When the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute awarded Van Ruiten Family Winery the Best Label in the World award in 2011, it was yet another affirmation of the family motto, "Make the best, and forget the rest." The motto has been practiced daily by family patriarch, John Van Ruiten Sr., who emigrated from Holland in the early 1950s and planted his vineyard in Lodi, California. His children grew up working in the fields and now three generations of the family work together to run the business, which started making its own wine in 2000.

"This is the American dream," John Sr. says. Adding that winemaker Ryan K. Leeman believes in perseverance and hard work—and since he joined Van Ruiten Family Winery in 2003, has become an extended part of the family. "He’s a perfectionist at making wine," John Sr. says.

At the uppermost part of the Napa Valley, where the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountain ranges meet, Bennett Lane Winery consistently crafts vintage after vintage of superb Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s hard to believe that the Calistoga, California winery was founded by Lisa and Randy Lynch nine years ago, since the name Bennett Lane is already found in the top-tier level of Napa Valley Cabernets.

In just seven vintages, 34 Bennett Lane wines have earned scores of 90 points or more from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and The Wine Advocate. One current release, the 2008 Bennett Lane Maximus Red Feasting Wine, was awarded 94 points by Wine Enthusiast who described it as "very good, a dry, full-bodied red that will be versatile at the table."This vintage also received Best of Class at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

When Gary Eberle founded Eberle Winery 34 years ago with the premiere of his 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon, he introduced the world to more than a distinctive label; he introduced it to Paso Robles, California.

Today, Eberle Winery has reached a case production of 30,000. The Eberle name, which means "wild boar" in German, has earned a reputation as one of the highest award-winning wineries in the United States. In 2011, Eberle was named Winery of the Year by the International Sommelier Challenge. In 2012, Eberle ranked high with the Wine Spectator, earning 93 points for its 2010 Steinbeck Vineyard Syrah. Nearly four decades of wine awards are on display in the Eberle tasting room. Once visitors taste the wines, they understand why Eberle has been called the "Godfather of the Paso Robles wine appellation."

The high wheel bicycle is a fitting symbol for Dutcher Crossing Winery, not because its proprietor, Debra Mathy, is an avid cyclist, but because to ride it one must possess imagination, determination, and a good deal of skill.

For many years, Debra had dreamed of owning a winery. With the guidance of her father, a successful Wisconsin businessman, she spent years searching the world for the right one. He helped her narrow her search to St. Helena and Healdsburg, California, but then he passed away. Just a few months later, in early 2007, Debra had the opportunity to buy Dutcher Crossing Winery. Needless to say, the experience was bittersweet. She decided that her vintage high wheel bicycle, the last Christmas gift her father gave her, would serve as an icon for Dutcher Crossing Winery.

Rich, vibrant flavors with supple, silky texture aptly describe the wines of Franciscan, a winery whose roots are deeply embedded in the soil of the Napa Valley’s Oakville District. In fact, Franciscan, located in St. Helena, California, has been welcoming visitors for nearly 40 years. Franciscan's friendly and knowledgeable team of wine educators has earned a fine reputation for offering unique seminars and interactive explorations designed to expand the palate and mind—and most importantly, give visitors a fun, interactive Napa Valley tasting experience. The Franciscan tasting room’s daily calendar is full of more wine tasting experiences than one can RSVP for.

The country roads of western Paso Robles, California are winding, but one never has trouble finding HammerSky Vineyards. In fact, it’s nearly impossible not to stop at HammerSky's singular property. HammerSky is distinguished by a strikingly beautiful century-old farmhouse, which sits regally alongside the entrance driveway. The majestic building is the first indication to visitors that they’ve found a special spot. Beyond the gates lie several more: a panorama of rolling Paso Robles vineyards, a New England-style barn, and an ultra-modern tasting room where intriguing HammerSky Vineyards' wine awaits.

