Author: Allison Levine

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Brecon Estate [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/breconestate" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/breconestate" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]7450 Vineyard Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446 www.breconestate.com Region: Paso Robles Owners: Damian and Amanda Grindley Winemakers: Damian Grindley (founding winemaker) and Alex Kemp About: Brecon Estate is a boutique estate winery nestled in the rolling westside hills outside of Paso Robles, California. With an international award-winning winemaker, we strive to produce exquisite and inviting wines for you and us to enjoy. Our wines are small-batch ferments. Each has an individual story to tell and is sold exclusively through our tasting room. Such limited batches tend to sell out rapidly. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Depends on the time of day - currently Albarino or Tannat What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? It was a weird Green variety tasted in the United Kingdom in the mid-80s. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? These grapes haven't been widely planted or ventured far from their native regions, so if you introduce a forgotten variety to a new location, you'll uncover a whole world of untapped flavors and nuances![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930735254{padding-right:...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930727903{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text] The Blending Lab [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/thewineblendinglab" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/theblendinglab" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]5151 w. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90016 https://www.thewineblendinglab.com Region: Los Angeles and Paso Robles Owner: Michael Keller About: The Blending Lab is an urban winery with locations in Paso Robles and Los Angeles. The owners believe that wine is a very personal experience and that drinking wine should be FUN for everyone regardless of their knowledge and preferences. In addition to more traditional tasting flights, The Blending Lab offers a unique opportunity for customers to learn more about making & blending wine in our regularly scheduled wine blending classes. Become a winemaker for the day and make your own wine blend at The Blending Lab Los Angeles or Paso Robles. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Current grape crush Touriga Nacional & Cinsault What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? It was Pinotage! I was 18 and in school (college) in Switzerland, exploring a local wine shop and found an African wine. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? Discussing them in wine blending classes and opening up their minds as wine...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930727903{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Brosseau Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/brosseauwines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]3344 Paul Davis Dr. Unit 3&4, Marina, CA 93933 www.brosseauwines.com Region: Monterey County Owner: Bill Brosseau Winemaker: Bill Brosseau About: Brosseau Wines specializes in wines from our certified organic vineyard, Brosseau Vineyard Chalone Appellation.  The vineyard is where Bill grew up and was always fascinated by differing grape varietals and their expression on the land.  The new winemaking facility is less than one mile from the Pacific Ocean in the cool Monterey Bay, Marina, CA. Optimal climate high-end winemaking and cellaring.  Come visit us for a tasting! What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Grenache! What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? It was Chalone Chenin Blanc - a very spirited wine with so much vitality and dimension. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? The challenge of learning and self-refinement without many renditions in the marketplace to learn from.  I’m a curious winemaker and always game for something different.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930735254{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="6099" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_single_image image="6102" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_single_image image="6101" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" css=".vc_custom_1709946057911{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Bushong Vintage Company [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook-f" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/BushongVintageCompany" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/BushongVintageCompany" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]565 12th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446 www.bushongvintagecompany.com Region: Paso Robles Owner: Jason Bushong Winemaker: Jason Bushong About: Bushong Vintage Company, where the passion for winemaking meets over two decades of craftsmanship. With a focus on high-fidelity wines, Jason Bushong, Winemaker, and Owner, has dedicated himself to producing exceptional varietals from the Central Coast. Specializing in a selection of crisp & aromatic whites and rich red blends. Sourcing fruit from the esteemed vineyards of Paso Robles and the Central Coast, each bottle bears a label that pays homage to the harmonies of music, reflecting the soulful essence of Bushong Vintage Company Wines. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Tannat What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? I fell in love with wine based on the diversity of grapes used in its production. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? It’s a never-ending learning experience, so many varieties regions, techniques, and styles. But the basis is the amazing number of varieties of wine grapes, that’s where a wine starts its life.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Byron Blatty Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/byronblattywines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/byronblattywines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]5122 York. Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90042 byronblatty.com Region: Los Angeles Owner: Mark & Jenny Blatty Winemaker: Mark Blatty & Joey Perry About: Byron Blatty handcrafts limited-edition wines of exceptional quality, featuring vineyards in Los Angeles County. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Tannat What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? We produced Tannat in 2015 for a blend and it opened our eyes. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? The great thing about forgotten grapes is you never know what to expect, and it's like being new to wine again.