You don’t have to travel to Napa, Monterey, or Paso Robles to sample award winning wines.

Enjoy wine tasting at any of these Fresno County wineries.

Fattoria Cardella - The vineyards at Fattoria Cardella are managed by winemaker Nathan Cardella, which means that decisions for next year’s vintage are already being made in the vineyard today. Fattoria Cardella’s wines are produced sparing no expense to ensure quality. They harvest by hand and bottle by hand avoiding the harsh effects of machine handling. All of its premium wines are aged in traditional oak barrels that are housed in our subterranean cellar. You can also enjoy Fattoria Cardella’s Bed and Breakfast. Tasting by appointment only. Fattoria Cardella is located at 41424 w. Panoche Road in Mendota. For more information, visit www.cardellawinery.com or call 655.4216.

Cedar View Winery - Completed in spring 2003, Cedar Grove ’s new winery building houses not only the winery facility, but also the tasting room and new “Winemakers Suite”, an exclusive suite on the second floor. The winery is truly “boutique”, producing small handcrafted quantities of premium wines. All winemaking activities are completed on-site including crushing, fermentation, pressing, aging, blending and bottling. The tasting room is reminiscent of Tuscany where all of the wines can be enjoyed. Local artwork, cheeses, olive oils and clothing are also featured. Tasting Saturday & Sunday. Cedar View Winery is located at 1385 S. Frankwood in Sanger. For more information, call 787.9412 or visit www.cedarviewwinery.com.

Engelmann Cellars - For over 100 years, the Engelman family has been growing quality grapes and making wine in the Fresno area. Fourth generation grape grower and winemaker Bret Engelman started the family’s first commercial winery. The mission was clear – produce premium quality wines from local grapes that are hand processed in this boutique winery located in the beautiful vineyards of the Fresno countryside. Tasting and tours every Saturday and Sunday, 12 - 4:30 p.m. Engelmann Cellars is located at 3275 N. Rolinda in Fresno. Call 274-WINE (9463) or visit www.engelmanncellars.com.

Fresno State Winery - California State University, Fresno, has the first licensed, bonded, commercial winery on a university campus in the United States. Fresno State students have had the opportunity to study the art and sciences of grape growing and winemaking for more than forty years. Since the winery became bonded in 1997, Fresno State has won 87 awards including 27 "super awards". The Fresno State Winery is focused on producing wines from grapes that grow best in the climate of the Central Valley. Fresno State Wines are available at local retailers and in the wine cellar at the Fresno State Farm Market at Chestnut & Barstow in Fresno. For more information, visit www.fresnostatewinery.com.

Los Californios Winery / Full Circle Brewery is a new attraction bringing the Central Valley’s first Meadery (a winery that produces honey wines or meads) to Downtown Fresno. Along with the traditional honey wine, Los Californios brings in some locally grown flavor with their pomegranate and orange blossom varieties. Raise a glass to good cheer at this down home friendly establishment where they also serve a hearty pint of ale (microbrewery). Tasting Thursday – Saturday. Los Californios Winery / Full Circle Brewery is located at 620 F Street in Fresno. For more information, please call 264.6323 or visit www.fullcirclebrewing.com.

Milla Vineyards is a full-process winery that does everything from start to finish by hand, including growing the grapes and selecting, picking and crushing them. Fermentation is created by natural yeast from the grapes, and the grapes are untouched from the time crushed to the time barreled. The winery’s specialties include: a 100% Ruby Cabernet, a light bodied Merlot, and a signature blend. If you are looking for a great wine with lots of upfront fruit to complement your dining experience or just to enjoy the all-natural delicious flavor – Milla Vineyards welcomes your visit. Tasting and tours by appointment. Milla Vineyards is located at 7465 W. McKinley Ave in Fresno. For more information, call 977.8849 or visit www.millavineyards.com.

Nonini Winery - On a quaint country road surrounded by vineyards you will find Fresno’s best kept secret, A. Nonini Winery founded in 1936 by Antonio and Angiolina Nonini and their oldest son, Reno. Antonio immigrated to the United States from Northern Italy in 1900, and the first vineyards were planted in 1918. Tours are available by appointment. The winery and tasting room are open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Nonini Winery is located at 2640 N. Dickenson in Fresno. Call 275.1936 for more information or visit www.noniniwinery.com.

Ramos Torres Winery - Ramos Torres wines only source grapes from winegrowers that grow the best quality grapes for fine wine making. It is committed to the delicate process of finding and using grapes from vineyards where the growers are known and proven to have the most sophisticated, expertise, knowledge, and passion for growing wine grapes. Ramos Torres believes that it can then make the best wine with the least possible human intervention and trust its growers to deliver the best fruit and you can trust our wine to be just that. Wine tasting by appointment only. Ramos Torres Winery is located at 1384 S. Frankwood Avenue in Sanger. For more information, call 891.0237 or 891.8723 or visit www.ramostorres.com.

Tivy Mountain Vintners Winery - Nestled at the base of Tivy Mountain amid rolling hills dotted with orchards are the sun-drenched vineyards is Tivy Mountain Vintners Winery and Bed & Breakfast. Utilizing sustainable farming practices winemakers Greg & Vicki Pease produce small lots of sumptuous, full-bodied wine that you will truly enjoy. This boutique winery invites guest to come and visit, where the delightful dalmatians are sure to provide a warm greeting. Open for tasting on Sundays from 12 – 5 p.m. and groups by appointment. Tivy Mountain Vintners Winery is located at 2523 N. Pederson Drive in Sanger ( Tivy Valley). For more information, please call 787.9657 or visit www.tivymountainwinery.com

Sources: www.fresnowines.com and www.fresnocvb.org