Across all regions
Wineries we loved
The producers worth making an appointment for. No walk-in tourist rooms.
Paso Robles
Calcareous
Paso Robles
Hilltop setting with views across the valley. The estate Syrah is structured and age-worthy. One of the best on the west side.
Paso Robles
Desparada
Paso Robles
The hidden gem of the trip. Tiny, precise, European-style Rhône wines. Nothing like the bigger Paso producers. Book well in advance.
Paso Robles
Jada Winery
Paso Robles
Consistently excellent across the lineup. The Jack of Hearts is their flagship blend and earns it.
Healdsburg
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Healdsburg
Book the library tasting. Older vintages of the Cab show beautifully with age.
Sonoma Coast
Kistler Vineyards
Sonoma Coast
Cult Chardonnay producer. The single-vineyard pours are where it gets serious.
Paso Robles
Kukkula Winery
Paso Robles
The best winery of the trip. Ridge-top setting, Finnish family, Finnish-inspired label. The Ceres is a blend worth seeking out.
Paso Robles
Nicora
Paso Robles
Female-owned, small lot, exceptional Rhône varieties. One of the best pours of the trip.
Paso Robles
Opolo
Paso Robles
Bigger operation but the quality holds up. Summit Creek Zinfandel is exceptional value.
Napa Valley
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Napa Valley
The S.L.V. Cab is worth every penny. Structured, long finish, nothing flashy.
Paso Robles
Turtle Rock
Paso Robles
A Grenache that stopped the conversation. Tiny production, appointment only. Don't miss this one.
Paso Robles
Aaron
Paso Robles
Paso Robles
Arndt Cellars
Paso Robles
Family operation on the north side. Honest wines at honest prices.
Los Olivos
Carhartt Winery
Los Olivos
Small production, unpretentious. The Syrah is the move.
Paso Robles
Herman Story
Paso Robles
Bold, theatrical, and genuinely well made. The Nuts & Bolts Syrah is a crowd pleaser.
Paso Robles
Niner
Paso Robles
LEED-certified facility, estate-grown fruit, solid Cabernet and Syrah.
Paso Robles
Paix Sure Terre
Paso Robles
Small Rhône specialist on the west side. Grenache Blanc was a surprise highlight.
Paso Robles
Adelaida
Paso Robles
Beautiful property but wines didn't quite match the scenery.
San Luis Obispo
Chamisal
San Luis Obispo
Solid SLO stop on the way north. Chardonnay is their strength.
Paso Robles
Dilecta
Paso Robles
Paso Robles
Full Draw
Paso Robles
Los Olivos
Los Olivos Tasting Room
Los Olivos
Paso Robles
LXV Winery
Paso Robles
What we drink
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley · Sonoma
Our most-visited varietal. Napa Cab is the benchmark — structured, age-worthy, and worth every dollar when it's from the right producer.
12 tastings logged
Rhône Blends
Paso Robles · Central Coast
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre — Paso does this better than anywhere in California. Bold, earthy, and wildly underpriced.
20 tastings logged
Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley · Sonoma Coast
The Willamette Valley does Pinot in a way that's entirely its own. Earthy, bright, never overblown.
8 tastings logged
What we've learned
Wine country tips
01
Book two weeks out, minimum
The tasting rooms worth visiting don't do walk-ins. The ones that do aren't worth visiting.
02
Two wineries a day is enough
Three is pushing it. Four means you're not actually tasting anything. Quality over quantity — always.
03
Stay outside the main town
Healdsburg over Napa city. Dundee over McMinnville. Quieter, better positioned, half the price on the hotel.
04
Hire a driver for full winery days
The pours add up faster than you think and the back roads are narrow. Worth every dollar for a full day out.
05
Ship wine home, don't pack it
Most wineries ship. It's worth the fee versus checking a bag or gambling on TSA. Ask at the tasting room.