Explore Fairfield, CA: Gateway to the Suisun Valley Wine Region

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Plan your Fairfield, CA getaway—taste Suisun Valley wines, tour Jelly Belly, and uncover the charm of this North Bay destination. Read on for what to do in Fairfield CA.

Sometimes, the best-kept secrets are right beneath our noses. Anyone who enjoys wine knows where Napa is, but did you know that behind the mountains south of Napa lies Suisun Valley, an emerging American Viticultural Area (AVA) known as the “Capital of Petite Sirah”? While it may not be as fancy or luxurious as Napa, it’s less expensive and worth exploring. Read on for what to do in Fairfield, CA. 

As a travel writer, I often highlight a unique feature that characterizes each destination. In Fairfield and Suisun Valley, that feature is the metal sculptures. These whimsical sculptures by artist Phillip Glashoff set the tone for the region and enhance curiosity on your visit. The sculptures appear downtown, on country mailboxes, atop buildings, acting like weather vanes, or standing alone in fields. Be on the lookout for them as you explore the area. 

Fairfield California

Founded in 1856 by clipper ship captain Robert H. Waterman, Fairfield takes its name from his hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. Incorporated in 1903, it now serves as the county seat of Solano County. Located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, Fairfield is best known for Travis Air Force Base and as the sweet home of Jelly Belly.

What is the Suisun Valley?

The Suisun Valley is known for its rustic beauty and agriculture. The area lies between the coastal ranges, with the Vaca Mountains to the east and the Mount George Range to the west, and southeast of Napa. The climate is similar to the Mediterranean with cool winds coming in from the Suisun Bay, which connects to the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

The area exudes a rural charm. The valley is home to many wineries and grows a wide range of fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts. The area also produces olive oil.

Who Doesn’t Like Jelly Beans?

Jelly Belly is a favorite among candy lovers and a must-stop spot when visiting Fairfield. They produce more than just jelly beans—they are also chocolatiers. The story of the Jelly Belly factory dates back to 1869, when Gustav Goelitz opened his candy business in Belleville, Illinois. Originally called Herman Goelitz Candy Company until 1965, they initially infused flavor into the centers of their mini jelly beans.

Later, in 1976, David Klein and the Goelitz company partnered to add natural flavors and to introduce separate-flavor packaging. This change marked the birth of Jelly Belly. In 2001, the family officially changed its name to Jelly Belly Candy Company. In 2023, the Ferrara Candy Company acquired Jelly Belly.

Taking a tour of the company will reveal some fun facts. Jelly Beans were Ronald Reagan’s favorite; during his presidency, they traveled aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. You’ll also learn that making a single Jelly Bean takes 7 to 14 days.

Jelly Belly offers a wonderful tasting experience called Jelly Belly’s Chocolate and Wine Experience for those 21 and above. You can pair Chocolate with wine in the Very Cherry Room. Many of the wines come from the Suisun Valley.

Glashoff Sculpture Ranch

Although Glashoff sculptures are displayed throughout Fairfield and the Suisun Valley, you can drive up Williams Road to see the sculptures at Glashoff Sculpture Ranch. The fields are filled with sculptures. Some residential mailboxes are creative Glashoff sculptures along the way up the road.

Il Fiorello Olive Oil

While visiting Fairfield and the Suisun Valley, stop by Il Fiorello Olive Oil for a tasting. Ann Fiorello Sievers and her husband Mark Sievers founded it, and Ann’s Italian background influences the olive oil process. It began in 2005, when they planted a grove of olive trees and produced single-varietal olive oil, which has since gained international recognition. Today, they grow and mill artisan olive oil.

Ann comes from a third-generation Italian-American family that, after immigrating to the United States, entered the agricultural business. Ann continued that tradition by starting Olive Grove. They now cultivate 13 different Mediterranean olive varieties, including many from Italy, Greece, Spain, and France. The grove features 3,000 certified organic olive trees.

The property features a state-of-the-art mill equipped with the latest Italian Pieralisi milling equipment and a centrifuge system for producing olive oil.

Community is very important to the Sievers, and they offer Community Milling Day, when growers with less than the minimum requirement of 1,000 pounds for custom milling are welcome. People with perhaps one to five olive trees bring their olives to create a unique Suisun Valley Blend. The blend comprises all the olives brought in by individuals in small batches, and they collect their share a week later. It sounds like a fun day with all types of olives welcomed. From what I understand, people come back year after year to enjoy this fun day.

The olive oil tastings are interactive and include chef-crafted food pairings with the olive oils.

What Are Some Must-Visit Wineries in the Suisun Valley?

Grape growing in Suisun Valley dates back to the 1860s, with the first winery opening in the early 1900s. Designated as an AVA in 1982, Suisun Valley is part of the larger North Coast AVA. Today, the region has 10 wineries cultivating 23 grape varieties, with petite sirah, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon as its signature wines.

Read on for some of the wineries I enjoyed on my visit.

Blue Victorian and Vezer Family Wines

Frank and Liz Vezer moved to Suisun Valley in 1989. After discovering the valley’s potential for wine growing, they bought a property with existing zinfandel and petite sirah vines. Their first vintage was in 2003. Today, they cultivate verdelho, sauvignon blanc, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah, and merlot.

