A mom-and-pop winery and tourist magnet all in one
The host explains to me that the brick-clad building can also be seen as an upside-down Champagne glass, in honor of its original incarnation as the tasting room for Weibel Champagne Cellars, built in 1971.
Novelties include an indoor fountain, gift shop, bocce ball, and occasional pizza and live music parties.
There’s plenty of room at the bar, but it’s fun to take seats around the fountain and peer up into those rafters to pick out shapes as the lighting changes.
Charlie’s grandfather was a grape grower in Piedmont, Italy, then moved to Northern California and put his grandson to work in the vineyards at the age of 10.
[...] what a deal — tastings are complimentary, including a 2013 Chardonnay ($18), 2012 Sangiovese ($18), 2012 Pinot Noir ($20), 2011 Zinfandel ($20), 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($20), 2009 Petite Sirah ($22), 2013 Muscat Canelli ($16), and a 2012 Bella Dolce Petite Sirah Port ($28).
Stopping in Hopland for takeout, such as a bison burger and slab of homemade pie from Bluebird Cafe, is a great plan — dining options around Barra are limited.