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930735254{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="2776" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_single_image image="2779" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="2778" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935363058{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="2777" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="2775" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935363058{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="2774" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Carhartt Family Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/CarharttFamilyWines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/carharttfamilywines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]1541 Rancho Santa Ynez Rd., Santa Ynez, CA carharttfamilywines.com Region: Santa Barbara County Owner: Mike, Brooke, and Chase Carhartt Winemaker: Brooke Carhartt and Chase Carhartt About: In 1996, Mike and Brooke Carhartt planted a vineyard along with a dream on the historic Rancho Santa Ynez™ property. Today, with their son Chase, the Carhartts grow grapes and craft wines on that same patch of ground. We are a ground-to-glass operation as well as direct-to-consumer. The Carhartts take extreme pride in farming their own fruit sustainably, with the utmost care and consideration for the environment. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Mission Grape What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? We made our first vintage of 'Carhartt Venture Buffalo' in 2012, with the varietal, Cinsaut. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? What I love most about forgotten grapes is the opportunity to remind consumers that they exist! With over 3000 registered grape varieties in the world, we have limited our taste buds to a few handfuls of "popular" grapes. When I...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930727903{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text] Cairjn Wine Cellars [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/cairjnwines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/cairjnwines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]2323 Tuley Road, Unit 120 Paso Robles, CA 93446 cairjnwinecellars.com Region: Paso Robles Owner: Andy & Michele Neja Winemaker: Andy Neja About: Derived from the word, "cairn" which means "a heap of stones piled up as a memorial or as a landmark." Our founder, Andy Neja, chose this name as a tribute to his family's farming legacy and as a nod to the limestone-rich terrain of West Paso, where our vineyards are located. It requires hard work and dedication to make wine, and at Cairjn, we have a deep respect for the men and women who work tirelessly to bring each vintage to fruition. That's why we honor their efforts by staying true to our commitment to quality and sustainability. Now producing 800 cases annually, our portfolio of wines reflects our commitment to quality and sustainability. Our dream is to provide our customers with a truly unique wine experience. Join us on this journey as we build a landmark wine for Paso Robles. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Albariño What was your first experience with...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Camins 2 Dreams [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/camins2dreams" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/camins2dreams" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]1520 E Chestnut Ct, Lompoc, CA. 93436 camins2dreams.com Region: Santa Barbara County Owners/Winemakers: Mireia Taribo & Tara Gomez About: Camins 2 Dreams was founded in 2017. Our grapes are sourced from vineyards in Santa Barbara County with a focus in Sta. Rita Hills and San Benito County. Our philosophy is to make hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery, with only minimum amounts of SO2 at bottling. Our wines are also all unfined and unfiltered. We believe wine is made in the vineyard and we want to showcase the typicity of each site where the grapes come from. We source fruit from vineyards that share in the same values of respect for the land and their workers and works e with organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming vineyards. We are a team of two winemakers, Mireia Taribó and Tara Gomez, wife and wife, whose paths first crossed in 2006 through our work in the wine industry. Our friendship grew through wine and...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1711320642741{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text css=""] Cary Q Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/caryqwines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/caryqwines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]1160 Hopper Ave, Santa Rosa, CA www.caryqwines.com Region: Santa Rosa Owner/Winemaker: Cary Quintana About: Cary Q Wines was founded in 2014 and stands as a proud, woman-owned and operated winery dedicated to the art of minimal intervention winemaking. With a passion for single vineyard varietals, I partner with organic and sustainably farmed vineyards to create wines that are environmentally clean and express the essence of their origins. My philosophy focuses on showcasing unique microclimates and site-specific grape varietals that often play supporting roles in traditional blends but deserve their moment to shine. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, with Cuban heritage, I pursued my passion for winemaking by moving to Northern California in 2013. As a self-taught winemaker and alumna of the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Winemaking certification program, I released my first vintage in 2014—a co-fermented Grenache/Mourvedre crafted from organically farmed Sonoma Coast fruit. In the cellar, my low-intervention approach embraces natural acidity, wild fermentation, non-interventionist aging, limited manipulation, and being sensorily vigilant ensuring that each vintage...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern" z_index="" side_padding="0"][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930727903{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_column_text] Cavaletti Vineyard [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/cavalettivineyards" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/cavalettivineyards" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]165 Poindexter Avenue, Suite D, Ventura, CA www.cavalettivineyards.com Region: Ventura County Owner/Winemaker: Patrick Kelly About: We are a family owned winery producing wines of personality and place since 2016. What is your favorite undiscovered grape?  Alicante Bouschet What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Getting access to Tempranillo from Los Angeles County for the first time What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? They are just fun to work with. No pretense and no preconceived notions.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="786" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709930735254{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="785" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]...