Fifth generation grape growers Lori and Steve Felten are often asked why they gave their winery in Lodi, California the unusual name of Klinker Brick. Heavier than regular bricks, klinker bricks are found in many historical Craftsman-style buildings in the Lodi area, including Steve and Lori’s home. Their deep, rich color and massive density remind the Feltens of the qualities found in their Old Vine Zinfandel.

The Feltens’ vineyards are primarily Old Vine Zin, managed in 15 individual vineyard blocks of vines ranging from 40 to 117 years old.

Inspired to build an authentic Medieval castle to honor his Italian heritage and showcase his exceptional wines, Dario Sattui studied architecture for 30 years before he created Castello di Amorosa. The 121,000-square-foot fortress took 14 years to build, stone by stone in Calistoga, California.

The Castello has 107 rooms, 95 of which are used for winemaking and wine storage. It stands four stories high, with an equal number of levels underground.

With a little patience and persistence, Brian Cunat, who hails from McHenry, Illinois, realized a dream when he, his wife Miki, and daughters Neena and Amie, founded Materra, Cunat Family Vineyards, in St. Helena, California, in 2007.

Materra, a 50-acre property in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley, was named to honor the conviction Brian shares with his winemakers, Bruce Regalia and Michael Trujillo. Roughly translated from Latin, Materra means Mother Earth, which epitomizes their view on great wines: honor and nurture the land to embrace and develop Mother Earth’s natural products and yield the highest quality grapes.

Inspired by the author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States Thomas Jefferson, who once said, "Good wine is a necessity of life for me," Jay Corley founded Monticello Vineyards. Jay, who shares Mr. Jefferson’s love for wine and viticulture, as well as his ancestral roots in Virginia, chose the name Monticello to honor him.

Visitors to Monticello Vineyards are invited to taste the outstanding wines in a cozy tasting room. However, the most noteworthy edifice on the property might be the one designated for private tastings and dinners.

Surrounded by rolling hills and streams in the heart of Amador County’s picturesque Shenandoah Valley, Renwood Winery is experiencing an exciting resurgence. The winery, which was founded in 1993, has always been lauded for its excellent wines. Now under new Argentinean ownership, Dave Crippen, who has been Renwood’s winemaker since 2003, couldn’t be happier. "I have been making wine for 30 years this harvest and have never felt as optimistic and enthusiastic as I do today," Dave says.

As a tribute to the distinctive grapes of the Alexander and Russian River Valleys, the Trione family founded Trione Vineyards & Winery and started making wines of its own. Brothers Mark and Victor Trione have farmed and managed some of Sonoma County’s finest premium wine vineyards for more than 35 years. When the family decided to start its own portfolio in Geyserville, California, Mark’s daughter Denise stepped up to help. The first vintage was released to rave reviews and a flurry of medals followed.

Just above the Napa Valley, along Highway 29 in the city of Lower Lake, California, a beautiful gem waits to be discovered. Thorn Hill Vineyards’ newest tasting room is perhaps one of Lake County’s loveliest. The beautiful Mediterranean-style building is adorned with fountains, travertine patios, stained glass, stone fireplaces, ponds and gardens. It’s a must-visit, not only for the property, but for the wines.

Silvan Ridge Winery is like a slice of Alsace, France, but it's just 12 miles from downtown Eugene, Oregon. Bordered on one side by alpine forest and commanding views of grape vines and rolling hills on the other, it’s no wonder so many couples choose to say "I do" at Silvan Ridge.

The patio and expansive manicured grounds are a perfect spot for a picnic, complete with fresh fruit from one of the farm stands passed along the way—a magical drive that winds through the iconic Coyote Creek Covered Bridge, pastures, and miles of vineyards.

When longtime friends Christopher Medlock James and Ames Morison decided to take on the challenge of growing and making wine, they searched for—and found—a very special 320 acres of land on Bell Mountain in Alexander Valley. The year was 1998, and today’s sustainable and organic farming movement was in its infancy. But Chris and Ames shared a conviction about the kind of wines they were going to produce and they founded Medlock Ames in Healdsburg, California upon some strong principles: practicing environmental sustainability and growing premier quality winegrapes.