Over the years, the Vezers expanded from a single vineyard to three specific sites. Later, they purchased a historic old Victorian home, now known as their Blue Victorian Tasting Room. The Vezer tasting room is located at Mangas Corner.

Frank’s winemaking philosophy is rooted in his father’s teachings. It focuses on balancing opposing elements to produce complex and lively wines.

My Favorite Wines: Blue Victorian Charbono and Baby Maker with its Whimsical Label.

BackRoad Vines

BackRoad Vines, also known as BRV, is the wine component of Village 360 and The Landing restaurant. Owners Jeff and Jody Anselmo established their winery in 2014. They came from the construction business and started making wine as a hobby.

The winery name stands for “planted, cared for, harvested, and then made.” This concept refers to the cycle of the BRV estate-grown grapes. On the back of every bottle of wine, you find the words, “See You on the Back Road.” To me, this describes the Suisun Valley AVA. It is the back road from Napa, or the road less traveled, where you can find some excellent wine buys.

The Village 360 is situated at the front of the 60-acre property, of which 45 acres are planted. The Anselmos also own a vineyard in Vacaville. The vineyards are planted with petite sirah, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, mourvedre, petit verdot, and merlot.

My Favorite Wines: I enjoyed the Estate Grenache and Mule, BackRoad’s flagship wine, a blend of syrah, petite sirah, and cabernet sauvignon.

Caymus Suisun Valley

Caymus Suisun is different from Caymus in Napa. Although the owner is the same, Caymus Suisun only uses grapes grown in Suisun Valley. The wines are a family effort, made by Chuck, Charlie, and Jenny Wagner.

One of the highlights of a wine tasting at Caymus is the atmosphere. The winery’s modern architecture, designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, stands out against a backdrop of palm trees and vineyards. Floor-to-ceiling windows create an indoor-outdoor vibe. The scenery enhances the wine experience.

King Andrews Vineyards

Roger and Carol King began their business as grape growers in 1989. They decided to become winemakers in early 2000. Their King Andrews Vineyards are planted with various “alternative varieties.” Complementing their albariño, they planted a red grape called mencia. Mencia originates from the Iberian Peninsula in Portugal and Spain. Another, more unusual grape is trousseau noir.

My Favorite Wine: Whenever I see a mencia on a wine list, I must try it. I love the rustic quality that this grape variety evokes. The King Andrews Mencia was no different.

Sunset Suisun

Previously known as the Suisun Valley Wine Co-op, Katsuko and Doug Sparks started their Sunset Suisun winery in their garage in San Francisco in 1997. They emphasize the reds, including barbera, the flagship wine, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, petite sirah, syrah, and charbono.

Tolenas

When Steve and Linda Tenbrick bought the Suisun Valley property in the 1980s, they started growing walnuts, heirloom tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. Soon after, they began Tenbrick Winery. Their daughter, Lisa, grew up on the farm. After earning a degree in Engineering focusing on agriculture from Cal Poly, she moved to Arizona to become a Water Resource Specialist.

Longing to return to the Suisun Valley, Lisa and her husband Cliff Howard purchased a 55-acre property in 2010 and established the Tolenas Winery in 2015. Lisa and Cliff named the winery Tolenas when they discovered the original land grant back in the 1800s was Rancho Tolenas. The name pays tribute to the land’s history and reflects Lisa and Cliff’s spirit of protecting the land and their philosophy of producing wine.

My Favorite Wine: Eclipse White Pinot Noir, a wine crafted during a solar eclipse while harvesting their pinot noir. The idea was to honor the eclipse, with their dark and light sides, through a white pinot noir.

Where Should I Dine in Fairfield and Suisun Valley?

If you’re looking for what to do in Fairfield, CA, you’ll want to experience the food while in the area. Here are some recommendations. 

Two60 Kitchen + Bar

Innovation is the best way to describe Two60 Kitchen + Bar. Owner Molly Tou and Chef Joey Jaraba ensure that all their dishes feature the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. This restaurant stands out for its mix of New American Cuisine with global influences, especially those of the chef’s Filipino background.

The Landing at Village 360

The Landing draws inspiration from the Village 360 theme of a “place to gather,” whether for coffee, wine, or a meal. Here, you can find healthy and holistic farm-to-table cuisine. Each dish showcases Chef Christian’s skillful use of texture and flavor, bringing you a delicious meal.

Mankas Grill

Mankas Grill is known as a wine country steakhouse. Owners Kyle and Jason Barraza take pride in offering a family-friendly restaurant at the historic Mankas Corner. Staying true to the area, the Mankas Grill only serves wines from Suisun Valley and Green Valley. It’s a local spot; when the weather is nice, you should dine on the patio.

When You Visit Fairfield, CA

Fairfield, CA, offers the best of both worlds—small-town warmth with big-flavor adventures. From the vineyards of Suisun Valley to the iconic Jelly Belly factory, it’s a destination that captures the essence of Northern California charm. Discover more California destinations and more of our favorite wineries wherever you travel on Wander With Wonder.

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