Reviewed So Cal Wineries
NOTE: You can link to the review by clicking on the name of the winery or the reference at the end of the winery entry. Links to the reviews always go back to home page. Scroll down to find the review.
Wineries that offer Priority Wine Pass deals shown in blue with deal at end of listing.
1. Orfila (San Diego): Winery with picnic grounds, music and food truck on weekends. Wine club w/20% discount, 3 bottles/quarter, 8 free tastings per month. Link to review December 2017. Link to review of Oceanside tasting room.
2. Ponte (Temecula): Sit-down restaurant, hotel, separate wine club tasting room and patio. Music once a month for wine club. 20% discount on wine club purchases, 16 bottles/year, substitute wine club menu, two free tastings per visit. Link to review December 2017.
3. Robert Renzoni (Temecula): Counter order restaurant, music on weekends. Wine club 25% discount, two bottles every other month, 8 free tastings per month. Link to review January 2018.
4. Principe di Tricase (Ramona): Catered food (pizza et al.), wine tasting outside or in cask room. Wine club 3 levels -- 10%, 15% and 20% discounts for 1, 2, or 3 bottles per month, respectively. Two free tastings per month w/wine pickup. Link to review February 2018; reviewed again October 2018, this time with pictures; update on facility improvements August 2023.
5. Avensole (Temecula): Restaurant separated from wine tasting room. Wine club 3 levels, based on price of wines. Free tastings depend on club level. Link to review February 2018. Priority Wine Pass 2 for 1 tour and taste Tuesdays, 2 for 1 hosted tasting on Sunday fun.
6. Baily (Temecula): Sit-down restaurant attached to tasting room. Music in restaurant on weekends. Wine club 20% discount, one bottle per month, 2 free tastings per visit. Link to review February 2018.
7. Lorimar (Temecula): Counter order restaurant, music on weekends. Wine club 25% discount, three bottles per quarter on three levels, 2 free tastings per visit. Link to review February 2018. Priority Wine Pass 2 for 1 tasting.
8. Altipiano (Escondido): No food served, but live music. Wine club 20% discount, three bottles per quarter. Link to review February 2018. Link to revisit March 2022.
9. Espinosa (Escondido): No food served, no music, no wine club. Tasting fee applied to wine purchase day of visit. Link to review February 2018.
10. Leoness Cellars (Temecula): Great restaurant. No music in general. Fixed price wine club, with some 12 variations. Link to review March 2018.
11. Salerno (Rashelica) Winery (Ramona): Food, music, and sculptures! Two level wine club -- two bottles per month or quarter. Link to review March 2018. NOTE: For all intents and purposes, Rashelica is no longer a winery. Sign has changed from Wine and Art to just Art.
12. Oak Mountain Winery (Temecula): The Cave. Table service restaurant. Four level wine club. Link to reviewMarch 2018. Priority Wine Pass 2 for 1 tasting and 10% discount on wine purchases.
13. Cougar Vineyard and Winery (Temecula): Delicatessen, music on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Wine club 25% discount (4 bottles/quarter); 30% discount (6 bottles/quarter) w/free shipping, free tastings for four per visit. Unique Italian wines. Link to review April 2018. Priority Wine Pass 20% off 90 min. tour, tasting and food pairing with reservation.
14. Chuparosa Vineyards (Romona): Boutique winery offering narrow line of estate bottled wines. No restaurant, music, or wine club, but great sour dough bread and olive oil gratis. Link to review April 2018.
15. La Finquita Winery & Vineyard (Romona): Boutique winery offering narrow line of estate bottled wines. No restaurant or music. Wine club 20% discount, 2 bottles/quarter, free tasting on pick-up. Wine slushes and Sangrias. Link to review May 2018.
16. Mahogany Mountain Vineyard and Winery (Ramona): Boutique winery offering narrow line of estate bottled wines. No restaurant or music. Wine club 20% discount, 3 bottles twice a year, free tasting every visit. Link to review June 2018.
17. Edwards Vineyard & Cellars (Ramona): Boutique winery offering red wines and one rose. Patio for tasting only, no food, music, or air conditioning. No wine club – but they waive tasting fee if you buy a bottle of their wine. Link to review July 2018.
