This is a local winery run by a couple out of their house! They dry farm and grow all their wine on the property. The space is beautiful - it's located on a hilltop with the tasting on a deck in the back with impressive views of rolling hills. The tasting is 4 one oz pours of all reds and they curate the most delicious cheese plate. They seriously had some of the best cheese I've tasted and she even baked the bread herself. The wife and husband duo are so friendly and knowledgeable - really such a treat! read more

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When I called I couldn't get an appointment but when I said it was my birthday and my son was treating me , I got it and it was cold in the Berkeley hills but once we reached Moraga , it was bright and sunny , I loved every minute of my time that I spent there . Wine was great , the vineyard had great views and we had great conversations with the owner .The views were amazing and the grapes were so sweet !Wine was excellent !My son in law is looking forward to visiting soon ! read more

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Where to start. All the previous reviews have said what I wanted to say about the wine tasting so I'm going to skip over that part - for your sake :) My experience with Captain Vineyards actually started about 2 weeks before the event. I emailed them about 2 weeks prior to the event asking about a wine tasting with 4 people. I didn't hear back for a few days so I decided to call them for a follow-up. A gentleman picked up and we started talking about the reservation request and how technology has failed all of us at one point in your lives. From there, I learned the rich history of the gentleman who later introduced himself as Sal - one of two owners of this fantastic establishment. After we hung up, my fiance asked me who I was talking to that had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. This is because we had been talking for over 40 minutes! Long story short, this vineyard is a blast. Coming to this vineyard, both Susan and Sal gave us a rundown of how the voneyard came to be and why they grow the grapes they grow. If you're curious in winemaking and how the grapes are grown, these two are a wealth of knowledge and can answer any question you may have. Honestly, the BEST wine tasting I've had, hands down. read more

Easily one of the best wineries in the Bay Area. Hidden gem by far. From the time I walked in I fell in love with this place. From Susan's lovely tour and Sal's knowledge of the wine and production. Their knowledge and passion for every step of the process of wine making is very apparent. Cleo the sweetest dog hung out with us and I just loved it! The wine was fantastic. All organic, all from their grapes. We tried Grenache, Petit Syrah, Super Tuscan blend, and a Bordeaux blend. They also do Cab and Pinot Noir. All reds. They also paired it with some tasty cheeses. I highly recommend Captain Vineyards! I cannot wait to go back very soon :) read more

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Captain Vineyards is truly a one of a kind establishment. Located on a hill in residential Moraga, it is quite secluded and peaceful. I must preface this review by making it clear that this is not your average Napa Valley-esque establishment. There are no frills and big groups. This is simply a man and his wife making sustainable wine on their property and opening their space to those who are interested in something more intimate and genuine. Captain Vineyards does virtually no marketing, so when googling wineries in Moraga, they didn't show up right away. However, they caught my eye after some scrolling because of how quaint it looked. With one phone call, I was able to arrange a tasting with Sal, the winemaker, a mere two hours later. When we arrived, Sal was out to meet us and help us figure out where to park. I won't be disingenuous and say I wasn't slightly skeptical when I realized we were literally walking into someone's front yard. Yet, once we stepped through his gate, it was clear this was the real deal. You can't tell from the outside, but once you enter, you see the vines to your right. A few steps up and you see all five acres of vineyard hidden below. I have been to many wineries and not once have I encountered such a personal tour. Granted, no one else booked the same day as us, but you can tell he gives every one of his guests this treatment. It's such a homey atmosphere. I admire that Sal does not act like this isn't his home, because it is. He chats with you as he prunes his plants and waters them. Cleo, his sweet Husky, is trotting along with you. He's not putting on a show; he's simply doing what he and his wife love. Once we got to the tasting, we were sat on a patio a little below the main house and cellar overlooking the vineyard. We were able to let him know what wines we generally liked and he curated from there. Sal begins the tasting with some facts on how we may taste the wine with the food he put out. The food consists of cheeses, nuts, vegetables, and freshly baked bread, all curated by Susan, Sal's wife and the grower at the vineyard. I do have to give a nod to Susan's bread. She bakes it herself and makes it fresh right before you arrive (so some advance notice is needed). By far the best bread I've ever had. Back to Sal and the tasting: he is extremely knowledgeable. I have never heard a tasting explained this way, with sense memory, but it seemed to steer me away from trying figure out what I thought the wine was supposed to taste like and more of what it reminded me of from experiences in my own life. It was great and more enjoyable this way. Throughout the tasting, Sal takes the time to really chat and get to know you as well as share a bit about himself. All while sprinkling in facts about the wine. We had a great conversation about many topics we were all interested in. Aside from that, I can honestly say the wine was delicious (my favorite was the Cabernet Sauvignon), and the homemade bread was to die for. Their wine tasted clean and carefully crafted. It is definitely not sweet, given there are no additives, but more earthy with a hint of natural sweetness from the grapes. The food he puts out is definitely required to get the most out of the wine, though they are still delicious on their own. All of this to say that I would highly recommend scheduling a tasting here if you are in the area. The discussions with Sal were valuable, the property was beautiful, the atmosphere was serene, and of course, the wines were impeccable. We will be visiting Captain Vineyards again. read more

