California Wines & Wineries

How You Can Help Small California Wineries Survive the Shelter in Place Mandate.

Posted on April 17, 2020

The COVID-19 is something between the writings of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock for most of us today. That said being Sheltered in Place (SIP) or self-quarantined the human spirit is being squashed. Why? We are social beings with a sense of purpose with family, friends and community. We are all cut off and isolation is unsettling. Even of historical magnitudes and pervasiveness not seen since World War II affecting literally everyone worldwide, we will get through this with unwavering enthusiasm and hope, nonetheless a bit scarred but not beaten. As Alvin Toffler stated “One of the definitions of sanity is the ability to tell real from unreal. Soon we’ll need a new definition”.

I am writing this today to bring attention to the fact that many small artisan and handcrafted wineries unfortunately may not be as fortunate. They are often single person, husband/wife and/or family operations of less than five individuals. They have invested their family monies to provide some unique and quality wines for our enjoyment. The financial impact of not holding tastings may strangle the life blood out of a few. Some small wineries have wine clubs and a solid local following. Some have just “opened their doors”. Nevertheless, all are going to be hurting financially shortly as the impact of their marketing and sales is squashed by having their tasting rooms closed or the inability to hold winemaker dinners or tasting events.

I just went thru the last four months of these small wineries that I have written about and would encourage you to call the wineries (most are open but not for tastings) and place an order. This will help them immensely as you are helping them make a car payment, mortgage or put food on the table. I personally believe this is money well spent verses picking up a bottle of wine at the local supermarket. Even one or two bottles the impact will be felt. The larger wineries will be fine in the long run, but these smaller boutique wineries may be pushed to the brink of extinction.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a wonderful bottle(s) of wine and support your neighbors in the wine business. All these wineries are in California. Many more can be found on my website or blog dating back more than four months. I have listed only a few of the varietals they make and clicking the website will give you a complete listing as well as their phone number.

There are many more wineries but these are stories from the last four months by area:
Napa Valley
Zuidema Wine Company – Grenache https://zuidemawines.com/
YoungInglewood – Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, blends http://younginglewood.com/
Detert Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc https://www.detert.com/
Laura Michael – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel https://www.lauramichaelwines.com/
Tate Wine – Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon http://www.tatewine.com/
Porch Wines – Sauvignon Blanc, GSM https://www.porch-wine.com/
Vinoce – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc https://www.vinoce.com/
Hunter Glenn Wines – Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Syrahhttps://hunterglenn.com/

Livermore Valley
Wood Family Vineyards – Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Blends https://woodfamilyvineyards.com
3 Steve’s Winery – Chardonnay, Carmenere, Cab Franc http://3steveswinery.com
McKahn Family Cellars – Syrah, Grenache, Viognier https://mckahnfamilycellars.com/
Steven Kent Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon, blends http://stevenkent/com
Cuda Ridge Wines – Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot https://cudaridgewines.com/
Cellar 13 – Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon https://www.cellar13winery.com/
Arroyo Cellars – Chardonnay, Zinfandel https://www.arroyocellars.com/
Lodi
Acquiesce – Roussanne, Picpoul, Bourboulenc https://www.acquiescevineyards.com/
Prie Vineyard – Barbera, Dornfelder, Zinfandel https://www.priewinery.com/
LangeTwins – Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon, Teroldego https://langetwins.com/

Sierra Foothills
Gossamer Cellars – Unique red & white wines (Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, etc.) http://restless-frog.com/about
Lavender Ridge – Roussanne, Rhone varietals https://lavenderridgevineyard.com/
Casino Mine Ranch – Vermentino, Tempranillo, Mourvedre https://www.casinomineranch.com/
Bodega Del Sur Winery – Tempranillo, Spanish varietals https://bodegadelsur.com/
Allegorie & Val du Vino – Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Blends https://www.valduvinowinery.com/allegorie-wines
Frog’s Tooth Winery – Chardonnay, Syrah, Petite Sirah https://www.frogstooth.com/
Jazz Cellars – Syrah, Sangiovese, Roussanne/Marsanne https://www.jazzcellars.com/

Boyle McDonald – Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Blends  https://www.boylemacdonaldwines.com

Suisun Valley
Tenbrink Winery – Petite Sirah, Chardonnay http://tenbrinkvineyards.com/
Tolenas Vineyards – Gamay, Rose, blends http://tolenaswinery.com/

Carmel
Shale Canyon Winery – Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Tempranillo https://www.shalecanyonwines.com/

Paso Robles
Dracaena Wines – Cabernet Franc, Rose https://dracaenawines.com/

Agoura Hills
Dusty Nabor Wines – Syrah, Grenache, Viognier http://dustynaborwines.com/

Sonoma Valley
Mountain Tides – Petite Sirah https://www.mountaintideswine.com/
Stringer Cellars – Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon https://www.stringercellars.com/
Merriman Vineyards – no website – (707) 433-4032
Slainte,

Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com