Nestled on the southeastern edge of the Santa Maria Valley along the long and winding Foxen Canyon Road you will find Riverbench Vineyard & Winery. Established in 1973, the property provided Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes to local Santa Barbara County Wineries. Over the years Riverbench became a prominent name in the area due to the quality of the grapes that were produced. In 2004, a group of local wine enthusiasts purchased the property and decided to start producing their own wine label, thus creating Riverbench Winery. In the beginning, the vintages included estate and reserve chardonnay and pinot noir, but since 2004 the portfolio has increased. Riverbench has one of the most inviting properties you will find along the Foxen Canyon... »View More

Added Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Unique U.S. Wineries Add a Comment

I have often wondered why the big wine publications pay so little attention to the many excellent small wineries located in regions around the United States. Test my theory, pick up any of the top wine magazines and almost all the articles will be about the big wine regions, California, France, Italy, Australia, you get my point. While I understand that some great wines come from these regions, hence the interest, I just feel more must be done to promote some of these less celebrated regions here in the U. S., that well deserve some attention. That leads us to report on another unique U. S. winery. The beautiful Brandywine Valley in southeast Pennsylvania is home to the Chaddsford Winery. The setting is a small country estate in the historic... »View More

Added Saturday, November 22, 2008 in Unique U.S. Wineries Add a Comment

Alba Winery and Vineyard The state of New Jersey may strike you as an unlikely location for a vineyard and winery. Even more unlikely is the fact that New Jersey touts 29 wineries. One of these wineries fits our criteria of a unique U.S. winery. Alba Winery and Vineyard, located in the historic Village of Finesville. Alba states on their web site “Our goal is to be recognized by the discerning consumer as a producer of quality wines.” We have visited Alba many times and suggest they add high quality wines to that statement. Alba’s tasting room is located in an old historic barn built in 1805. Trust me you will not feel like your in an old barn once inside. The building also houses the winery, and the Musconetcong Art Gallery.... »View More

Added Friday, January 25, 2008 in Unique U.S. Wineries Add a Comment