Ryan’s journey in the wine business began with humble roots in Napa Valley, surrounded by vineyards and wineries from an early age. His curiosity and eagerness to learn were evident as he spent childhood days at the winery with his mother, peppering her with questions and observations. Ryan’s passion for the intricacies of winemaking flourished as he transitioned into hands-on tasks, such as pruning vines, cleaning glasses, and working the bottling line during his middle and high school summers.
As Ryan matured, his fervor for wine production evolved, ultimately leading him to work in the cellar. It was within these unglamorous surroundings that his love for the winemaking process truly ignited. From the monotony of dragging hoses and cleaning tanks to the excitement of fermentation and barreling down wines, Ryan found solace in the demanding yet rewarding work. Harvest season held a particular allure for him, as the combination of anticipation for the final product and the intense focus required for daily tasks struck a balance he found deeply satisfying.
In his 20s, Ryan’s commitment to the wine industry grew as he assumed various roles, gaining invaluable experience and insights along the way. During harvest time, he worked diligently in the winery, while managing Southern California sales during the off-season. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a small Napa wine brand, which deepened his understanding of the business side of the industry.
Today, Ryan’s focus lies in the picturesque Suisun Valley, just twenty minutes from Napa. He is dedicated to elevating this hidden gem, which shares strikingly similar climate and soil conditions to his beloved Napa Valley. Ryan has joined a close-knit community of talented farmers and winemakers in Suisun Valley, striving to promote the area’s beauty and potential for growth. With passion and determination, Ryan is playing an integral role in shaping the future of this remarkable region.
Ryan Darrall Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Red Blends, Riesling, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc
“Zen Zin” reflects Sunset Cellars’ minimalist winemaking style and respect for our grower’s efforts in the vineyards. Our winemaking objective is to express and refine the flavors and characteristics created in the vineyard. All grapes are hand-sorted before crushing. Wines are fermented in half-ton containers and punched down by hand. Racking, done when necessary, is as gentle as possible, and aging features the restrained use of new oak, to enhance the grapes’ flavors and not overpower them.
Our goal is to develop supple wines with ample fruit that celebrate the distinguishing characteristics produced in different regions and vineyards.
We are committed to offering wines of quality and value. To this end, we have focused our efforts on discovering and maintaining grape sources which can support this premise. Sunset Cellars emphasizes red wine varieties including Barbera, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel, but we also make the occasional white.
Bommarito Vineyards wine is estate grown, produced, and bottled. This hillside boutique winery and vineyard produces Cabernet Sauvignon grapes high above the Suisun Valley floor from rare volcanic soil resulting in vibrant fruit-forward flavors that dance across the palate with each sip. Allow the luscious aroma to captivate your senses, promising an experience of pure delight that you’ll savor with every moment.
Bommarito Vineyards merges Sicilian old-world tradition with the vibrant influence of California to craft exceptional wines for you to enjoy.
Bommarito Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon wine is estate-grown, produced, and bottled. This hillside Cabernet vineyard produces grapes high above the Suisun Valley floor from volcanic soil. The terroir of volcanic rock is geologically associated with the southern run out of the Mt. George mountain range in Napa and creates the finest quality Cabernet grapes possible. These soil conditions and the Pacific Ocean marine air influence provide premium growing conditions.
“Bally” is derived from the Gaelic phrase “baile na” meaning “place of”. The surname “Keal” means “villages” or “farmsteads”. Together they speak to the heritage vines that provide grapes for our limited production wines, the curated selection of beers and spirits that we craft on site, and the welcoming gathering places we have created throughout the estate.
The Estate
Situated on eighty acres in the picturesque Suisun Valley, Bally Keal Estate is a vibrant wine country destination designed to create dynamic social hubs where hundreds of guests and extended family can gather and celebrate. The event center, winery, brewery, and distillery offer the finest libations, all hand-crafted on the estate to be enjoyed.
Our Wines
All of our wines are handcrafted from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes grown on the Bally Keal Estate. Warm summer days are answered by cooling winds at night, creating a perfect balance of ripeness and acidity in the berries. The results are luxurious and immensely enjoyable wines that you’ll want to revisit time and again.