18. Poppaea Vineyard & Winery (Ramona): Boutique winery specializing in Italian red wines. No restaurant or music. Actually keep red wines cool for tasting! No wine club, but they waive tasting fee if you buy a bottle of their wine. Link to review August 2018.
19. Mount Palomar Winery (Temecula): Large winery started in 1969 specializing in red wines. Restaurant and music on weekends. Two wine clubs -- 12 and 24 bottles per year, 20 and 25% discounts, complementary wine tasting for two or four twice a month. Link to review September 2018.
20. Vindemia Vinyard and Winery (Temecula): Boutique winery specializing in red wines. No restaurant or music. Actually keep red wines cool for tasting! Wine club 15 or 20 bottles per year (five shipments), 20% discount. They are also in the hot air balloon ride business. Link to review October 2018
21. Bottaia (Temecula): Specializing in Italian varietals. Restaurant and pool. Wine club 4 bottles to join, 16 bottles per year (four shipments), 20% discount on wines, complementary wine tasting for four every month. Link to review October 2018.
22. Hart Winery (Temecula): Boutique winery. No food. Wine club 12 bottles per year (3 per quarter), 20% discount on wine and merchandise, four free tastings per visit. Link to review December 2018. Priority Wine Pass 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases. NOTE: Hart has been purchased by Halter Ranch Winery, and is now known as Halter Ranch Temecula.
23. Kohill Winery has permanently closed (Ramona)
24. Fazeli Cellars (Temecula): Large winery with Persian emphasis, begun in 2006. Persian food, entertainment on weekends. Wine clubs 12 bottles per year (2 every other month), 20% discount on wine, 10% on restaurant and merchandise, 8 or 12 free tastings per month (depends on wine club level). Link to review January 2019. Priority Wine Pass 2 for 1 tasting.
25. Carter Estate Winery & Resort (Temecula): Large new winery with hotel, restaurant, and pool. All estate wines. Wine club six mixed bottles every six months, 15% discount on wine, other discounts, 4 free tastings every six months. Link to review January 2019.
26. Casi Cielo has permanently closed.
27. Longshadow Ranch (Temecula): Ranch setting including horses. No restaurant, but music on weekends. Twelve bottle/year wine club (18 for whites only) with 15% discount. Special wine club where you pay $19.99 per month and get free wine tasting (no wine purchases). Link to review February 2019. Priority Wine Pass 2 for 1 tasting.
28. Turtle Rock Ridge (Ramona): Boutique winery in beautiful setting. Some food (cheese and salami). 20% wine club discount and special balcony for wine club members only. Link to review February 2019.
29. Shadow Mountain Vineyards & Winery (Warner Springs): One of the larger boutique wineries in San Diego County offering only Estate wines and cottages for rental. Wine club is 3 bottles of customer choice per quarter, 20% discount on wine and cottage rental. Link to review March 2019.
30. Hawk Watch Winery (Warner Springs): Boutique winery with hilltop setting. Wine club 3 bottles per quarter, 25% discount, 15% discount on food, other items for sale in tasting room. Link to review March 2019.
31. Frangipani Estate Winery (Temecula): Modest-sized estate winery, no food, hotel, or pool. Wine club 3 or 4 bottles per quarter, 15% or 20% discount. Link to review March 2019.
32. Vitagliano Vineyard & Winery (Temecula): New, beautiful winery, sans food, hotel or pool. Wine club 3 bottles per quarter, 20% discount. Link to review April 2019.
33. Cordiano Winery (Escondido): Excellent restaurant with winery. Wine club three bottles quarterly, substitutions allowed., 20% discount on wine and food. Link to review May 2019.
34. Vineyard Grant James (Ramona): One of the best wineries in the country per Travel & Leisure Magazine, and voted Favorite Local Winery by San Diego Union-Tribune readers for 2020. Boutique, catered food to come, entertainment on weekends. Wine club three or more bottles quarterly, 20% discount. Link to review May 2019. Priority Wine Pass 2 for 1 tasting and 10% off wine purchases.
35. Hatfield Creek Vineyard & Winery (Ramona): Very small boutique winery. Limited wine selection. Wine club 2-3 bottles/4 months, 10% discount. Link to review June 2019. Priority Wine Pass $5 off tasting.
