Wildlife Drives Winery To Open Tasting Room In Downtown Davis
DAVIS (CBS13) – In the outskirts of south Davis, you'll find the Putah Creek Winery.
"We have old oak trees black walnut trees it's a very nice part," said winery worker Diego Bariso.
But Barison isn't the only one who feels at home on the property's 60 acres.
"[Within] the boundary of our property is the Sacramento fox, and we have a lot of wild habitat: hawks, wild turkeys," said Putah Creek Winery's Managing Partner Jessica Chin-Foo.
Pictures capture a fox wandering the winery at night.
"We didn't really want to disturb their home," Chin-Foo said.
So to decrease foot traffic while increasing visibility, the business made the made the move to downtown Davis – opening the city's first winery tasting room.
"We love it. It's perfect small, cozy spot," Chin-Foo said.
Now on F Street, Chin-Foo says Putah Creek Winery's location gives people walking by a chance to stop in.
"Our distribution was very limited and private and we wanted to expand, seeing the success of the wines," Chin-Foo said.
She also says UC Davis winemaking program definitely helps to showcase their unique blend.
"You have a lot of connoisseur's coming in and so thrilled to see single varietals like our wines," Chin-Foo said.
Open less than a month, Chin-Foo says the winery is already seeing a bump in business.
"We've had 15 new wine club members so that's exciting for us," Chin-Foo said.
While exposing people to their wine is important, they say that's not their main goal.
"We're not going to be the big one we try to keep the production small and the quality high," Diego said.
The winery also received a certificate of recognition for sustainable farming from a Yolo County Supervisor at the grand opening.