Wineries To De Stress and Also To get refreshed.

The life around Santa Cruz Mountains is just amazing.  Everyone one is bound by internet, cell phone, and other gadgets which make your life more miserable at times! There is a life beyond these also. Just be closer to nature and watch the things around you in peace. The enchantment you receive from all these are just never forgettable experience!
But up in the mountains things are different. Take Dexter and Val Ahlgren for example. They built their wooden cabin on a secluded hillside on Highway 9, outside Boulder Creek. There is no water supply, not even a well; instead they catch rainwater in huge tanks and occasionally have it brought in by tanker. So it's somewhat surprising to realise that this is also the home of Ahlgren Vineyards.A beautiful local winery makes your picnic unforgettable!
Val Ahlgren was a teacher who began making wine in the garage of their Sunnyvale home in the 1960s out of whatever fruits were available. In the early 1970s Dexter sold his engineering business and the couple purchased their idyllic property. The winery is in the cellar below the house; it was bonded in 1976. Valley tours in these wineries will be ever remembering.Grapes are sourced primarily from a couple of well known and highly regarded sources; Bates Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Ventana Vineyard in Monterey County. They also source Zinfandel and Semillon from Livermore and Pinot Noir from the Santa Cruz Mountains. There is a small 1 acre vineyard (with the potential for maybe 5 more acres) which is planted to Pinot Noir; the first successful crop was in 2007, when one barrel was made.There are winery events also arranged.The winery is open to the public on Saturdays from 12-4PM. There is no tasting fee.

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Ahlgren –The Admirable Valley Winery

Ahlgren is one of those valley wineries offering valley wine tasting. It is family winery .Those techies can come over here to unwind and rejuvenate. This is an extravagant place clubbed with picture perfect scenic beauty.
Ahlgren wines have earned a reputation of quality, consistency, texture, and firm texture. This vineyard was founded in 1976. The Ahlgrens follow the conservative hands- on methods and the bet grapes selected from vineyard. A visitor has a gala time over here. Lazing around, cool weather, and wine to taste, surrounded by mountains, it looks like a small wonderland. The land was discovered in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Sym Van der Ryn, architect, was engaged, and in 1973 the great adventure of building their rustic, handmade house began, starting with redwood logs purchased from a neighboring property. The Ahlgrens milled the lumber with an Alaska mill and built their mountain home with the winery nestled into north side of the hill beneath the house.

Bonded at last in 1976, this small winery was dedicated to limited production of fine premium wines by traditional hands-on methods, and has successfully established a reputation for wines of consistently high quality and long life. There are arranged winery events.

The Ahlgrens started off the New Year of 2000 with the appointment of daughter Beth Ahlgren to the position of Winemaker after Dexter suffered a stroke. Beth had returned to Ahlgren Vineyard on 9/9/99 from ten years in Portland, Maine, where she represented the winery in the fields of Public Relations and Marketing. Back at the winery, she took the job of Assistant Winemaker in time for Vintage '99 before moving up to Winemaker in 2000.

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Acqua Dulce -Another winery

Agua Dulce Vineyard
Valley wineries have carved a niche in the wine market.Valley wine tasting is common yet Aqua Dulce makes it ever green in your memory.
Agua Dulce Vineyards has been sprawled over 90 cares beautifully. This vine yard offers wine tasting tours, a gourmet gift shop and wine sales. It has been situated 45 minutes north of downtown Los Angles, earning the name of leading fine wine grower and producer.
Wines made at Agua Dulce are very famous and have won many medals in many national wine competitions. Hand crafted approach to wine making has won many laurels. Agua Dulce Vineyards is tailor perfect with natural soils, climatic and geographic advantages.
Agua Dulce Vineyards invites everyone to taste wine and enjoy the Natural beauty around. You will be in awe when you witness the scenic beauty.

Agua Dulce Vineyards has been founded by Don and Cathy MacAdam in 1999. They planned to turn it into vineyards as it has everything to grow world class grapes, instead of real estate. 
Grapes were grown in the special supervision of Don and Cathy reflecting hands on dedication. The absolute dedication of these two has brought up vineyards like anything. Their commitment is seen in the grapes!Valley wineries have all the exotic beauty what a nature can offer!

EVENTS
Educational Wine Class Series: The 2010 Food and Wine Pairing Classes feature the cuisine of Cordon Bleu trained chef Dusti Patterson. 
After Dinner Cigar Night:   Join  for After Dinner Cigar Night!   A light fondue service and desserts will be served alongside Agua Dulce Vineyards' delicious wines.  Cigars will be available for purchase. Cigar Night is $25 per person for wine club members and $35 for non wine club members.
Mother's Day at Agua Dulce Vineyards.   will be open and welcome all mother's, aunts, and special friends to enjoy an exceptional wine tasting experience!  In the afternoon, featuring an assortment of uniquely flavored almond and chocolate confections, both savory and sweet, with accompanying award winning wines.
Daily Wine Tasting: Wine tasting at Agua Dulce Vineyards is conducted daily, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. The cost of wine tasting is $7.00 per person and includes tasting of up to five wines.
Group Winery Tour and VIP Tasting: This engagement is perfect for groups larger than 12 people and includes wine tasting of five of our varietals in VIP annex, guided by trained staff offering a personalized tour of facilities: the only one of their quality and magnitude in Los Angeles. The Group Winery Tour, VIP Tasting, and wonderful cheese platter is $15 per person.
   Winery events make thier journey highly eventful!

