Explore the Madera Wine Trail

Celebrate California Wine Month with a trip down the Madera Wine Trail!

California’s Central Valley is renowned for its agricultural abundance, with more than 300 specialty crops grown throughout the region. Virtually all of the nation’s table grapes and raisins are grown here – but what about wine grapes?

You might be surprised to learn that the Central Valley produces the vast majority of California’s wine grapes – well over 50%. In fact, the region produces more than three times the amount of wine grapes grown in Napa Valley, Sonoma and Paso Robles combined.

Made with love, in the heart of California

While many of the wine grapes grown in the Central Valley end up in private-label blends and white-label wines, the region is also home to more than 100 tasting rooms. Most are clustered around Lodi, but Madera County has its own collection of family-owned wineries, known collectively as the Madera Wine Trail.

Located in the heart of California, about halfway between Bakersfield and Sacramento, Madera County is best known as the “Gateway to Yosemite.” Many of its wineries are just a stone’s throw from Highway 99, making them an easy stop for travelers heading between Sacramento and Los Angeles. Next time you’re traveling along Highway 99 – or planning a trip to Yosemite – work a few of these wineries into your itinerary.

Time to hit the trail – the Madera Wine Trail, that is

Beginning with the southern end of the Madera Wine Trail, the following wineries are listed in traveling order. Part of the charm of these Central California wineries is the lack of pretense. Winemakers are often available to chat with guests, and are eager to share their knowledge and help visitors discover something new.

Ambitious oenophiles can attempt all seven, but we recommend limiting your itinerary to about three wineries. That gives you more time to chat with the winemakers, enjoy the scenery and actually savor what’s in your glass.

Note: All of the wineries along the Madera Wine Trail welcome walk-ins, but reservations are recommended to ensure availability.

Ficklin Vineyards

Ficklin Vineyards is America’s oldest and most awarded Port winery – and home to the 100-point-winning Old Vine Tinta Port. After testing at University of California Davis indicated the Central Valley’s terroir was ideal for Portuguese sweet wine grapes, founder David Ficklin was inspired to produce a premium California port.

More than 60 years later, Ficklin remains small and intentional, with the family overseeing every step of the growing and production process. Each bottle is made in the tradition of Portugal’s Douro Valley, using only Portuguese grape varieties.

If you’re new to port, start with the tasting flight. Aficionados can request the premium flight, which features older vintages and tawny ports.

Visit the Ficklin tasting room Wednesday through Saturday. As of 2026, Ficklin is also offering picnic packages created by Whole Foods to enjoy alongside your tasting flight.

Toca Madera Winery

If you’re looking for Napa vibes in the Central Valley, visit Toca Madera. This immaculately landscaped winery is a popular venue for concerts, weddings, corporate events or a simple afternoon wine tasting. 

For a true taste of Madera County wines, sip on estate-grown Malbec, Tempranillo and Zinfandel while lounging on the lawn, looking out over the grapevines. 

Tastings are available Friday through Sunday, with live music every Sunday afternoon. 

Birdstone Winery

This laid-back, family-owned operation has quite the quirky origin story. Founder Tony Kirk and his cousins spent many afternoons in their grandfather’s Madera County vineyard. During the fall, Grandpa would arm his grandchildren with buckets of small rocks – or birdstones – to keep the birds from swiping the ripe fruit from the vines. 

Today, Tony carries on his family’s winemaking legacy – albeit with slightly more sophisticated pest management techniques.

Birdstone Winery is open for tastings Friday through Sunday and hosts events upon request.

Quady Winery 

Winemaker Andrew Quady leverages his unique experience as a chemical engineer to craft award-winning dessert wines as well as Vya vermouth. Quady Winery specializes in unique expressions of Muscat varieties – from the intense Essensia Orange Muscat to lighter, crisper Electra Moscato. 

Visiting during the warmer months? Don’t skip the frosé, made with wildly popular Red Electra Moscato.

Quady Winery is open daily for tastings.

San Joaquin Wine Co.

From line dancing and live music to their annual Holiday Market, there’s always something to do at San Joaquin Wine Co.! Since San Joaquin Wine Co. is the Central Valley’s only sparkling wine house, consider a sparkling wine flight. Looking for something a little lighter? Pop open a can of the winery’s True Temptation Wine Spritzers. 

Stop in Wednesday through Sunday for a tasting, and check the event calendar before you go! 

Dorval Estate Winery

Dorval Estate Wines (formerly known as Fasi Estate Winery) is the Madera wine trail’s only regenerative organic winery. With rugged foothill vineyards rooted in granite and volcanic soil, Dorval offers excellent examples of the Sierra Nevada Foothills’ fruit-forward red wines. While the winery is best known for its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, they also excel in Bordeaux and Rhône reds. 

Dorval Estate’s Friant tasting room is open Thursdays through Sunday, with a variety of tours available upon request.

Idle Hour Winery

What started as a simple experiment evolved into Oakhurst’s first winery. Idle Hour proudly crafts small-batch wines designed to pair beautifully with plates from the adjacent Idle Hour Kitchen.

Just 20 minutes from the South entrance to Yosemite National Park, Idle Hour Winery fits seamlessly into your itinerary. Stay at the on-site Queen’s Inn and Wine Bar and enjoy a relaxing evening relishing their wine. Then, spend the next day exploring the National Park. 

Afternoon wine tastings are available daily. Guests can also enjoy Idle Hour’s small-batch wines in the outdoor beer garden after hours. 

With the exception of Dorval Estate Winery and Idle Hour, all of the wineries on the Madera wine trail fall firmly within the Madera AVA (American Viticultural Area). 

When is the best time to visit the Madera wine trail? 

While there’s really no wrong time to visit the Madera wine trail, we suggest planning your visit during the spring or fall. Cooler temperatures invite guests to explore the grounds and enjoy a leisurely outdoor picnic or tasting. 

Whether you’re passing through on Highway 99, heading to Yosemite or simply looking for a fun way to spend the weekend, these Madera County wineries are definitely worth the detour.

Looking for more Central Valley adventures?

Explore the California Blossom Trails

Farm Fresh Finds of Your Yosemite Road Trip

8 Crops Central California is Famous for – And Where to Taste Them

Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by Hilary Rance, Alycia Moreno and James Collier.