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10 wine caves around California that offer unique tours for visitors

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2024

10 wine caves around California that offer unique tours for visitors

California is the largest wine producer in the country. In fact, the Golden State is behind 81% of the U.S.’ wine production, having produced 605,981,608 gallons in 2023, according to the Wine Institute’s website.

Those visiting California can get a behind-the-scenes look at the wine production in the state through the plethora of unique tours offered by different wineries.

One optimal experience several wineries throughout the state offer to guests is a tour of wine caves.

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Wine caves have been created throughout the state as a way to store large barrels of wine as they age, according to Visit California.

Often, tours of wine caves come jointly with tastings of exclusive wines.

California is full of experiences for wine lovers, including tours of unique wine caves. (George Rose/Getty Images)

California is home to thousands of wineries that all have unique offerings for guests, many of which include cave tours.

Below are just a few of the many California wineries you can visit to explore wine caves.

Alexander Valley Vineyards
Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves
Jarvis Estate Winery
Pine Ridge Vineyards
Benziger Family Winery
Buena Vista Winery
Inglenook
Davis Estates
Schramsberg Vineyards
Brasswood Estate

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1. Alexander Valley Vineyards

Alexander Valley Vineyards is located in the city of Healdsburg, which is within Sonoma County, California.

This location offers tours of the 48,000 square-foot underground cave on the property.

During this tour, you’ll get the unique experience of learning about the barrel aging program used at the vineyard.

The wine cave at Alexander Valley Vineyards is a popular tourist attraction in California. (George Rose/Getty Images)

Additionally, there are plenty of other experiences you can book, such as scenic hikes of the vineyard.

2. Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves

The family-run Bella Vineyards has wine tastings and cave tours available for guests.

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Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves is located in Healdsburg. Over 70% of the grapes used to produce wine are grown from the vineyard, according to the website.

In the “Bella Tour,” which is described as an “immersive winery experience” on the website, guests will be able to explore the process of making wine on the crush pad and through the vineyard.

Guests will also be able to make their way through the wine caves, where they’ll be surrounded by the barrels where wine is perfectly aged.

Wine caves are filled with oak barrels where wine is perfectly aged under ideal conditions. (iStock)

The “Bella Tour” takes around 90 minutes to complete, according to the website.

3. Jarvis Estate Winery

At Jarvis Estate Winery, guests are welcomed into the 45,000 square foot cave where they can expect to learn more about the winery’s “approach to crafting world-class wines.”

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The wine cave tour includes a visit to the Cuve Gallery, filled with over a dozen oak vessels, according to the winery’s website, and an underground waterfall at the end of the tour, which helps the cave stay at the perfect temperature for aging, the website states.

After a tour of the cave, guests will enter the Tasting Chamber, where wines can be sampled.

A 45,000 square foot cave is located within Jarvis Estate Winery. (Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

4. Pine Ridge Vineyards

Pine Ridge Vineyards is one of many wineries located in Napa Valley, California.

Pine Ridge Vineyards offers a 90-minute tour of a wine cave, as well as a wine tasting.

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The guided tour takes guests through the cave system, according to the website, and then concludes with a wine tasting in Cellar 47 to try cabernets.

5. Benziger Family Winery

Benziger Family Winery is located in Glen Ellen, which can be found in Sonoma County.

At Benziger Family Winery, wines are crafted from Sonoma Mountain Ranch and Sonoma County Vineyards, according to their website.

During the tour of Benziger Family Winery, guests can learn about the farming practices of the winery, with a glass of wine in hand, of course.

During a tour of Benziger Family Winery, guests will be able to learn more about the winery’s farming practices. (George Rose/Getty Images)

One of the stops along the tour is of the wine cave, and ends with a seated wine tasting paired with cheese.

6. Buena Vista Winery

Buena Vista Winery was founded in 1857, making it the oldest commercial winery in the state of California, according to SonomaCounty.com.

At Buena Vista Winery, guests can enjoy a glass of champagne and sparkling wine at the Bubble Lounge and also enjoy wine straight from the barrels of the cave.

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The original Buena Vista Winery is about a mile from Sonoma Square, according to the website.

Guests can also visit the Château Buena Vista, which is located in downtown Napa.

Buena Vista Winery was founded in 1857. (Craig Lee/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

7. Inglenook

Inglenook is a winery that was founded in 1879, located in Rutherford, California.

During the tour, guests will get to take a look inside the Italia Cave, where there are 120 fermentation tanks, according to Inglenook’s website.

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Additionally, guests will get to visit the Infinity Cave, where barrels are stored for aging.

At the end of the tour, those visiting Inglenook will go to one of the cellars to enjoy wine and cheese.

8. Davis Estates

Davis Estates is complete with 11,000 square feet of caves, according to its website. The estates are located in Calistoga, California, in Napa County.

