**** (4 stars)

This is a very pleasant winery tasting room to visit on the road into Walla Walla. You can taste indoors and outdoors, and all of their wines had fresh, clean, varietal flavors. We preferred the higher end reds.

Woodward Canyon Winery
11920 W Hwy 12
Lowden, WA 99360

https://www.yelp.com/biz/woodward-canyon-winery-lowden

**** (4 stars)

Very neat old schoolhouse building beautifully restored and maintained. You can taste inside or outside. All of the wines were well made. We preferred the higher end reds.

L’Ecole No 41
41 Lowden School Rd
Lowden, WA 99360

https://www.yelp.com/biz/l-ecole-no-41-lowden

***** (5 stars)

This is a wonderful place to try wines from 15 different wineries in a relaxed setting. Two different flights of five wines were offered, and we tried each. They also have many other selections available by the bottle, including a 20 year pinot noir vertical.

We also got a kick out of the charcuterie, cheese, and chocolate vending machine!

Carlton Winemakers Studio
801 N Scott St
Carlton, OR 97111

https://www.yelp.com/biz/carlton-winemakers-studio-carlton-2

***** (5 stars)

What an amazing setting, overlooking the vineyards from the veranda of a stunning facility. It's more like a Four Seasons resort than a winery!

The wines are just as stunning, certainly the best pinots I've had from Oregon. That makes sense, since they also have their own Burgundy wineries. In fact they have two separate clubs, one for Oregon wine and the other for Burgundy, and we joined both.

This is also a great place for a light lunch, with excellent charcuterie, cheese, and bread service, making it perfect for a relaxing experience.

Great hospitality!

Domaine Serene
6555 NE Hilltop Ln
Dayton, OR 97114

https://www.yelp.com/biz/domaine-serene-dayton

**** (4 stars)

Excellent producer of both sweet and dry wines from Missouri. It's a challenging place to make dry wines, so their efforts are particularly noteworthy.

The tasting bar offer the opportunity to try any five of their vast selection for a mere five dollars.

My favorites are their Chambourcin and Norton, but if you like something with a touch of sweetness, the Pink Catawba and Concord are the way to go.

St. James Winery
540 State Rt B
Saint James, MO 65559

https://www.yelp.com/biz/st-james-winery-saint-james

**** (4 stars)

This is a good stop in downtown Los Olivos. The emphasis is on Rhone varietals, especially Syrah. The style tends toward the fruity end of the spectrum rather than the charred game end. They also make an interesting white Rhone blend.

Tensley Wines Tasting Room
2900 Grand Ave
Los Olivos, CA
93441
(805) 688-6761
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tensley-wines-tasting-room-los-olivos

**** (4 stars)

This is a lovely hilltop tasting room. The winery specializes in sparkling wines, and the ones we tried were crisp and well made. Their wine club is a particularly good deal. Our server was friendly and very enthusiast.

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
453 Laetitia Vineyard Dr
Arroyo Grande, CA
93420
(805) 481-1772
https://www.yelp.com/biz/laetitia-vineyard-and-winery-arroyo-grande-2

***** (5 stars)

This was the best producer we visited during our day in the Arroyo Grande area. Their Chardonnays and Sirah were particular standouts. The tasting room has a marvelous view of the vineyards, and there is a nice outside area for relaxing with a bottle. We voted by joining their club!

Talley Vineyards
3031 Lopez Dr
Arroyo Grande, CA
93420
(805) 270-7505
https://www.yelp.com/biz/talley-vineyards-arroyo-grande

*** (3 stars)

Definitely the best gift shop of all the area’s wineries! Lots of fun merchandise in a warren of funky little spaces. Plus a great collection of artifacts such as old typewriters ! Serviceable wines, although you’ll find infinitely better product right next for at Melville Vineyards. A fascinating example of the difference in winemaking techniques.

Babcock Winery & Vineyards
5175 E Hwy 246
Lompoc, CA
93436
(805) 736-1455
https://www.yelp.com/biz/babcock-winery-and-vineyards-lompoc