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Northern California Wineries
Northern California wineries in Napa Valley, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and by the sea invite you to tour and taste to your heart's content. Savor the many flavors, everything from chardonnays, pinot noirs, and sauvignon blancs to merlots, syrahs, and petite syrahs at such delightful destinations as Beaulieu Vineyard, Niebaum-Coppola, and Kendall Jackson Winery. Or treat yourself to a truly unique experience by taking the Napa Valley Wine Train, a 3-hour "grape escape." Waiting around just about every corner is a delightfully refreshing lodging experience at a Northern California Days Inn hotel.
Ahlgren Vineyard
Ahlgren has been producing premium Santa Cruz mountain wine since 1976, with a limited production of Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah. Taste flavorful wines among beautiful mountain views. Boulder Creek; www.ahlgrenvineyard.com back to top
Fortino Winery. Fortino WineryThis family-owned winery in the beautiful Hecker Pass region of Gilroy features a charming tasting room and gift shop. Enjoy Fortino Winery's award-winning wines and champagnes among the romantic vineyards or on the outdoor terrace surrounded by redwoods and acres of grape vines/ Gilroy; www.scvwga.com/fortino
[ Back to Top ]Alexander Valley Vineyards
A family-owned estate, Alexander Valley produces the perennial favorite Sin Zin, a robust gold-medal Zinfandel brimming with fruit flavors. Visit the historic vineyards, taste award-winning wines, bring a picnic and enjoy beautiful vistas of the peaceful Alexander Valley. Healdsburg; www.avwine.com
[ Back to Top ]Alzante Wines
From the Sierra foothills eminate the Italian-style wines of Alzante. The Quarry family has created a new style of Tuscan blends that are perfect with food. Traditional Italian grape varieties are blended to create a smooth finish and tantalizing aroma that will complement any occasion. Try a bottle.El Dorado;530-622-5324
[ Back to Top ]Artesa Vineyards & Winery
Views and pinot noir discoveries make this a favorite Napa stop. The grass covered winery offers a shop and a long bar where tastes include chardonnays, pinot noirs, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, and sparkling wine. Calistoga; 707-224-1668
[ Back to Top ]Beaulieu Vineyard
Bordeaux native Georges de Latour founded the third-oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley in 1900. Visit the brick-and-redwood tasting room and the Private Reserve Tasting Room for a "flight" of five reserve wines for $25. Rutherford;707-967-5230
[ Back to Top ]Beringer Vineyards
Head to Beringer Vineyards to taste wine and view the hand-dug tunnels in the mountainside. Founded in 1876, this is the oldest winery in Napa Valley - open during Prohibition. Enjoy tasting current vintages or reserve wines in the Rhine House, or the popular white zinfandel. Calistoga;707-963-7115
[ Back to Top ]Bonny Doon Vineyard
Visit the picturesque Bonny Doon Vineyard, overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains, where sun-loving grapes of the Mediterranean are well suited to California's coastal climates. Enjoy distinctive wines and scenic picnic facilities. Santa Cruz; www.bonnydoonvinyard.com Bonny Doon Vineyard
[ Back to Top ]Brutacao Cellars & Vineyard
Brutacao utilizes time-honored, less-invasive methods to produce their wonderful wine. Brutacao leaves many of their red wines unfiltered, and practices like punching down the cap by hand contribute to the nuances that constitute Brutocao wine's unique flavors. Hopland;707-744-1664
[ Back to Top ]Byington Vineyard & Winery
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains with weeping views of the Pacific, Byington is the perfect setting for sipping wines and celebrating. The manicured grounds of the estate and its Italianate stone winery chateau create a striking backdrop for tasting their Sonoma wines. Los Gatos; www.byington.com
[ Back to Top ]C.G. Di Arie Vineyard & Winery
Located between the forks of the Cosumnes River in the Shenandoah Valley appellation, the winery is perched on a hillside with spectacular views of the vineyards and the Sierra Foothills, and features two art galleries. Using the natural terrain, the architecture of the winery was created on two plateaus, creating "gravity feed" as part of the winemaking process. Mt. Aukum;530-620-6500
[ Back to Top ]Charles Spinetta WineryCharles Spinetta Winery
Charles Spinetta is located in California's popular Shenandoah Valley winegrowing region - 20 minutes of historical gold rush era villages like Volcano, Sutter Creek and Jackson.
