The Phillips family has been farming ever since their great-great-grandfather Andrew Harshner and his wife Lucille homesteaded 160 acres following the Civil War in the 1860s. Now the sixth generation continues their agricultural pursuits growing vegetables, fruit and 15 varieties of wine grapes.

Though not a certified organic winery, Michael~David Vineyards strives to use all-natural methods, including integrated pest management, beneficial insects for pest control, trellising, leaf-pulling and the use of natural-mined sulfur for mildew control. Their varieties include Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Roussanne, Chardonnay and Symphony. Their flagship wine is Zinfandel, featuring their popular Earthquake Zin and Seven Deadly Zin labels.

The winery tasting room is part of a complex of single-story buildings on Highway 12 near Interstate 5. The spacious and rambling tasting room is part of a large gourmet country store and informal restaurant that has a regular clientele for their hearty breakfasts, lunches and freshly baked pies. The wine-tasting counters are off to the right, crowded between tables of wine accessories, exotic cheeses, fresh vegetables and a slew of gift items. Family members frequently serve as your hosts as you taste your way through their extensive wine list.

Around back are acres of gardens, lawns, covered picnic areas, a tree-shaded pond with raucous ducks, goats, dozens of chickens, a handful of friendly Barbados Blackbelly sheep and – yes – a winery.