Benchmark Wineries
Anselmo Vineyards
Anselmo vineyards sit at the top of the southern end of the Cascade mountain range in the foothills of Mt Lassen and Mt Shasta. At 1,500 feet, Anselmo vineyards have become a benchmark of California‘s newest wine-growing region, the Inwood Valley AVA, where, after the soil scientists of UC Davis research, the soil was formed by two different volcanoes (the Mt Lassen and the Mt Shasta) eruptions thousand years ago. This kind of unique soil produces grapes that make good wine, very competitive with those in Napa Valley.
Cedar Creek Vineyards
Cedar Creek Ranch & Vineyards is located in Mount Aukum, California. Founded in 1997 by Karen J. Wood, Cedar Creek consistently produces elegant, food friendly wines with a lasting mid-palate richness; all true to varietal character and built to age. Since the beginning, all Cedar Creek wines are Natural Wines, that is, organically grown and produced using only yeast that exist in the pristine environment of the vineyards.
Matson Vineyards
Shasta County’s oldest bonded winery, Matson Vineyards, is a family-owned winery located just east of Redding, California. They continually strive to explore the incredible diversity of grape varieties that exist and the flavors that can be elicited from them. The evolution of unique wines taking place at the winery requires experimentation with the unique growing conditions in Shasta County, curiosity about somewhat ignored but high-potential varieties, and the desire to discover the subtle ways in which blending of wines can yield exciting and delicious results.
Merlo Family Estate Vineyards
Tucked away in the far reaches of rugged Northern California, Merlo Family Vineyards are located along the banks of the wild and scenic South Fork of the Trinity River that runs through Hyampom Valley. Influenced by the idyllic growing season and climate of this small pocket valley, the fruit produced in the Merlo Family Vineyards expresses a strong sense of place. Based on the concept that quality wine is grown in the vineyard, a minimalist approach is taken in the cellar, allowing the wines to clearly reflect the varietal character and distinct terroir of Hyampom Valley. The wines are richly flavored and expressive but not high in alcohol or overripe in flavors.
Miles Garrett Wines
Miles Garrett Wines is a small family run winery producing their own grapes and olives. They try to make wines that represent the land and the unique microclimate of Humboldt County and the Willow Creek AVA (American Viticultural Area). They dry farm CCOF-certified organic grapes (no irrigation), cultivate cover crops in the winter and allow their farm animals into the vineyard at certain times to graze. Once the grapes are in the winery, they practice natural winemaking, which means minimal intervention. They let fermentation take place with naturally occurring yeasts and never add sulfites or any other additives through the process.
New Clairvaux Vineyard
New Clairvaux Vineyard is a unique winery destination. With one of the world’s most distinguished winemaking histories, the land now serves as home to Trappist-Cistercian monks. This Roman Catholic order’s rich viticultural history dates back nearly a thousand years. Together in partnership with fifth-generation California winemaker Aimée Sunseri and her family, they strive to revitalize this remarkable place.