36. Chapin Family Vineyards (Temecula): Relatively small (for Temecula) winery with interesting mix of French and Italian varietals. Wine club 3 bottles per quarter, at least two red, one substitution allowed, 20% discount on wine. Link to review July 2019. Link to second review August 2021.
37. Europa Village (Temecula): Moderate-sized winery with construction started on dividing operation into three wineries, adding villas to go with their inn. Three wine club levels: 12, 18 and 24 bottles per year. 20% discount for lowest level, 25% for other two. All levels include 20% discount on rooms. Link to review August 2019.
38. Koi Zen Cellars (San Diego): Small urban winery using grapes purchased from California vineyards. Wine club 2 bottles every other month, 10% discount. Link to review November 2019.
39. Correcaminos Vineyards (Ramona): Boutique winery near downtown Ramona. Wine club 2-4 bottles per quarter, 20% discount. Link to review December 2019. Revisited July 2024.
40. Speckle Rock Vineyards (Escondido): Small winery located on Highland Valley Road. Some food available. Wine club 6 bottles every four months, 10% discount. Link to review January 2020.
41. Forgotten Barrel Winery (Escondido): Urban winery located in the heart of Escondido in a residential neighborhood. Snack available. Wine club 3 bottles quarterly -- at a 25% discount. Link to review February 2020. Link to Legacy Tawny March 2022.
42. Sierra Roble Winery and Vineyards (Warner Springs): Located in northeastern San Diego County, focus on Bordeaux varietals. Wine club flexible 3-4 offerings per year of 2-3 bottles, 20% discount. Link to review February 2020.
43. Gershon Bachus Vintners (Temecula): A boutique winery on de Portola specializing in red wines that age well. Wine club 4 bottles three times a year at 20% discount. Link to review September 2020.
44. Miramonte Winery (Temecula): Wine club oriented boutique winery off of Rancho California with restaurant. Several wine club options ranging from 12 to 36 bottles per year at 20-25% discounts. Link to review October 2020.
45. Three Hills Winery (Ramona): Boutique winery in Ramona. No restaurant -- snacks for sale. Wine club 3 bottles per quarter, 20% discount. Link to review October 2020.
46. Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery (Ramona): Boutique winery in Ramona. No restaurant. Music on Sundays from 3 to 5. Wine club 2 or 4 bottles per quarter, 20% discount. Link to review March 2021. Link to second review September 2023.
47. South Coast Winery Resort & Spa. (Temecula): Parent to Carter Estate, large operation with hotel and restaurant. Wine Club three bottles per quarter, no substitutions, 25% discount. Link to review April 2021.
48. Castelli Family Vineyards. (Ramona): Boutique winery in Ramona, in gated community (need to call ahead for reservations). Catered pizza, et al. Wine club entrance fee of $100, 3 bottles per quarter at 20% discount. Link to review September 2021.
49. Mermaid Valley Vineyard. (Ramona): Larger boutique winery in Ramona. No food or wine club. Link to review September 2021.
50. Domaine Artifact. (Escondido): Large winery in the Highland Hills area of Escondido. Charcuterie board with restaurant 2-3 years away. Wine club 6 bottles every six months. Link to review December 2021.
51. Old Survey Vineyards. (Escondido): Very small winery in the San Pascual Valley area of San Diego County. They are planning to add food (formally). Wine club 4 bottles in May and 4 in November. Link to reveiw April 2022.
52. Bastian's Vineyards. (Escondido): Small boutique winery in the Highland Hills area of Escondido. No food or wine club. Link to review May 2022.
53. Monserate Vineyards & Winery (Fallbrook): One of the largest wineries in San Diego County, opened in October of last year specializing in Italian varietals. Great food. Wine club two levels, quarterly three bottles or semi-annually a case. Link to review July 2022. Link to new facility September 2024.
54. Rancho San Martin Winery. (Ramona): Very small boutique winery, opened April 2021, with a limited line of wines. Wine club three bottles quaterly. Link to review September 2022.
55. Altisima Winery. (Temercula): Spanish-themed winery that opened during COVID. Good food, Sangria, very nice facility. Three wine clubs: one for locals that includes free tasting, one for those living outside our area that includes flat $10 shipping fee. 3 bottles/qtr., 20% discount. Third unique one runs $500 per quarter to be put toward wine and other purchases. Link to review May 2023.
