Tasting wine at Westbrook is an experience in and of itself. Talking with Ray is an education and his depth of experience is reflected in well thought out and developed wines. The grape varietals are selected to produce the wines he wants to create rather than what the current market says should he should be making- and this makes for wines with a depth of flavor that few other wineries produce anymore. Take the time, make an appointment, and enjoy the experience- it is well worth it. read more

Ray Krause is truly an amazing winemaker and has brought a once in a lifetime enology/viticulural expertise/experience to our area. It's truly a pleasure listening to him speak of his wines and the strategy he put into his vineyard and winemaking. To enophiles he is a true treasure. read more

Myself and 8 close friends were visiting the Oakhurst area for an extended weekend. Ahead of our planned trip, I did a quick search of things to do in the area using ChatGPT and Westbrook Wine Farm was suggested. I visited their website and called to make an appointment with Ray for our group several weeks in advance. Ray called the day before to confirm our appointment and was very warm. We all live in the Bay Area and are versed in a variety of fine wines but had never visited an actual wine farm. Upon arrival, Ray welcomed us with his quirky humor. His passion and knowledge of wine from the initial plantings to the finished product was extremely impressive. Ray was fun, engaging and made this the best wine experience we have ever had. (Sorry Napa Valley). Thank you Ray for a wonderful afternoon at Westbrook Wine Farm. read more

I have been wine tasting throughout California for the past twenty years and this was absolutely the best wine tasting experience I have had in my life. Ray was charming and engaging with his stories. Every single wine we tasted was phenomenal and each member of our 9 person group found something that they loved. This was a fabulous find in a region we have not previously explored and I would strongly encourage any wine lovers to make time for an appointment here. read more

Took 3 couples of wine enthusiasts to an appointment only tasting at Westbrook Winery. All of us actually have a great deal of experience visiting wineries in Napa and Paso Robles, however minimal experience in the fine art of wine making. We were given a 2+ hour tour of Westbrook, which included an extremely informative tasting guided by Ray Krause- the owner and wine maker. At the end, all of us were in agreement - the private tasting at Westbrook was the best experience any of us had ever had at a wine tasting event and winery visit - informative, humorous, and a mini class in enology. A++++ - highly recommend - a hidden gem read more

See all

BEST WINE TASTING experience ever! Simplest way to summarize our visit was "wow!". Ray greeted my wife and I at the door and gave a wonderful tour of the vineyards. We proceeded inside for a tasting but this was so much more than a tasting; Ray spent time with us sharing stories of the wines, their history, and also spent time graciously answering all questions that my wife and I had. I have been to large wineries that have been wonderful, but felt impersonal. The ambiance at Westbrook was quaint and we could easily see the passion that Ray not only puts into his wines but also how he articulates their history. I wish all wineries spent the time with us like Ray did today. Again, best experience by far at any winery. Thank you, Ray! I assure you we will meet again soon! read more

Warm welcome, educational walk thru of the vineyards topped off with a very tasty array outstanding wines! Couldn't have asked for a better way to spend our first afternoon on our Yosemite vacation. Reservations were made weeks in advance and Ray was very communicative throughout the entire process. Our group of six bought multiple bottles, had a great time and we look forward to returning! read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Walking and learning about Ray's vineyards. - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

We indulged ourselves in an immersive experience of tasting wines with all our senses. Being at the Westbrook Wine Farm with a passionate winemaker listening to the history and nuances of really making quality wine while being surrounded by barrels, bottles, vineyards and foothills was unforgettable. Ray is funny, entertaining and downright serious about making wines he is proud of. I am looking forward to opening a wonderful bottle of his wine with dinner tonight. But which one?? They were all so unique and delicious! Thanking my friend Caty for making it happen. By appointment only. Great birthday afternoon getaway to Westbrook's little gem in the world of wine. read more

See all

if you would choose to Google the definition of a hidden gem, it should include a reference to this lovely little winery. My wife and I made this our first stop on our small tour of the Madera Wine trail. The winery is located on top of a gorgeous little hill hidden away from the main road: private and secluded. When we arrived, we were greeted as we drove up by Ray and his dogs, Molly and Poppy. He welcomed us and instead of immediately walking us into the winery, walked us around his property. It was very interesting to hear about the vines and soils and the uniqueness of the area when it comes to cultivating the grapes. Once we got into the winery, the experience just got even better. Ray has such a wealth of knowledge and expertise it would have been worth the time just to listen to him talk about the wines and their history. Fortunately the wines were even better. My wife and I enjoyed everything. Even vintages that we hadn't ever particularly liked at any other winery. Just a fantastic experience from beginning to end. I would recommend this to everyone looking for an experience and not just a wine bar that is looking to pour 5 wines from a list and tell you about the different fruit you'll taste. read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

