Sacramento is undoubtedly one of the US’s most popular wine regions, and every winery it contains is well worth a visit. Wine connoisseurs from all over the US (and overseas in some cases) are always impressed by the quality of wineries near Sacramento, as they produce some of the best wines around.
Visitors to the region can look forward to a range of award-winning wines from different vineyards. There are around 200 wineries near Sacramento CA, most of which are not only focused on the quality of their product, but how they can move towards more sustainable farming practices which is very much in line with current wine industry trends.
We’ve put together a short guide to five of the best wineries in and around Sacramento.
Scribner Bend
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Scribner Bend is a family-owned establishment that not only produces fine wines, but also plays host to various events and gatherings. The winery was established in 2003 and now houses a tasting room, different spaces for functions, and, since 2007, a barrel and crushing facility. This allows the farm to produce wine from beginning to end – from planting and harvesting each grape to bottling. Scribner Bend is part of the Clarksburg AVA (American Viticultural Area).
Opening hours:
- Closed Monday to Thursday
- Friday: 11am – 4:30pm
- Saturday: 11am – 4:30pm
- Sunday: 11am – 4:30pm
Scribner Bend offers a myriad of services, including:
- Bartending,
- Event planning
- Conference hosting,
- Weddings
- Concerts
- Team building
- Banquets
They have indoor and outdoor seating; the covered outdoor seating is heated in winter. They do not have on-site accommodation but a capacity of up to 200 guests for events (outdoor facilities only).
Wise Villa Winery
This winery, located northeast of Sacramento, is another family-run business that produces excellent wines. Wise Villa Winery has won the title of Golden State Winery of the Year (California State Fair 2015) and the 2019 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The team at Wise Villa hand-picks grapes in small batches to ensure that both their red and white wines are of the absolute best quality. This vineyard’s winemaking process is meticulous, involving cross-flow filtration before bottling and measures to keep sulfites to the minimum – achieving the fine balance between sustainable farming practice and the best wines.
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday: 11am – 5pm
- Thursday to Saturday: 11am – 8pm
Wise Villa Winery offers a wide array of services apart from tasting and purchasing. These include:
- Gourmet dinners
- Winery tours
- Regular specials such as Prime Rib Thursdays (each Thursday from 11am – 8pm)
- Friday night live music
- Grape stomping
Their on-site restaurant is open six days a week.
Wise Villa Winery also facilitates annual international tours led by owner Dr Grover Lee: a journey through spectacular, world-class wine regions in various countries.
Miner’s Leap Winery
Miner’s Leap Winery is located in Clarksburg, just south of downtown Sacramento, and prides itself on being a relaxed venue, just perfect to unwind and experience exquisite wines with friends and family. They offer tasting, and events such as “Paint and Sip”, weekly live music and pairing experiences (wine and chocolate, for example). Miner’s Leap is one of the smaller vineyards, which makes it a great, cosy option for those looking for a welcoming atmosphere.
Opening times:
- Closed Monday to Thursday
- Friday: 12pm – 5:30pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
Extras
- Reservations are required for groups larger than six. Each Friday patrons can enjoy Happy Hour from 5pm – 7pm, including live music.
Great Bear Vineyards
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Great Bear Vineyards has won multiple awards, including Best Winery of the Year by Sacramento Magazine (2020 and 2021), and Gold and Double Gold Medals in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (2021). This winery ferments their wines in small lots and ages their white wine in steel tanks instead of wooden barrels, giving it a crisp and fresh flavor. Great Bear is also family-run and perfectly located on the northern edge of Davis – an area with just the right mix of silty loam and clay loam soil.
The vineyards grow seven reds and four whites; and owners, Jenny and Marcus Meadows-Smith, pride themselves on their sustainable farming practices.
Opening times:
- Wine tasting (reservations required)
- Friday: 5pm – 8pm
- Saturday: 12pm – 4pm
- Sunday: 12pm – 3pm
Extras
- Apart from scheduled Wine Tasting on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Great Bear Vineyards offers private tastings and is available for parties and wedding celebrations (not ceremonies). Wine can also be ordered online for pickup or delivery. Members of their Wine Club are entitled to discounts and access to special events.
- Great Bear also offers both indoor and outdoor facilities, as well as an Airbnb – a homestead looking over the vineyard dating back to 1860.
Bogle Vineyards
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Bogle is one of the best wineries in Nashville TN. Established in 1968; it is run by the Bogle family and produces exquisite wines ranging from their refreshing Sauvignon Blanc to the unique and rich Petite Sirah. They also have limited releases, currently including their 50th Anniversary Reserve Petite Sirah. Each wine is produced with care: Chardonnay is fermented in new oak barrels, while reds are aged in traditional, smaller barrels.
Opening times for Wine Tasting:
- Thursday to Sunday: 11am – 5pm
- Picnic afternoon reservation
- Thursday to Sunday: 11pm – 5pm
- Monday to Wednesday: Wine Club Members only
Opening times for Wine Shop
- Monday to Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Bogle Vineyards offers various activities on top of wine tasting, including:
- Picnic afternoons (excluding tasting)
- Wine club membership, which includes patio access, generous discounts and access to reserve wines
- One-off experiences such as Inspired Earth Day (yoga, meditation and tasting), Habitat for Humanity (build homes for low-income families), and Movie Nights
Spoilt For Choice With Wineries Near Sacramento
There are many other wineries near the Sacramento CA region that guarantee visitors a great experience. If you’re feeling the urge to travel a bit further, the Lodi area to the south of Sacramento is home to yet more fine vineyards. Whether you prefer to stay close to the city centre or branch out into the more rural suburbs, you can be sure that any winery you pick will have something spectacular to offer.