56. Sky Valley Cellars. (Ramona): Very small winery located between Highland Hills area of Escondido and Highland Valley region of Ramona. Small variety of wines offered as well as snack food. No wine club. Link to review July 2023.
57. Masia de la Vinya. (Temecula): Spanish-style winery located on de Portola. No food service. Wine club 2 bottles every other month, 20-25% discount. Link to review October 2023.
58. Julie's Dream Winery. (Temecula): New, small winery located on side road off Rancho California. Just wine now, but other facilities are in construction, including new tasting room. Wine club two bottles every other month, 20% discount. Link to review February 2024.
59. Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery. (Escondido): Overlooking San Pascual Valley, wines sometimes found in local restaurants. Charcuterie type food available. Wine club 12 bottles per year, 20% discount. Link to review June 2024.
In addition to the above, the tale of wine tasting in Italy and New York State are in September 2018 blogs, Napa adventures in a November 2018 blog. Not listed above is Woodworth, reviewed April 2019, as the owners have sold their vineyard, and Fallbrook Winery, which is by reservation only.
Oh, and if you are interested in that $20 discount on the Priority Wine Pass, click on the button below and remember to use the code scwr.
In reviewing the tables below remember that wine price does not necessarily reflect the quality of the wine, or how well you will like it. Low means that you can get a good red wine for $30 or less, moderate is more in the $30 to $40 range, and high means most of their good red wines are priced above $40 per bottle.
As you scan through this website, you are probably asking yourself a simple question: how much should I expect to pay for a good bottle of wine? OK, you may not be asking that question, but you should be, because the price of a bottle of wine can vary from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars. You read that right, a few thousand dollars! So, what to do, what to do?
The first thing to realize is that there is really very little correlation between the price and the quality of the wine. I have been to wineries that sell their wine at very high prices that make very good wine, and those that make very bad wine. Indeed, there is one winery in Temecula that sells a wine for $115/bottle that is absolutely undrinkable. Another Temecula winery, simply put, does not have a single wine that I would buy at any price, yet charges more than most of the other local wineries. (I should add that I will not write reviews of either of these wineries. I only review wineries that I think my readers would like to visit…)
The second thing is to consider the type of wine. White wines require less aging than red wines, and for the most part are not aged in expensive oak barrels that need to be replaced often. Hence, white wines are less expensive than red wines.
The third thing is “what the traffic will bear”, i.e., the price of the wine depends on the location of the winery and the popularity of the varietal. For example, among the red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon is very, very popular so wineries can sell it at higher prices than less well-known varietals. Napa is known as one of the top wine-producing regions of the world, so wines from Napa carry premium price tags. Hence, you are looking at $100/bottle for a good Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
Then there is the “snob” appeal. People are willing to pay a lot for a bottle of wine just to show off to their friends. A first corollary to this is the “bargain” wine, i.e., wines that have a very high retail price but can be obtained for much lower prices, leaving the buyer with the feeling that he has gotten a great deal when in fact he has probably overpaid. A second corollary to this is “peer pressure”. You go to a winery with a group and find yourself willing to pay more for a bottle of wine because everyone else is.
The fifth thing is the “reserve” or “library” wine issue. Red wines are aged in oak barrels, and no two oak barrels are alike. Hence, the quality of wine will vary from barrel to barrel. Winemakers will often take the best wines from the batch and bottle them as “reserve” or “library” wines, to be aged and sold at high prices at a later time. I have tasted many such wines, and not been impressed. In fact, I often find them not to be as good as the regular wines of the same varietal. Now this may be because the wines are really not reserve – they are leftovers, wines that did not sell well when first released. But there is another explanation for this phenomena, namely wine club buyers. Wine club members get first shot at new releases. If the wine when first released was pretty good, you can bet the wine club members will buy up all of the reserve version, leaving only the less desirable reserve wines for the general public.
The best way to avoid all of these pitfalls is to join one or more wine clubs. You get wines that you know you will like at a price that you like, usually 15 to 30% below retail. You also get free wine tasting, first shot at new releases (including the reserve wines), and in many cases admission to wine-club-only events. Of course, you can also put a limit on how much you’re willing to pay for a bottle of wine, then check on the various tasting menus and price lists on this website for wines within your price range. If you read my blogs, you’ll note that I often write about wines that I actually bought at the winery being reviewed, such as the 2014 Pinot Noir from Woodworth. If you check these out, you’ll find that I seldom pay more than $40 for a bottle of red wine.
