Geyser Peak Winery

This is one of the oldest wineries in the region, and has gone “boom-to-bust” a number of times during its 120-plus years in business. It offers a range of wines, from consumer-friendly wines with good value to more expensive reserve offerings.

Perched on a hillside across from Geyser Peak Mountain, this age-old winery has attractive rock walls and lush gardens. There are comfortable outside patios for relaxing, and an updated tasting room with dark wood accents and a 30-foot marble tasting bar. There is a deli case with snacks available, and they encourage picnicking on their patio.

Pay the reserve fee and you can enjoy tasting in a more private space upstairs, where the Reserve Room looks down on the 10,000-barrel aging cellar. There is a “clubby” atmosphere here where you can sit, sip and enjoy the wine and the company.

The winery is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet, but makes a full range of interesting wines including Merlot, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Tannat (a full-bodied red wine from the Basque region of Spain and Southern France), some ports and a sparkling Shiraz. They also have a Zinfandel program, highlighting three different wines made from vines that are 10, 50 and 100 years old.