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A gem among the Oakland Hills! First leading up to the vineyard it was a humble abode that was quickly met with a warm and hospitable greeting by Susan (the captains wife!!) She had thanked US for coming to their vineyard (Already could tell this would be a fantastic trip!) She carefully took the time to explain the history and meaning behind the process of Captain Vineyards, why and how they do what they do. It is a testament to their wine and success of their business. The only make red wines and they carefully put a lot of thought and research into explaining the differences of each one. But also educating my party and I that what may taste good to some may taste different to others (a tour and very educational!) Sal, the captain, was just as friendly and hospitable as his wife and saw to it that my party and I were as comfortable as possible while we were there. I cannot even begin to describe the VIEW that they overlook! You just have to go see it for yourself. The cheese platter and the HOMEMADE bread is enough for me to trek back up the hill. To top off, their mascot and manager, Cleo made sure we had enough company and saw to that we were enjoying our visit. (See picture for Cleo) All in all, the experience was intimate, informational, and amazing! I would definitely recommend all my friends to come experience this (for both wine and non wine lovers/enthusiasts!) Thank you Sal, Susan, and Cleo! read more

Captain Vineyards - Cleo! - Wineries Near Me - Moraga, California

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So friendly and inviting! Very chill vibes for your group if you're looking for a vineyard that is not pretentious and you can just kick back at. read more

A beautiful winery with fantastic wines! From Mrs. Captain's homemade toasted bread on the cheese plate, to Mr. Captain's stories of how they came to start growing the grapes and making wine, we loved the personal touches engrained into the entire experience. We learned so much, and then relished some of the best reds I've had the pleasure of enjoying in ages! Definitely add Captain Vineyards to the top of your list for great places to visit, whether you are a local or visiting from afar! read more

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What a pleasant surprise finding this gem boutique family winery! We did a search and found the winery close by while staying in the hills above Oakland in Moraga... just a short jog away from where Captain Vineyards is located between Moraga and Walnut Creek. The area was absolutely beautiful and the vineyard is hidden behind a neighborhood --- which is hidden in the beautiful hills. I too have been to many wineries in Napa, but by far this was the best experience we have had and Sal and his wife were absolutely delightful and informative. Honestly, do yourself a favor if you are in the Oakland area and check Captain Vineyards out! You'll be glad you did and by the way their Petite Sarah is terrific!!! read more

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My son and I were interested in a nearby vineyard on a Friday afternoon. Little did we know we would come across the Gem! Captain Vineyards in Moraga, California is a family run backyard vineyard that specializes in small batch wines. The wines are very diverse and similar to those you might find in France (Burgundy, Rhone Valley and Bordeaux). The wines were tasted with a lovely cheese plate. Excellent personalized tour and tasting. I would highly recommend it. Beautiful views. Sal and Susan made our night spectacular! read more

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Just spent my Saturday afternoon at the Captain's stunning homestead vineyard. Amazing view, beautiful scenery and fantastic wine. Homely family vibes. Also catering to infants. read more

Susan and Sal accommodated my team on short notice and gave us the experience of a lifetime. From trying wine straight from the barrels to enjoying a bottle of Pinot on the deck, we had the time of our lives. There are friendly dogs, top-notch wines, and charismatic owners of this beautiful estate. 10/10 would recommend. read more

Captain Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Moraga, California

Brought my family here for my mom's birthday and it was the perfect mix of beautiful scenery, delicious wine, and friendly, welcoming company. Susan, Sal, and their lovable husky made us feel like part of the family. It was so relaxing and unpretentious, even my mom (who is not a big drinker) was excited to taste all the wines. I'm so glad to have found a local gem like this that doesn't require us to make the trek to napa or sonoma. My brother and dad had a blast asking the owners a million questions about the winemaking process, and Susan brought out toys for my 1 year old niece, which she loved! 10/10 would recommend read more

