Fall In Love With These Vineyards

These 5 wineries offer spectacular wines and offer special experience if you can visit their properties.
BY TOURING & TASTING

Riverbench Vineyard & Winery

What to Buy:
'13 Estate Chardonnay - $26
Bright citrus flavors, buttery note

'13 Estate Pinot Noir - $30
Juicy red fruit flavors, smoke, clove, coconut

'11 Cork Jumper Blanc de Noirs - $45
Strawberry, raspberry, blood orange, grapefruit, tangerine

Santa Maria Tasting Room: Open Daily 10–4
Santa Barbara Tasting Room: Open Daily 11–6

In Santa Barbara County, the name Riverbench is synonymous with premium quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Riverbench Vineyard was first planted in fertile alluvial Santa Maria Bench soils on the southeastern edge of the Santa Maria Valley in 1973. It has long been a coveted source for the some of the region’s finest Burgundian varieties. Although Riverbench could easily rest on its stellar reputation for superior Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this is only the beginning. A few years back, several acres of Riesling was added as a delightfully successful experiment. The winery also launched a unique Sparkling wine program in 2012. The program was initiated to fill a gap in Santa Barbara County, where wineries with a full, committed Sparkling wine lineup had yet to emerge. In 2008, Riverbench introduced the Cork Jumper Blanc de Blancs, the region’s first Certified Sustainable Sparkling wine. In 2012, a Blanc de Blancs Demi-Sec and Blanc de Noirs were added to round out the Sparkling offerings.
www.riverbench.com

LangeTwins Family Winery

What to Buy:
Midnight Reserve - $30
Dark berries, cherry compote, hint of spice, dark blackberry

Estate Sauvignon Blanc - $15
Lush melon, pineapple, tropical fruit, Meyer lemon

Caricature Red Blend - $15
Plum, blackberries, dark cherries, spice

Tasting Room Hours: Open Thu-Sun 11-4

Wine grape growing is nothing new to Lange Twins Family Winery & Vineyards. As part of a generational farm family dating back to the 1870s, twin brothers Randall and Brad Lange grew up with the family passion for farming. With determination, they created a benchmark winery and vineyards centered in Acampo, just north of the city of Lodi. Guests are invited to nestle up against a pair of 22-foot redwood bars to taste the impressive portfolio of estate, reserve, single barrel, and winery exclusive wines. Those who desire deeper exploration are able to make an appointment in advance for a wine and cheese pairing experience in high-backed leather couches behind the glass cellar doors. Guests can also reserve a private tour that takes a maximum of five people on an intimate tour of the winery in a chauffeured electric vehicle. They are transported effortlessly from the elevated crush pad to the barrel room and vineyards nearby.
www.langetwins.com

David Girard Vineyards

What to Buy:
'14 Rosé - $28
Red fruit, citrus

'13 Vermentino - $28
Creamy, crisp

Tasting Room Hours: Open Thu-Sun (Jan-Apr); Mon-Sun (May-Dec) 11-5

David Girard Vineyards is dedicated to producing superior Rhône-style wines that capture the true character of El Dorado County. The 90-acre estate provides optimal climate and soil conditions to achieve elegant varietal aromas and flavor. Under the expert guidance of Winemaker Grayson Hartley, the winery is quickly becoming known for its phenomenal Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, as well as a serious array of white wines including Viognier, Roussanne, and Vermentino. Another stellar wine not to be missed is the dry Rosé, a blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Counoise. David Girard wines are routinely praised for their seamless balance, layered construction, and compatibility with food. The winery is located in a pristine, historical spot about a mile from where gold was first discovered in the United States. Exciting culinary events and winemaker dinners are often held here, and on any given day, tasting room guests can enjoy the wines as they relax on the terrace with splendid vineyard views.
www.davidgirardvineyards.com

Oak Farm Vineyards

What to Buy:
'14 Albariño - $19
Lime zest, citrus blossom, jasmine, dry finish

'13 Barbera - $25
Plum jam, dark black cherry, clove

'12 Zinfandel - $29
Dark berry jam, ripe cherry, raspberry tart, subtle spice, brown sugar

Tasting Room Hours: Open 7 days a week from 11-5 or by appointment

At the end of a quiet country road, just south of the Mokelumne River in northwest Lodi, Oak Farm Vineyards offers visitors to the region an unrivaled wine tasting destination. The historic 70-acre estate, replete with lush grapevines, majestic cen- tury-old oaks, and a plantation-style mansion and barn dating back to 1865, dedicates ten acres to its guests’ enjoyment. Oak Farm Vineyards specializes in hand-crafted, small lot, and single vineyard varietals that truly express their terroir. All of used to make Oak Farm Vineyards wines come from the estate vineyard or other family-owned vineyards nearby. The well-balanced, food-friendly wines, skillfully crafted by Winemaker Chad Joseph, are structured, yet supple: never over-oaked or overworked. The wines repeatedly earn high acclaim. At the 2015 Winemaker’s Challenge International Wine Competition, the 2014 Albariño was awarded 94 points and named the Platinum/Best, and the 2012 Zinfandel was awarded 93 points. But great scores aren’t what’s most important at Oak Farm Vineyards. With the opening of the 7,500 case per year winery and tasting facility in 2014, and the replanting of vineyards with a host of terroir-appropriate varietals, Oak Farm Vineyards has begun a metamorphosis into a premium estate winery that will make most, if not all, of its wines from fruit grown on its own 60 acres of vines.
www.oakfarmvineyards.com

Trione Vineyards & Winery

What to Buy:
'12 Chardonnay Russian River Valley, River Road Ranch - $34
Honeycomb, baked apple, toast, Mandarin orange peel, sweet Asian spice

'12 Primitivo Alexander Valley, Home Ranch - $37
Spice, black currant, cedar, blackberry

'10 Cabernet Sauvignon - $67
Black currant, allspice, clove

Tasting Room Hours: Open Thu-Mon 10-5

The year 2015 is a milestone year for the Trione family in many ways. It marks their 10th anniversary as winemakers, their 40th anniversary as farmers and managers of some of Sonoma County’s finest premium vineyards, and the 80th anniversary of the tasting room in their stunning Old Stone Winery building. Representing the family’s second generation farmers, brothers Mark and Victor have owned and cultivated nearly 700 vineyard acres in the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and the Sonoma Coast. When the family decided to start their own portfolio, Mark’s daughter Denise stepped up to help. The first vintage was released to rave reviews, and a flurry of medals followed. Trione’s state-of-the-art winemaking facility and tasting room was built alongside Sonoma County’s historic Old Stone Building, dating back to 1908. The storied building, carefully erected to be earthquake proof, features the area’s first concrete floor and magnificent Douglas fir beams. Trione treasures its local history and was able to retain the original bond number, 350, once given to its predecessor, Nervo Winery. The authentic building is an intriguing stop for wine tourists eager for a taste of Sonoma County history and the wines that have earned the Trione name.
www.trionewinery.com