Captain Vineyards

Where to start. All the previous reviews have said what I wanted to say about the wine tasting so I'm going to skip over that part - for your sake :)My experience with Captain Vineyards actually started about 2 weeks before the event. I emailed them about 2 weeks prior to the event asking about a wine tasting with 4 people. I didn't hear back for a few days so I decided to call them for a follow-up. A gentleman picked up and we started talking about the reservation request and how technology has failed all of us at one point in your lives. From there, I learned the rich history of the gentleman who later introduced himself as Sal - one of two owners of this fantastic establishment. After we hung up, my fiance asked me who I was talking to that had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. This is because we had been talking for over 40 minutes!Long story short, this vineyard is a blast. Coming to this vineyard, both Susan and Sal gave us a rundown of how the voneyard came to be and why they grow the grapes they grow. If you're curious in winemaking and how the grapes are grown, these two are a wealth of knowledge and can answer any question you may have. Honestly, the BEST wine tasting I've had, hands down.

Easily one of the best wineries in the Bay Area. Hidden gem by far. From the time I walked in I fell in love with this place. From Susan's lovely tour and Sal's knowledge of the wine and production. Their knowledge and passion for every step of the process of wine making is very apparent. Cleo the sweetest dog hung out with us and I just loved it! The wine was fantastic. All organic, all from their grapes. We tried Grenache, Petit Syrah, Super Tuscan blend, and a Bordeaux blend. They also do Cab and Pinot Noir. All reds. They also paired it with some tasty cheeses.I highly recommend Captain Vineyards! I cannot wait to go back very soon :)

Captain Vineyards is truly a one of a kind establishment. Located on a hill in residential Moraga, it is quite secluded and peaceful. I must preface this review by making it clear that this is not your average Napa Valley-esque establishment. There are no frills and big groups. This is simply a man and his wife making sustainable wine on their property and opening their space to those who are interested in something more intimate and genuine. Captain Vineyards does virtually no marketing, so when googling wineries in Moraga, they didn't show up right away. However, they caught my eye after some scrolling because of how quaint it looked. With one phone call, I was able to arrange a tasting with Sal, the winemaker, a mere two hours later. When we arrived, Sal was out to meet us and help us figure out where to park. I won't be disingenuous and say I wasn't slightly skeptical when I realized we were literally walking into someone's front yard. Yet, once we stepped through his gate, it was clear this was the real deal. You can't tell from the outside, but once you enter, you see the vines to your right. A few steps up and you see all five acres of vineyard hidden below. I have been to many wineries and not once have I encountered such a personal tour. Granted, no one else booked the same day as us, but you can tell he gives every one of his guests this treatment. It's such a homey atmosphere. I admire that Sal does not act like this isn't his home, because it is. He chats with you as he prunes his plants and waters them. Cleo, his sweet Husky, is trotting along with you. He's not putting on a show; he's simply doing what he and his wife love. Once we got to the tasting, we were sat on a patio a little below the main house and cellar overlooking the vineyard. We were able to let him know what wines we generally liked and he curated from there. Sal begins the tasting with some facts on how we may taste the wine with the food he put out. The food consists of cheeses, nuts, vegetables, and freshly baked bread, all curated by Susan, Sal's wife and the grower at the vineyard. I do have to give a nod to Susan's bread. She bakes it herself and makes it fresh right before you arrive (so some advance notice is needed). By far the best bread I've ever had. Back to Sal and the tasting: he is extremely knowledgeable. I have never heard a tasting explained this way, with sense memory, but it seemed to steer me away from trying figure out what I thought the wine was supposed to taste like and more of what it reminded me of from experiences in my own life. It was great and more enjoyable this way. Throughout the tasting, Sal takes the time to really chat and get to know you as well as share a bit about himself. All while sprinkling in facts about the wine. We had a great conversation about many topics we were all interested in. Aside from that, I can honestly say the wine was delicious (my favorite was the Cabernet Sauvignon), and the homemade bread was to die for. Their wine tasted clean and carefully crafted. It is definitely not sweet, given there are no additives, but more earthy with a hint of natural sweetness from the grapes. The food he puts out is definitely required to get the most out of the wine, though they are still delicious on their own. All of this to say that I would highly recommend scheduling a tasting here if you are in the area. The discussions with Sal were valuable, the property was beautiful, the atmosphere was serene, and of course, the wines were impeccable. We will be visiting Captain Vineyards again.

So friendly and inviting! Very chill vibes for your group if you're looking for a vineyard that is not pretentious and you can just kick back at.

What a pleasant surprise finding this gem boutique family winery! We did a search and found the winery close by while staying in the hills above Oakland in Moraga... just a short jog away from where Captain Vineyards is located between Moraga and Walnut Creek. The area was absolutely beautiful and the vineyard is hidden behind a neighborhood --- which is hidden in the beautiful hills. I too have been to many wineries in Napa, but by far this was the best experience we have had and Sal and his wife were absolutely delightful and informative. Honestly, do yourself a favor if you are in the Oakland area and check Captain Vineyards out! You'll be glad you did and by the way their Petite Sarah is terrific!!!

Brought my family here for my mom's birthday and it was the perfect mix of beautiful scenery, delicious wine, and friendly, welcoming company. Susan, Sal, and their lovable husky made us feel like part of the family. It was so relaxing and unpretentious, even my mom (who is not a big drinker) was excited to taste all the wines. I'm so glad to have found a local gem like this that doesn't require us to make the trek to napa or sonoma. My brother and dad had a blast asking the owners a million questions about the winemaking process, and Susan brought out toys for my 1 year old niece, which she loved! 10/10 would recommend

A beautiful winery with fantastic wines! From Mrs. Captain's homemade toasted bread on the cheese plate, to Mr. Captain's stories of how they came to start growing the grapes and making wine, we loved the personal touches engrained into the entire experience. We learned so much, and then relished some of the best reds I've had the pleasure of enjoying in ages! Definitely add Captain Vineyards to the top of your list for great places to visit, whether you are a local or visiting from afar!

Just spent my Saturday afternoon at the Captain's stunning homestead vineyard. Amazing view, beautiful scenery and fantastic wine. Homely family vibes. Also catering to infants.

A gem among the Oakland Hills! First leading up to the vineyard it was a humble abode that was quickly met with a warm and hospitable greeting by Susan (the captains wife!!) She had thanked US for coming to their vineyard (Already could tell this would be a fantastic trip!) She carefully took the time to explain the history and meaning behind the process of Captain Vineyards, why and how they do what they do. It is a testament to their wine and success of their business. The only make red wines and they carefully put a lot of thought and research into explaining the differences of each one. But also educating my party and I that what may taste good to some may taste different to others (a tour and very educational!) Sal, the captain, was just as friendly and hospitable as his wife and saw to it that my party and I were as comfortable as possible while we were there. I cannot even begin to describe the VIEW that they overlook! You just have to go see it for yourself. The cheese platter and the HOMEMADE bread is enough for me to trek back up the hill. To top off, their mascot and manager, Cleo made sure we had enough company and saw to that we were enjoying our visit. (See picture for Cleo) All in all, the experience was intimate, informational, and amazing! I would definitely recommend all my friends to come experience this (for both wine and non wine lovers/enthusiasts!) Thank you Sal, Susan, and Cleo!

Came here with my parents & partner and it was so, so wonderful! This is a small vineyard that is run by husband and wife and it is so refreshing to have a more personal tour and tasting, compared to some of the huge vineyards you find in Napa. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and our hosts were so kind and personable. I could not recommend them enough.