Situated at the gateway to Central California Coast wine country, amidst the strawberry fields and farm rows of Oxnard, Herzog Wine Cellars has a winemaking legacy that stretches back nine generations. For the first six generations, the Herzog family produced award-winning quality wines in their native Czechoslovakia. When the family moved to the United States in 1948, they brought with them their craft.

Today, the winery makes wine under two separate labels: Baron Herzog and Herzog Wine Cellars, with Joe Hurliman as winemaker for both brands.

Steve Ledson, fifth generation farmer, winemaker, and owner of Ledson Winery & Vineyards in Kenwood, California and Ledson Hotel & Centre du Vin in Sonoma, California, has an uncanny knack for realizing his visions. When he was 13, his first soapbox derby car won the prize for its construction. He grew up and founded Ledson Construction in the heart of Sonoma Valley wine country. He pursued a successful career, but with wine growing in his blood, it’s no surprise that Steve wanted to plant his own vineyard. He purchased a 21-acre property, planted 17 acres of Merlot, and started building a house for his family.

To fully appreciate the wines of Edna Valley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo, California, one must have an appreciation for the valley where they begin. Millions of years ago, this east-west oriented valley was part of what is now the pacific ocean. Bordered in three directions by mountains and hills (the Santa Lucia Mountains to the northeast, low rolling hills to the southeast, and the San Luis range to the southwest), and Los Osos Valley to the north, it forms an ideal pocket for grape growing. A gap exists in the perfect place—where Los Osos Valley meets the ocean in Morro Bay, providing a natural wide-mouth funnel of cool marine air.

At the end of a tree-lined road, Lava Cap Winery in Placerville, California greets guests with a simple charm all its own. The tasting room isn’t big, but has the necessities: a rustic wooden tasting bar, a cozy wood burning stove, and a wrap-around deck offering jaw-dropping views.

"Who knew when Lava Cap opened in 1986 how the winery would develop over the years?" smiles Beth Jones. But if anything, both newcomers and loyal fans are enchanted with the quaintness of the property. When they begin to sample the wines, they quickly become more enthused.

With an elegant French style that fits seamlessly into its lush surroundings, Inn at Churon Winery offers guests a regal experience in the Temecula Valley, California. This unique boutique inn sits atop 12 acres of estate vineyards affording spectacular views of Temecula Valley and the San Gabriel mountains. Lauded by the press (it has been written up in all the major Northern and Southern California papers), the inn offers 19 beautifully appointed guest rooms and five sumptuous suites. Each lovely, wainscoted room features an oversized marbled bathroom with a two-person Jacuzzi tub and separate shower, a fireplace, and a private patio or balcony. A full breakfast is served each morning and a private wine reception is held each evening.

In terms of terroir, the Willamette Valley in is often described as the United State’s answer to Burgundy, and Elk Cove Vineyards has developed a reputation for crafting a refined French-style libation. Although many regions of the U.S. produce stellar Pinot varietals, it’s the temperate climate of the Willamette Valley in Gaston, Oregon that mirrors the exact latitude of France’ s Burgundy region—eliciting Oregon’ s persistent Old World comparison.

With a Napa Valley winemaking history that dates back to 1948, the Trinchero family has gained an exceptional international reputation for producing fine small lot wines. Through the years, they have acquired a series of small vineyard sites in specific areas of the Napa Valley, targeted for their uniqueness. Trinchero Napa Valley in St. Helena, California now draws its grapes from seven distinctive vineyard sites in five of the valley’s designated appellations, and produces its wines in a new estate located just north of downtown St. Helena. The wines are showcased in a remodeled farmhouse, which dates back to the mid 1800s. It honors its founder, Mario Trinchero, who laid the foundation for what is now one of the nation’s most successful family businesses.

