Open Daily:

-11 am - 5 pm

History:

A hobby gone wild! That is how Idle Hour Winery got its start. Winemaker Anna Marie dos Remedios began making wine in 2007 in Paicines, just south of Hollister, in San Benito County. Dos Remedios focused on small lot, single-vineyard designated wines from some of California's best wine-growing regions. Anna Marie learned traditional winemaking methods from mentor and renowned Pinot Noir producer Josh Jensen at Calera Wine Company. Dos Remedios and partner Deb Payne started the winery, focusing on these traditional methods: native yeast fermentation, gravity flow racking and the use of neutral French Oak; all very gentle in nature, applying these to all the varieties Anna Marie ferments. She studied in the UC Davis winemaking certificate program to gain an understanding of the chemistry of wine and winemaking.

Eventually the partners decided to relocate the winery to Oakhurst, making Idle Hour Winery the first winery for this small town just outside the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. Deb and Anna Marie also own and operate the Queen's Inn by the River, a quaint 8-room inn and wine bar & beer garden located on the same property as Idle Hour Winery.