North of the town of Calistoga, where the Vaca Mountain Range meets the Mayacamas Range, is the hacienda-style home of Bennett Lane Winery. The winery is known for producing lushly textured Cabernet Sauvignon, red blends and Chardonnay, as well as for their hands-on Custom Blending Experience.

As you enter the property off Highway 128, you pass the estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, as well as small demonstration vineyards with varietal names fastened to the trellis end posts. Inside the tasting room are a well-appointed gift shop and a small granite-topped tasting counter. Outside, a lovely covered patio overlooks the manicured lawn and estate vineyard.

Randy Lynch, who purchased Bennett Lane Winery in 2003, is a long-time racing aficionado who formerly raced cars himself. He owns his own NASCAR West race-car team, and on occasion a race car is on the winery premises.

To go all out, reserve a spot in their VIP blending program, complete with limousine service, a blending session that includes labeling and corking, an individually blended bottle of wine to take home, and a wine-and-cheese pairing.