Author: Allison Levine

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02 Sep

Posted at 23:11h in 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, San Jose 2027, Wineries

[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=""] Lava Cap Winery [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/lavacapwinery" 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/lavacapwinery" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]2221 Fruitridge Rd., Placerville, CA 95667 lavacap.com Region: El Dorado Owner: Charlie & Noreen Jones Winemaker: Nolan Jones About: Lava Cap is a third-generation family farm located in Placerville, high in the Sierra Nevada foothills at an elevation of 2700 feet. Our estate mountain-grown grapes are sourced from some of the highest vineyards in California. Our unique volcanic soils, weathered from ancient ash flows, produce wines that are intensely aromatic and luscious with deep, rich fruit erupting with flavor. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Barbera! Great acid, bright flavors, food friendly. What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Planting and working with undiscovered grapes is part of the DNA of El Dorado winegrowers. Rather than being centered on a single “signature” variety, our region is still actively exploring its possibilities. Every time we plant a new grape, we’re asking how it will respond to our volcanic soils, our 3,000-foot elevations, and our steep slopes. It’s an ongoing search for the varieties that not only thrive here but that truly come...

20 Sep

Posted at 17:56h in 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2027, Wineries

[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] Le Vigne [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/levignewinery" 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/levignewinery" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text]5115 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles, CA www.levignewinery.com Region: Paso Robles Owner: Walter & Sylvia Filippini Winemaker: Ben Mayo About: At Le Vigne, our identity is built on a true marriage, both literal and metaphorical, of heritage and passion. On one side, the family's deep farming roots in Paso Robles, where the land has been cultivated since the 1960s. Grapes were first planted in 1982, a year before Paso Robles was officially recognized as an AVA, and the winery was built shortly before the Estrella District sub-appellation was established. On the other side, Walter Filippini’s Italian culinary heritage brings a distinctly Old World perspective to our wines. Walter’s culinary background also informs our approach in the cellar: we strive to create wines with balance, structure, and refreshing acidity—wines that shine on the table and elevate the dining experience. The result is a collection of wines that have won multiple accolades including Winery of the Year USA from the London Wine Competition &two Paso Robles Winery of the Year awards. What is your favorite undiscovered...

08 Mar

Posted at 23:44h in 2024 Wineries, Wineries

[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] Lindquist 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/VerdadandLindquistFamilyWines" 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/verdadlindquistfamilywines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]4665 Santa Maria Mesa Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454 verdadandlindquistfamilywines.com Region: Santa Maria Valley Owners/Winemakers: Bob Lindquist and Louisa Sawyer Lindquist About: We make a number of forgotten grapes from cool climate vineyards on the Central Coast. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Marsanne What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Probably my first experience would have been when I was in college with Wente Grey Riesling, which is Trousseau Gris.  As a winemaker, the first forgotten grape that I made was a 1987 Marsanne, which I still make today. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? There is so much diversity in flavors, aromas and character…and they can often be better values.[/vc_column_text][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="874" img_size="165x590" 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="869" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709949324112{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="870" 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 width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="871" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1709949324112{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="873"...

22 Mar

Posted at 06:54h in 2024 Wineries, Wineries

[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] Lodi Wine [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/LodiWine" 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/lodi_wine" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text]2545 West Turner Road, Lodi, CA, 95242 www.lodiwine.com Region: Lodi, CA About: Perfectly situated 90 miles east of San Francisco, Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and unique soils allow its growers to cultivate more than 125 winegrape varieties, cementing the historic winegrowing region as the unrivaled producer of “forgotten grapes." What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? The forgotten grapes add a point of difference between Lodi and other American winegrowing regions and diversify the region’s portfolio of high quality wines.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][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="1545" 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 width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1544" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1709935363058{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1548" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1709935371833{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1547" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4" css=".vc_custom_1709935378038{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1551" 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 css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="1556" img_size="full" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

01 Jan

Posted at 01:51h in 2025 Wineries, Wineries

[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=""] Los Pilares Wine [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/lospilareswines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]Durbin Road, Santa Ysabel, CA lospilareswine.com Region: San Diego County Owner: Coleman Cooney Winemaker: Michael Christian and Coleman Cooney About: Los Pilares is a long-term exploration of high-altitude viticulture in the mountains of San Diego County, founded by Katie Fawkesmoore, Coleman Cooney, Jay McCarthy, and Michael Christian. Before Los Pilares, they were backyard vignerons, garage winemakers, or wine industry professionals. Since the first vintage in 2010, they have been showcasing the terroir of San Diego’s backcountry and mountains by making wine with nothing but grapes, and sometimes apples. All the fruit comes from sustainable vineyards and orchards grown in the backcountry and mountains of San Diego County. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Assyrtiko What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Drinking young Tintilla Sardo wines in Spain What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? They extend the spectrum of flavors, textures, and aromas.[/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="2542" img_size="full" css="" qode_css_animation=""][vc_single_image image="2543" 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="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709935356040{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}"][vc_single_image image="2547" img_size="600x600" css="" qode_css_animation=""][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3" css=".vc_custom_1709935363058{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left:...

