Amazing local family winery! Great tasting experience, love the outside area. A view of vines and…read moretables under trees. 5 tastings for $10, can't beat that! A lot of variety, I tasted the reserved reds and dessert wines. I was quite impressed with the depth of flavor. Relative to Livermore wines which I prefer over Lodi grapes. All are grown and processed there. A true gem that more people should know about, right in my backyard, literally! Note: Their wine dogs roam around so they ask you to keep yours at home.

Enjoyed listening to the Killbillies band yesterday. Grateful the picnic tables were all in the…read moreshade. Loved the vibe of the music, wine & dancing while enjoying the peaceful view of the vines on the hillside. Thank you for allowing us to bring our own food - though the garlic from the Italian Food Truck smelled fantastic and I heard the calamari was good.

Shadowbrook Winery is an absolute gem. The grounds are stunning, the atmosphere is peaceful, and…read moreit's the perfect place to relax and enjoy time with friends. During our visit, there was a small misunderstanding that was entirely on our side, Kevin handled everything with remarkable grace, patience, and kindness. He treated us with professionalism and made sure everyone felt welcome, even in a challenging situation. I wanted to publicly thank Kevin for his exceptional hospitality. His calm and thoughtful approach truly made a lasting impression.

This was our first time at Shadowbrook, and unfortunately our last…read more The service was absolutely disappointing especially considering there's already a 20% service charge. When we first arrived we were seated right away and given waters immediately by our lovely host, after being seating it took 15 minutes for our waiter to even look at us and when she did she said "Do you know what you want to drink?", this was our first interaction. It took about 20 minutes to receive our wine and when she brought it to us she never let us taste the wine before pouring it, which I have never experienced at any other winery. After leaving it took an extra 10 minutes to receive our order of French fries, luckily the water machine was right next to us so whenever we needed a refill we could just get up and get it ourselves! We almost asked them to not even bring out the bread because it had been 45 minutes after ordering before it came to our table. I think we would have been more understanding if it was a busy night but it was the complete opposite. I could have driven all the way to Napa, been served, eaten a full meal, then home with my teeth brushed in bed by 8, but instead I'm at Shadowbrook waiting for my bread. Overall the food was great, the wine was excellent but the service was absolutely horrific! We felt overlooked and unwelcome from the start. Our server barely acknowledged us and gave the impression that we weren't worth her time while serving others next to us with enthusiasm. Unfortunately the 20% service charge did it for me, I wouldn't mind paying if it was worth it, if I could tip our waitress less I would.

This is a local winery run by a couple out of their house! They dry farm and grow all their wine on…read morethe property. The space is beautiful - it's located on a hilltop with the tasting on a deck in the back with impressive views of rolling hills. The tasting is 4 one oz pours of all reds and they curate the most delicious cheese plate. They seriously had some of the best cheese I've tasted and she even baked the bread herself. The wife and husband duo are so friendly and knowledgeable - really such a treat!

When I called I couldn't get an appointment but when I said it was my birthday and my son was…read moretreating me , I got it and it was cold in the Berkeley hills but once we reached Moraga , it was bright and sunny , I loved every minute of my time that I spent there . Wine was great , the vineyard had great views and we had great conversations with the owner .The views were amazing and the grapes were so sweet !Wine was excellent !My son in law is looking forward to visiting soon !

We had such an amazing time at William Welch Winery in Martinez! The comedy night was absolutely…read morehilarious and such a fun experience. Great wine, great company, and such a wonderful atmosphere! The owner is incredibly knowledgeable and made the experience even better. And Brian, his helper, is absolutely amazing--so friendly, welcoming, and helpful! We had a fantastic time and can't wait to come back. Highly recommend William Welch Winery for a great night out!