Founded in 1974, Chateau Grand Traverse is the oldest and largest commercial winery and vineyards in northern Michigan. It represents the vision of Edward O’Keefe Jr., who despite plenty of contrary advice, uprooted his family from Detroit and moved to the pristine Old Mission Peninsula to plant European vinifera vines. Today, Chateau Grand Traverse produces about 100,000 cases of wine each year, from its vineyards’ multiple sites covering more than 200 scenic acres.

At Six Sigma Ranch in Lower Lake, California, art is science—and perfecting the art of wine begins in the vineyards. Owner Kaj Ahlmann, a practiced mathematical statistician, applies the Six Sigma philosophy to the old-world art of winemaking in order to handcraft each bottle of wine to be as good as the next.

The management practice of Six Sigma focuses on the pursuit of perfection. However, one must not be fooled into thinking that quality is all about control.

The founder of WillaKenzie Estate knows that wine is all about terroir. Bernard Lacroute was born in a small village in Burgundy. After a successful career in high tech, he decided to return to his roots and start a winery in Yamhill, Oregon, which is—according to Bernard—the best place (after Burgundy) to grow Pinot Noir.

WillaKenzie Estate was named after the sedimentary soil on which most of the estate vineyards are planted. The second site, Jory Hills Vineyard, is also named after the soil, which is volcanic and imparts different characteristics to the wine.

The heart of Northern Virginia has always been known for horses and foxes, and now Three Fox Vineyards in Delaplane is helping to make it known for fine wine. The boutique winery, situated on 50 undulating acres, produces several award-winning estate wines from varieties native to or grown in Italy, like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Here, proprietors Holli and John Todhunter have combined their passion for life, wine, and Italy to bring a little bit of la dolce vita (the sweet life) to Virginia.

Dan Smith, founder of Sweet Cheeks Winery in Eugene, Oregon is often asked how the winery came by its intriguing name. He says it originated in 1978 as he sat on his front porch overlooking the vineyard that he and a colleague were preparing for planting. Dan noticed that the contour of the vineyard possessed a curious double swell. When his colleague asked what he planned to name the vineyard, Dan quipped, "Sweet Cheeks."

The name stuck and really took hold when Sweet Cheeks Vineyard began producing exceptional cool climate grapes. Located in the southern fringes of the Willamette Valley, the 65-acre estate vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling on prime sloping hillside overlooking the Briggs Hill Valley.

The story of Summit Lake Vineyards reads like a good novel: a young romance, epic global adventure, trials and tribulations, dreams coming true. But the real themes that course through the heart of this tale, aside from its literary draw, are firmly grounded in hard work, family, and dedication to traditional winemaking. Located in Napa’s very first sub-appellation, the Howell Mountain Appellation, Summit Lake Vineyards is perched 2,000 feet above the California valley floor. Compared with the typical heat of Napa’s valley floor, the cooler climate of this high elevation coupled with volcanic soil composition, results in ideal conditions for what Summit Lake is known for, outstanding estate grown Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.

It’s just a scenic ferry ride from downtown San Francisco to the quirky and beloved Rosenblum Cellars Visitor Center. For more than 30 years, Rosenblum Cellars has been one of California’s pioneering Zinfandel brands.

Originally founded by Kent Rosenblum, the winery in Alameda, California relies on long-term and very close relationships with small production, high quality growers all over Northern California. "We have more than 50 wines in production," notes Winemaker John Kane. "They include many different varietals, single vineyards, appellation designates, and reserve wines. I like to leave the growing to the experts and they let me focus on the winemaking."

With his belief that the Napa Valley could be the center of a gracious lifestyle embracing wine, food, and art, Robert Mondavi built the valley’s first major winery since Prohibition in 1966. Since then, Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, California has welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests.

Robert Mondavi Winery was one of the first to welcome visitors for tours, events, concerts, and tastings, and today its visitor programs are world-renowned. There is a wide array of interactive ways guests can learn more about Robert Mondavi wines. The Signature Tour and Tasting leads them along the path of the grape, from vineyard to cellar to bottle.

