The Scenic Route: Pit stops at California farms and ranches
Hit the winter road and discover three welcoming California stops—Talley Vineyards, Olivina and Gowan’s Cider—where you can sip, taste and explore working farms and ranches rooted in family, sustainability and local flavor.
Photo/Talley Vineyards, Arroyo Grande
Chilly days call for an adventure. Many tasting rooms see smaller crowds in winter, giving visitors a chance to explore, meet the people behind the products and enjoy locally crafted goods right where they’re produced. On your next road trip, make a stop and get a taste of what California agriculture has to offer. Here are three ideas to get you started.
Talley Vineyards
Arroyo Grande
Nestled in the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA, this family-owned winery is led by third-generation farmer Brian Talley. With farming roots dating back to 1948, Talley Vineyards emphasizes stewardship, sustainability and the land. Visitors can enjoy tastings of estate-grown chardonnay and pinot noir while learning how coastal climate, farming practices and family legacy shape each bottle. To complement the wine-tasting experience, Talley Vineyards offers culinary pairings featuring local artisan cheeses. talleyvineyards.com
Olivina
Livermore
Established in 1881, Olivina is the largest olive orchard in the East Bay, with more than 10,000 trees rooted in Livermore Valley soil. Olives are grown, harvested, milled and bottled entirely on the estate. Under Master Miller Charles Crohare, the team produces six distinct cultivars shaped by varietal and season. Visitors can walk the orchard, sample oils and explore a working operation with deep agricultural roots. Monthly tastings are hosted the first and third Sunday, with private groups by appointment. theolivina.com
Gowan’s Cider
Philo
For 150 years, the Gowan family has crafted cider from organic heirloom apples grown in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley. The multigeneration business grows, harvests and presses its apples on site, producing fruit-forward alcoholic and nonalcoholic ciders shaped by the region’s climate and soils. Named Cidery of the Year by the American Beer Festival, Gowan’s Cider reflects a long history of hands-on orchard work. Visitors can taste cider beneath the apple trees or take home a bottle—and maybe even return for a refill. gowansheirloomcider.com
Farm Bureau members: Do you operate an agritourism site? Contact us to be featured: agalert@cfbf.com.
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