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Agua-Dulce-A Heaven For Wine Lovers!

Wineries have become more of a picnic spot.Agua Dulce is another valley winery.These wineries arrange winery events.California wineries have carved their own niche.

Agua Dulce Vineyards is a 90 acre, fully operational vineyard and winery, featuring daily wine tasting and tours, a gourmet gift shop, and wine sales. It is  located just 45 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles and have earned the honor of being Los Angeles County’s leading fine wine grower and producer.

Wines from Agua Dulce Vineyards have won multiple medals in several national wine competitions.They are grateful for the recognition of their  hand-crafted approach to wine making has received, while understanding that Agua Dulce Vineyards is blessed with natural soils, climatic and geographic advantages unique to the Agua Dulce Valley.

They  invite you to come visit  and see the vineyard for yourself, taste the wines and enjoy the wonderful beauty of Agua Dulce Vineyards.

Agua Dulce is located about 25 miles (40 km) Southwest of Palmdale, 44 miles (71 km) North of Los Angeles, in the Sierra Pelona Valley portion of Southern California.
Agua Dulce is best known for Vasquez Rocks California State Park. Vasquez Rocks has been long used as a popular filming location by the Hollywood movie industry, most notably The Flintstones movie and the Star Trek episode "Arena." The 1971 movie "Duel" filmed extensively in the area. It got its name from the famous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez who used to run and hide there while being looked for.

Agua Dulce is home to the Agua Dulce Vineyards,[2] the largest winery in Los Angeles County. Agua Dulce also has a general aviation airport known as Agua Dulce Airpark.

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Adastra-The Adorable Winery

Adastra’s label is considered as the best in the wine industry for it’s organic farming practices.


Since 2005, Adastra’s vineyards have been certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), which has among the strictest standards in the nation for organic agriculture. Grapegrowers must farm their grapes organically according to CCOF standards for three years prior to certification.

In addition to completing a comprehensive application form (a stack of paper about 1.5” thick), the grower is required to maintain an ongoing log of farm activities, which is reviewed annually by independent inspectors.
They believe that organically farmed grapes taste better, and therefore make better wine. But besides quality products, there are tangible benefits from organic farming, including a healthier soil and healthier environment, making Adastra a more pleasant place to work and live.
Here are some FAQs…..
What is organic agriculture?

Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. (Definition courtesy of the National Organic Program)

Is organic the same as sustainable?

No. Anyone can call themselves “sustainable;” only growers such as Adastra who subject themselves to certification by independent agencies earn the right to use the term “organic.”

Doesn’t organic farming raise your prices?

We have found organic viticulture to be a little more expensive than conventional farming, but not prohibitively so, especially given that growing premium wine grapes on a small scale is already a costly business.

Does this mean the wine is organic?

The grapes are organically grown, but the wine is made conventionally. We use sulfites because we want the wine to age well in the bottle and reliably preserve its delicious taste.

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Paso Robles- The Ultimate In Winery

Readers,
I am thinking of giving you the detailed history of winery.These valley wineries are just wonderful picnic spots.California wineries are the world famous.here winery events are also planned.