There are not enough words to say how absolutely amazing this experience was. Ray has more knowledge about wine than any of us could ever hope to have about our own careers/ callings. It is without a doubt the most personal and intimate wine tasting experience we have ever had. The selections were endless and the quality was top notch. The only downside is that I live 4 hours away and will now be spending infinite weekend and gas money making my way out to spend time with lovely Ray and his exquisite wines and property. If you like wine, or think you like wine... do not hesitate to make an appointment with Ray. You will experience wine in a way unlike ever before. read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

It was one of the best wineries tour I ever had! And I've been to a lot of wineries. Do make an appointment before visiting and you will have a blissful time in there. It was very exclusive and took us about two hours. The owner was very chilled and so funny! We ended up buying whole bunch of wines and I even brought some wines back to NYC! Highly recommended for the view, great wines, and wonderful time!! read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

Beautiful winery and with amazing wine! Ray, the owner, is very welcoming and kind! He told a story before each wine we tasted which made it that much more special. Loved the small group atmosphere. Make sure to call ahead as it is appointment only. Absolutely recommend! read more

My favorite overall winery, anywhere in the world, and we buy and import a lot of great wines. This winery grows all the Bordeaux grape varieties, which is really rare! We were introduced to Westbrook wines 15 years ago, as Ray's wines were being poured at a 5 star restaurant we visited. Make an appointment, relax, taste, learn and make sure your car has plenty of room to hold the bottles you will buy. Love visiting this small, boutique winery for the authentic winery experience. It is not often that your wines are poured by the winemaker, who will explain the growing process, the weather impacts, the subtle nuances, etc. Ray's knowledge of wine making is amazing and he has been in the industry for (help me out, Ray) a very long time....but he's still really young! We have been introducing friends to this winery for years and look forward the visits. The Fait Accompli is typically my favorite wine, but we buy all of them. The dessert wine, is also unique, as it isn't too sweet, like most, in my opinion. We serve Ray's wines at all our parties, and they are typically preferred over top Bordeaux Houses' wines in blind tasting parties, we have hosted. They are that good and special! read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

See all

Westbrook is an absolute gem! I moved here from Sonoma County a few years ago and I was sad to leave wine country behind. It turns out there is wonderful wine to be found here, particularly on the Madera Wine Trail. That said, Westbrook, and Ray, are by far my favorite. The wine is delicious and the tasting experience is beyond great. Ray knows everything about wine, but in a way that makes you want to listen. He tells great stories and is an expert in witty banter. I've been to more tasting rooms than I remember and this is one of the best experiences anywhere, every time. And again, the wine is SO good. It's also a beautiful drive to get there. Make an appointment, you'll be so happy you did!. Side note: To those who don't get Ray and his humor/personality, I am sorry. Yours must be a slightly less joyful life. I imagine you find yourself offended often and that can't be fun. read more

Such a fun place! Amazing wines and private tours with lots of history and information on the vines, grapes & process of making wine. read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

This is the best winery around. I have been to most and the wine is remarkably good. The staff is very attentive to your ever need and the scenery is just breathtaking. I have been daydreaming of every where I am going to go when places are safely open again and this winery will be on my tour back home. I really can't wait to get back to San Fran. I can't wait to go to Buena Vista and see my grandpa's cane on the wall! Review to come. I love California. read more

I do not think I can fully express in words how meaningful and wonderful our experience at this vineyard was! --(But I will try!) We visited on Labor Day this past week and it was by far one of the best wine tasting experiences we've ever had! Last year we visited Napa where we had a full weekend of wine tasting so this year we wanted to at least squeeze in a little wine tasting during our Yosemite Trip. While the other places we visited here were okay, they were nothing to write home about compared to the Napa vineyards, but THIS vineyard blew us away! As soon as you step inside the gorgeous wood doors that Ray, our extremely gracious host and owner of the winery, built himself, it is as though you are transported back to a different era--old classic jazz music plays (a la Frank Sinatra realm), there is a large oak bar, twinkling lights, a little rock fireplace, and an old bookshelf full of wine literature that is actually a secret doorway to another room! Ray is charming, honest, personable, and super educated when it comes to wine! He taught us so much in the 2.5 hours we spent with him and we never felt rushed or like we were even in a business trying to sell something. He felt like a good friend or uncle welcoming us into his home, his personal breeding ground for very special and tasty wines! He let us taste 7 different wines (3 whites and 4 reds) starting with his special "Bare Bones" Chardonnay--which to be honest, I am usually not a fan of Chardonnay--but I have to say this was the most tolerable, might I say even tastiest Chardonnay I've ever had! We continued on through the whites, tasting his Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, which are my favorite types of white, and they did not at all disappoint! We gradually worked our way up through the reds, taking our time per Rob's instructions, smelling and savoring what each had to offer--each wine giving us more and more subtle flavors of fruit and spice and a different experience to the senses. When we got to the reds, Rob offered us some delicious complimentary cheese that was the perfect pairing for the rest of our tasting! We revisited our favorites and finally settled on purchasing 4 out of the 7 bottles we tried: the "Savvy" Sauvignon Blanc, the Madera Barbera, the Sangiovese, and finally the Petite Syrah! From the delicious wines, to the overall experience and personal tour of the farm, to the superior hospitality of our host, we cannot recommend WestBrook Wine Farm enough and can't wait to visit again in the future! read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Me with Ray! Ray was the most gracious and educated host we could have asked for! :) - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