The first thing to realize is that there is really very little correlation between the price and the quality of the wine. I have been to wineries that sell their wine at very high prices that make very good wine, and those that make very bad wine. Indeed, there is one winery in Temecula that sells a wine for $115/bottle that is absolutely undrinkable. Another Temecula winery, simply put, does not have a single wine that I would buy at any price, yet charges more than most of the other local wineries. (I should add that I will not write reviews of either of these wineries. I only review wineries that I think my readers would like to visit…)
The second thing is to consider the type of wine. White wines require less aging than red wines, and for the most part are not aged in expensive oak barrels that need to be replaced often. Hence, white wines are less expensive than red wines.
The third thing is “what the traffic will bear”, i.e., the price of the wine depends on the location of the winery and the popularity of the varietal. For example, among the red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon is very, very popular so wineries can sell it at higher prices than less well-known varietals. Napa is known as one of the top wine-producing regions of the world, so wines from Napa carry premium price tags. Hence, you are looking at $100/bottle for a good Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
Then there is the “snob” appeal. People are willing to pay a lot for a bottle of wine just to show off to their friends. A first corollary to this is the “bargain” wine, i.e., wines that have a very high retail price but can be obtained for much lower prices, leaving the buyer with the feeling that he has gotten a great deal when in fact he has probably overpaid. A second corollary to this is “peer pressure”. You go to a winery with a group and find yourself willing to pay more for a bottle of wine because everyone else is.
The fifth thing is the “reserve” or “library” wine issue. Red wines are aged in oak barrels, and no two oak barrels are alike. Hence, the quality of wine will vary from barrel to barrel. Winemakers will often take the best wines from the batch and bottle them as “reserve” or “library” wines, to be aged and sold at high prices at a later time. I have tasted many such wines, and not been impressed. In fact, I often find them not to be as good as the regular wines of the same varietal. Now this may be because the wines are really not reserve – they are leftovers, wines that did not sell well when first released. But there is another explanation for this phenomena, namely wine club buyers. Wine club members get first shot at new releases. If the wine when first released was pretty good, you can bet the wine club members will buy up all of the reserve version, leaving only the less desirable reserve wines for the general public.
The best way to avoid all of these pitfalls is to join one or more wine clubs. You get wines that you know you will like at a price that you like, usually 15 to 30% below retail. You also get free wine tasting, first shot at new releases (including the reserve wines), and in many cases admission to wine-club-only events. Of course, you can also put a limit on how much you’re willing to pay for a bottle of wine, then check on the various tasting menus and price lists on this website for wines within your price range. If you read my blogs, you’ll note that I often write about wines that I actually bought at the winery being reviewed, such as the 2014 Pinot Noir from Woodworth. If you check these out, you’ll find that I seldom pay more than $40 for a bottle of red wine.
Red varietals and where to find them. Names in bold purple have are a link to a blog about the wine.
