In a small San Joaquin Valley town, Andrew Quady discovered an unused patch of the rare Orange Muscat grape varietal, known in Italy as Moscato Fior d’Arancio. These grapes became the first Essensia, marking the birth of Quady Winery’s muscat expertise. Located in picturesque Yosemite Madera County, the winery sits in wine country that feels genuinely off the beaten path—the kind of place where you can actually taste what the region produces without fighting crowds.

Dogs are welcome here, and the outdoor spaces give you plenty of room to spread out during a tasting. The sprawling grounds mean your dog can relax while you work through their muscat selection, which is really what the winery is known for. These aren’t your typical table wines—the Orange Muscat and other fortified muscats have a distinctive character that takes some tasting to understand. The staff knows these wines inside and out and will walk you through what makes each one different, from the flavor profiles to how they’re actually made.

The setting works well for a longer visit rather than a quick stop. You can spend a couple hours here comfortably, moving between tasting stations or finding a shady spot if the afternoon heat picks up. Bring water for your dog since the outdoor areas don’t offer much shade in some spots during peak sun. The surrounding area has some pleasant walking paths, so if you want to stretch your legs after tasting, you’ve got options nearby.

The winery’s focus on muscat varietals means this isn’t the place if you’re looking for traditional reds or whites—it’s really about what they do well, and what they do well is these sweet, complex fortified wines. That specificity is part of what makes visiting worthwhile. It’s worth calling ahead about their current hours and what they have available to taste, since smaller wineries sometimes adjust their schedules seasonally.