Napa Valley Wine Country

Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasonton, CA

Several years ago I attended a conference in San Jose, CA and was privileged to have my first wine tour at Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasonton, CA.  The beautiful grounds were some of the best part of the experience.  The wine tasting offered many choices, but the winery tasting room and the grounds were a perfect place for our big group to come hang out. The tasting room had a wide variety of marvelous gifts like Italian pottery, various wine gadgets, cheeses, fun items, and even cute jewelry.  The room itself was gorgeous--reminiscent of some of the more commercial wineries in Sonoma/Napa.  There was also a small deli counter in the tasting room with packaged meats, cheeses, sodas, and crackers.   Our tour included lunch, so our picnic was covered.  In the gift shop I found two perfect signs to bring home!

In 1883 John Crellin planted the first vineyards into a red clay knoll and called it “Ruby Hill”. By 1889, Ruby Hill Winery was one of the largest producers of wine in the Livermore Valley.  John passed away in 1921, and the property went through a number of owners, Prohibition, and fire that nearly destroyed it all.  Protected by the Friends of the Vineyards since the 1980s, Ruby Hill Winery was resurrected by Mike Callahan in 2002, and the tasting room was opened in 2008. Joined by award-winning winemaker Chris Graves, Ruby Hill Winery continues to make history.

The philosophy at Ruby Hill Winery is simple. It begins in the vineyard growing and sourcing the best grapes that can be found; then continues in the cellar where one of Livermore Valley’s premier winemakers, Chris Graves, hand-crafts each wine to perfection. The wines are balanced and approachable; they can be enjoyed now but can also be treasured for the years to come. Wines are offered at reasonable prices so everyone can afford to enjoy them. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and ensured that we had an unforgettable day.

Chris Graves grew up in the California Sierra Foothills where his love affair with wine began. By age 16, Chris knew he wanted to pursue a career in winemaking. Graduating from the world-renowned Viticulture and Enology program at University of California Davis in 2004, Chris was quickly hired by Wente Vineyards as their Enologist. A year later he was promoted to Assistant Winemaker and then to Winemaker of Tamás Estates (a Wente brand). There he specialized in Cal-Ital style wines.  In 2007, Chris partnered with Mike Callahan and resurrected Ruby Hill Winery. Chris produces award-winning wines using the best grapes possible from the Livermore Valley and Central Coast regions. Chris is also the Winemaker of its sister winery, Rubino Estates Winery. He lives on the property with his wife Juliet, son Ethan, daughters Ryan and Lexi Mae.  He loves his family, spending his days in the vineyard and creating the best wines possible.

Although great wine begins in the vineyard, it is in the cellar where it becomes truly extraordinary. At Ruby Hill Winery the best winemaking technology available is used, there are strict guidelines for quality and sanitation, and most of all, the right people are involved. The wine production team works tirelessly to hand-craft the best quality wine possible. A labor of love makes Ruby Hill Winery the Gem of Wines.

Beautiful citrus trees are grown on the grounds of the winery.

 

Any successful winemaker will tell you great wine begins in the vineyard.  Ruby Hill Winery  practices the highest level of sustainable farming to ensure the best quality grapes possible are produced. The vineyards have excellent drainage, soil, and the surrounding hills create a microclimate which allows the vines to thrive like no other vineyards in the Livermore Valley.

Many different varietals are grown there including: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, and Petite Sirah. When the unique terrior of the Livermore Valley and Ruby Hill's estate vines are combined with the practices of their winemaker,  great wines are produced.

Click here to view a map of the vineyards.

Napa Valley is one of the premier travel destinations in the world. Breathtaking views abound at every turn – mustard in the late winter, picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyards year-round, and wineries of every stature dot the landscape.

Though they’re just an hour’s drive northeast of San Francisco, the region's vine-covered hillsides—lush green in spring and summer, golden in fall—are reminiscent of Tuscany and home to nearly 400 wineries (producing mostly Chardonnay, Pinot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot varietals).