- Pinot Noir -- Orfila, Espinosa, Carter, Cordiano, Europa, Hyland, Solena, Speckle Rock, Forgotten Barrel, South Coast, Castelli
- Merlot -- Orfila, Ponte, Avensole, Carter, Shadow Mountain, Frangipani, Chapin, Europa, Correcaminos, Sierra Roble, Gershon Bachus, Three Hills, Ramona Ranch, South Coast, Mermaid, Grant James
- Cabernet Sauvignon -- Ponte, Bailey, Altipiano, Rashelica, Kohill, Carter, Hawk Watch, Frangipani, Vitagliano, Chapin, Koi Zen, Correcaminos, Forgotten Barrel, Sierra Roble, Gershon Bachus, Miramonte, Three Hills, South Coast, Castelli, Turtle Rock, Edwards, Altisima, Masia, Chapin, Julie's Dream
- Zinfandel -- Espinosa, Ponte, Orfila, Vindemia, Mahogany Mountain, Leoness, Chuparosa, Mount Palomar, Hart, Shadow Mountain, Hawk Watch, Vitagliano, Grant James, Chapin, Gershon Bachus, Three Hills, South Coast, Mermaid, Altipiano, Turtle Rock, Monserate, Hatfield Creek, Poppaea, Altisima, Julie's Dream
- Cabernet Franc -- Chuparosa, Fazeli, Longshadow, Hawk Watch, Frangipani, Cordiano, Koi Zen, Sierra Roble, South Coast, Castelli, Turtle Rock, Ranch San Martin, Chapon, Julie's Dream
- Sangiovese -- Robert Renzoni, Chuparosa, Ponte, La Finquita, Mount Palomar, Carter, Longshadow, Shadow Mountain, Hawk Watch, Frangipani, Cordiano, Grant James, Fallbrook, Europa, Speckle Rock, Forgotten Barrel, Gershon Bachus, Cougar, Ramona Ranch, South Coast, Castelli, Altipiano, Turtle Rock, Monserate, Rancho San Martin, Hatfield Creek, Sky Valley
- Montepulciano -- Ponte, Orfila, Robert Renzoni, Bottaia, Chapin, Fallbrook, Europa, Cougar, Monserate, Poppaea, Ramona Ranch
- Malbec -- Chuparosa, Carter, Shadow Mountain, Correcaminos, Sierra Roble, Grant James, Masia, Julie's Dream
- Lagrein -- Orfila, Robert Renzoni
- Syrah -- Orfila, Leoness, Edwards, Altipiano, Carter, Longshadow, Shadow Mountain, Hawk Watch, Frangipani, Vitagliano, Chapin, Europa, Koi Zen, Forgotten Barrel, Gershon Bachus, Miramonte, Three Hills, South Coast, Castelli, Mermaid, Domaine, Sky Valley, Grant James, Hatfield Creek, Julie's Dream, Hungry Hawk
- Petite Sirah -- Edwards, Orfila, Ponte, Hart, Fazeli, Frangipani, Chapin, Koi Zen, South Coast, Castelli, Mermaid, Domaine, Altipiano, Monserate, Hatfield Creek, Sky Valley, Julie's Dream, Hungry Hawk
- Grenache -- Europa, South Coast, Mermaid, Domaine, Monserate, Altisima, Masia
- Aglianico -- Principe di Tricase, La Finquita, Bottaia, Chapin, Fallbrook, Cougar, Ramona Ranch, Monserate, Bottaia, Domaine, Europa
- Aleatico -- Principe di Tricase, Europa
- Nebbiolo -- Principe di Tricase, Shadow Mountain, Grant James, Cougar, Poppaea, Europa
- Barbera -- Ponte, Altipiano, Wiens, Principe di Tricase, Hart, Kohill, Fallbrook, Correcaminos, Forgotten Barrel, Cougar, Monserate, Bottaia
- Tempranillo -- Ponte, Espinosa, Hart, Longshadow, Shadow Mountain, Cordiano, Europa, Speckle Rock, Miramonte, South Coast, Grant James, Castelli, Rancho San Martin, Altisima, Masia, Hungry Hawk
- Mourvedre -- Lorimar, Wiens, Oak Mountain, Hart, Vitagliano, Europa, Koi Zen, Forgotten Barrel, Grant James, Domaine, Masia
- Pinotage -- Oak Mountain
- Dolcetto -- Ponte, Wiens, Mount Palomar, Bottaia
- Negroamaro -- Cougar, Grant James, Monserate
- Lambrusca di Alessandria -- Cougar
- Petit Verdot -- La Finquita, Longshadow, Fallbrook, Sierra Roble, Castelli
- Sagrantino -- Poppaea, Principe di Tricase, Cougar, Monserate
- Nero D'Avola -- Bottaia, Turtle Rock, Altipiano
- Refosco -- Kohill
- Cinsault -- Fazeli, Longshadow, Forgotten Barrel, Europa
- Tannat -- Forgotten Barrel, Ramona Ranch, Grant James, Europa, Chapin
- Carignan -- Orfila, Domaine
- Carmenere -- Speckle Rock, Grant James, Hungry Hawk
- Touriga Nacional -- Miramonte, South Coast
- Teroldego -- Cougar, Grant James
