10 Incredible Women-Owned Wineries To Visit In California
By BARBARA PAVONE
J Dusi Wines (San Luis Obispo County)
Janell Dusi's family planted Dante Dusi Vineyard in 1945, and it is the only vineyard in Paso Robles that's still family-owned and operated.
Now the fourth-generation Dusi operating the vineyard, she decided to take things further and try winemaking, crafting her very own 100% Zinfandel from the Dante Dusi Vineyard.
Camins 2 Dreams
(Santa Barbara County)
Spouses and business partners Mireia Taribó and Tara Gomez's winery works exclusively with sustainable, organic, biodynamic, and regenerative vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills.
In addition to their Lompoc tasting room, they offer a unique, virtual wine tasting with the winemakers, shipping different wines to your door and tasting with their guidance.
Dutcher Crossing Winery
(Sonoma County)
In 2007, Debra Mathy bought Dutcher Crossing, initially producing just five wines on 25 acres, but now it's making over 30 varieties and has grown to 75 acres of lush vineyards.
"We want our guests to feel like family and walk away with an experience they won't get anywhere else," says Mathy of visiting the gorgeous 1900s farmhouse-style winery.
Handley Cellars (Mendocino County)
Lulu Handley (daughter of the original owner) stays true to her mother's legacy with her mission of crafting wine unique to the region's soil and climate.
A visit to this family- and dog-friendly winery is equally memorable by viewing fabulous folk art Lulu's grandfather, Ray Handley, collected from around the world.
Desparada Wines
(San Luis Obispo County)
Desparada Wines owner and winemaker Vailia From spent nearly two decades working in the wine industry, from harvesting to importing to sales, before blazing her own path.
"Desparada's mission is to make great, interesting wine," From tells us, adding she always wants to support the wine industry to evolve and become more inclusive.