Like Fine Wine
A Little Taste of Wine in the North State…
You don’t need to head to Napa Valley for a wine tasting experience. All you need is right here in the North State.The truth is that Redding and areas in Trinity, Siskiyou and Tehama counties have more than their fair share of vineyards, cellars and tasting rooms.
After all … in vino veritas.
While many wineries in the North State import grapes prior to fermentation, several use upstate Northern California’s climate to their advantage in growing the fruit of the vine.
BURNSINI VINEYARDS in Cottonwood has been growing grapes for wine commercially since 2000. Its eight acres produce high- quality red wines that are known well beyond Shasta County. The grounds are host to numerous community events throughout the year and their downtown Redding tasting room – inside Enjoy the Store – is the perfect place to stop and enjoy a glass or two while also picking up something from the store’s plethora of local handcrafted wares.
Burnsini’s tasting room is at 195353 Hammers Lane in Cottonwood and open from noon to 5 pm weekends for tastings by the glass or bottle. The Redding tasting room is open from 4 to 8 pm Thursday through Saturday.
ALGER VINEYARDS has used the rich volcanic soil, cool nights and snowmelt waters from Lassen Volcanic Peak to cultivate their vineyards in Manton for more than 40 years. Their tasting room is open from noon to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday with views as tasty as their varietals.
MATSON VINEYARD, just east of Redding, was planted in 1981 and the winery has been bottling since 1984. Their Redding tasting room allows you easy access to their wines as it is stocked with the fruits of their labor and features picnic tables and a covered area to relax with lunch and a glass. They’re open from 1 to 6 pm Fridays through Sundays (year round).
In addition to the vineyards, one of Redding’s most well-known wineries is MOSELEY FAMILY CELLARS. They source the best grapes from throughout California and Southern Oregon, giving them the flexibility to craft wines their own way. Since 2011, their wine tasting room at 4712 Mountain Lakes Blvd. is a perfect place to enjoy some of the finest vintages in Northern California.
A novice to wine tasting? The folks at Moseleys will sit with you and teach you about different finishes in your quest to find a favorite. Tastings are available from 2 to 5 pm Friday through Sunday, and Moseley has a wine club you’ll be sure to want to join.
A short drive – but well worth the trip – from Redding is NEW CLAIRVAUX VINEYARDS in Vina, where a fifth- generation winemaker and Trappist monks came together to create handcrafted, award-winning wines. Their tasting room is open from 11 am to 5 pm daily. •
