Cuvaison Winery, Calistoga

Cuvaison was founded in 1969 by two Silicon Valley engineers. A Swiss visitor was so impressed by the wines that her family bought the winery 1979. Another change came when the winery moved from the more traditional heavy Cabernets to the release of two highly acclaimed wines, a Merlot and a Chardonnay, in the mid-1980s. Many accolades for these highly rated, affordable wines followed and today the winery produces 65,000 cases, mostly Chardonnay. Facilities include a wine cave and pleasant picnic area.