Chateau Davell Winery



Winery Overview
Château Davell is an El Dorado AVA winery led by winemaker and owner Eric Hays, whose background includes restaurant management and assistant winemaking before building his own small-lot label. Its 3,000-foot estate vineyard is farmed with sustainable methods on clay, decomposed granite, and volcanic soils, while additional fruit comes from sustainable and organic growers in El Dorado and Lodi Counties.
The tasting room has a distinct creative identity, with Eric’s family-member label paintings displayed alongside repurposed and sustainable building materials. Tastings typically move through six current vintages paired with local cheese or other small pairings, with picnic areas, artisan provisions, summer wood-fired pizza, and live music extending the visit beyond the bar.
Before You Go
Château Davell is a strong stop for visitors who want tasting context built into the experience. The wines are small-lot, unfined, and unfiltered, and the standard tasting format pairs each of six current vintages with local cheese or another small pairing.
Expect a more eclectic tasting-room feel than a polished formal estate setting. Leave time for the picnic areas, artwork, and seasonal food or music offerings if you are visiting during the summer months.