Came here with my parents & partner and it was so, so wonderful! This is a small vineyard that is run by husband and wife and it is so refreshing to have a more personal tour and tasting, compared to some of the huge vineyards you find in Napa. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and our hosts were so kind and personable. I could not recommend them enough. read more

What a great find! Tucked away in the east bay, who knew?! Susan and the puppy gave us a very informative tour, then led us to the tasting cellar where Sal took over. We had a good chat and he answered all our questions. This little farm is a lot of work and they are more interested in quality & sustainability than quantity & profit. All the wines were terrific on the nose and palate. We bought several bottles since they are not available elsewhere are are reasonably priced. We didn't know it but there's a special this month and we got a free bottle (or a free tasting fee). We opted for the bottle of course. Tip: The winery (1969 Joseph Dr) is the last place on the left before hitting the end of the road (1970 Joseph Dr.). Unfortunately we rang the gate for 1970. Park on the grass along Joseph Dr. read more

Why drive and drive for hours for good wine, delicious cheese, homemade bread made from wine yeast, gorgeous views, and fun conversation when you can be right here in Lamorinda?!!? Sal and Susan Captain are the most lovely, knowledgeable hosts and their vineyard is an absolute treasure. This was my 4th time wine tasting and I can't wait to go back! Don't leave without buying a bottle or 6!! And, by the way, if you join the Wine Club, you are invited to help with harvest. My friends and I can't wait. read more

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We had no idea that we were in for...the BEST wine tasting experience we have ever had. Private vineyard tour, personal tasting in the barrel room with the wine maker. Local, green, sustainable, and so personal. I didn't taste anything I didn't like. We all took a bottle and I can't wait to place an online order for a shipment. Thank you so much for the best end to an amazing trip! read more

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Beautiful spot, owned by a welcoming, fun, and knowledgeable family. They serve red wines from grapes grown on the property. Highly recommend!! read more

Susan and Sal gave us a warm and welcoming view into their personal run vineyard and winery. Susan gave us a tour of the Vineyard, explaining their process and love of the land. Everything that comes out of the vineyard is put back in. To see weeds between the rows means life. Life in the soil. Their labor of love was quite evident! Susan presented us with a tray of cheese, nuts and bread she personally baked with the same yeast used in the wine making process. Sal took over once in the cellar, explaining everything and more on their processes. He was infinitely patient and fun in answering each of our questions along the way, with a pause here and there to draw a taste from the many barrels. Thank you Susan and Sal! We thoroughly enjoyed learning about your vineyard and winery. read more

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Very few times in my life have I felt truly inspired. This place - this family - is inspirational. This is the best wine I have ever had in my life - and I've been to almost every winery in Napa. This place is an experience, and it will change your life. Bonus points that the owner, Sal, makes his own bread and serves it with the wine. read more

I was looking for a winery close to Walnut Creek and stumbled across this gem on yelp. We had a team outing for our small group of 6 and loved hearing about the stories and experience that captains went through to finally have a winery in lamorinda. It's a lovely place in the Moraga hills and so charming. Would love to go back again they are a sweet couple. read more

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Not what I expected. This winery is in a residential neighborhood and operates out of the owners home (think very quaint space). Which by the way sits on the side of a hill in Moraga. Gorgeous view of the hills. As soon as you enter you see some of the grapevines in the front. During the tour around the perimeter of the home you see more of the vines and some fruit trees. We learned a lot from this truly organic winery. They do not water their vines and recycle the presses grape skins by using it as fertilizer for the vines. All of the wines we tasted were exceptional and worth every sip. They provided a cheese,bread and mixed nut platter to accommodate our wine tasting. The only negative is that there is a $25 tasting fee which DOES NOT Go toward the purchase of a bottle or anything like other wineries typically do. The price of bottles ranges from $25-$30 (if you buy a case of wine you get 1 free bottle ummm not really a deal considering you're likely spending between $300-$360 for a case!) this wine is not sold in stores and is only available for purchase at the home/winery. They do accept cash and cards. read more

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Looking for something fun and drinking related to do in Moraga besides going to a bar? Definitely visit Captain Vineyards at the top of the hill in Moraga. Family owned winery that does everything on location. Sal is the winemaker and patriarch of the family. Reds are great and affordable and the views are stunning. I'd definitely visit again. read more

Captain Vineyards - Lovely view - Wineries Near Me - Moraga, California

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Could not be more in love with this vineyard and it's owners! If you want a curated, authentic wine tasting experience, come here! No frills, just great wine and good people. Sal and his wife, Susan impressively dry-farm their grapes and are the only green winery in the region. They gave us a wonderful history lesson and tour before picking four wines for us to taste and pair with freshly baked bread and incredible cheeses while looking out on the amazing view. Adorably, the red blends are named after their granddaughters! Love. We learned and drank so much. 5+ stars! read more

