With a Tuscan-style winery located at his vineyard estate in High Valley, Jerry Brassfield, along with winemaker Kevin Robinson, has an idyllic setting for grapes and guests alike. With official AVA status granted in 2005, the High Valley appellation is one of California’s newest, and unlike many California coastal valleys that typically run north-south, High Valley’s orientation is east-west, approximately one mile wide and five miles long. The valley’s topography has created several distinct microclimates and its geology has resulted in a combination of volcanic soils along the hillsides and alluvial soils on the valley floor, which sits at an elevation of 1,800 feet.

Excavation is underway at Brassfield on one of the largest wine cave systems in North America. Totaling 75,000 square feet when complete, currently 15,000 square feet of the wine cave system is finished and houses 1,500 barrels of wine. The system is interconnected and has four entrances with plans for a public area to hold wine club parties and special events. Brassfield’s meticulously planted vineyards on the cooler valley floor are perfect for white varietals such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, while the hillside vineyards are ideally suited for red varietals such as Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet, and Merlot. Picnic areas shaded by centuries-old oak trees dot the estate as do natural wildlife corridors that traverse the vineyards. Brassfield is quickly gaining prestige for its estate-grown varietals, many of which have racked up impressive awards.

Hours Open: Tasting room hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Tours by appointment only

Seasons Open: Year round