As you turn off Orcutt Road into Domaine Alfred, you pass under a sign reading Chamisal Vineyard. The tasting room is in the old winery building originally constructed for utilitarian winemaking purposes, while a new state-of-the-art winery resides at the other end of the property.

Inside is the original cement-floored winemaking room, which now serves as an exhibit space for local artists and the tasting room. The tasting bar is made of old wooden planks set up over oak barrels. There is a smaller tasting salon adjacent for club members.

Wines produced include a number of vineyard-designated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, plus Syrah and a red blend (Syrah and Pinot Noir) called Da Red. Large-format magnums are also available.

In 1972 the first Chardonnay grapes were planted in Edna Valley at the famed Chamisal Vineyard. This experiment proved that the cool growing area could support specific grape varieties. Grape-growing methods improved with the development of different rootstocks, new canopy and trellis management systems and the expanding knowledge about grape varieties.

The vineyard sold in 1994, and over the next few years the new owner replanted the vineyard with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, later adding Grenache, Pinot Gris and Syrah. Additionally, Domaine Alfred is leading the region in developing organic farming methods that embrace a biodynamic approach to growing. Edna Valley now has close to 2,000 acres of premium wine grapes producing award-winning Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, as well as several other varietals