Wow! What an amazing experience! Sal and Susan are amazing, kind, generous and knowledgeable people that shared their passion of wine making with my family. Captain Vineyard wines are out of this world, wonderful! What a special and delightful day! Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Captain! read more

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When we were looking for something to do following a team-building exercise, a friend suggested a Captain Vineyards wine tasting. I didn't want to go to Napa for a short event like this, but my friend said, "they are literally right over the hill next to your house." A winery in Lafayette/Moraga? I was skeptical, but we decided to give it a try. This was one of the best winery experiences I've had. Sal and Susan Captain run the vineyard out of their house, which is perched on a hill with amazing views. They welcome you at the gate, then give a quick tour of the vines, explaining their green methods along the way. The cellar is small, as you'd expect with a small, family vineyard, but it is pleasant. They use only French oak casks, so the experience is enriched by that. For the tasting, Sal treated us to a number of his great wines. The first was a 2015 Pinot Noir. For those of you familiar with recent California weather, you will know that 2015 was in the height of our worst drought on record. For most vineyards, it wasn't an issue, aside from cost, as they amply watered their vines. For Captain Vineyards, who allow only mother nature to do the watering, it meant less fruit, and more concentrated juice coming from what they got. I'm not a pinot fan, and when Sal mentioned that a pinot was our first wine to taste, I wasn't expecting much. It was like no pinot I've ever had, and one of the best wines I've tasted. Alas, due to the low crop yield, they were only able to make 1 small cask of it, and it wasn't for sale. I decided to "settle" for the 2013 instead with my purchase - and remember, I don't like pinots. Throughout the tasting, Sal educated us on a number of things I'd never known about wine making. He was very engaging, and a joy to talk to. He emphasized the green nature of their farm, as well as the purity of their wines. I'm not a huge winery kind of guy, but I get my trips in to Napa and Sonoma. The personal nature of this tasting, along with special way they make their wines, made this the most memorable. The wines themselves are as good or better than any I've had. That this winery is literally a stone's throw from my house, and that I never knew about it, is amazing. If you happen to be in the Lafayette/Moraga/Orinda area, this is a must see/experience. If you don't happen to be here, but are in the Bay Area, make a trip anyway. It's very accessible, and you can take in the beauty of the hills and valleys after you're done. Sal obviously enjoys this immensely - as evidenced by the ample tastes he took of his own wine while hosting us :) To sum it up in one word: amazing. read more

Thinking back on our afternoon here several months ago - it was mid pandemic so things may be different usually, but it's also notable that they accommodated us for a tour during the depths of 2020. We had a great afternoon learning about the vineyard, and then enjoying wine and cheese on their deck. Wonderful experience with great wine to match - thanks for the hospitality! read more

Had family in town from Washington state, spent a few hours with Sal in his tasting room, tasted some of his wines, ate yummy cheese & snacks, had a very informative chat about wine, vineyards, etc Would highly recommend scheduling a tour & tasting with Sal & his wife. Tim & Holly read more

Amazing wine, personalized experience with the wine maker and the grower, felt like a million dollar experience! read more

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Pros: The winery uses a water conservation, dry farming method. We tasted 5-6 wines from the barrel which was fun. Subject to opinion the wine was mediocre but not remarkable or memorable. The winery / family home is situation on a gorgeous hill side of Moraga with stunning views of the east bay hills. The wine cellar was charming and and the owners welcoming. The pairing of of cheese, nuts and home made bread was excellent. Cons: Wine tasting is too long. The tour of the vineyards lasted 5 minutes. The wine tasting/ lecture more than an hour and a half which should have been 15 minutes in which time we were never offered a seat. During that time we tasting 5-6 wines and Sal, talked to us about his wine and then he lectured us about family, education, economics and politics. The overpriced Moraga wine tasting $20 per person tasting fee is not waived for the purchase of a bottle. Captain Vineyards is a waste of time tasting overpriced non-memorable wine. read more

This is a hidden treasure! A mama and papa winery at its finest! Sal and Susan have managed to create a very special winery at the top of the hill in a quiet neighborhood in Moraga. The vines are picture perfect and their views are beautiful! The best part of the experience was the time spent with Sal and Susan who happen to make some of the best wine I have ever tasted! We loved it so much that we bought a case of all their different blends. The combination of talents between Sal and Susan is superb! read more

