About Tolenas Vineyards and Winery
Tolenas Vineyards and Winery is a family winery whose name nods to the historic Tolenas area of Suisun Valley. Winemaker-owner Lisa Howard has become one of the region's clearest voices, summing up its appeal simply: "We are how wine country used to be, approachable and affordable, with high quality wines and great hospitality. You will wonder how it is still a secret."
Suisun Valley sits in western Solano County, just east of Napa Valley and directly west of Fairfield, tucked between the Vaca Mountains and the Howell Mountains. It was recognized as an American Viticultural Area in 1982, among the earliest AVAs in California, and it has quietly grown wine grapes since the 1800s. Cool marine air draws in off San Pablo Bay each afternoon, and the valley runs roughly a 14 degree temperature swing from its lower to upper reaches, giving the region long, even ripening across more than twenty grape varieties. Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc are the calling cards, alongside Chardonnay, Barbera, Grenache, and other warm-climate grapes. Locals sometimes call Suisun Valley "Napa's backside," and the comparison is fair: family farms, unhurried tasting rooms, and honest pricing give it the feel of Napa a half century ago. Most wineries here are family owned, and it is common for the person pouring your wine to be the one who grew and made it.
Hours, tasting fees, and reservation policies change with the season, so it is worth checking the winery's website or calling ahead before you visit, especially on weekends. The details on this profile may have shifted since publication, and the producer is always the most authoritative source.
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