Viano Winery & Vineyards — Attraction in Martinez

This is not Napa. You wouldn't expect a winery and fairly extensive vineyards sandwiched between some refineries in Martinez. But that is Viano, traditional, authentic. The best way to describe it is unpretentious. The tasting room is friendly, rustic, a bit old fashioned. The "private stock" tastings are free, for the "reserve selection" tasting they charge $0.75 per taste, waived if you buy a bottle. They pour generously. Private stock is priced at $5 to $8 a bottle (yes per bottle). Good value day-to-day table wine. Pretty solid. Honest delivery for the price. The "reserve selection" is at least two steps up and typically well worth the still pretty decent $15 to $17. If you are into dessert wines they have a very interesting and well priced selection of ports and late harvests. They are most known for their Zin, which I personally didn't like that much. (My taste, nothing wrong with the wine). I found their Reserve Selection Sangiovese and CS quite interesting. We got a few bottles. They have a nice pic-nic area. When the weather is nice, it is a great place for a family/group outing bring your own food, get a few bottles of their wine, enjoy life. And they have two very...

Pleasant wine. Drink and enjoy.

This Family Estate, now with its 4th and 5th generations, was founded by the Viano family in 1920. They purchased the already planted vineyard which was established in 1888. It reminded them of their vineyards in Piedmont, Italy. This area, once so rich in grapes, was named Vine Hill and home to more than 15 wineries.

Some of the original vines still remain while the balance of the vineyard has been expanded and replanted to keep up with new world tastes and desires. Using the most natural, cultural practices possible, combined with traditional winemaking techniques, which includes natural yeast and aging in small oak cooperage, we bring you these fine...

I'm ashamed to say that this was my first visit to the winery. I've lived in the area for over 20 years, literally blocks from The Tasting Room. I've had the wine in restaurants and purchased it at stores but never visited the actual Winery.

Sam and her aunt took care of us during our visit, and gave us the history of the winery and how long it's been around! We even learned about a new wine I had never heard of before, Valdigue from Gamay grapes - Delicious!!

I'm not much of a white wine girl, but some of the Hillside White came home with me as did the Valdigue and some port!

If you haven't been to Viano, I highly recommend you...