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Sal and his wife Susan made our experience unforgettable. Susan showed us around their beautiful vineyard and explained to us how her and Sal got started making their own wine. Susan led us to Captain Sal where we were accompanied by a fantastic bread and cheese board. For the next few hours Sal gave us an explanation of everything from the way he built the green water system for the grapes to the difference in wines. Overall, this was an amazing experience. What we enjoyed most was how authentic Sal and Susan were. They are both extremely knowledgable about wine and agriculture. If you're looking for an untraditional wine tasting experience that offers entertaining, interesting, authentic conversation, Captain Vineyards is your place! read more

The wine is delicious, and I've never liked red wine! Amazing vineyard, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The owners are the nicest people, they showed us around and are extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend this vineyard to everyone!! read more

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Captain Vineyards is a suburban vineyard and winery tucked away at the end of an uphill climb in the backhills of Moraga. It was established after all the right work to match the varietals with the soils. Red Wines are what they have as grown on the property. Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Syrah and Pinot Noir.. all of them have depth. They also have a Cab Sav, I believe and they make white wines from other growers' grapes. Sal said it at a tasting I attended recently, "There's no point making anything less than the best," and he and Susan have not compromised in any stage of the details for making their splendid wines. Sure, I am now a friend of the Captains, but I had drunk several of their wines before I met them and it made me curious to see where such reliable wines are made. Get out there and pick up a half dozen or a case.. You'll become a friend too. read more

Wow! An amazing winery experience minutes from my house just up the hill in Moraga. My father is out visiting from Kentucky and I thought this would be a good opportunity to go check this place out. So glad we did! Sal and Susan (the owners) are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The tasting included a vineyard tour and tasting right out of the barrels in the storage room. (note: they age their wine in the barrels for 3-5 years and the stuff we tested was ready, not the early barrel stuff you might be used to in Napa). The wine was fantastic. All organic, all from their grapes. We tried Grenache, Petit Syrah, Super Tuscan blend, and a Bordeaux blend. They also do Cab and Pinot Noir. All reds. They also paired it with some tasty cheeses. If you are looking to avoid tourist traps, experience a small farm-style winery and stay in the East Bay, I can't recommend the Captain's enough. Truly a fantastic experience. read more

What a wonderful day enjoying Sal and Susan's beautiful famly vineyard in Moraga. They create lovely boutique wines and learning about the creation of the vineyard was inspiring. The tastings with edibles was generous (home baked bread awesome) . We bought several bottles and took the Cabernet Sauvignon to the patio below and just sipped and viewed. Sal was burning some wood that day and I was tempted to just sit there and be still. Thank you for making it a Great Day. read more

We just left Captain vineyards and I honestly do not have the words to describe what a wonderful experience it was. Sal and Susan were absolutely amazing hosts. The wine was wonderful. The grounds are beautiful. We felt so at home and so enjoyed talking with Sal and Susan. Captains will no be our go to spot to take out of town visitors. We cannot wait to go back. Also the dogs are adorable. We love Cleo and Caesar! read more

Very intimate wine tasting experience. Sal is very knowledgeable about wine and the growing process/ environmental impacts that happen during the growing process. All of the wines we tasted were AMAZING plus the cheese bird with the tasting was fantastic. This is not a quick wine tasting- it is definitely at least an hour or two pending on how much you want to learn! The vineyard itself is smaller but has stunning views. Would definitely recommend. read more

Sal and Susan Captain are wonderful, both as hosts and as people. They provided me and my coworkers with the most pleasant and warm atmosphere for our team-building outing. From planning to execution, Captain Vineyards treated us like members of their family. After an amazing tour and a look into what it's like operating a sustainable vineyard, the Captains shared some of their most popular (and delicious) wine with our group. Due to unexpected rainstorms, they invited our group of 20 into their home for our dinner and tasting. The conversation was rich, and our hosts were kind, inviting, wise, and just overall really spectacular people. Our company is an intimate, close-knit team, and Captain Vineyards operates similarly. I highly recommend this experience to anyone, whether a larger group or small. What the Captains are doing is truly special! read more

Captain Vineyards - Wineries Near Me - Moraga, California

My wife and I went for a tasting one Saturday and had a great time. The vineyard is on the property and they utilize sustainable, low water techniques which we thought was pretty cool. After walking through the vineyards you are taken to a balcony with a beautiful view of the property. We then went to the wine cellar for tasting which were great. This is definitely a place to take friends and family when visiting from out of town for a very relaxing time with good wine. read more