Rugged and teeming with natural California beauty, the Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards of the Hahn Estate deserve to be protected. That’s what Hahn Estate Founder Nicolaus (Nicky) Hahn recognized when he proposed the creation of the Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH) appellation three decades ago.

Today, Nicky’s family still owns and operates Hahn Family Wines and makes stewardship of the land their top priority. The winery was recently the first in the Northern Central Coast area to be certified green by the Monterey Bay Area Green Business program.

When Rob Folin graduated from Oregon State University in 2000, he first went to work for a major department store chain. He quickly realized that what he really wanted was to work outdoors and create something. The wine business seemed like a good fit, and Rob’s parents, Scott and Loraine Folin, who reside on a ranch in Gold Hill in Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley, had some hillside acreage that was not being used.

The new Cycles Gladiator Winery and Visitor Center is located in one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Lodi, California, a nod to the colorful history of both the region and the Cycles Gladiator story.

In Lodi, early settlers were planting the region’s first grapevines; while in Europe, the modern bicycle was considered a technological marvel and the new symbol of independence. Cycles Gladiator was the name of a popular French bicycle company and its beautiful advertising posters captured the feeling of freedom one discovered while cycling.

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. A key marriage and several hundred years later, Cava—the first méthode champenoise sparkling wine made outside of France—was created by Josep Raventós. The ripple effect of this groundbreaking claim to fame has been felt across continents since then, arriving in Napa, California at Artesa in the present day, still owned by the Raventós family.

With valley floor vineyards at an elevation of 1,800 feet, and even loftier vineyards (the highest resting on a 3,000-foot-high volcano ridge), Brassfield Estate Winery in Clearlake Oaks has some of the most unique vineyards in the state of California. The family-owned estate is located in a remote western section of Lake County’s stunning High Valley—so remote that sustainability is not a choice, it’s a necessity.

There is no municipal water supply to tap into, so the winery relies completely on water captured in wells and recycled water to grow and make its wines.

Three generations of family stand behind the wines of Cliff Creek Cellars. The family wine business started when the Garvin family bought a 100-year-old ranch in 1992 and broke ground seven years later for a vineyard in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. Today, Sam’s Valley Vineyard is planted to about 70 acres of grapes.

The vineyard, a composite of sandy Medford loam and volcanic ash, enjoys a great deal of sunshine and heat, and little rain. It provides a long growing season and a perfect incubator for Bordeaux and Rhône varieties.

Founded in 1973, the Chateau St. Jean winery has the distinction of producing the first Sonoma County wine (the Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon) to be chosen by Wine Spectator as its Wine of the Year. The estate has delivered a relaxed French flair to the foot of Sonoma Valley’s Sugarloaf Ridge, with a graciously staffed Visitor Center and elegant gardens designed to provide the utmost in tasting experiences. Guests are invited to shop at the delectably stocked charcuterie, picnic on the grounds—which include two fountains, a rose garden, and a large patio—stroll through the courtyard garden, visit the demonstration vineyard, and simply linger. It’s not surprising that the Kenwood, California estate was voted Best Wine Tasting Room by NorthBay Biz readers in 2009.

Tucked in an idyllic spot just outside of Boonville, California, Breggo Cellars presents a portfolio that must be tasted to be believed. The wines are made from premium Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay sourced from the finest vineyards across Anderson Valley. Winemaker Ryan Hodgins, who agreed to be part of the team to start the winery in 2005, couldn’t believe his good fortune.

With a Napa Valley winemaking history that dates back to 1948, the Trinchero family has gained an exceptional international reputation for producing fine small lot wines. Through the years, they have acquired a series of small vineyard sites in specific areas of the Napa Valley, targeted for their uniqueness. Trinchero Napa Valley now draws its grapes from seven distinctive vineyard sites in five of the valley’s designated appellations and produces its wines in a new estate located just north of downtown St. Helena. The wines are showcased in a remodeled farmhouse, which dates back to the mid 1800s. It honors its founder, Mario Trinchero, who laid the foundation for what is now one of the nation’s most successful family businesses.