See all

Wow! This was a very informative and tasty winery. I am now in Love with their Chardonnay! This is a must see/visit to get the the real deal on wines and their grapes. read more

See all

Westbrook Wine Farms is the best wine tasting experience we have ever had. From Temecula to Paso Robles wineries, Westbrook surpasses each one. There was absolutely no charge for the wine tasting. Ray is very knowledgeable and passionate about the different types of wines he offers during the tasting experience. He is a witty, genuine, and welcoming host. He took the time to get to know each and every one of us, and made conversations flow very easily. The ambience was very cozy and enlightening. The barn and vineyards were quaint and beautiful. I ended up buying 3 out of the 7 wines we tasted, and everyone in the group took at least 2 bottles home. Thank you so much Westbrook wine farms for giving us each a memorable experience. We can not wait to come back and taste some more wines ! Sincerely, wine enthusiast/snob :) read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

Hidden in the Sierra Nevada foothills north of Fresno, Ray and Tammy are responsible for a small production winery (less than 1000 cases/year) making fantastic wine, which was recently recognized by the Orange County Wine Society with gold medals for Ray's Museum and Fait Accompli wines. Ray is a true icon in the wine industry... practical, friendly, educational, engaging, with a sense of humor as dry as the Mojave Desert, and an encyclopedic knowledge of all things viticultural... And he is one hell of a wine maker. Westbrook is off most any definition of a "beaten path", but if you like fine wine and have a thirst for enological knowledge, it is well worth making an appointment, driving a half hour north of Fresno, and hearing Ray's take on making wine... You are guaranteed to learn something, have a great time and taste some wine that you likely will need to add to your collection. read more

Thank you Ray for such a phenomenal wine tasting experience. The wine is amazing and the knowledge we acquired from Ray is unmatched! If you're looking for an intimate and personalized wine tasting experience, this is definitely the right choice for you. Can't wait to come back one day! Taking some wine bottles home to San Diego. read more

See all

What a beautiful day. Ray was a delight. I highly recommend. Girlfriend day was complete with a trip here. If you go tell him you saw a review from Susan and Deniece!!! read more

AMAZING! By far one of my favorite tasting experiences. Not only is the wine excellent and the scenery beautiful, but the owners are kind, knowledgeable, and extremely welcoming. If you're in the area, make the time to visit! If you're not in the area, plan a trip! read more

I am so excited to be featuring two of Westbrook's wines at my wedding. My fiancé and I are having our wedding at the Pines Resort and wanted to feature a local winery at the wedding. After going to one other winery we found Westbrook. Talk about an amazing experience. Westbrook is one of a kind. After a short drive from Bass Lake and up a short dirt road, we arrived at Westbrook. Ray greeted us at the door of his winery and started the 2+ hour tasting by showing us his vineyard and his original wine tasting room. Once we made it back to the wine room Ray went through each tasting thoroughly. It was an amazing experience. I can't wait to go back with more family so they can see just how special this place is. read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

See all

We arrived at Westbrook Wine Farm not sure what to expect. The drive up the dirt road, which had no signage at the turn off, had us wondering if we were even in the right place. Once we enter the gate and I saw how beautiful this piece of property is it made perfect sense. Ray the owner/wine maker was waiting out front & that's where our wine tasting journey began. Ray spent over 2 hours with us thoroughly explaining each individual wine we tasted and the process in which they are made. Over the years my husband and I have wine tasted all over California plus in a few other states this was literally the best experience at a winery that we have ever had hands down. And the wine well it was outstanding!! World Class. We of course had our favorites but all the wines we tasted were pretty much perfection. Honestly, you can tell the passion that goes into every bottle. We highly recommended scheduling a visit to this hidden gem of a winery here in Madera County. Thank you Ray for a wonderful afternoon and your hospitality!! We will definitely be back soon! read more

