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    Captain Vineyards

    4.9 (87 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 6:00 AM (Next day)

    By appointment only

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    Nia Q.

    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 :)

    The walk down to the tasting area
    Savannah O.

    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.

    Cleo!

    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!

    Captain Vineyards in full of breathtaking views like this one!
    Heather K.

    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!

    a bunch of grapes growing on the vine

    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!

    Organic dry farming and totally green!
    Gunther A.

    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!!!

    Noelle R.

    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.

    Petit Syrah and Pinot grapes on the Captain Estate looking towards Lafayette.
    Elizabeth B.

    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.

    Chris M.

    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!

    Walking with Susan to see the Vineyard
    Kris M.

    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.

    Amy L.

    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.

    Michelle F.

    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.

    Lovely view

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    Unbelievable experience! This couple has found the fountain of youth!!! Then bottled it ;)

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    Page 2 of 3

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    Review Highlights - Captain Vineyards

    Susan and the puppy gave us a very informative tour, then led us to the tasting cellar where Sal took over.

    Mentioned in 59 reviews

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