22 Oct

Posted at 04:53h in 2027 Wineries, San Jose 2027, Wineries

[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] Las Positas Vineyards [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-instagram" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.instagram.com/laspositaswinery" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text]1828 Wetmore Rd, Livermore, CA www.laspositasvineyards.com Region: Livermore Valley AVA Owner: Brent Amos Winemaker: Brent Amos About: Las Positas Vineyards is dedicated to the marriage of Old World craftsmanship and New World pioneer spirit in the production of world-class wines from our estate winery in California’s historic Livermore Valley AVA. We offer small lots of award-winning handcrafted wines that epitomize our commitment to the earth and her fruit. We grow 18 different varietals, most of which would be considered "Undiscovered". What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Verdelho. Plain and simple, it is delicious. The world's greatest white grape. What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Tempranillo. I first tried Tempranillo from Abacela winery in Oregon shortly after I turned 21. It had amazing complexity and was elegant and balanced. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? I prefer the path less traveled. These wines are usually each very unique. They haven't become homogenized to suit the market like many of the better-known varietals. You really get to taste the site they are grown in and the stylistic choices of...

14 Mar

Posted at 16:57h in 2025 Wineries, Wineries

[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=""] Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards and Toccata Winery [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/LucasLewellenVineyards?mibextid=wwXIfr" 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/lucaslewellen?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]95 Los Padres #1, Buellton, CA 93427 www.llwine.com Region: Santa Maria Valley Owners: Louis Lucas and Mike Lewellen Winemaker: Megan McGrath Gates About: Louis Lucas, a third-generation grape grower, and Superior Court Judge Royce Lewellen met in 1975 through the Santa Maria Wine & Food Society. Louis was a well- respected grower who had been supplying premium wine grapes for reputable Napa and Sonoma wineries for decades. Royce Lewellen was a passionate wine enthusiast with a vision for the future of the Santa Barbara County wine industry. Over the next twenty-five years, the Lucas and Lewellen families would grow in a deep friendship that would serve as the foundation for Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, a Solvang, California based winery with four hundred estate acres situated among three of Santa Barbara County’s separate and distinct climate zones, three major wine labels, two popular tasting rooms in downtown Solvang, and a state of the art winery. Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards has a distributor presence in 25 states and...

17 Dec

Posted at 20:17h in 2025 Wineries, 2026 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Wineries

[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=""] Luna Hart Wines [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/lunahartwines" 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/luna.hart.wines" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text css=""]2825 Tapadero Road, Solvang CA 93463 lunahartwines.com Region: Santa Barbara County Owner: Gretchen Voelcker Winemaker: Gretchen Voelcker About: At the heart of Luna Hart's philosophy is a commitment to vineyards practicing sustainable, organic, or biodynamic farming throughout the enchanting landscapes of Santa Barbara County. Gretchen's vision is to create wines that resonate with the very soul of the grapes—their origin, vintage, and variety—a true reflection of the terroir. Immerse yourself in the meticulous process where Gretchen's careful attention to the fruit in the vineyard and daily tastings during fermentation result in high-quality, fruit-forward wines. Luna Hart's creations are characterized by bright acidity and a delicate balance, held together by an incredible structure that speaks to the harmony between nature and craftsmanship. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Grüner Veltliner! It’s so versatile and food-friendly. It’s a really fun grape to work with and truly showcases site specificity in a gorgeous way. We craft it in both a still and sparkling style and it’s also really amazing to see it in both styles. What was...

03 Oct

Posted at 22:56h in 2027 Wineries, San Jose 2027, Wineries

[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] LVVR Sparkling Cellars [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/lvvrsparkling" 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/Lvvrsparkling" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text]17036 N Locust Tree Rd, Lodi CA 95240 www.lvvrsparkling.com Region: Lodi, Amador Owner: Eric Donaldson Winemaker: Eric Donaldson About: LVVR is Lodi's only producer dedicated 100% to traditional method sparkling wine. What began as a small sparkling project has grown into a house focused on bringing out the bright, lively side of Lodi fruit, one bottle-fermented wine at a time. What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Tokay. It has a natural acidity that gives us a strong foundation for sparkling, and its fruit comes through clearly without taking over the wine. What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Verdelho. It produces a subtle, delicate base wine that becomes a crisp, clean sparkling wine. That wine opened our eyes to how much potential these lesser-known varieties hold for traditional method production. What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? The sense of discovery. Many of these varieties have never been made into traditional method sparkling wine, so each one is a chance to find out what it can become. We love taking a grape...

24 Sep

Posted at 19:33h in 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, San Jose 2027, Wineries

[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] Lyons Vineyard [/vc_column_text][social_icons type="circle_social" icon="fa-facebook" use_custom_size="no" size="fa-lg" link="https://www.facebook.com/lyonsvineyard" 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/lyonsvineyard" target="_blank" icon_color="#ffffff" background_color="#8b2b7a"][vc_column_text]3564 Sagunto St., Suite 302 Santa Ynez CA 93460 www.lyonsvineyard.com Region: Santa Barbara County Owners: Skye Lyons & Sarah Lyons Winemakers: Ryan Carr with Skye & Sarah Lyons About: Located in the Los Olivos District AVA, in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, Lyons Vineyard is a small family-run vineyard founded in 2017 with a focus on Rhône varietals. After years of growing Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Viognier for some of Santa Barbara’s top winemakers, we launched our own label in 2022. We make limited-production, small-batch wines that let the fruit and the land shine through. Our signature style is balance; wines with depth and interest that still hold their freshness and acidity. We love to showcase our two Grenache clones side by side, showing just how different the same varietal can be. We also bottle 100% Mourvèdre and love comparing vintages to show the influence of Mother Nature from year to year. We love how tasting these comparisons can spark curiosity, open up conversations, and remind us that wine is at its...