Element 79 Vineyards



Winery Overview
Les and Sharon Heinsen established Element 79 Vineyards on a 70-acre Fair Play property at approximately 2,400 feet, where 32 vineyard acres are separated by forest and a seasonal stream. Decomposed-granite sandy loam supports an entirely estate-grown portfolio spanning Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet varieties, Viognier and Primitivo, produced as both varietal wines and blends.
Guided tastings are seated against views of the vineyards and surrounding woodland, with charcuterie and chef-prepared weekend tapas available alongside the wines. Visitors can remain near the tasting room or reserve a journey through the lower vineyard, forest, ponds and upper vines to the estate’s 2,401-foot viewpoint.
Before You Go
The wines come exclusively from the winery’s own plantings, but the selection extends well beyond a single regional specialty. Look for comparisons among Foothill standards such as Zinfandel and Syrah, Bordeaux grapes including Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, and the estate’s Viognier.
Choose the basic seated flight when wine is the main focus, or allow more time for charcuterie, seasonal tapas or the reserved walk through the property. Bringing a picnic is also permitted, making it easy to shape the visit around the grounds rather than treating it as a brief tasting-room stop.