Tours are offered at Davis Estates, where guests can get a behind-the-scenes look through the vineyard at the estate and the winery featuring the caves.

There are plenty of tasting spaces to relax and enjoy a flight of wines.

Tours of wine caves are often paired with delicious wine tastings. (iStock)

9. Schramsberg Vineyards

Schramsberg Vineyards is one that specializes in sparkling wines.

The tour of the cave at Schramsberg Vineyards can be paired with a sparkling, white wine or red wine tasting.

Schramsberg Vineyards is in Calistoga, California.

10. Brasswood Estate

Brasswood Estate includes 17,000 square feet of caves, according to its website.

During a cave tour at Brasswood Estate, guests will get to sip on wines created by a team headed by Angelina Mondavi, per the site.

One unique feature of Brasswood Estate is the wine cave library, which is where wines can be enjoyed at the long table in its center.

Brasswood Estate is located in Helena, California, in Napa Valley.

Ashlyn Messier is a writer for Fox News Digital.

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Oregon

Oregon National Guard troops begin demobilization after federal Title 10 deployment

Published

27 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Oregon National Guard troops begin demobilization after federal Title 10 deployment

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The 100 Oregon National Guard troops who were federalized under Title 10, have begun demobilization activities, according to Governor Kotek’s office and U.S. Northern Command.

CONTINUING COVERAGE | Oregon National Guard troops deployed under Title 10 orders

“All Title 10 troops in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago are conducting demobilizing activities. They will return to their home units once their demobilization is complete,” U.S. Northern Command stated on their website.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek released a statement reading in part, “The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.”

The troops will travel to Fort Bliss, Texas to finish their demobilization before returning home to Oregon.

Oregon troops spent a majority of their time training at Camp Rilea on the Oregon Coast.

Read Governor Kotek’s full statement below:

“The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.

“During this crisis, Oregonians stood united against the unwanted, unneeded, unconstitutional military intervention in our state, with thousands peacefully voicing their opposition to the Trump Administration’s abuse of power.

“President Trump’s disregard for the facts on the ground revealed that he is more focused on provoking a fight in cities and states that don’t share his politics than serving the American people. I remain committed to defending our values and the rule of law.”

The court injunction that prevents guard deployment in Oregon remains in effect and on appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Utah

Traffic deaths decline overall on Utah roads, teen fatalities nearly double

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Traffic deaths decline overall on Utah roads, teen fatalities nearly double

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Road fatalities went down year-over-year after Utah officials reported the lowest number of traffic deaths in the state since 2019.

The Utah Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety released preliminary data on Tuesday, revealing 264 traffic fatalities statewide in 2025. That number is down from the 277 fatalities reported in 2024 and the lowest since the 248 deaths reported in 2019.

“While fewer lives were lost this year, even one death is one too many,” said Shaunna Burbidge, the program manager for Zero Fatalities. “These numbers help us understand where risks remain and remind us that the choices we make on the road can save lives.”

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Among those concerns are teen drivers and motorcyclists.

According to the 2025 data, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 32% compared to 2024, and teen fatalities “sharply rose.” The Department of Public Safety said 31 teens died on Utah roads in 2025, nearly double the 18 reported in 2024.

DPS said these deaths highlight the vulnerability of riders and the importance of visibility, protective gear, and safe speeds. Meanwhile, crashes involving young drivers are often tied to distractions, risky behaviors, and inexperience.

“Every time we travel, we make choices that carry lifelong consequences for ourselves and everyone else on the road,” said Sgt. Mike Alexnader with Utah Highway Patrol. “The reality is that these tragedies are preventable. When we commit to driving focused, alert, sober, calm, and when we ensure every person in the vehicle is buckled up, we aren’t just following the law; we are actively saving lives. It’s time we all take that responsibility to heart.”

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Washington

Deputies shoot armed suspect in Leesburg Walmart parking lot

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Deputies shoot armed suspect in Leesburg Walmart parking lot

Deputies shot an armed suspect in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Leesburg, Virginia, late Tuesday morning, authorities say.

Detectives, deputies and special agents from the FBI had tracked the suspect down after he tried to rob the Bank of America at Dulles Crossing on Monday, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said. The suspect, who still hasn’t been named, didn’t get any money before taking off from the bank.

Authorities found the suspect was parked at the back of the Walmart parking lot just before noon Tuesday.

Deputies pulled up behind the suspect’s blue sedan at the back of the Walmart parking lot about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday. As they approached, the suspect got out with a gun, Sheriff Mike Chapman said.

Deputies then fired their guns at the suspect, hitting him. Chapman did not say how many times the suspect was shot or give specific information about his injuries.

Medics took the suspect to a hospital.

No deputies were injured, the sheriff’s office said.

Chapman said it was too early in the investigation to say if the suspect fired his gun or how many officers were involved in the shooting.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

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