Stumbled onto William Welch Wines off a roadside sign on the drive home, and I'm glad we turned in…read more Lived in the area for decades and never knew this place existed. Small family winery tucked into the hills near Martinez, and the wines held up better than I expected for a spot this close to home. The owner and winemaker greeted us right away and walked us through every pour and the family history behind the label. We did the 5-flight tasting, 12 dollars for 1-ounce pours off a long list of Zinfandels, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Carignan, and more. Here's the part worth knowing: the flight is limited on paper, but he let us re-taste and even poured things not on the list. The 2020 Petite Sirah Hillside and the estate Zinfandels stood out enough for us to take bottles home, and prices were fair. One tasting fee gets applied toward a two-bottle purchase, and it's 20 percent off six or more. Setup is casual and homey. A walk-up wine bar, a front patio with a couple of bistro tables and wine barrels, a single bathroom inside, and a back outdoor area with tables where they run live music when it's happening. The indoor tasting room is cluttered and lived-in, not polished, which honestly fit the vibe. Logistics: park along the road or in the dirt lot across the street, right next to a field of grapes. Look for 4620. If you go to Napa often and assume nothing near home compares, this is a fun, low-key stop worth the detour. Grab the Petite Sirah.

Just a few minutes from home, but it feels like a whole escape…read more A place where the wine is smooth, the olive oil is rich, and the atmosphere feels like summer memories waiting to happen. From family-friendly events to country line dancing nights under the stars, there's always something that brings people together here. And when the holidays roll around, it turns into something even more special -- Christmas magic for the whole family Grateful to have a little gem like this so close by.

What a great unexpected location. Was driving around lost on Alhambra Valley.... started in…read moreMartinez went to Biones and after an unexpected stop at the Balestrieri farm ended up in Lafayette. This is a great farm experience! They have semi-rustic event space, some goats, corn husk spots, tables with covering and a beautiful covered barn area. Also a separate area to showcase and serve their different offerings. Wines (red & white)...I had the cab and thought it was a decent full flavor. They also have honey, fresh eggs, a few veggies & olive oil. I think the sun had me off my game because I left without trying the olive oil (usually my favorite)! Did purchase the honey and it's a nice smooth flavor. Last but not last was the WONDERFUL house manager. I didn't get her name, she was running around helping everyone, she is a warm,nurturing professional that felt like a breath of fresh air. She was juggling task for sure, but the patrons loved her it had a family atmosphere. I can't wait to meander in the hills again and visit this farm another day in the future. Great idea.. solid event space. Thank you, Sharine

Great location, friendly owners, great wine. The scenery is beautiful. Have a wonderful time each…read moreand every time.

This place is and will continue to remain one of the most beautiful venues in all of the East Bay…read moreArea. I had the privilege of planning my wedding here and my experience working with the owners was incredible. The Bhachus are gracious hosts in sharing this magical space because every time I've visited, there is always something new and different to admire. I respect how much love and care they've invested into property, with such impeccable taste. Being able to run ideas and have open conversations with Barbara helped make this journey of being a bride so empowering. I never thought of myself as a "creator" but that truly changed the moment I was able to cultivate a wonderful day in sharing this very intimate aspect of my life with loved ones. I would love to return for a wine tasting experience as it would be a great way to continue celebrating many more milestones~

Shout out to Prima Vini our new wine and spirit retailer (plus wine tastings on the weekends :)…read moreAmazing owners and reasonably priced. I went in looking for a bottle of French champagne for my 15 year wedding anniversary. I was warmly greeted and welcomed. I specified what I was looking for and their recommendation was spot on. I asked if they could chill it until the actual anniversary (in a few days) which they did without hesitation. When I went to pick up the wine, it was wrapped and I was given a happy anniversary card; they even remembered and recognized the 15 years. Thank you Prima Vini! You have new customers! https://primavini.com/

Everything about this place makes me smile. Everyone there is so friendly and it's just feels like…read morea home when you go there.

I recently stopped into Verde in Walnut Creek, and it is an absolute gem of a find. If you care…read moreabout high-quality ingredients or just love supporting fantastic local businesses, you need to check this place out. ​The atmosphere hits you as soon as you walk in--they have a beautifully curated aesthetic, a really comfortable seating area, and great music playing that makes you want to actually linger rather than just shop and run. It's a whole vibe. ​The product selection is phenomenal. They carry an incredible variety of premium olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, and some truly unique olive-based products. What really sets Verde apart, though, is the service. The owners are incredibly knowledgeable and clearly passionate about what they do. They took the time to walk me through the different flavor profiles and origin stories of the oils without ever being pushy. ​Whether you're a home cook looking to elevate your meals, or you just want to experience a great local shop with top-tier service, do yourself a favor and walk in. You won't leave empty-handed

Lovely find in Walnut Creek! Verde has a wonderful selection of olive oils and homemade sourdough…read morebread!