Enjoy fine wining and dining, or bring a picnic and enjoy you're a Gold Country getaway. Plymouth; 209-245-3386
[ Back to Top ]Clos Du Val
The ivy-covered winery and rose garden offer a romantic wine tasting. The winery has garnered a reputation for its cabernet, which makes up 70% of the winery's production, chardonnay, pinot noir, and merlot. Taste the wines, have a picnic and play the French game pétanque in the grassy nooks. Napa: 707-259-2200
[ Back to Top ]Conn Creek Winery
Since 1973, Conn Creek Winery has created California's finest Bordeaux-style wines, intense Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a blend "Anthology." With Mediterranean style, Conn Creek evokes Napa's old-world architecture. Stroll through the picturesque garden and barrel room, and taste incredible Bordeaux wines. St. Helena; Visit www.conncreekwinery.com
[ Back to Top ]Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards & Winery
Overlooking Silicon Valley from the foothills above Saratoga, Cooper-Garrod is an estate winery and vineyard - your gateway to the wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Sample award-winning Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay in their tasting room or picnic area, or ride equestrian trails with panoramic views of the Bay Area. Saratoga; www.cgv.com
[ Back to Top ]Eaglepoint Ranch Winery
Using grapes grown exclusively at Eaglepoint Ranch, this winery produces some of California's finest red wines including Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Grenache. Philo. info@eaglepointranch.com
[ Back to Top ]Fetzer Vineyards
Fetzer is the largest grower of certified organically grown grapes on the North Coast and one of the largest in the world. 100% of their 2,000 farmed acres are certified organic through California Certified Organic Farmers. Hopland. For more information call at 415-444-7410
[ Back to Top ]Frank Family Vineyards
The "friendliest winery in the valley," Frank Family serves up the bubbly - blanc de blanc, blanc de noir, and reserve rouge. Wine lovers can slip into the back room to sample chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, or picnic under the oaks overlooking the vineyards. Calistoga;707-942-0859
[ Back to Top ]Gerber Vineyards
Nestled in its own tranquil valley among the Sierra Foothills are the Gerber Vineyards is the largest in Calaveras County. Experience the award-winning Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, Malbec, and Petite Sirah while embracing the vine-tingling scenery. Vallecito; 209-736-4027
[ Back to Top ]Halcrest Vinyard
The celebrated winner at the 2003 Santa Cruz County Fair, Halcrest features award-winning Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Sarah wines. Bring a picnic and take in the beautiful views of the redwoods and Henry Cowell State Park from the tasting deck. Felton; www.webwinery.com/hallcrest.
