Fults Family Vineyards: Beautiful Wines with Epic Views

Enjoy unique wines and beautiful views at this memorable Lake County Winery

While many wineries in Northern California can feel crowded and impersonal, Fults Family Vineyards offers the opposite. Here, you can visit California’s wine country without the crowds and enjoy a personal, family-friendly atmosphere at a beautiful winery in Lake County. 

It’s an easy two-hour drive to get here from the Bay Area from the Golden Gate Bridge or Bay Bridge. Plus, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive up the mountain roads north of Napa, California. 

When you step into the tasting room in the heart of beautiful Lake County, you’ll most likely be served by the owners or winemakers themselves. Here, everyone is treated like family. They welcome dogs, children, hikers, bird-watchers, even golfers. In addition to wine tasting, the estate offers great experiences for everyone. Hiking, scenery, cornhole, golfing, and picnicking are just a few of the activities on the menu.

When it comes to the main event, Fults Family Vineyards produces unique red and white wines using a blend of grapes from their land. Their philosophy is to make the best wine possible with the grapes available — and their incredible pours reflect this ethos. 

Get a closer look at what makes Fults one of the best wineries in Lake County. 

History and Background 

It all started one night when Kendall Fults and his son Dustin were having a bottle of wine on the deck. Dustin was already working at a few great wineries in Lake County. He threw out the crazy idea that they plant grapes of their own — and the pair took the idea and ran with it. 

Soon after, Kendall and Dustin established their winery in 2005, planting all the vines and infrastructure by hand. As they grew their family vineyards and learned as they went, they turned their passion for wine into a thriving family business. From the beginning, they planted many different varieties. Now, this allows them to create balanced blends using everything their land has to offer. 

Winemaking Philosophy and Vineyards 

To see the estate today, you’d have no idea the Fults team actually began their winemaking journey following a wine textbook. But after years of careful vineyard management and winemaking, they’ve mastered nurturing grapes for their artful blends. 

Today, Fults is known for beautifully balanced and unique wine blends. Yet in the beginning, they hit a snag: because they planted a wide variety of grapes, they couldn’t produce enough of a single varietal wine. But that constraint turned out to give them an edge. By carefully combining the best of what they have available each year, they create superior-tasting blended wines rather than single varieties. 

Blends Based on the Season 

The art of the blend has driven Fults year after year. After each season, they evaluate which grapes have grown well and how best to use them. Then, they craft a blend that highlights the top qualities to create the best possible wine. 

These blends have gotten wine lovers talking in Lake County and beyond. Fults is best-known for their popular “Super Tuscan” which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. They’ve also produced a so-called “Super Rhone”, a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah with Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Pinot Grigio. Plus, a premium “Super Rioja” made with Cabernet and Tempranillo. 

These unique combinations, on top of extended barrel aging unlike other wineries in the region, make Fults wines stand out among the best Lake County wineries and beyond. Wine drinkers can rely on Fults to produce complex, layered wines you can enjoy on many occasions. 

What You Need to Know About Enjoying Fults Family Vineyards 

Fults is the perfect winery to visit if you’re craving an independent, family-run winery serving up uniquely delicious wine blends. 

What Types of Wine Can I Enjoy at Fults Family Vineyards? 

A visit to Fults Family Vineyards offers a chance to taste a variety of distinctive blends you won’t find anywhere else. For example, many of the wines offer elevated characteristics, since the winery makes unique combinations and the wines spend more time aging in the barrel. 

Among the estate blends, Twilight, the “Super Tuscan” blend, stands out as a crowd favorite. This blend is 50% Estate Petite Sirah plus field blend of Petite Verdot, Malbec and Grenache, percent changes based on each year’s yield and is named after Kendall’s mom Twila. 

Another popular wine is a refreshing white blend named after Kendall’s grandmother, Grace. This zesty wine is made from a special blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Pinot Grigio. 

The winery also offers several popular sparkling wines including a Blanc de Blanc, a Brut Rose, and a Sparkling Rose. 

A Winery That Gives Back To Firefighters

How to Experience the Fults Family Vineyards Tasting Room and Estate 

Whether you’re visiting with your whole family or planning a romantic getaway, Fults Family Vineyards is an ideal place to enjoy a retreat in nature with great wine blends. From picnics to hiking, there are plenty of ways to take in the beauty of Lake County wine country. 

The estate boasts a mountain-top gazebo that guests can reserve for a two-hour long stay. You can bring your own picnic or have it provided, plus you’ll get to enjoy a tour of the property on the way up. Once there, you’ll get beautiful views and a light breeze coming off nearby Clear Lake. 

Visitors can also enjoy the property by taking advantage of the 1.5 mile hike or vineyard UTV tour through the estate.

For a more social scene, you can stop by for Thirsty Thursday on the first Thursday of each month (outside of winter). On these evenings, the tasting room stays open until 10pm while guests can listen to music and get bites from food trucks. 

Plus, for members, the winery hosts Pickup Parties twice a year. Membership is a great deal, as members get 20% off wine, 15% off food, and 30% off case purchases, plus additional discounts during your birth month. 

Visiting Fults Family Vineyards

Fults is a great first stop on your way into the Lake County wine region. The winery is centrally located as you drive in from the Bay Area or Napa. For both first-time visitors or seasoned veterans, it’s a perfect gateway to all that Lake County has to offer. 

As you make your way into Lake County, Fults is located near several other wineries that you can also explore. In addition, you’ll find great bed & breakfasts, hotels, and places to eat nearby. 

The tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday, and by appointment only Monday through Wednesday.  

Plan Your Experience 

When you visit Lake County, you’ll discover smaller crowds and family-run wineries unlike other major wine regions. This charming area is filled with friendly winemakers and beautiful wineries that are sure to win you over. 

Now is the perfect time to visit Lake County wineries before the secret gets out and the crowds discover it. Start planning your trip to Fults Family Vineyards in Lake County and discover it for yourself.