George Levkoff had his wine epiphany when a friend brought a 1991 and 1992 Williams Selyem Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir to share at dinner. Four years later, he left his job as a bond trader on Wall Street and headed west to Sonoma. He interned at Williams Selyem from 1999 to 2002, learning the winemaking process.
According to Amy Grable at Grable Vineyards, they don't just make wine, they grow it - and they grow wine that they love to drink. Grable Vineyards lets the grapes do most of the work and just try to stay out of the way. The folks at Grable Vineyards allow the flavors to evolve naturally while giving the wine time to age slowly to achieve perfect balance.
This place specializes in Zins and they make it very well here. It's actually on the jammier fruit forward side rather than the peppery notes of some zins you may have but it was very good. Enjoyed their white wines as well. There was only two that they make I believe and even the rose was pretty good.
Marietta Cellars is located just outside the little town of Geyserville in one of California’s premier wine growing regions, Sonoma County. Owner and winemaker Chris Bilbro initially founded Marietta Cellars in 1978 in a rented cow barn in the Dry Creek Valley. The winery is named after Chris’ great aunt.
The tasting room host was very sweet and hospitable. All of the wines were good and VERY reasonably priced, but the one wine that stood out the most to me was the late harvest sauvignon blanc. Late harvest sauv blanc is not an easy wine to come by, giving Rued brownie points in my book! It's a lusciously sweet wine that's reminiscent of ripe yellow peaches and honey.
Kent is knowledgable, passionate, and an easy-going host. We showed up late, and he was very gracious - asked us to hang while the (on time) folks finished up, and then spent a couple hours with us. He climbs up the racks to steal tastes from varoius barrels, walking you through the parietals, methods, barrels,etc. Then to finish up, he brought out bottled versions so demonstrate the difference. Simply a great tasting experience. Bring a sweater. It's about 55 F.
The tasting room is a very casual and welcoming place. It doesn't boast the best gift shop, but they offer enough to let you feel like you've gotten a shopping fix. But you're really coming for the Zins, each one better than the last and most at very affordable prices.
It is by appointment only, but they do host two open houses a year. Beware that if you go to Dehlinger Winery you run the risk of going broke because you'll want to buy all their wines. A small price to pay for happiness in a bottle, though. Be sure to try their Pinot Noir.
Alexander Valley is often referred to as “California’s Bordeaux”, as the local landscape is itself a genuine mosaic of soil types and microclimates. Some of the finest grapes in the world are grown here making this a winemaker’s dream location for producing world-class wines. So when Ken and Diane Wilson discovered this property they knew at once this would be there new Cabernet Sauvignon Showcase. It is their intent to produce wines known more for the character of the estate than for the varietal content.
This place doesn't have boutique winery hipster appeal so if you're looking for that, go elsewhere. The pourer we talked to works in the field with the winemaker; she said that they all wear many hats. The people behind the tasting counter are just wonderful. Last time it was the wine maker himself! Though he said it's rare to find him doing the tasting.