Idyllically situated on a hilltop at the entrance to California's legendary Sonoma Valley, Viansa Winery & Marketplace has become a destination for wine and food lovers from around the world.

With its distinctive Italian atmosphere and charming old world architecture, Viansa is a tribute to the early Italian immigrants who brought their winemaking traditions to Sonoma Valley. Surrounded by vineyards, flower gardens, and olive groves, and modeled after the charming, centuries-old villas that dot the Tuscan landscape, the main winery building appears to have been magically transported from the Italian countryside.

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 in St. Helena, California on a 38-acre organically farmed vineyard, pays meticulous detail to tradition while showcasing an exceptional experience. The winery building, designed from sketches by Vittorio’s great-grandson Dario, has the intense feel of a small Italian village.

A seamless blend of world-class wine, gourmet cuisine, and utter luxury, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa provides guests a sublime experience while they explore Temecula Valley, California wine country.

The only full service winery resort in the Temecula Valley, the 38-acre property began as a vineyard planted by Owner Jim Carter in the 1990s. Jim had a passion for growing plants and he and a team of vineyard experts meticulously tended the rich soil, intent on cultivating superior fruit. The fruits of their labor were first bottled in 2003, and in 2004, the first South Coast Winery wines were entered in competitions.

The short path from the parking lot to the charming Victorian house that houses St. Clement Vineyards’ tasting room is steep, but worth every step. The landmark Napa Valley estate in St. Helena, California and established in 1878 by the San Francisco stained glass merchant Fritz Rosenbaum, was one of the first bonded wineries in the Napa Valley. But St. Clement’s history began in 1976, when William Casey, a local ophthalmologist, bought the house and built a 10,000-case stone winery in the backyard.

Robert Hall Winery bears the name of its founder, Robert Hall, an industrious entrepreneur who decided he wanted to own a winery during a family trip to France in the late 1970s. Robert was drawn in particular to Rhône varietals and—after a thorough search—he knew the terroir he was looking for was in Paso Robles, California. With the vision of building a winery that could handle a case production of 100,000 or more, he acquired his first vineyard, Home Ranch, in 1995, and Terrace and Bench vineyards shortly thereafter.

When famed actor Fess Parker purchased his 714-acre ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley back in 1987, he had a great vision for the future of his family and Santa Barbara County as a whole. He pictured a multigenerational winery producing wines that would express the terroir of the land he so fervently loved and believed in. A warmhearted and hospitable man, he also dreamed of owning an unpretentious inn where guests could relax and truly experience Santa Barbara wine country. Today, Fess’s dreams are realized in Fess Parker Winery on the Foxen Canyon wine trail and just a few miles down the road at Fess Parker Wine Country Inn & Spa in downtown Los Olivos, California.

Standing atop a low-lying hill in the heart of Temecula Valley, California wine country, Falkner Winery warmly greets guests with a gracious blend of exceptional wines and genuine hospitality.

The stunning winery was founded just 12 years ago by Loretta and Ray Falkner. The couple, who both came from successful business careers, decided from the beginning that they would focus on producing wines of superior quality. With the help of Winemaker Steve Hagata, they are doing just that. Falkner wines are soft, approachable, and readily drinkable. They see plenty of barrel time—in fact, most of the reds age at least three years before their release.

When third-generation grape grower Jim Jacobsen sold his land in Fresno County and purchased the 40 acres that would become Doce Robles Winery’s vineyard in 1996, the Paso Robles, California wine industry was just getting underway. Jim planted Barbera, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. As his vines matured, he worked alongside other winegrowers in the area. Jim fondly remembers those early days when he learned to make wine with his neighbors.

