Dark Star

Relaxed atmosphere, family friendly, pets and chickens, games, and around 18 to 20 different wines.

  • About
  • Vineyard Details
  • Varieties Grown
  • Press & Accolades
  • About
    Walk-ins are welcome, please call for groups of 6 or more.

    Dark Star is a rustic, working winery, just off the West 46 at Anderson Road, two miles off the 101. Our spacious tasting area includes an indoor bar with seating, and an outdoor patio with vineyard views.

    We offer around twenty wines, including whites, rosés, creative red blends, unusual red varietals and port. Our wines have recently collected many awards, including ten 90 plus point gold medals. Our winemaker calls the pick only when the grapes have reached full maturity, and the wines are made on site. Given our limited production, we can get to know each of our three hundred and eighty barrels personally, and track the progress of our wines as they mature.

    Dark Star is famous for its laid back, family and pet friendly atmosphere. Choose eight wines from our extensive menu, or let our staff guide you. Your companions can enjoy the corn hole game, the observation beehive, or just hang out with the winery cats and chickens. We may do a tour of the winery – or put you to work.

    We are also known for our great quality to price ratio. Our club members enjoy at 30% discount at all times, and 50% off case specials at least twice per year.
  • Vineyard Details
    • The five acre vineyard runs from Anderson Road, up the hill behind Grey Wolf, and back down the hill to Sextant. Block A is Mourvedre. Block B is part Morvedre and part Montepulciano. Blocks 1 and 3 at the top are Grenache Noir, and Blocks 2 and 4 are Syrah.
    • First Date Planted: 1995
    • Last Date Planted: 2017
    • Row Spacings: 8 x 6
    • Irrigated/Dry Farmed: Irrigated
    • Slope Description: steep
    • Harvest Method: Hand
    • Wineries Supplied: Dark Star Cellars
    Download Vineyard Map >
  • Varieties Grown
    • Grenache Blanc | 1.95 acres

    • Syrah Noir | 1.09 acres

    • Mourvèdre | 1.26 acres

    • Other | .33 acres

  • Press & Accolades

    Accolades

    • 2015 Petite Sirah, Orange County Fair, Jun 2019, Gold Medal
    • 2015 Petite Sirah, Orange County Fair, Jun 2019, Gold Medal
    • 2016 Cabernet Franc, Orange County Fair, Jun 2019, Gold Medal
    • 2014 Soft Shoulder [GSM BLend], Sunset International Wine Competition, Jun 2018, Gold Medal
    • 2014 Syrah, Orange County Fair, Jun 2018, Gold Medal
    • 2014 Soft Shoulder [GSM BLend], Orange County Fair, Jun 2017, Gold Medal
    • 2013 Petite Sirah, Orange County Fair, Jun 2016, 4 Star Gold Medal