1980s: Large Scale Wineries
Recognizing the area’s unique yet very diverse terroir, the 614,000-acre Paso Robles American Viticultural Appellation (AVA) and 6,400-acre York Mountain AVA were established in 1983.
Large corporate vineyards and wineries continued to be established in Paso Robles in the 1980s as growers recognized the favorable topography and generous climate allowed them to grow high-quality wine grapes at higher yield levels than was possible in other appellations. In 1988, J. Lohr, whose winery owns over 1,900 acres of vineyards in the area and produces 400,000 cases annually, expanded into Paso Robles to focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and other red varietals. Meridian, now owned by Beringer Blass, was also established in 1988. With 3,500 vineyard acres in California and annual production at 1.1 million cases, it is the largest of Paso Robles AVA wineries.
Mid-size wineries were also established during this period. In 1982, Arciero Vineyards/EOS Estate Winery, now with over 700 acres and production at 160,000 cases, pioneered the planting of several premium Italian varietals. In 1983, Wild Horse Winery was bonded and now produces 135,000 cases with an average of 15 different varietal wines each year, including their flagship Pinot Noir and a number of heirloom varietals -- the largest spectrum of varietal wines to be found in any tasting room in the area. Treana Winery, owned by the Hope family, was established in 1996 and now produces 160,000 cases between the Treana and Liberty School brands. Originally called Hope Farms, the family planted Cabernet Sauvignon in Paso Robles in 1978 and sourced their fruit to Napa.
1990s to present: International Investment, Rhones and Bordeaux
Although Gary Eberle planted Syrah in the mid 1970s, and provided plant material from that vineyard to many winemakers in the state, Rhone varietals did not form an important part of Paso Robles’ identity until 1989. That year, the Perrin family (of the Rhone Valley’s Chateau de Beaucastel, revered producer of Chateauneuf-du-Pape) and their American importer Robert Haas established their international joint venture, Tablas Creek Vineyard in the limestone hills of the Adelaida region northwest of town. With 80 acres planted to the traditional varieties of Chateauneuf du Pape, Tablas Creek imported exclusive clonal material from the Rhone Valley, and made those clones available to other interested growers around the state. As a result, in addition to being a top producer of premium Rhone wines, Tablas Creek has evolved into a full-fledged vine nursery supplying cuttings of Rhone varietals to wineries all over California.
Since 1989, Paso Robles has seen an explosion of plantings of Rhone varieties. Now, in addition to the first Syrah plantings in California, it also has the largest acreage of Syrah, Viognier and Rousanne. Acres planted under Rhone varieties jumped from fewer than 100 acres in 1994 to more than 2,000 in 2005. During that time, at least 10 wineries focusing on Rhone varieties were established. Feeding the trend has been the Paso Robles-based Hospice du Rhone, the largest celebration of Rhone wines in the world attended each year by 3,000 enthusiasts and an A-list of Rhone producers from all over the world.
Since the early 1990s, Paso Robles wines have proven consistent gold medal winners and have been featured regularly in the top rankings of national and international wine reviews. A milestone in the worldwide recognition of Paso Robles Wine Country as a premier wine region came in 1997 when Justin Vineyards & Winery’s Bordeaux-style Isosceles was named one of the top 10 wines in the world by the Wine Spectator.

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Paso Roble-Robust Winery!

Readers here am giving you the detailed history of valley wineries.The winery tour can be fabulous.Winery events are part of valley tours. here is the history of Paso Roble
1920s and 1930s: Zinfandel
There was a flurry of viticultural activity in the early 1920s when several families immigrated to the area to establish family vineyards and wineries. The Dusi family purchased a vineyard in 1924; these old head-pruned Zinfandel vines are now owned and cultivated by their son, Benito. The Martinelli, Busi, Vosti and Bianchi vineyards were also established around this time. Frank Pesenti also planted Zinfandel on his property in 1923, with the guidance of their neighbor Siot, although the Pesenti Winery was not bonded until 1934.
The Paso Robles wine region gained more notoriety when Ignace Paderewski, the famous Polish statesman and concert pianist, visited Paso Robles, became enchanted with the area, and purchased 2,000 acres. In the early 1920s, he planted Petite Sirah and Zinfandel on his Rancho San Ignacio vineyard in the Adelaida area. When Prohibition ended, Paderewski’s wine was made at York Mountain Winery. The wines produced from grapes grown on Rancho San Ignacio went on to become award-winners and Paso Robles’ reputation as a premier wine region grew.
Of any variety, Zinfandel had a strong influence on the early growth and development of the wine industry in Paso Robles. It remains a key wine varietal for several wineries, including, among others, Peachy Canyon Winery, Turley Wine Cellars, Tobin James Cellars, Norman Vineyards, Castoro Cellars and Nadeau Family Vintners.
1960s and 1970s: Cabernet Sauvignon, Large Plantings
The late 1960s and early 1970s saw a new generation of vineyard pioneers in the Paso Robles area, bringing university training and financial resources for large plantings. Dr. Stanley Hoffman, under the guidance of U.C. Davis and legendary enologist Andre Tchelistcheff, planted some of the region’s first Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on his 1,200-acre ranch next to the old Paderewski Ranch in the hills of Adelaida, about five miles west of town. His Hoffman Mountain Ranch Winery (a portion now owned by Adelaida Cellars) was the first large-scale modern facility in the area and one that created a stir in international wine circles in the 1970s with his Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon remains the leading varietal for the Paso Robles appellation, accounting for 30 percent of the region’s planted wine grape acreage. Due to the intense varietal character of wine grapes grown in this diverse appellation, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon wines consistently garner national and international acclaim, including, among others, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Treana Winery, Adelaida Cellars, and Chateau Margene.
New wine grape growers also began to cultivate the first large plantings on the east side of the Salinas River. Bob Young planted the area’s first large scale commercial vineyard, now known as Rancho Dos Amigos on Shandon Heights. Herman Schwartz, managing partner for a group of investors, planted the 500-acre Rancho Tierra Rejada in 1973. From 1973 to 1977 Gary Eberle and Cliff Giacobine planted 700 acres, including the first modern commercial acreage of Syrah in the state, and established Estrella River Winery, the largest winery in the area (purchased in 1988 by Nestle/Beringer).

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