Situated in the middle of Cobble Creek Vineyard, just off Highway 46 west, is the elegant Mediterranean style tasting complex of Castoro Cellars. From the tree-shaded parking lot you walk up under the long grape arbor to the gardens featuring lush native plants and specimen cork oaks. There are numerous shaded picnic tables, extensive arbors, lawns, bird houses, and places to stroll and discover.

 

Inside the wood and tile tasting room interior, there is a varied selection of new releases, single vineyard and library wines to enjoy. Straight refreshing grape juice is also available. Local artisan products, interesting gifts and gourmet food items are spread through the attractive space. Two granite and wood tasting bars, in separate rooms, handle their many visitors. Sparkling wine riddling racks display their older vintage “library wines”.

 

A separate event center is across the patio with its walls covered with dozens of original paintings. Within the tasting room charming watercolors from the artist Howard Kline grace the walls. Castoro hosts an outdoor musical concert series on the premises in the fall and has other public events during the year.

 

The winery name originates with the owners long-time nickname "Beaver," evolved further when he was working in Italy and his friends soon took to calling him "Il Castoro," which is beaver in Italian. The name and the motto stuck. Castoro Cellars' "dam fine wines" sports a image of a beaver on each label.

 

The winery grows and produces many wines encompassing the traditional grapes of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone and Italy. There flagship wines are their Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. They also make a white Zinfandel and a Zinfandel Port. The winery itself is located in nearby San Miguel where, in addition to their own production, they custom crush for many other wineries in the area.