Top 10 Wineries to visit in California

Zinfandel is the city of Paso Robles, California's heritage grape, which is why it's synonymous with the region. J Dusi Wines, owned by Janell Dusi, embraces that heritage to the fullest. In fact, her family's Dante Dusi Vineyard (planted in 1945) is the only old vine vineyard in Paso Robles that's still family-owned and operated. It's where Janell was born and raised. Being a farmer's daughter meant she learned to work the land early on. "We as kids were expected to be useful hands in every step of the farming cycle of a vineyard," she tells us.

Janell, the fourth-generation Dusi involved in the vineyard's operation, eventually decided to take things one step further and try her hand at winemaking. "I wanted to take it full circle and turn these grapes that we worked hard on all year to grow and turn it into wine with our family name on the front," she explains. Enter J Dusi Wines. Putting aside 20% of the vineyard's production for her own use, Janell began crafting her very own 100% Zinfandel from the Dante Dusi Vineyard. The label also produces an array of other wines made from a mix of varietals. Visit the vineyard and you can learn all about the history of the region and the Dusi family during a one-hour tasting. What's more, you can pair your wines with a cheese or charcuterie platter and, if you opt to sit on the patio, you'll be treated to incredible vineyard views.