The experience of wine tasting Sonoma's world-renown wine artistry is conveniently available right near the beach. Armida Winery's tasting room bridges the refinement of aficionado culture with Capitola's fun and laid-back atmosphere. Because of the knowledgeable and friendly wine servers, who grace the establishment with down-to-earth personalities, weekends are lively and happening in this tasting room.
The winery's reputation for hand-crafted excellence has garnered scores in the 90's from Wine Spectator, plus gold medal winners in very prestigious competitions like the California State Fair Wine Competition, Best of the Bay Zin Challenge at the Alameda County Fair, Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, and the Orange County Fair Wine Competition.
For gift possibilities, the allure of Armida's wines appeals to several different palates and personalities. Just take a look at their flagship wine, Poizin: an award-winning blend of the winery's best zinfandels--unique hand-painted bottles with an eye-catching skull & crossbones design--and a little wooden coffin to hold the bottle. In addition to the wide selection of wine varietals, gift possibilities at Armida Winery include wine filled chocolates, clothing and apparel with an urban/hip/contemporary flare, fun magnets and club memberships.
Armida Winery's Capitola tasting room is located in the scenic Capitola Village, where one central location allows visitors to shop, dine, and relax on the beach. The Village is also a prime vacation hot-spot for renting out a beach condo. It's no wonder why this picturesque atmosphere just epitomizes the culture and natural beauty that has made Capitola a world-renown destination.
Cornerstone Sonoma is a commercial community of local home and garden shops, wineries and galleries embedded among lush architectural landscaping. This collection of shops and restaurants sprawls over nine acres of geometric modern gardens and water features. This center is alsoavailable for event rentals, particularly weddings.
Monte De Oro features a tasting room and offers tours. The tasting room features a 180-degree view of Temecula Wine Country, as well as a view of the barrel cellar from above, through a glass floor. The "Traditional Tasting Experience" includes 6 tastes and costs $10 per person and the "Private Tasting Experience" last 60 minutes, includes 6 tastings and a cheese plate and costs $25 per person. Wine types offered include Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and more.
Schweiger Vineyards & Winery is a family-owned vineyard offering tours daily by appointment. It produces artisan-style wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and a Bordeaux-style blend. Wines can be purchased on the website.
Situated among corn fields and tomato patches this charming, family-owned winery operates along Highway 113, not far from downtown Dixon, and offers a wide variety of fine wines that are made by vintner Jess Jones.
Jones and his wife, Mel, began growing grapes in 1997 and primarily sold them to winemakers. In 2000, Jess Jones, who studied winemaking at U.C. Davis, made his first wines from grapes he grows on three acres of his land.
Jones' first wines were Merlot and Cabernet. In 2004, Jones began producing his wines and today offers Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon along with two dessert wines and two ports.
Anyone traveling along Highway 113 can easily find the winery because of the many signs along the highway that lead wine lovers to it.
The tasting room is not pretentious although decorated with many news articles and accolades garnered by the winery. A large stuffed moose head and other critters overlook the tasting room and bar area.
Owners Jess and Mel Jones host many gatherings at the winery, including hosting the Dixon Chamber of Commerce, and hold several weddings, class reunions and functions. The winery welcomes any group who wishes to rent it out for the day and those who wish to bottle their own wines!
The winery also offers a wine club that's free to join.
Markham Vineyards rest on over 350 acres of land. The winery produces over 20,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and a blended red. The vineyard hosts private parties and events.
Vineyard 7 & 8 is a family-owned winery; it produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Led by winemaker Luc Morlet, the boutique winery produces less than 2,000 cases annually. It aims to highlight and reflect the landscape and resources of the Spring Mountain District through its wines.
