The entrance of the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg

Taste Some Wines, Old Sugar Mill, Clarksburg

An offer for a chocolate and wine pairingA destination for wine lovers is the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg. Originally established in 1934 as a production facility for sugar beets, it’s now a backdrop for 14 wineries hosting their tasting rooms. The large brick building and the courtyard is a picturesque event venue. The tasting rooms each have their own styles. For example Draconis with their cozy seating and dragon decorations impressed both of us. This would be a great place for a restaurant, but right now, they only offer a food truck on the weekends. 

A courtyard at the Old Sugar MillI think this location will be great in the summer. The outside courtyard is inviting, but the rooms were all a bit chilly. The staff throughout was super friendly. One winery even recommended the winery where we stopped for a wine tasting because of my husband’s grape preference. 

Where is your go-to winery?

The outside yard at the Old Sugar MillOld Sugar Mill is located at 35265 Willow Ave in Clarksburg, CA. The opening hours depend on each winery; check on the website https://oldsugarmill.com/wineries.html. No pets allowed, except service animals. No outside foods – there will be food trucks on Saturday and Sundays.

 

Entrance to the Picchetti Winery, Cupertino

Taste some Wine

It’s almost Thanksgiving and if you are looking for the perfect bottle to rise to the occasion you might want to consider going to a local winery and taste test some bottles/glasses.

Old barn at Picchetti Winery, Cupertino.

One of the oldest wineries in California, the Picchetti Winery, sits above Cupertino and its tasting room is open from 10 am to 4 pm every day. The Picchetti brothers, Secondo and Vincenzo, established the ranch in 1882 and first sold their grapes to local wineries. In 1896 they decided to produce their own wine. During Prohibition the wine production sunk dramatically and prune and apricot orchards replaced most of the grape vines. 

Entrance to the tasting room at Picchetti Winery, Cupertino.

In 1976 the Picchetti family sold 308 acres to the Open Space District, the Picchetti Open Space Preserve was established. Hiking on the Zinfandel Trail might expose you to the surrounding orchards and vineyards. Overall there are about 4 miles of hiking trails.

Since 1982 the District leases the winery back to winemakers, currently about 9,000 cases per year get produced, many of them award-winning.

Inside the tasting room at Picchetti Winery, Cupertino.

The tasting is $15 dollars for a flight of five wines. Wine bottle prices range from about $25 to $55, but a wine club is available. 

Picnic tables at Picchetti Winery, Cupertino.

The tasting room is nicely decorated, but you might want to enjoy your flight outside at the picnic tables. Maybe the peacocks will greet you.

Where do you go to taste test your wine?

Of course Napa and Sonoma are prime wine country. Have you ever been to Calistoga?

Resources:

https://thepress.sfchronicle.com/review/picchetti-winery/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picchetti_Brothers_Winery