Overlooking Anderson Marsh State Park at the southern end of Clear Lake, Vigilance Vineyards is the home of the Shannon Ridge Family of Wines tasting room. They offer tasting flights from Shannon Ridge; Vigilance Vineyards; High Valley Vineyards; Hillgate; Dalliance; a brooding blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Barbera, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache; and the newest wine, Playtime, an enticing blend of Zinfandel with small amounts of Grenache, Petit Verdot, and Barbera with a price that’s equally attractive as its label depicting the Pinup Stars of World War II.

www.vigilancewinery.com

Operating on the rail line first built in 1864, the Napa Valley Wine Train is a treasure chest of history, romance, and culinary excellence. The train travels from its own delightful station—complete with a coffee and wine bar and gift shop—in downtown Napa, to St. Helena, where the engines are switched and the train reverses its direction. Passengers choose from a long list of options for both lunch and dinner: they can stay on the train the entire time and enjoy a leisurely gourmet meal in one of three dining cars, preceded by a first course, or followed by dessert in a lounge car. They can also opt for a VIP tour of a winery and then embark on the train for a sumptuous repast.

www.winetrain.com

On Independence Day 1977, Miljenko "Mike" Grgich and his partner, Austin Hills broke ground in Rutherford to build Grgich Hills Cellar. Since then, Mike has continued receiving international awards for his estate-grown wines and recognition for being a leader in natural winegrowing and sustainability. The winery farms without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides; relies on wild yeast fermentation; and uses Mike’s passion and art to handcraft food-friendly, balanced, and elegant wines.

www.grgich.com

The 522-acre vineyard was one of the region’s first commercial vineyards and sold its premium winegrapes to Napa Valley wineries for decades. Today, these highly coveted grapes stay in Paso Robles, in the capable hands of Broken Earth’s esteemed winemaker, Chris Cameron. Chris came to Paso Robles in 2007 and joined Broken Earth at its birth. Since then, Broken Earth wines have been awarded more than 100 medals including 5 Best in Class and 15 Golds in nationally recognized wine shows. The winery produces five different brands: Broken Earth, Shimmin Canyon, Pull, Quadrant, and SWN. Each brand expresses a style and price point that appeals to a specific market.

www.brokenearthwinery.com

Winemaker Karen Steinwachs believes she benefits from this commitment to the earth as she works with the estate’s distinctive winegrapes. Karen, who describes herself as more of a shepherd of juice than a maker of wine, often detects an intriguingly flinty, mineral characteristic that she calls "buttonwoodish" in the entry and finish of the wines. Buttonwood wines are distinctive, well-structured, and balanced. They routinely win accolades and acclaim. Buttonwood wines are exquisite on their own, but they only taste better when paired with food. One of the year’s most anticipated events is Buttonwood’s All Farm Dinner that takes place each August. Everything on the table is sourced from its land, including farm-raised produce and meats, herbs, and fruits, all paired with Buttonwood wines.

www.buttonwoodwinery.com

Set in an environment that’s as romantic as its name, Wine & Roses Hotel, Restaurant, and Spa offers visitors to Lodi wine country a splendid retreat. The hotel features 66 spacious guest rooms and suites located in a variety of settings. The Historic Inn, built in 1902, offers individually designed guest rooms, each with a distinctive charm. Guests admire breathtaking views of lush gardens from their veranda or balcony as they settle in, appreciating the hotel’s many creature comforts like Italian linens, down pillows, free Wi-Fi, in-room voicemail, and Aveda personal care products. Some rooms also feature flat-screen TVs, iPod docking alarm clocks, and plush Wine & Roses bathrobes.

www.winerose.com

Perched on the rugged north slope of Chalone Peak in the Gavilan Mountain Range, near the Pinnacles National Park, the Chalone AVA is home to the oldest producing vines in Monterey County. Recently, Chalone’s 95-year-old 3.79-acre block of Chenin Blanc was awarded Historic Vineyard status by the Historic Vineyard Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of California’s oldest vineyards. Homesteader Lucius Charles Tamm planted the first vines in Chalone’s limestone soils and, to this day, the winery still bottles a limited number of cases of Chenin Blanc from the original storied block.

www.chalonevineyard.com

Designed for short and extended rental arrangements, the beautifully landscaped Villa Terra Nova includes a 5,500-square-foot, five-bedroom Mediterranean villa and a two-bedroom guesthouse. The villa is anchored by a stunning great room whose sweeping ceiling and massive stone fireplace frame a 10-foot-long dining table and lounge area. The large, professionally equipped kitchen is suitable for cooks of all skill levels. The master suite includes a walk-in closet, private office, and a spacious bathroom with rain shower and bathtub for two, overlooking a private enclosed garden.

www.terranovasonoma.com

This year marks the 130th vintage of Wente Vineyards, and more than 100 years of the Wente family bringing Chardonnay cuttings from Montpellier, France and planting them in the Livermore Valley. Today, the Wente clones are the most widely planted clones of Chardonnay in California.The Wente family is proud to have been awarded 2011 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards uses locally grown organic ingredients sourced within a 100- mile radius as much as possible. Recent accolades include the 2013 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and high scores from Zagat for "consistently deliver[ing] with wine friendly Cal-Med cuisine."

