private tasting for 10

The Chouinard winery, family owned and operated, is housed in a barn composed of hand-cut redwood. George, Caroline, and their sons planted the first grapes 28 years ago with an old garden tractor. Waxed milk cartons kept the rabbits from nibbling the young vines. The canyon floor where the original grapes were planted was previously used for loading pens for the cattle and sheep, making the native loam soil even richer. The winery has an enviable track record of producing some of the Livermore Valley and California's finest Zinfandels and Chenin Blancs. Along with these "flagship wines," Chouinard Vineyard is also known for Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, Ice Wine and Barbera. During tours in the Spring, Damian often provides demonstrations showing how the Indians who originally lived in this beautiful canyon made arrowheads for deer hunting.