Sonoma

Sonoma

Tin Barn Vineyards

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

The pourer is very knowledgable and passionate about their wines. I give the wine maker a lot of credit for his focus on single vineyard, single varietal wines. I thought all the wines were well made. The place is located in like an office facility / storage unit looking type building, so if you're looking for like rolling hills with neat rows of grape bushes, you have come to the wrong place. (Shouldn't be a dealbreaker necessarily in my opinion-- but I feel it's worth noting.) They also do a little tour of their facility where they show you some of the machines that are used to make the wine.

Passaggio Wines

Passaggio Wines tasting room in Sonoma California

Passaggio Wines

Cynthia is the owner and winemaker at Passaggio Wines. Cynthia's focus is small lot boutique wines that include unoaked chardonnay, pinot grigio, rose altogether about 10 varieties of wine. Cynthia went from cop to artisan wine crafter, not a typical journey by any stretch. In 2004, Cynthia left a 15-year Law Enforcement career to pursue that passion and family tradition of winemaking. It has been enjoyable to watch Passaggio Wines grow and see Cynthia follow her dreams. Passaggio's tasting room is gorgeous for either tasting, having wine by the glass, or for a special event. The tasting room staff and winemaker are very friendly and accommodating and make you feel right at home.

Enkidu Wines

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Don't miss Enkidu amongst the cluster of newer tasting rooms in Kenwood. The staff is always friendly and always willing to open anything you may want to try, Don't miss the 07 Humbaba, 08 Sangiovese and the Tin Barn Chardonnay.

Silver Stone Vineyards

grape cluster

At Silverstone, our winemaker has selected 2-year old American Oak barrels with just a hint of toasty oak influence to enhance the flavors of the wines and highlight the delicate character. Our winemaking regime is attentive with top quality always in mind, starting with vineyard selection, gentle fermentation technique and just the right amount of barrel and bottle aging. Each individual lot of wine is tasted throughout its maturation in the barrel to determine what will be the best blend for the final wine.

Woodenhead Vintners

glass of wine - Pixabay

The winemaking at Woodenhead is pure and simple or, if you will, Burgundian done California-style. Woodenhead Vintners wine is handcrafted from a hard labor of love in tune to the natural rhythm of the land, the water, the air, and the seasons. No mechanical pumping is employed. Inoculated yeast and malolactic cultures, hand punching, basket pressing, French oak, and California fruit is what you get. Small and unique lots are their goal, ultra premium wine is the result.

Canihan Wines

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

The 2007 San Francisco International Wine Competition had 47 judges tasting 4,300 wines. After three days of sipping and spitting, the awards for Best Syrah/Shiraz, and Best of Show Red Wine, went to the 2004 Canihan syrah "Exuberance." It was the first commercial release of Bill Canihan's life, and his was judged the best red wine in the entire competition, which encompassed a galaxy of wines from all over the world.

Fotinos Vineyard

grape cluster - Pixabay

A FAMILY LEGACY - 50 YEARS STRONG


For over half a century, the George Fotinos family has lovingly tended to Pinot Noir grapes in Napa's Carneros region, where the climate is perfect for this delicate varietal.  With sustainable practices and rainwater irrigation, their commitment to quality has never wavered. Today, the family carries on this legacy, crafting exceptional wines that celebrate over five decades of dedication. 

“Distinctively Carneros elegant wine with aromas of raspberries, dried cherries, fresh herbs and light touch of toasty oak.  The fruit flavors are integrated with spice notes, balanced acidity, a silky mouthfeel and a long pleasant finish.”  

Merry Edwards

wine and cheese - Pixabay

The tasting experience was very informative. And a little formal. The host takes you into their tasting room and closes the doors for total immersion. The tasting is really all about the wine and educating visitors of the history of the label. Great stop for very classy wine! Not so much for relaxing and lounging.

Bevan Cellars

wine pouring into a wine glass - Pixabay

Back in 1995, when Victoria and Russel started (Russell Bevan and Victoria De Crescenzo), dating in Des Moines, their favorite game was “Guess the Wine.” They would take turns bringing a blind wine and make the other person guess the varietal and region. When the couple looks back on those dates, there is little mystery about how they arrived where they are today. "We started taking regular trips to wine country in California, where we met many of the finest winemakers. We were so inspired by them that to this day we follow many of their principles. Soon enough we were searching for property in our native California. Victoria spent three years trying to find the right site. Finally, she found her dream home on eight acres of land in Bennett Valley..."

Coturri Winery

grape clusters in the vineyard

When in wine country, some enjoy a Disneyland experience -- fake castles & dungeons, tram rides, huge gift shops, docents, buses, limos, and a million things to distract you from the wine. And then, there's Coturri. The production is tiny. The facility is a garage. Check out the Syrah, Zin, or anything that they might happen to have on hand to share...and you'll get a great bottle of hand-made wine with little intervention of any sort.

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