Let me just start off this review by saying that I am always wary of using Yelp to decide whether or not to visit a winery. Not everyone who leaves a Yelp review for a winery understands what wine tasting is all about. But when I saw that Westbrook Wine Farm got an almost 5-star review each time, I was intrigued & had to do more research. Reading their website I knew this place is serious about their wines and decided to give it a shot. They are an appointment only winery, so when I called to make a reservation for 4 of us (myself, my husband & 2 good friends) I spoke directly with Ray, the owner & winemaker. I immediately liked his sense of humor and felt like I was being interviewed to see if my group was worth his time. This might turn other people off, but it showed me once again how serious he is about the wine he creates. Our appointment was for 11am this past Saturday and Ray greeted us as we drove up. He then gave us an informational tour of the property and the vineyards before taking us into the tasting/barrel room to start the wine tasting. From start to finish, our experience was a little over 2.5 hours! The way Ray crafts his wine is different from anything my group has ever experienced (and we go wine tasting A LOT)! It's obvious that he is passionate about winemaking. I could go on and on about how wonderful Westbrook Wine Farm is, but let me finish with this - there are times when you love the wine, but never meet the winemaker, or you meet the winemaker, but the wines are just okay. Westbrook Wine Farm is the perfect combination of passionate winemaker & top quality wines. Oh, and our group left with just over 3 cases of wine...something we've never done before! Thank you to Ray (and his wife Tammy) for bringing quality wine to the Madera region! read more

See all

2009 Uber Rhenish, Dry Riesling, Madera - This wine is crisp, sassy with a hint of the expected Riesling "petrol". Barrel fermentation to total dryness serves to bevel the naturally sharp edges of this naturally acidic fruit. It received 90 points and Editor's Choice in the Wine Enthusiast Magazine, September 2007 issue. Tasting notes: dry, clean, refreshing aftertaste. Suggested pairing: sashimi, oysters on the half shell 2011 Savvy, Sauvignon Blanc, Laurie's Vineyard - Tasting notes: floral aroma, fruit centric back end 2010 Chardonnay, Barrel Fermented, Lodi - Tasting notes: fruity nose. Suggested pairing: Grilled fish or herb roasted chicken 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Peterson Family Vineyard, Lodi - This wine has flavors of dark cherries, dark roses, chocolate, truffles, cedar, and Cabernet sauvignon fruit. Tasting notes: smooth, well-balanced. Suggested pairing: Grilled ribeye steak 2009 Petite Sirah, John Simpson Vines, Madera County - The grapes harvested from John Simpson Vines provide for naturally proud tannins and alcohol. It is a more floral than fruit forward wine. Tasting notes: peppery nose, flavor coats the entire palate. Suggested pairing: Sage rubbed, flamed charred venison 2009 Fait Accompli, "10th Anniversary" Estate - This is Westbrook Wine Farm's flagship wine which is a co-fermented field blend of the grapes from the estate. "Fait accompli" translates to accomplished fact. Like red wines from Bordeaux, it is full-flavored, deeply colored, and highly extracted. Their proprietary field blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, and Carmenere. Tasting notes: complex, strong Cabernet Sauvignon bouquet, peppery, oak flavor read more

We've visited Westbrook Wine Farm many times. Latest visit April 11. Delightful as always. Winemaker Ray Krause makes outstanding wines, and is an incredible host at his by appointment only tasting room. These are wines made with the highest wine skills, artistry, and a passion for excellence. And a tasting experience that is unrivaled in terms of the knowledge, wine wisdom and entertaining anecdotes shared by Ray while one enjoys and savors his complete range of unique and world class wines. A one of a kind experience in the best possible way. A bit off the usual wine path, but absolutely worth the effort to find and to schedule a visit. The highest recommendation. read more

Wow!!! Where do I start. I love wine...all types. I've spent countless years and too many dollars tasting and tasting and tasting and then buying. I've learned a few things. Trust your tastebuds and then find a winemaker who loves their work, makes great products and is willing to help you learn rather than dazzle you with winespeak. Ray and Tammy Krause are such people. They own their vineyard, they farm their vineyard, they make wonderful wine, and they're willing to help you experience their hand crafted efforts. Ray also sources grapes which they then apply the same high standards of winemaking to. In addition to a great tasting experience you are allowed to laugh, swirl, argue and have a great time doing so. Cheers to these unique and talented wine freaks. Dan Redden Ojai Ca. read more

