Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Discover Calera Wine: Handcrafted Pinot Noir Since 1974
Calera Wine stands as a pioneering force in American Pinot Noir production, rooted in a legacy of innovation and terroir-driven craftsmanship. Founded in 1974 by Josh Jensen, our winery was built on a vision to replicate the limestone-rich vineyards of Burgundy in California's Central Coast. Over five decades, we've cultivated a reputation for excellence through meticulous organic farming practices, certified by CCOF since 2008, and a commitment to low-yield, high-quality grape production. Our Mt. Harlan vineyards, situated at 2,200 feet elevation, benefit from unique climatic conditions that produce complex, age-worthy wines.Recognized by industry experts like Robert Parker as one of the world's premier Pinot Noir specialists, we combine traditional winemaking techniques with modern expertise to create wines that balance power and elegance. Our gravity-flow winery and cave systems demonstrate technical innovation while maintaining environmental stewardship. Through wine club memberships, curated tastings, and educational experiences, we share our passion for viticulture with enthusiasts worldwide, continuing Josh Jensen's pioneering spirit in every bottle.
Services
Wine Tastings
Vineyard Tours
Wine Club
Event Hosting
Wine Sales
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of pioneering expertise in Pinot Noir production
- Our vineyards are certified organic by CCOF since 2008
- We utilize unique limestone-rich terroir for distinctive wine profiles
- Our team includes renowned winemakers with global recognition
- We maintain strict quality control with yields under 2 tons per acre
Associations and certifications
- CCOF
What people say
Unforgettable wines
Beautiful views
Knowledgeable staff
Serene setting
Excellent tastings
Services
Wine Tastings
Our curated tasting experiences showcase Calera's award-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Choose from four distinct options including the Overlook Tasting with current releases, Heritage Tasting featuring Mt. Harlan wines, and the immersive Estate Tasting with cave tours. Each experience is led by knowledgeable staff who share insights about our limestone terroir and winemaking philosophy.
Vineyard Tours
Explore our limestone-rich Mt. Harlan vineyards through guided tours that reveal our organic farming practices and unique microclimate. Learn how elevation, soil composition, and marine influences shape our wines. The tour includes visits to historic sites like the 30-foot limekiln and concludes with a curated tasting of estate wines that reflect the terroir.
Wine Club
Join our Limestone Circle Wine Club for exclusive access to limited releases and vintage library wines. Members receive quarterly shipments, discounts on wine purchases, complimentary tastings for guests, and invitations to special events. The program offers multiple tiers to suit different preferences, including curated selections and member-exclusive bottlings.
Event Hosting
Host special occasions at our scenic winery with breathtaking views of the Diablo Mountain Range. We offer venues for wine-paired dinners, corporate retreats, and private tastings. Our event specialists create customized experiences featuring curated wine selections, food pairings, and guided tours of our gravity-flow winery and caves.
Wine Sales
Access our full portfolio of estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and specialty wines through direct purchases. Our online shop offers current releases and library vintages, with shipping available to 38 states. Wine Finder helps locate Calera wines at retail locations nationwide, while our allocation program ensures access to limited-production bottlings for dedicated enthusiasts.
People
Josh Jensen
Founder
Pioneering winemaker who established Calera in 1974 after studying Burgundian techniques. Discovered limestone-rich Mt. Harlan site, revolutionizing California Pinot Noir production. Recognized by Wine Spectator as a Pinot Noir pioneer and industry icon until his passing in 2022.
Mike Waller
Winemaker
Current winemaker overseeing production since Josh Jensen's passing. Brings decades of experience in Burgundian-style winemaking, maintaining Calera's tradition of terroir-driven Pinot Noir while implementing modern quality enhancements. Leads vineyard and cellar operations with Jensen's original vision.
Questions
What makes Calera's Pinot Noir unique?
Our Pinot Noir comes from limestone-rich Mt. Harlan vineyards at 2,200 feet elevation, combining Burgundian techniques with California's climate. The unique terroir creates wines with vibrant acidity, minerality, and aging potential.
Can visitors tour the winery and vineyards?
Yes, we offer guided vineyard tours and cave experiences that explore our organic farming practices, limestone soils, and gravity-flow winery operations. Reservations are recommended for the best experience.
What tasting options are available?
We offer four curated tastings: Overlook ($30), Heritage ($55), Estate ($95), and Napa Valley ($60). Each includes 5-6 wines with food pairings, ranging from current releases to library vintages.
How can I purchase Calera wines?
Wines are available through our online shop (shipping to 38 states), our Hollister tasting room, or through our Wine Finder tool to locate retailers carrying our wines nationwide.
Is Calera open year-round?
Our tasting room operates daily from 11 AM to 4 PM year-round. Seasonal cave tours run when weather permits, and special events occur throughout the year including harvest celebrations and vintage tastings.
Reviews (7)
Aakash S.
Sep 16, 2021
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Laid back winery in the hills, doesn't offer much in terms of inside, the best part is outside overlooking the valley. Wine was great but kinda of a self serve type place. Would come back for the views
Trent F.
Sep 05, 2021
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The people that work there are great but none of the wine was great for the price. Nice story to the place and the drive out to Hollister was cool.
Valerie A.
Sep 02, 2021
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We tasted Calera wines at a sister Duckhorn winery and we were happy to be able to visit in person during a recent trip to Monterey. The winery is pretty far off the beaten path but once you get up there you can really see and understand why the wines are so great. The story of how the owner picked the land and created the wines was really interesting and the wines held up to the story. We visited on a slow day so we made a last minute reservation online, but suggest you plan ahead for your visit. Super easy to reserve from their site. We took home three Pinots and the best Chardonnay I&apos
Jon Whorley
Dec 25, 2020
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The wine is great this year. We had a 2017 Chardonay and a Reed pinot. We sat in the shade and enjoyed the view. Get a cheese snack tray too!
Phil DeJarld
Nov 24, 2020
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Accommodating staff and worked to fit our large group (social distanced during covid). Outdoor seating in shade
Caroline M.
Aug 26, 2020
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Came here recently while we were in the area celebrating a friend's birthday trying to catch the meteor shower. They were able to accommodate our last minute reservation, and had more than one table so our group could socially distance properly. Almost everyone opted to do the tasting, which included 6 different wines and came in a really fun display. My boyfriend and I also got one of their cheese plates, as we were starving. The tables are set overlooking mountains, with trees acting as an umbrella to hide you from direct sunlight (which was particularly amazing this day, as it was over
Carly Jo B.
Jun 29, 2020
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As the unprecedented times have caused many new situations and adjustments. For tasting the adjustment has been going from the employees behind the tasting bar to now having to walk around from table to table to give customers their tastings/wine etc. I am a regular at Calera and I have been a club member for many years. It was to my surprise to hear that an employee working the tasting area was told by the manager this past Sunday to specifically not help me and my reservation/party. Then we were told there's a "2 hour time limit" which I was never told about before we showed up
