Welcome to Madera, California, a hidden gem that’s been quietly crafting exquisite wines for generations. Set amidst breathtaking landscapes in the heart of California, the Madera Wine Trail perfectly complements your Yosemite National Park adventure, pairing a love for the great outdoors with the taste of local fine wines. This trail features nine closely situated wineries, inviting you on a leisurely exploration of its historic vintages. Enhance your Yosemite experience by discovering the best of Madera and staying at Under Canvas Yosemite, where comfort meets nature. Explore our guide to the Madera Wine Trail to make the most of your visit.
About the Madera Wine Trail: Central California’s Wine Country
Madera’s viticultural roots are steeped in a rich history that dates back to the 1800s. During this time, settlers from Italy, Armenia, France, and beyond made these lands their home, planting grapes and bringing their old-world winemaking expertise with them. Today, Madera still uses these traditional methods, a testament to its enduring heritage. The region’s unique microclimate, with its endless sunshine and cooled by the currents of the San Joaquin River and the towering Sierra Nevada, provides the perfect setting for vineyards. Recognized as an American Viticultural Area since 1985, Madera’s winemakers are renowned for crafting sweet wines like Ports and dessert wines. However, the variety is not limited to these, and you can explore flavors to please every palate.
Wineries of the Madera Wine Trail
As one of California’s oldest grape-growing regions, exploring the Madera Wine Trail is a taste of the region’s history. Meet the passionate winemakers, learn about the winemaking process from vine to bottle, and savor the picturesque scenery of rolling hills that have inspired generations of vintners. The Madera Wine Trail comprises nine wineries, most family-owned and located just a short distance from each other. Below, you’ll find details about their unique offerings and wine-tasting hours. Relax, sip, and savor each moment at these charming wineries nestled just south of Yosemite.
Papagni Wines
9505 Rd 30 ½, Madera, CA
Monday to Friday, 10 AM – 3:30 PM by Appointment, and Saturday & Sunday, 12 PM – 5 PM
Crafting wines for nearly a century, Papagni continues an Italian winemaking legacy. Here, tradition and innovation meet, offering private tours and tastings that invite you to taste some of the state’s most award-winning wines. For a unique experience, arrange a tour of the winemaking facility and try a barrel room tasting, where you can savor the rich flavors directly from the source.
Toca Madera Winery
36140 Ave 9, Madera, CA
Saturday & Sunday, 12 PM – 5 PM by Appointment
Head to Toca Madera, where the sun-kissed hills nurture a diverse array of warm-weather grapes. Relax on the veranda, enjoy the award-winning wines from Tempranillo, Moscato, and Malbec to 11 varieties of Zinfandel, and catch a live music performance on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Reservations are required for a tasting, but walk-ins are welcome to purchase wine bottles to enjoy on-site.
Birdstone Winery
9400 Road 36, Madera, CA
Friday to Sunday, 11 AM – 5 PM
Birdstone Winery is a family affair that transcends generations, producing wines that have garnered acclaim far and wide. Enjoy a glass on their welcoming patio, a perfect pause on your wine trail journey, and choose from a vast selection of wines, including Dolcetto, Chardonnay, Primitivo, Port, and more.
Quady Winery
13181 Road 24, Madera, CA
Wednesday to Saturday, 11 AM – 4 PM
Renowned for its sweet wines and the unique Orange Muscat grape, Quady is a place where rare becomes extraordinary. Don’t miss their Moscato slushies—a refreshing delight in the summer heat surrounded by the picturesque, fruit-filled San Joaquin Valley.
San Joaquin Winery
21801 Ave 16, Madera, CA
Monday to Friday, 1 PM – 5 PM, Saturday, 11 AM – 4 PM, and Sunday, 12 PM – 4 PM
Celebrate the diversity of California’s vineyards with a tasting spanning the state’s best regions, including wines from grapes grown in Madera. Surrounded by idyllic views, it’s an ideal spot for celebrations, big and small, surrounded by the beautiful valley.
Westbrook Wine Farm
49610 House Ranch Rd, O’Neals, CA
Daily 10 AM – 5 PM by Appointment Only
Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills near the southern entrance of Yosemite, this family wine farm crafts estate wines with the finesse of Bordeaux’s finest. Here, guests are treated like family and welcomed into a world of wine that’s as authentic as it is exquisite, with private and semi-private tastings with the winemakers themselves.
Idle Hour Winery & Kitchen
41139 CA-41, Oakhurst, CA,
Thursday to Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM and Sunday, 10 AM – 2 PM, with lunch served from 12 PM – 4 PM and dinner from 5 PM – 8 PM
Oakhurst’s first winery masterfully pairs its sustainably produced wines—crafted using native yeasts, gravity flow, and traditional methods—with a weekly changing menu of healthy, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. It’s a symphony of locally sourced flavors meant to be enjoyed.
Dorval Winery
42415 Road 208, Friant, CA
Spring and Summer Wednesday to Monday, 12 PM – 7 PM
Nestled against the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains backdrop, this winery showcases a selection of world-class, award-winning Syrah, Argentine varietals, and local whites and rosés, all crafted without pesticides or artificial additives. Choose to savor your tasting indoors or on the scenic covered patio. Conveniently located on the route to Yosemite, Dorval is a perfect stop to add to your itinerary.
Take a Guided Madera Wine Trail Tour
Explore Madera’s wineries with an experienced guide. Taste the wines, meet the winemakers, and let someone else do the driving. At each winery, you will taste several wines, and in some, you will tour and learn the secrets of winemaking.
Craft Your Perfect Yosemite Itinerary
As you plan your adventure, consider pairing your explorations of Yosemite National Park with a leisurely day visiting the vineyards of Madera’s wine country. Ideal for both seasoned wine connoisseurs and curious newcomers, Madera invites you to discover all it has to offer. Under Canvas Yosemite offers the perfect base, situated just 10 minutes from Yosemite’s main entrance and a scenic two-hour drive from the Madera Wine Trail. Picture yourself savoring your new favorite wines on the private deck of your safari-inspired accommodations or sharing stories around the campfire surrounded by towering oaks and ponderosa pines. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature at Under Canvas Yosemite, where each stay elevates your outdoor adventure with a touch of luxury.