Bay Area Boutique Wineries

May 1, 2011 by Amanda

In reality, there really is not any fixed definition for the term Boutique Winery. Most sales people claim that if a particular winery produces less than 2,000 cases of wine each year, then it is considered to be a boutique winery. By logical reasoning, any winery that produces less than 5,000 cases of wine per year will be regarded as a boutique winery. Most of the larger wineries produce a limited number of wine cases of a specific wine, which is then known as boutique wine. However, boutique wines can also be defined as a wine that is made in limited amounts, while expressing a certain amount of passion on the part of the winemaker.

In addition to the various well-known labels that have been crafting and producing different varieties of wines in Bay Area, you will find a whole host of boutique wineries that are treasured by the locals.

Here is a list of the boutique wineries in Bay Area:

. Bouchaine Vineyards: The legendary Bouchaine winery is situated in the southern part of Napa valley, close to San Francisco. Bouchaine is a family-owned business, which is wholly devoted to crafting and making the delicious Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties. Bouchaine wines are a heady blend of nature as well as culture, a compelling expression of grape and craft that complements the sophistication of burgundy with the liveliness of California. Established on the site of one of the oldest operating wineries in Carneros, Bouchaine is located north of San Pablo and San Francisco. The fog that surrounds the region every night largely influences the climate in this winery, and the shallow clayey loam soils that are ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

. Catacula Lake Winery: Committed to crafting wines that reflect the truly wild and beautiful side of the Chiles Valley terroir, the Catacula Lake Winery has wine that is kept under the guidance of some of Napa Valleys finest wine consultants and experts. 1999 marked Cataculs first vintage at the new facility. Catacula is dedicated to producing wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot Blend that is called Rancho Cuvee, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. However, Catacula is widening its portfolio by planting new varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah.

. Graeser Winery: Located within the viticultural district of the Diamond Mountains, the Graeser Winery is acknowledged as one of the greatest regions in the world for growing fine varietals of Bordeaux. The Diamond Mountain wines can be profoundly complex, age-worthy, and generous. The Graeser Winery is prized in Napa Valley for creating wines that are full of dimension and character. These wines are detailed and lush, more elegant than overblown, approachable and balanced in its youth, while having the capacity to age well for a decade, and sometimes more.

. Regusci Winery: With Napa Valley becoming a prominent wine-cultivating region, the Regusci family was able to concentrate on cultivating a single crop, namely wine grapes. In the mid 90s, the son Angelo decided to restore a winery on this property, and a year later; both father and son crushed their first harvest of Stags Leap District wines. The Regusci Winery began operating in the late 90s, displaying its estate vintages like Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.

. Van Der Heyden Vineyards Wines: Family owned and housed in the panoramic and world famous Napa Valley wine region, the Van Der Heyden Vineyards is situated on the prestigious and charming Silverado Trail, which lies south of the Stags Leap District. Specializing in estate bottled Cabernet Sauvignon wines, Chardonnay wines, and late harvest dessert wines, this vineyard is a treat for all wine aficionados. Reputed for being the only winery in the world to produce a late harvest Cabernet Sauvignon, the Van Der Heyden Vineyard is one of the finest of its kind.

Amateur wine enthusiasts and tourists that visit the wineries in Bay Area will be absolutely thrilled to find a personal and charming wine tasting session at each of these wineries. Sample some of these wines and you might just become a true-blue wine devotee yourself!

Kris Koonar
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