Established in 1998 by Nick Goldschmidt a New Zealand winemaker, who trained in australia and arrived in the Napa in 1989. From 1990 to 2003 he was the winemaker for Simi winery in the Alexander Valley. From 2003- 2006 Nick was the Snr VP winemaker for Allied Domecq wines, managing 7 countries with brands such as Clos Du Bois, Mumm Napa, Garry Farrel, Buena Vista, William Hill, Brancott, Grafigna,..
Roche is a great spot for a glass of wine or a tasting in Sonoma. I've brought nearly every visitor/friend I've had, here, because of its proximity to the square and its fantastic outdoor tasting bar. Very quaint and dainty! For $5.00 you can taste all the wines. You can sit outside, and for the brisk afternoons they have fire pits at the tables. The estate chardonay was crisp and slightly sweet. The cab was nice. The Syrah was robust and peppery. Late harvest chardonay close to amazing.
MacMurray Ranch was outstanding. We took a scenic drive through the valley to reach MacMurray Ranch. We had a wonderful time at this secluded and intimate ranch. We learned the history of the location along with MacMurray's and photos from the past. We tasted wines and toured the place in equal segments of time so we didn't get overwhelmed with different wines all at once. Our tour was strictly wine tasting only.
Chasseur wines are highly allocated and sold primarily through a mailing list. The two appellation Pinot Noirs are produced in larger quantities and are available in the fine wine retail market throughout the United States.
The Pellegrini Family traces its heritage in winemaking to the early 1900s when brothers Nello and Gino Pellegrini arrived in New York City from their native Tuscany. They soon made their way to the West Coast and in 1925 became Sonoma County grape merchants, shipping grapes throughout the U.S. for home winemaking.
After tasting completely through, I must admit I was very impressed! Not only by all the lovely single vineyard pinots, but also talking with Scott (winemaker) and Marta Rich about the wine... Really cool folks.
One thing about this winery...it has a wonderful view of the entire valley. Whether you are sitting out at the tables or inside doing a tasting. Staff is very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. I was a fan of quite a few of the wines. What stuck out for me was the Zin-a and the Diablita Red Blend and the Diablita Blanca.
Rod Park started farming wine grapes on Howell Mountain in 1974 in partnership with Charles Muscatine. Their best known wine was an old vine zin made by Paul Draper. Muscatine's retirement resulted in the sale of that vineyard. Wishing to continue growing grapes, the search was on for a place to start over again. An old sheep ranch,without electrical power or water wells, dilapidated and full of decaying machinery, abandoned vehicles, bed springs and debris from squatters and poachers seemed an unlikely spot. But the rolling landscape, at the same elevation (2000 feet) and with the same soils as his previous vineyard, showed real potential for red wine varieties. What had been the headquarters of the old Rockpile Ranch became the new Rockpile Vineyard. Together Rod and Cathy set about the task of clean-up, fix up and farming. Rootstock was planted in the spring of '92, and budded to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot that fall. Subsequently we planted 4 clones of Syrah.
In 1921 August and Catherine Bonneau purchased 70 acres of land in Schellville, about 8 miles south of the town of Sonoma, California. This was a very remote area at the time, requiring a full day's travel time from San Francisco. This area reminded the Bonneaus of the Bordeaux region of France near the area where they were born. This little boutique winery is serving up some way above average wine and atmosphere!! The Bonneau Wine Room is located in the Carneros Deli (you know that great little gourmet deli on the corners of 116 & 121 by the 76 station on your way out to Infinion Raceway??)
Anaba wines are handcrafted from the best Rhône and Burgundian grape varieties grown at our Carneros Estate vineyard and in selected outstanding vineyard properties throughout Sonoma County. Anaba Wines Rhône-style wines are artistic blends, inspired by the rugged earthiness of France's Rhône Valley and replicated in the rocky Sonoma soils.