Pioneer Taproom is an old local gem; a fruit market repurposed to a beer and wine bar/restaurant that serves food, daily! Comfort foods made with local fresh fruits and vegetables served daily! We are the kind of place that will remember your name. We offer local craft beers on tap and aim to switch it up with new beers, often. We carry local wines, for sale by the glass or bottle; we are not Wine tasting. We have a small-town feel and very eclectic decor and offer live music whenever possible. At Pioneer Taproom, you’ll find a lot of good laughs and conversation. We are a restaurant; kids are allowed at parents’ discretion and, unfortunately, pets are not allowed, unless a certifiable service animal.
The Filling Station hosts a vintage, gas station inspired tasting room providing locals and visitors with a friendly, hometown venue to sip artisan wine and craft beer made in our valley and beyond. We invite you to join us for a classic wine or beer tasting, purchase a glass or a bottle to enjoy in the tasting room or to take home and enjoy later. Wine will also be available by the case.
Local Artisan wine sold exclusively by the Filling Station:
And more to come!
Local craft beer from Bruehol Brewing from Benicia and many bottled favorites.
Our Vineyards
Our vineyard and winery are located in the heart of Suisun Valley, California. We currently grow and maintain 7 different varietals of grapes, including: Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdellho, Charbono, and Cabernet Sauvignon. All of which are managed and cared for by our winemaker, Brian Babcock, and his team of vineyard workers.
Our ranch has been in the family for over 40 years. When we first purchased the property, it was planted with cherry, prune and pear trees. These orchards were cared for by our family. Brian, his sister, and parents harvested the fruit and sold it at our family’s fruit stand. Years later, the orchards were replanted with vineyards. All of which we still work today.
Our wines are all estate grown; we grow our own grapes, harvest and process all on site. Managing the vineyard allows us full control of the grapes (along with Mother Nature) to produce the best possible wines. Our family continues to take part in all aspects of the wine making, vineyard managing, and winery relations. We look forward to seeing you soon in the valley and our tasting room.
About
The name Tolenas was selected as we dug into the history of our vineyards on Williams Road. This “upper valley” area was once part of the original Rancho Tolenas, the Mexican Land Grant spanning Napa and Solano Counties. The name Tolenas is a tribute to the pioneers of Suisun Valley and places a marker in the area around Williams Road where our vineyards are located.
Our story is really just beginning. For the past 10 years, we have been a part of the winemaking process with Lisa’s parents Steve and Linda Tenbrink. It was not until 2015 that we dove in head (feet?) first, making our own wine side by side with Lisa’s dad. Steve continues to provide wisdom, support, and amazing fruit to help us develop Tolenas wines.
Vineyards
Our goal is to allow the vineyards and the fruit to be the focus of our wines. We do not manipulate our wine with chemicals and additives and consider our wines very “Natural”. There is high risk in making wine this way, but the rewards are well worth it.
Wines
We make our wines in a style that is very hands on. Lisa’s mom says its like “tweezer wine making”, similar to the chefs that use little tweezers when plating meals. We pride ourselves on complete dedication to quality.
We hope you have had a chance to experience a glass of the fruits of our labor, if not, please reach out to us, we would love to pour you some wine and share more about who we are.
We look forward to enjoying a glass of our signature Tolenas Red Blend with you and sharing more stories. See you soon in Suisun!
Taste our family’s wines
Our tastings feature a range of wines produced by the Wagner family, including their renowned Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon. The family currently makes three wines exclusively from Suisun Valley fruit: Grand Durif, which is a Petite Sirah, the signature grape of Suisun Valley; The Walking Fool red blend; and Bay Rosé, produced in a fresh, crisp style.
In addition to a tasting, guests can also purchase wine by the glass to enjoy on their own, soaking in the views.
The retail room offers current releases as well as a unique selection of “one-off” small production and library wines that are not typically available elsewhere. On their way out, guests can pause for freshly brewed espresso while surveying the property and taking in the beauty of Suisun Valley.
Experience the beauty of Suisun Valley
Caymus-Suisun Winery invites guests to explore Suisun Valley and enjoy a multi-faceted experience.
In addition to their tasting, they have access to the site’s “walking vineyard” where they can spot crown-pruned vines with no modern trellis, a rarity in California. There are also acres of fruit trees and vegetables, along with a wide variety of flowers and plants on the property.
Caymus-Suisun Winery seeks to offer a respite from day-to-day life that celebrates Suisun Valley, with all the beauty and character of this agricultural gem.
Caymus-Suisun Winery Wines: Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Rosé