www.wentevineyards.com

The historic 70-acre estate, replete with lush grapevines and majestic centuryold oaks, dedicates 10 acres to its guests’ enjoyment. There’s even a private lake on the grounds, where wine club members can relax and enjoy unhurried picnic lunches under a mighty oak tree. With the opening of a beautiful, new Wine and Hospitality Center in 2014, the property offers even more. The casual, yet sophisticated, facility features a 360-degree tasting bar, floor-to-ceiling windows offering full vineyard views, a private room for wine club members, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and a covered outdoor terrace.

www.oakfarmvineyards.com

With the growing popularity of wine tourism, the winery recognizes that many guests are seeking unique opportunities for wine education and enjoyment. No longer content to rush from winery to winery simply tasting wines, today’s visitors are looking for authentic experiences, a slower pace, and a chance to connect with friends and family during their visits. For this reason, the winery recently moved its main tasting bar to its Vineyard Room and renovated its outdoor spaces to include several inviting patios with comfortable seating and shade umbrellas. Here, guests can relax and enjoy the beauty of the celebrated To Kalon Vineyard without feeling rushed or crowded.

www.robertmondaviwinery.com

Just west of Paso Robles and north of San Luis Obispo Wine Country, the natural and rugged California coastline begs to be explored with deserted beaches, enchanting seaside towns, and—best of all—seven distinct boutique wineries. Together, they form The Pacific Coast Wine Trail, an incomparable route leading from the quintessential beach town of Cayucos to historic San Simeon, with stops between in the towns of Harmony and Cambria. Each tasting room is different with its own story to tell. But, as you sample the handcrafted, premium wines of Hearst Ranch Winery, Black Hand Cellars, Moonstone Cellars, Twin Coyotes, Stolo Family Winery, Harmony Cellars, and Cayucos Cellars, you’ll discover what strings them together.

www.pacificcoastwinetrail.com

Cool climate winemaking may be in the blood of Mount Aukum Winery’s new owner, Winemaker Michel Prod’hon. He was born in the village of Chaumont in the Champagne region of France, and felt naturally drawn to Mount Aukum in the higher and cooler growing elevations of El Dorado County. Mount Aukum Winery is perched on a steep sloping mountain at an altitude of 2,615 feet. Here, the air is clear and tasting room guests can see all of El Dorado County and beyond. The vineyard soil is primarily granite with a little red dirt. They say the terroir is responsible for their magnificent jammy Zinfandels and inspired Rhône varietals. But it takes a gifted winemaker to craft a creative blend, like Mount Aukum’s En Fuego, a stunning blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre.

www.mountaukum.com

Aside from excellent wine, an epic family history, dramatic views, and stunning architecture make Artesa Vineyards & Winery a destination-worthy experience. The fascinating Artesa legacy began near Barcelona in 1551, when Jaume Codorníu bequeathed winemaking equipment to his family. The adventure lives on, evident in the unique hilltop construction designed by Barcelona architect Domingo Triay and one-of-a-kind artistic installations by Artist-in-Residence Gordon Huether. A visit to Artesa offers the potential for many levels of interaction, from a day of tasting the Grand Reserve Sparkling, Classic, Reserve, and Limited Release selections to full tours encompassing the artistic Main Salon, Barrel Room, courtyard, reflecting pool, and the scenic Vista Terrace.

www.artesawinery.com

As Miraflores Winery approaches its tenth anniversary, its stellar reputation has certainly come of age. The estate’s 38 planted acres boast 20 different varieties—and there are plans to expand the vineyards. Miraflores’ striking Mediterranean-style tasting room has a breathtaking impact on arriving guests. They enter towering glass doors into a stately tasting room with cathedral ceilings. Although all of the wines deserve to be sampled, the sweet wines are not to be missed. Miraflores is known for its Old World, artisan style of handcrafting wines. The winery’s Zinfandels have also been recognized for their consistent excellence, routinely receiving 90-plus points since 2005. Besides unique sweet wines and peppery rich Zinfandels, the portfolio offers estate grown Barbera, Tempranillo, Viognier, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, as well as a Meritage.

www.mirafloreswinery.com

Since 1975, DeLoach Vineyards has been a pioneer in the production of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley. Today, eight clones of Pinot Noir and two clones of Chardonnay thrive at DeLoach, along with a working garden of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The role of each element—from bee pollination, cover crops, and grazing sheep, to a membrane bioreactor water purification system—serves a function, fully exemplifying a holistic ecosystem. What’s more, DeLoach is now powered by 100 percent solar energy.

www.deloachvineyards.com

In 1885, Vittorio Sattui opened a small winery in San Francisco’s North Beach, marking the birth of what would become, after four generations, a storied Italian tradition in Napa Valley—V. Sattui Winery. Today, the winery, located on a 38-acre organically farmed vineyard and designed from sketches by Vittorio’s great-grandson Dario, has the intense feel of a small Italian village. Touted as one of the Napa Valley’s favorite places to picnic, V. Sattui provides a delightful Italian Marketplace featuring more than 200 artisanal cheeses, house-cured meats, mustard prawns, crab cakes, and locally baked breads. All this—plus a portfolio of more than 50 wines—gives guests everything they could ask for in a picnic.

www.vsattui.com

High in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California, the Jones family has been dedicated to the production of premium estate-bottled wines utilizing only mountain-grown grapes from their estate vineyards since 1986. Named by Founders Jeanne and David Jones for its unique volcanic soil, Lava Cap is a multigenerational family-owned winery dedicated to producing premium estate-bottled wines using only mountain grapes.

www.lavacap.com