Hispanic culture has deep roots in Napa and Sonoma Wine Country. Many of the local wineries we visit are some of the first Mexican and Spanish owned wineries in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, and the wine is absolutely delicious!
A selection of some of the Hispanic rooted wineries we might visit during the tour include:
Ceja Winery
Arriving in the Napa Valley in 1967 as braceros, the Ceja family is now producing some of the finest wine in the famous Carneros region. Carneros is close to San Pablo Bay, and the cooling fog keeps the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from ripening too quickly, creating the ideal climate for fine wine. Their amazing tale is a true American success story, and their welcome is as warm as the sun that shines down upon their slice of earthly heaven.
Robledo Winery
Robledo Winery is found in the Sonoma Valley, and their story is much like the Cejas’. Also beginning as farm workers, the Robledo Family now owns over 200 acres of grapevines. The wine is specially designed to be “food friendly” and their “Seven Brothers” Sauvignon Blanc is just one of the award winning wines you will taste during a visit to Robledo. Can you guess why their Sauvignon Blanc is called: Seven Brothers?
Mi Sueño Winery
Mis Sueño is Spanish for “My Dream,” and these words perfectly describe why Rolando Herrera became the owner of his own winery. Born in the Mexican state of Michoacan, his family arrived in California in 1975. Beginning his wine career with the famed vintner Warren Winiarski at Stag’s Leap, he now produces small lots of extraordinary wine you will taste at his facility in South Napa.
Historic Sonoma Plaza
An eight acre natural jewel in the heart of Sonoma, the Plaza is lined with historic adobes and is an oasis of peace and tranquility. Your guide will point out historic buildings and tell stories of the Bear Flag Revolt: the curious military action that ended Mexican rule over California. You will also hear tales of General Mariano Vallejo, the most famous of all Californios, and a man beloved as a great citizen of both Mexico and America.
San Francisco Solano Mission
Now a California State Park, this is the last of 21 Spanish missions that once stretched from San Diego to Sonoma. Beautiful, historic, with excellent exhibits, the San Francisco Solano Mission is a treasure located right on the Historic Sonoma Plaza.
Allora Vineyards was established in 1997 by Terry and Nancy Klein along with their three children, Kelly, Cortney, and Christopher. The winery is known for small-production luxury wines. Allora is located on an exceptional 15-acre estate on the valley floor in St. Helena. The genesis of the winery was the desire to create a family-owned and operated business, a genuine passion and appreciation for fine wine, and a deep respect for this unique and outstanding wine-growing region.
The Amizetta’s founded a secluded hillside estate in 1984 in the eastern hills of St. Helena on Howell Mountain. A winding road with breathtaking views of Lake Hennessy, Pritchet Hill, and the San Pablo Bay, Amizetta beckons your senses as you reach your destination. The steep hillside boasts the perfect terrain for their 2,200 square foot barrel cave with extreme golf carting the hilly vineyards. Known for world class Cabernet’s and Bordeaux varieties this picturesque winery parallels many of the world’s top hillside wineries in Europe. A truly unique tasting experience awaits you either in their picnic areas or by relaxed seating on a multi-tier patio gazing at the incredible views.
Gus Anderson founded Anderson Conn Valley in 1983 and today it remains family owned and operated. Conn Valley is located where Conn Creek flows out of Howell Mountain and is known for producing world class Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. The tasting features a personal tour of their wine cave and property which is steeped in tranquility and natural beauty. The feeling is relaxed, unpretentious, and friendly.
Since visiting the Napa Valley in 1973, while attending college in southern California, Peter Thompson set his sights on getting into the wine business, specifically in the Napa Valley. In 1992, Peter began actively pursuing his goal of owning a vineyard in the prestigious Napa Valley. During a two and one-half year search for the ultimate vineyard property, Peter selected the Andrew Geoffrey Vineyards site atop Diamond Mountain. The property was undeveloped, but only needed the right combination of efforts to realize its incredible potential for creating a state-of-the-art vineyard to produce world class California Cabernet Sauvignon wine.
Anomaly specializes in the production of the highest-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. The first vintage of Anomaly was harvested in 1997 and made by the "budding garagistes." Buoyed by the praise of the 1997 vintage, they embarked on the journey of obtaining a permit to produce Cabernet Sauvignon by building a small winery adjacent to the small vineyard. They love their little winery and believe that it gives them the opportunity to make a wine that is the finest possible expression of their organic vineyard.
Fittingly, Aonair is Gaelic for "one man" and reflects Grant Long Jr's passion for handcrafted small-lot wines. These outstanding wines are only available at the winery. Grant Long Jr. founded Aonair Wines in 2008 after learning to make wine in a garage growing up and being mentored by great winemakers throughout his life. Located in the rugged, forested hills of St. Helena about 12-15 minutes from the valley floor and Silverado Trail, this small winery has the feeling of a luxury cabin lodge. Enjoy a roaring fire, wander outside on the deck with the fire-pit, and enjoy incredible views of the hillside and vineyards. Rich full-bodied red blends and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a flagship white wine are produced in extremely limited barrel quantities.
The Arrow&Branch name pays homage to the Contursi Family’s success in the rare coin business, U.S. coinage and Americana. Found on the reverse of most United States coinage is an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch in its talons. This design signifies the United States as a peace-loving nation and country’s ability to defend itself if that peace and freedom should be compromised.
Arrow&Branch exists to showcase Napa Valley’s finest vineyard sites and the wines that come from them. We source our fruit from unique and exquisite vineyard sites, such as Vine Hill Ranch, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Arrow&Branch, Lewelling and Stagecoach. These vineyards are all noted for having exceptional Napa Valley terroir. We seek to make wines with precision, power and elegance, but most importantly, true to the vineyards they come from.
Auburn James was founded in 2005 by two winemakers, James Frost and Matthew Ospeck. They are known for their Bordeaux red blends which are lush and silky with expressive aromatics. You can taste their wines on the deck overlooking the winery, vineyards, and bocce court or in the tasting cottage. Auburn James is a small, intimate winery with a rustic artistic feel that one must see and experience!
A powerhouse collaboration between proprietor Gus Kalaris and winemaker Bob Egelhoff, Axios is a super premium Cabernet Sauvignon of Napa Valley "cult" status. Axios, meaning worthy in Greek, reflects Gus' vision to craft a wine of Bordeaux influence that represents the richness of its' Napa Valley origin. This wine was proudly served at a reception hosted by President Bush at The White House in March of 2002.
The history of our estate is compounded in layers; rooted in historic tales of fierce Native American hunting grounds, wild west pioneers and the first woman vintner of California in 1886. It has changed hands over the course of 134 years to become a brewery, restaurant, inn, winery and saloon. Tales of love, lust, heartbreak, murders and great fortune create an imaginative backdrop to our present-day vision of AXR. Today, we are a winery that pays homage to its history and blazes the trail of excitement and innovation in Napa Valley as the pioneers before us did.
You can avoid all of the work and stress of planning your Napa Valley or Sonoma wine region visit by allowing us to guide you through a most compelling and memorable day in the wine country!
On our small group join-in wine tours, you’ll meet other wine adventurers on a roomy shuttle led by one of our friendly and informative tour guides. We’ll pick you up from your area lodging for a day filled with fun, flavor and adventure!
Or…make it private! We’re happy to accommodate couples or groups of any size for customized tours through the wine country.
