Terra d’Oro

Terra d’Oro is a large, impressive wood-sided winery out by itself on Shenandoah School Road. They make loads of wine, specializing in their rich and heady Zinfandel and Barbera. The winery recently changed its name from Montevina yet still bottles much of its wine under the Montevina label.

The tasting room is set back behind the winery in its own large modern building, with a spacious event patio up against the hillside. The long angular tasting room has lots of logo clothing, gift items, and a deli cooler full of drinks, cheeses, meats and snacks. An oak-topped tasting counter serves visitors a range of white and red wines, including a number of Italian varietals.

Terra d’Oro is sometimes known as The Wine Renegade because they experiment with different grape varieties and test different blends. Many of these wines are available only in the tasting room and can be purchased only by wine club members. Wines such as Aglianico, Freisa, Teroldego, and their Wild Bunch Red and White offerings make for a spirited and adventurous wine-tasting tour.

Terra d’Oro and Montevina are part of the large Trinchero Family Estates wine group. They also produce Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, Syrah, Sangiovese, a dessert Muscat, and a Zinfandel Port. New releases introduced in fall 2008 are California appellation Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon that come primarily from Delta and Lodi area vineyards.