- Alicante Bouchet -- Grant James, Europa
- Negrette -- Mermaid
- Graciano -- Europa
White varietals and where to find them:
- Viognier -- Orfila, Espinosa, Robert Renzoni, Lorimar, Mount Palomar, Hawk Watch, Grant James, Chapin, Europa, Koi Zen, Correcaminos, Forgotten Barrel, Ramona Ranch, Castelli, Mermaid, Domaine, Altisima, Julie's Dream, Hungry Hawk
- Chardonnay -- Orfila, Robert Renzoni, Baily, Leoness, Wiens, La Finquita, Vitagliano, Cordiano, Grant James, Chapin, Europa, Hyland, Koi Zen, Forgotten Barrel, Principe di Tricase, Castelli, Altisima, Masia, Julie's Dream, Hungry Hawk
- Pinot Blanc -- Orfila
- Vermentino -- Ponte, Robert Renzoni, Cougar, Europa, Monserate, Bottaia
- Pinot Grigio -- Ponte, Wiens, Cougar, Bottaia, Cordiano, Chapin, Principe di Tricase, Miramonte, Three Hills, South Coast, Altisima
- Arneis -- Ponte, Cougar, Bottaia, Europa, Altipiano
- Torrontes -- Ponte
- Prosecco -- Robert Renzoni
- Gewurztraminer -- Orfila, Avensole, Europa, South Coast
- Reisling -- Avensole, Baily, Mount Palomar, Vitagliano, Koi Zen, Miramonte, Julie's Dream
- Semillon -- Baily, Chuparosa
- Sauvignon Blanc -- Baily, Espinosa, Mahogany Mountain, Hawk Watch, Frangipani, Cordiano, Chapin, Europa, Speckle Rock, Sierra Roble, Principe di Tricase, Ramona Ranch, Mermaid, Altisima, Julie's Dream, Hungry Hawk
- Pinot Gris -- Altipiano, Masia
- Albarino -- Chuparosa, Europa, Grant James, Miramonte, Ramona Ranch, Masia, Hungry Hawk
- Cortese -- Mount Palomar
- Fiano-- Bottaia, Grant James, Principe di Tricase, Monserate
- Verdicchio-- Bottaia
- Rousanne -- Hart, Domaine
- Chenin Blanc -- Europa, Chuparosa
- Verdelho -- Europa, Miramonte, Masia
- Marsanne -- Grant James, Forgotten Barrel, Domaine
- Symphony -- Correcaminos
- Picpoul Blanc -- Three Hills
- Greco di Tufo -- Cougar, Monserate (orange version)
- Coda di Volpe -- Cougar
- Falanghina -- Cougar, Monserate
- Malvasia -- Principe di Tricase, Monserate
- Grenache Gris -- Chuparosa
Reviewed Oregon wineries
Just in case you happen to find yourself in Oregon...
1. Hyland (Willamette): One of the oldest and largest in the area, specializing in various Pinot Noir clones. No restaurant. Wine club from 2 to 6 bottles per quarter with substitutions allowed. Link to review October 2019.
2. Solena Vineyards (Willamette): Large winery with same owners as Hyland, specializing in Pinot Noir. No restaurant. Wine club either 3 or 6 bottles per quarter, with free tasting at both Solena and Hyland. Link to review December 2019.
3. Winderlea Vineyards and Winery (Willamette): Small winery specializing in Pinot Noir. No restaurant. Wine club ranges from 18 to 36 bottles per year. Link to review January 2020.
4. Archer Vineyard (Newberg): Small winery specializing in Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. No restaurant. Two wine clubs -- 12 bottles/year with 15% discount and 24 bottles/year with 20% discount. Link to review May 2021.
5. Vidon Vineyard (Newberg): Small winery specializing in Pinot Noir clones. No restaurant or wine club. Link to review May 2021.
Just in case you happen to find yourself in Oregon...
1. Hyland (Willamette): One of the oldest and largest in the area, specializing in various Pinot Noir clones. No restaurant. Wine club from 2 to 6 bottles per quarter with substitutions allowed. Link to review October 2019.
2. Solena Vineyards (Willamette): Large winery with same owners as Hyland, specializing in Pinot Noir. No restaurant. Wine club either 3 or 6 bottles per quarter, with free tasting at both Solena and Hyland. Link to review December 2019.
3. Winderlea Vineyards and Winery (Willamette): Small winery specializing in Pinot Noir. No restaurant. Wine club ranges from 18 to 36 bottles per year. Link to review January 2020.
