Eastern Madera County is home to waterfalls, giant trees and culinary royalty. In honor of California Restaurant Month, happening throughout January, SNO presents a special series spotlighting each participating restaurant.
OAKHURST — You love Idle Hour Winery’s wine, tasting room, riverside patio, walking trails and live music series. Now you can love Idle Hour Winery that much more, as Chef Bethany Briggs serves up delicious soup on Friday nights and incredible brunch bites each Sunday morning.
Breakfast Nachos from a recent Sunday brunch – menu changes weekly.
Throughout the month of January, guest reservations booked at Idle Hour Winery that mention “California Restaurant Month” will be receive their first mimosa on the house.
January is the perfect time of year to celebrate California’s bountiful harvest of oranges and Idle Hour’s seriously, delicious sparkling wine.
Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m on Sunday and reservations are encouraged by calling (559) 683-4354.
A hobby gone wild — that’s the best way to describe how Idle Hour Winery actually got its start.
Winemaker Anna Marie dos Remedios began making wine near Hollister in San Benito County in 2007, focusing on small lot, single-vineyard 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. She also studied in the UC Davis winemaking certificate program to gain an understanding of the chemistry of wine and winemaking.
When Dos Remedios and partner Deb Payne started the winery, they focused on traditional methods: native yeast fermentation, gravity flow racking and the use of neutral French Oak — all very gentle in nature, applying these methods to all the varieties Anna Marie ferments.
Eventually the partners decided to relocate their winery to Oakhurst.
Deb and Anna Marie also own and operate the Queen’s Inn by the River, a quaint twelve-room inn and wine bar & beer garden located on the same property as Idle Hour Winery.
And did you know that Idle Hour Winery can cater your next event or dinner party? To find out how Chef Briggs impresses with perfect vintages, produced locally and paired with hearty and warm dishes this winter season, delighting guests and relaxing hosts for a new decade of celebrations, visit their website at www.idlehourwinery.com.
