Wine trail tours now open in Ventura

Shakespeare would be pleased to learn that the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau now offers wine lovers tours of its local boutique vintners and cellars.  On Saturdays and Sundays, guests can taste award-winning wines and meet the wine makers while also touring lush grounds and historic locations.
 
“These are boutique wineries and cellars, many offering exclusive small batch wines that can’t be purchased anywhere but on the Central Coast," says Kathleen Fitzgerald, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau.  “Meeting the winemakers and experiencing the winemaking process firsthand, plus the history of the area, makes this not your typical wine tour.”

Tour itineraries for the local viniculture scene are as follows:

Saturdays

Camarillo Custom Crush – Tour a vintner designed for patrons who'd like to design their own wines--without the cost of owning a vineyard. http://camarillocustomcrush.com/

Bella Victorian Vineyard - A boutique vineyard in a Tuscan-style setting that specializes in small releases of estate wines and elegant luxury.   http://www.bellavictorianvineyard.com/

Cantara Cellars – Offers a wide selection of award-winning whites and reds along with a behind-the-scenes experience and barrel tests. http://www.cantaracellars.com/

Rancho Ventavo Cellars – A family-owned business that offers small lots of artisan wines and specializes in exquisite reds.  http://www.ranchoventavocellars.com/

Other stops on the tour include:
Historic Downtown Camarillo
McGrath Farms
Oxnard’s Historic Heritage Square

Sundays

Old Creek Ranch Winery – Sample award winning wines while enjoying the gorgeous setting of this 100 year old farm, complete with avocados, cherries and roses.  http://www.oldcreekranch.com/

Casa Barranca - The first Certified Organic Winery in the Central Coast region, this vintner offers handcrafted, boutique wines. http://www.casabarranca.com/

Herzog Wine Cellars – Enjoy award winning Kosher wine produced in a six centuries-old tradition. http://www.herzogwinecellars.com/html/about.html

Rancho Ventavo Cellars – A family-owned business that offers small lots of artisan wines and specializes in exquisite reds.  http://www.ranchoventavocellars.com/

Other stops along the tour include:
Ojai’s Historic Arcade
Ojai’s Farmer’s Market
Oxnard’s Historic Heritage Square

Tours cost $75 per person and include four wineries, a gourmet snack box, and transportation.  They depart from the Ventura Visitors Center every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am, returning at 5 pm.

To make a reservation, call (805) 648-2075.  Reservations required at least 24 hours in advance.

For information on Ventura accommodations and attractions, visit www.ventura-usa.com or phone 800-483-6215.  A non-profit organization, the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau enhances tourism and the economy by positioning the City of Ventura as a visitor and conference destination. The Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.