4. Archer Vineyard (Newberg): Small winery specializing in Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. No restaurant. Two wine clubs -- 12 bottles/year with 15% discount and 24 bottles/year with 20% discount. Link to review May 2021.
5. Vidon Vineyard (Newberg): Small winery specializing in Pinot Noir clones. No restaurant or wine club. Link to review May 2021.
Reviewed Central Coast wineries
Just in case you happen to find yourself in California's Central Coast area...
1. Melville (Lompoc): Very nice estate winery specializing in clones of both Pinot Noir and Syrah, with wines rated up to 97 by Wine Enthusiast. No restaurant. Wine club three batches per year of 3, 6, or 12 bottles. Link to review March 2020.
2. Babcock (Lompoc): Absolutely incredible facility -- giant barn for wine tasting with lots and lots of memorabilia and other neat junk, plenty of comfortable seating areas inside. No restaurant. Wine clubs 3, 6, 12 bottles three times per year. Link to review March 2020.
3. Seven Oxen (Paso Robles): Very nice winery located in commercial park; vineyards elsewhere in Paso Robles. Great cheese pairing, and food available from distillery next door. Wine club 12 and 24 bottles/year in two shipments. Link to review March 2020.
4. Cambria (Santa Maria): Very large winery specializing in Burgundy varietals Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. No restaurant. Wine club 12, 18, or 36 bottles per year in three shipments. Link to review April 2020. Revisited November 2023. Priority Wine Pass $10 off tasting plus "surprise and delight" bonus tasting.
5. Beckmen Vineyards (Los Olivos): Older, highly rated winery with a significant claim to fame: their wine has been served at the White House. No restaurant. Wine club 20% discount, 12 and 24 bottle per year levels (quarterly shipments), with limited free tasting. Link to review February 2022. Revisited November 2023.
6. Stillwaters Vineyards (Paso Robles): Another older, highly rated winery. No restaurant. Wine club on three levels: 4, 6, and 12 bottles three times a year, with 20% discount the lowest two levels and 30% for the highest. Link to review February 2022.
7. Riverbench Vineyard and Winery (Santa Maria): Boutique winery specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. No restaurant, but picnic baskets available. Wine club 3, 6 or 12 bottles three times a year, at fixed prices. Second wine tasting room in Santa Barbara. Link to review December 2023.
Just in case you happen to find yourself in California's Central Coast area...
1. Melville (Lompoc): Very nice estate winery specializing in clones of both Pinot Noir and Syrah, with wines rated up to 97 by Wine Enthusiast. No restaurant. Wine club three batches per year of 3, 6, or 12 bottles. Link to review March 2020.
2. Babcock (Lompoc): Absolutely incredible facility -- giant barn for wine tasting with lots and lots of memorabilia and other neat junk, plenty of comfortable seating areas inside. No restaurant. Wine clubs 3, 6, 12 bottles three times per year. Link to review March 2020.
3. Seven Oxen (Paso Robles): Very nice winery located in commercial park; vineyards elsewhere in Paso Robles. Great cheese pairing, and food available from distillery next door. Wine club 12 and 24 bottles/year in two shipments. Link to review March 2020.
4. Cambria (Santa Maria): Very large winery specializing in Burgundy varietals Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. No restaurant. Wine club 12, 18, or 36 bottles per year in three shipments. Link to review April 2020. Revisited November 2023. Priority Wine Pass $10 off tasting plus "surprise and delight" bonus tasting.
5. Beckmen Vineyards (Los Olivos): Older, highly rated winery with a significant claim to fame: their wine has been served at the White House. No restaurant. Wine club 20% discount, 12 and 24 bottle per year levels (quarterly shipments), with limited free tasting. Link to review February 2022. Revisited November 2023.
6. Stillwaters Vineyards (Paso Robles): Another older, highly rated winery. No restaurant. Wine club on three levels: 4, 6, and 12 bottles three times a year, with 20% discount the lowest two levels and 30% for the highest. Link to review February 2022.
7. Riverbench Vineyard and Winery (Santa Maria): Boutique winery specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. No restaurant, but picnic baskets available. Wine club 3, 6 or 12 bottles three times a year, at fixed prices. Second wine tasting room in Santa Barbara. Link to review December 2023.