Odyssey Winery and Vineyards provide a peaceful place to relax

Warren Gilbert, owner of Odyssey Wines and Vineyards, pours some wine for a customer at the winery on Friday, April 7, 2023 in Chico, California. (Jenny Blevins/Enterprise-Record)

The owners of Chico-Odyssey Winery and Vineyards want visitors to feel completely at ease when they come to visit.

The winery, located on Rock Creek Cohasset Road, does not offer WiFi and does not have good cell phone coverage due to its location. Owners Nicky Pitcher and Warren Gilbert want people to disconnect and enjoy their wine.

“It’s all about peace and quiet here,” Pitcher said.

The beautiful and peaceful winery is very quiet and offers something for everyone to visit.

I went there last weekend for a conference group event and really loved the peace and beautiful grounds. There is a pool in the front and back with plenty of seating options both inside and out. Upstairs and downstairs there are lovely sofas and chairs, and under the stairs there is a nook with lovely chairs and outside there are chairs and tables.

When people sit on the second floor, they have a view of gardens and fountains.

Pitcher and Gilbert met and became partners in April 2015. Pitcher’s husband passed away, and his dream of owning a winery was always there. They talked about opening a winery in 2018 and then the dream came true, and they bought the winery after the previous owners retired.

They first opened in summer 2022 and reopened in December 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic closed it.

“We do it for the love of wine,” Pitcher said. “Everything starts in the vineyard.

The wine is made in Napa. The winemaker is Jared Pearce, who does a great job of making the wines.

“The vines are the children,” Pitcher said.

They also collaborate with local farmers. Both Gilbert and Pitcher have ranches. Their goal is to educate visitors and help them find their favorite wines.

“We want people to come here with questions,” Pitcher said.

Pitcher & Gilbert offers delicious rosé flights, red flights, dessert wines, non-alcoholic wines and beer and wine by the glass. I tried Rose Flight when I visited and loved it.

“We offer non-alcoholic beverages so that people who don’t drink can have something to drink because they’re the designated driver,” Pitcher said.

Pitcher and Gilbert had a visitor last weekend who couldn’t drink red wine, so they suggested a rose flight.

“She was surprised and you could see the joy on her face,” Pitcher said. “He opened the door for her. We are helping people find their way through wine.

It can take anywhere from two to three months to two to two years to make a bottle of wine, according to Gilbert. A bottle at Odyssey costs from 26 to 85 dollars.

Pitcher & Gilbert caters special events such as weddings and birthday parties at the winery. On April 29, there will be an event at the winery with two food trucks and pop-up shops and music. This event is from 11:30am to 3:30pm and is family friendly. Fridays and Saturdays also feature music from local artists.

Gilbert & Pitcher has a market at the winery offering meats, cheeses, popcorn, crackers, sweets, sodas, sparkling water, olives, bagel flour, bread sticks, pasta, pasta sauce and other foods. If people are visiting and want a snack, they can pick what they want from the market, and Pitcher and Gilbert can prepare it for them on a plate.

They also sell hobo bags and wallets as well as candles and other gift items; Wine openers, coasters, wine glasses, corkscrews, etc. Christmas decorations made of cork; puzzles and games; and wine bottle decorations. They also sell pashminas for $30, so one can buy a wrap to sit outside in if it’s cold. There is also a men’s room with golf kits; Selection of soaps, lotions and hand washes; and other items.

They even offer a kit that relieves wine headaches and is useful for those who cannot tolerate sulfates or histamines.

Children are not allowed in the winery, but they can hang out. They must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are welcome outside but must be on a leash. The owners do not allow outside food, although if someone is preparing a birthday party, they are allowed to bring a cake or cakes.