Claiborne & Churchill
“Though Claiborne & Churchill makes excellent Pinot Noir, the real reason most come to this tasting room is for the Alsatian-style Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. That’s what founder Claiborne Thompson started making in the 1980s when he ditched academia to become a winemaker. It’s a great change of pace, and you taste either alongside the barrel room or in shade on the patio.”
Niven Family
“The Niven family is Edna Valley’s pioneer, having planted the Paragon Vineyard in 1973. Their second property, Edna Valley Vineyard, was planted in 1981, but sold to Gallo in 2011. Today, the Nivens make wine under the Baileyana, True Myth, Tangent, Trenza and Zocker labels, much of which can be tasted at their old schoolhouse tasting room that overlooks their vineyards. Play a game of bocce while sipping on a Zocker Gruner Veltliner or Tangent Albarino.”
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Images courtesy of Claiborne & Churchill and the Niven Family.
