Tara Bella Winery

You must call ahead to arrange a private appointment if you want to visit the tiny, exclusive Tara Bella Winery (3701 Viking Rd., Santa Rosa, 707/544-9049, www.tarabellawinery.com [1]). Tara Bella represents the ultimate in intimate family-owned wineries; the husband and wife team, Tara and Rich, tend their own vineyard, press their own grapes by hand, and make their own wine.

From their eight-acre Russian River [2] vineyard, they create one Cabernet Sauvignon each year. And each November, they release a new vintage to the public (most of which is snapped up by their wine club, though you can purchase a bottle if you taste at the winery).

A visit to Tara Bella is a visit to the roots of California wine-family-owned and handcrafted, with a flavor all its own.