[ Back to Top ]Iron Horse Vineyards
Celebrate life's precious moments at Iron Horse, one of Sonoma County's most prestigious estate wineries where sparkling wines are the family's specialty. Discover the misty vineyards that produce some of the world's most delicious Pinot Noir and Chardonnays. Sebastopol; www.ironhorsevienyards.com
[ Back to Top ]Keller Estate Winery
Keller Estate is a family-owned ranch with panoramic hilltop views of Petaluma Valley. Savor the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah at the winery and tasting room. The dramatic setting is matched by the intense flavors of Keller's handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Petaluma; www.kellerestate.com
[ Back to Top ]Kelson Creek Winery
At Kelson Creek Winery, you will happily discover fine handcrafted zinfandel wines and world-class ports made from traditional Portuguese varietals. Kelson Creek boasts their 2005 Sauvignon Blanc as one of the 10 best wines at the 2006 Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition. Plymouth;209-245-4700
[ Back to Top ]Kendall-Jackson Winery & Wine Center
All the flavor and charm of Sonoma come together at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center. Head to the chateau tasting room and sample award-winning wines, tour gardens or picnic under the century-old walnut grove. At the Kendall-Jackson Healdsburg Tasting Room, you'll taste why this is one of the top winemakers in Sonoma. Healdsberg & Fulton: www.kj.com
[ Back to Top ]Napa Valley Wine Train
Experience a 3-hour culinary adventure on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Enjoy elegant rail travel and a gourmet meal in lavishly-restored, vintage 1915-1947 Pullman railcars. Take a 33-mile journey through Napa Valley's picturesque vineyards and wineries. Visit www.napavalley.com
[ Back to Top ]Niebaum-Coppola
Hollywood meets vine at Francis Ford Coppola's Inglenook Vineyards, Niebaum-Coppola. The 1880's ivy-draped stone winery offers historic grandeur, and honors Coppola's wines and films. Wine dominates the cavernous tasting area, where cabernet Franc, merlot, chardonnay, and organic zinfandels are sipped. Rutherford;707-968-1100
[ Back to Top ]Opus One
Developed by Robert Mondavi and Baron Phillipe de Rothschild, Opus One caters to one ultra-premium red. Tour the Greco-Roman-meets-20th-century building and ultra-tech production and aging facilities. Grab your glass and head to the redwood rooftop deck to enjoy the views. Oakville;707-944-9442
[ Back to Top ]Pacific Star Winery
Pacific Star wines are striking for their concentration and luxuriant textures. Visit a unique seaside winery where magical forces come into play. Waves crash into sea caves under the cellar, naturally filtering wine from its sediment, and sea salt on barrels accelerate osmosis, creating their viscous, dense wines. Fort Bragg;707-964-1155
[ Back to Top ]Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard
Located at one of the oldest vineyards in California, established in 1863, this hands-on, gravity flow winery creates fine toast worthy Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Duriff (Petite Sirah). Take a tour and taste these fine spirits. Santa Cruz/Bolder Creek; www.scmvine.com
[ Back to Top ]Silver Mountain Vineyards
Don't miss the best-kept secret in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Overlooking Monterey Bay, Silver Mountain offers breathtaking views and hand-crafted wines organically grown in harmony with nature. Call to visit this award-winning winery. Santa Cruz Mountains; www.silvermtn.
[ Back to Top ]Simi Winery
Simi Winery produces excellent wines that reflect Sonoma County's diverse soils and distinct wines. Enjoy the historic winery tour while tasting Simi's Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Healdsburg; www.simiwinery.com
[ Back to Top ]St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, St. Francis Winery produces extraordinary full-bodied wines from hand-picked Sonoma grapes. Enjoy wine tastings and spectacular views. Santa Rosa; www.stfranciswine.com
[ Back to Top ]Sterling Vineyards
Take the aerial tram, which offers stunning views, to this white Mediterranean-style winery, perched 300 feet up on a rocky knoll. Ride the elevator to the tasting room, where you'll sample varietals, limited releases and reserves in a panoramic setting. Calistoga;707-942-3344
[ Back to Top ]Storrs Winery
Savor the finest handcrafted wines from Santa Cruz mountain-grown grapes. Storrs Winery produces excellent Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Merlot. Santa Cruz; www.storrswine.com
[ Back to Top ]Thomas Fogarty Winery
Thomas Fogarty Winery invites you to experience "the flavors of the fruit" from its beautiful mountain winery located west of Palo Alto. Perched on scenic Skyline Boulevard, the hilltop setting has a stunning view of the San Francisco Bay Area. Woodside; www.fogartywinery.com
[ Back to Top ]Trefethen Vineyards & Winery
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the vineyard's main building was built in 1886 and is Napa's only wooden, gravity-flow winery. One of the valley's oldest wineries, Trefethen produces an award-winning Chardonnay. Napa; 707-255-7700
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