Located at the foot of the Horse Heaven Hills in the Yakima Valley AVA, Desert Wind Winery pays homage to the area’s arid, hot climate with its name, handcrafted wines, and distinctive style of hospitality.

Desert Wind in Prosser, Washington, began as a 480-acre vineyard site in 1993 by the Fries family, owners of Duck Pond Cellars in Dundee, Oregon. The longtime farming family was intrigued by the potential of the Wahluke Slope, which has one of the driest, warmest climates in the state of Washington, for growing Bordeaux varieties.

Lovers of great wine, fresh food, and the Wild West feel they’ve found a slice of heaven when they discover Anselmo Vineyards and Seven Hills Land and Cattle Ranch at Inwood Valley, California, just east of Redding. When Reverge and Ramona Anselmo purchased the 15-acre working ranch in 2005, they revived five overgrown vineyard acres and planted five more. They also restored the 1850s farmhouse to serve as a tasting room and casual restaurant offering a first-class dining experience. Today, guests come from near and far to relax, enjoy the beauty of the ranch, and dine on natural, pasture-to-plate cuisine. Nearly everything is grown on the ranch, including the succulent beef and the splendid portfolio of Anselmo wines.

In 1852, an ambitious young Scottish immigrant named James Skinner discovered the unvarnished beauty of the Sierra Foothills—along with an ideal climate in which to grow Rhône varietals. In less than ten years, he established one of the first commercial wineries in Fair Play, California, a family business that thrived well into the early 1900’s.

One hundred and fifty years—and seven generations— later, James’s great-great-great-grandson Mike and his wife Carey set out to bring Skinner wines back to the Sierra Foothills. With their inaugural release in 2007, the Skinner family restored a legacy that is not only a part of a rich family heritage, but also California’s early winemaking history.

My husband and I have both always loved fall; so much that when we were picking a date for our wedding years ago, we skipped right past June and easily decided on November. The afternoon before our rehearsal dinner, family friends hosted a hayride for our guests that included a massive spread of food and, of course, plenty of festive drinks. The most popular beverage was a Tuaca-spiked cider that kept all of us warm as we rode around bundled up on hay bales. At the time I wasn’t familiar with Tuaca, but it has since become a staple at our holiday family gatherings.

Tuaca—a brandy-based liqueur blended with vanilla, and essences of lemon and orange—has a very distinct flavor, yet is versatile and can be used in a variety of drinks.

Since living in California, going to the local farmer’s market every Saturday morning with my husband has become one of my favorite parts of the week. I’m incredibly thankful the market stays open year-round, but have to admit that I start getting a little tired of apples and oranges by the spring. So when summer comes, I find myself loading up on cherries, blueberries, peaches, strawberries and melons. On occasion, I admit, I go a little overboard.

That’s when it’s time for "farmer’s market drinks." I always feel better about sitting outside and enjoying a drink when I know I’m at least getting some fruit. Below, I’ve included three of my favorites. Get creative and substitute with whatever fruit you have on hand.

Sure, you can find great deals on hotels, flights, rental cars and restaurants, but the price of a wine vacation can still add up; especially if you end up buying and shipping a couple cases of wine home, to your friends or family.

Visiting wineries and tasting several wines side-by-side can be a valuable learning experience. Fortunately, you can replicate many of the aspects at home. And it’s much easier to get your friends together for a wine party than an entire vacation.

If I had to compile a list of times that I’ve been truly, unreservedly happy, many of them would involve wine tasting. I love feeling the slight chill of the air while walking through the barrel rooms and smelling the fermentation. And few things are better than exiting a tasting room into the sun and taking in the green hills.

I particularly savor wine tasting in late fall when the leaves on the vines are red and gold and the tasting rooms are far from crowded. A couple of weeks ago, however, I was hankering for a vacation and headed to Napa and Sonoma, CA for a long weekend. Despite the bare, pre-spring vines, the symmetry of the rows and the yellow mustard weeds that colored the vineyards were remarkable.