We first found Westbrook Wine Farm by recommendation of a local, high-end restaurant, Narrow Gauge Inn. We knew there were wineries around Madera County, but didn't know where to start. She said the best is Westbrook Wine Farm, and she is right. I feel like family every time we go wine tasting there. Ray is the storyteller, and creates a warm, safe environment, even if you are a wine novice. There are many wines of theirs that we love, and each vintage usually beings a new, surprising wine. It is worth driving up the dirt road. Yes, this is the right way. I promise you won't be disappointed. I know my friends always love when we serve Westbrook. And it is only available for retail sale at the winery. read more

Make an appointment if you want to have a great experience tasting wine and learning about Ray's craft. Best wine tasting I've had.

If you feel the charm of wine making and more importantly for me, tasting, has become too commercial, you need to visit Westbrook Wine Farm. The "off the beaten path" location, the Wine Gaust, and the beautiful tasting room make your time spent at Westbrook Wine Farm more of an experience than a event. Ray's passion for wine making come through in his guidance (if you request it) during your tasting. His attention to detail in each wine started from the first planting of his varietals, their subsequent cultivation, and good ol' Mother Nature. You will certainly taste it in the complexity, body and subtleties of his wines. Ray is more than willing to impart his knowledge, expertise and philosophies on why his wines are the way they are. And then he'll ask you the most important question, "Do you find one you like?" From my experience, most people say, "All of them!" Cheers, Rich Kreps read more

It's very rare that you get to sit with the winemaker himself and be educated, with great detail, about every nuance and decision that goes into making their wines. I've never had an experience quite like this before. Ray is witty, patient, and bursting with knowledge when it comes to sharing his passion for winemaking. And the wines...everything we tasted was a delight to the palette. There's something here for everyone, but you have to go there to taste for yourself. You will not only leave here with a memorable experience, like we did, but you'll be leaving with a carload of wine and be telling your friends to visit, just as we did. So thankful we made an appointment! Enjoy! read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - What a treasure to find. Great wines, wonderful host and a great experience all around. A must! - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

Ray was an awesome host, and the wine was excellent, atmosphere was all you want in a tasting room. Make sure to get reservations before you go, no walk-ins read more

What an amazing wine experience we had at Westbrook Wine Farm. We took our friends from So. Cal. with us. Ray is a great host, and so engaging and knowledgeable. By far the best wine tasting my husband and I have ever had. We both loved every wine. We will definitely revisit. Thank you Ray. read more

As a novice wine lover, I really appreciate the time Ray spent providing us with the background story on the wine and letting us take our time with the tasting. I've been wine tasting in several other regions throughout the state but have never had an experience quite like Westbrook. Having one-on-one time with the winemaker is such a treat! It was helpful/educational/fun to tour the vineyard, followed by a full tasting in the winery. He presented a great variety, they were all delicious! I also enjoyed the casual atmosphere. I'll definitely be returning! As others have noted, an appointment is necessary and it is definitely worth it to give yourself a big chunk of time! You won't want to cut this trip short. read more

Wow! What an incredible find! So glad we went up the hill to this hidden gem! Ray is absolutely fascinating to listen to and his wines are incredible! (We came home with four bottles) If you want to get out of the valley heat this summer you are encouraged to make a tasting appointment and enjoy the cool "cellar" while tasting, what I'm sure, will be the best wine you've ever had!!!! read more

Westbrook Wine Farm - Such a fantastic afternoon with the most gracious host, Ray! This man knows what he likes! (And we like it too!) Great wine!!!! - Wineries Near Me - O'Neals, California

See all

Honestly one of the best wine tasting experiences I've ever had! I didn't know there was such great tasting wines so close to home. I highly recommend calling and making your appointment to try this amazing winery!! We bought a case and probably would have become wine club members if they offered it. We will definitely be back! read more

Thank you Ray, we had a wonderful time wine tasting and hearing about the history of the farm. It was quite an experience for a newbie like me. The wines were great , Thank you Westbrook Wine Farm. It's nice to know you're right around the corner. read more

I only gave this place one star because they had a decent petite sirah, everything else was terrible from start to finish. Crappy wines, long drive for a stupid little winery, and most of all the wine host "Ray" was the rudest snobbiest jerk. He made myself and my friends feel unwelcome and actually told us to "shut up" a few times when we got bored of his stories and talked amongst ourselves. I will personally never go back and will tell all of my friends, family, etc. to stay far away from here. Ray...You can take your wine and shove it up your ass! read more