropes.
The tasting room is an artistically decorated rural cabin overlooking rows of vines, with engaging, knowledgeable Jonathan DeMichael guiding visitors through the concise wine list. Most of the wines are estate-grown, including several bottlings of pinot noir that rate high among experts. Production is limited to below 4,000 cases, and Porter Creek wines are usually found only in higher-end restaurants. Despite this, the wines are affordably priced, and the winery has developed a loyal clientele of online and local customers.
Trefethen Family Vineyards is a grape-growing and winemaking estate. Its singular passion for good wine has kept the Trefethen family in business for 40 years. Its mission is this: Trefethen wines should taste like Trefethen grapes.
The estate is located in the Oak Knoll District, world famous for its enriched soil and mesoclimate. The marine influence of the region produces rich and expressive fruit with warm enough temperatures for Cabernet Sauvignon and cool enough for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vareities.
The family is proud of a heritage of estate-grown grapes as an expression of themselves. Varietals offered are dry Reisling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, with the winery's flagship Halo Cabernet Sauvignon. The Trefethen Family Estate was established in 1968.
Originally founded by the Franco-Swiss Farming Company in 1881, Seavey Vineyard is a small independent wine producer. The grounds feature active vineyards and a small cattle operation. It's open for tours and tasting by appointment five days a week.
Silver Mountain, a fine winery and vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, offers a tasting room location in Santa Cruz through the Surf City Vintners Group. Visitors can enjoy hand-crafted premium wines, with featured varietals including Chardonnays, Bordeaux blend "Alloys" and award-winning Pinot Noirs.
For a rich and amazing experince for the senses, there is Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves. It is clear from one visit that owners Scott and Lynn Adams not only have a passion for wine making, but for their vineyard estate as well. Located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, Bella Vineyards boasts many scenic ammenties including a 360 degree view of Dry Creek Valley from their Lily Hill vineyard. A tour not to be missed.
Rombauer Vineyards is a Napa Valley winery that produces chardonnay, several signature zinfandels, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, port and Joy, a signature varietal released in small quantities. It welcomes visitors year-round to its indoor and outdoor tasting rooms and gardens. Guests can enjoy a tasting of a flight of four wines, or a semi-private cheese and wine tasting. Groups of six or more should call in advance.
The Davis Family has a winery and tasting room on Front Street across the street from the Old Roma Station wineries. The Davis Family has Zinfandel vines that were planted in 1896 and young hillside plantings of Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay. The Davis Family also make a few barrels of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes from friends like the Dutton Family, who have deliciously distinctive vineyards. They make only small lots of wine and literally handcraft each and every one.
With a unique rustic charm, the Field Stone tasting room is in the winery's small underground facility carved into an oak knoll. The family-owned winery welcomes guests to its intimate tasting room. After sampling its wines many visitors enjoy the spacious picnic grounds that are surrounded by the rolling vineyards of Alexander Valley.
