A Visit to the Oakville Wineries Located in California

Keith Dailey
Cardinale Estate: Grapes from Oakville, Mount Veeder, and Howell Mountain are used to produce red wine blends at the Cardinale Estate. Cardinale Estates is located north of the Yountville Mounts.

Cosentino Winery: Located north of the Yountville AVA, the Consentino winery produces in excess of 30 different kinds of wine. The wine variety alone is a delight to behold, but the entirety of the winery will make a spectacular addition to the trip.

Dalla Valle Vineyard: The wines produced at Dalla Valle Vineyard are of difficult acquisition, as are several wines of the particular region. Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle established the vineyard in 1982.

Far Niente Winery: After having been closed for 25 years, this historic winery currently allows visits and wine tasting by appointment only. The Far Niente Winery located off Oakville Grade is of such popularity that you should be sure to book your appointment to visit well in advance.

Franciscan Oakville Estate: Raymond Duncan and Justin Meyer purchased the estate three years after it had gone bankrupt. It originally was established in 1972 and upon Duncan and Meyer acquisition is was renovated and then purchased in 1978 by Peter Eckes Company.

Groth Vineyards: Superior quality wines have developed at this winery since its establishment in 1982 by Dennis and Judy Groth. Such wines as Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc are produced at Groth Vineyards, with the most excellent type of wine produced being that of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Heitz Wine Cellars: Rated as one of the regions finest wineries, the Heitz Wine Cellars has been handed down by the original owners to younger ancestral generations. The Heitz Wine Cellars are located off Highway 29 on Taplin Road.

Kelham Vineyards: Despite the fact that the wine is made in St. Helena at Shadow Brook Winery, Kelham Vineyards is still well worth a tour. The home of Kelham Vineyards is in western Oakville off Dwyer Road.

Miner Family Vineyards: Located off Silverado Trail in the eastern part of Napa Valley, Miner Family Vineyards was established in 1998 by Dave and Emily Miner. The vineyard boasts of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot planted within.

Nickel & Nickel Winery: Rated as one of today's superior wineries of the area, Nickel & Nickel was established in 1997 by the same individuals that own the historic Far Niente Winery. Nickel & Nickel Winery is located off the eastern side of Highway 29.

Opus One Winery: The Modavi and Rothschild families established this premier winery of the area in 1979. At Opus One traditional methods of farming are mixed with modern farming methods in order to produce such excellence as those wines rated as "ultra-premium".

Paradigm Winery: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot of excellent quality are produced at Paradigm Winery, lending its excellence to the fact that just thirty percent of the very best grapes produced at this personal estate are utilized. This has ultimately led to an overwhelming following over recent years.

PlumpJack Winery: Planted mostly with Cabernet Sauvignon, the PlumpJack Winery has quite the history. Originally founded in 1881, the vineyards of this property were known as Villa Mountain Eden in the 1970s. An investment group then established the PlumpJack winery in the 1990s.

Robert Mondavi Winery: After a feud between brothers Peter and Robert Mondavi, the Robert Mondavi Winery was established in 1966.

Rudd Winery: Established by Leslie Rudd in 1996, this is one of the newer wineries of the area, particularly when you consider the tremendous number of wineries of the region that have been there for many years. Despite it's somewhat newness, the Rudd Winery has earned acclaim particularly for its blends of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Screaming Eagle Winery: Located on Silverado Trail, the wines produced at Screaming Eagle Winery are exceptionally difficult to acquire. The difficulty of acquisition is due to the level of excellence of the wine a Screaming Eagle, which in turn makes it among the most expensive wines in California.

Silver Oak Winery: With its somewhat recent acquisition of 100 additional acres north of Stags Leap, the Silver Oak Winery will likely not be discontinuing business very soon. It surely will continue to produce its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon for many more years to come.

Conclusively, you can find plenty vineyards and wineries just in the Oakville, California area to keep you quite busy and knowledgeable of the best wines available.

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