Sonoma

Sonoma

Duxoup Wine Works

glass of wine - Pixabay

Pronounced "Duck Soup". This winery offers very limited quantities of unique varietals with a total production of only 1500 cases per year. Duxoup was founded in 1981 by two free-spirited, inquisitive winemakers: Deborah and Andrew Cutter. They built the winery with small production, gentle, gravity flow winemaking in mind. Duxoup wines are silky, fruity, and come from venerable vineyards. The wines express not only terroir, but the highly skilled work of the two owners, both experienced and respected for their independence and consistent quality. The wines are rare, but well worth the effort to find. Duxoup produces a Dolcetto, Gamay Noir, Sangiovese, and Syrah.

Blue Rock Vineyard

cluster of grapes - pixabay

Just like wine, some of the best things in life do not just change, they evolve: developing gradually into a better, more complex state with time. The same is said of Blue Rock’s commitment to producing vintages true to their European roots. Wines on the estate are crafted with the type of knowledge and modern finesse that only come with experience.

Blue Rock’s technique enhances the uniqueness of each wine`s character while aIso maintaining the soul of its history and the integrity of the land.

The result: vintages that feel like an accessible luxury because they exceed expectation, but for a reasonable price. It’s like getting upgraded to first class when you least expect it.

Blue Rock will produce only small quantities of luxurious red wines that express their sense of place. Blue Rock, therefore, will always make wine from grapes grown exclusively on the 100 acre Estate in Sonoma, Alexander Valley.

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.

Verite Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

They offer private tasting at their Alexander Valley Estate in Healdsburg by appointment only (call tasting room or make an appointment request online). The tasting takes approximately two hours & the tasting fee is $25 per person, which is refunded with a purchase. Parker gave 7 of their wines a perfect 100 score. It's going on my winery to-do list! :)

Iron Horse Vineyards

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

ron Horse is a great winery to visit on your tour of Sonoma. The winery is off the beaten path but the views are gorgeous on a clear day. You can do your tasting outside and take in the gorgeous views of the vineyard. If you want to sit down and enjoy a picnic you can find a gazebo on the opposite end of the facility. They have an amazing variety of sparkling wine (more than I have seen anywhere else I've been) and also some non-sparkling varieties as well. The staff were very friendly and attentive in spite of the fact that they were pretty crowded. After our tasting, we were able to take food we brought to their picnic pavilion to enjoy a snack before we left. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

Frick Winery

corks and wine glass - Pixabay

Bill Frick and Judith Gannon started this winery in 1976 with the proceeds from the sale of their 1957 Chevrolet. In the small, cool winery, hidden away on a back road, Bill Frick hand crafts complex, rare wines that reflect the true character of the grape.

Rancho San Miguel Winery

grape cluster - Pixabay

The wine has a beautiful spicy bouquet, nicely fruit forward in the mouth with lots of raspberry tones, and slightly peppery notes on the clean, lingering finish. A very well balanced wine framed with good acidity and a soft touch on the palette. The distinctive intensity and spiciness of old vines fruit is well preserved. Grilled meats and anything lamb immediately come to mind as pairing choices.

Francis Coppola Winery

Swirling wine n a glass - Pixabay - Saman Teher

What a beautiful estate! This was my first time to Francis Ford Coppola and I was in awe! I don't even know where to start, but the grounds are beautiful, the tasting room was fun, the memorabilia was nostalgic, and the cellar was amazing as well!All of the staff was ever so friendly, welcoming and helpful. You wouldn't expect anything short of greatness, when you learn that Mr. Coppola is heavily involved in the operations of the winery and visits periodically to ensure that everything meets his standards.

Sky Vineyards

wine by the fireplace - Pixabay

Sky Vineyards strives to incorporate sustainable practices into the cultivation of the vines and operation of the winery. Responsible practices include use of permanent cover crops, dry farming, promotion of bird and beneficial insects, and use of organic or low impact pesticides and fertilizers. The resulting intensely flavored fruit is then hand-harvested and fermented in open top one-ton bins. Punch down is performed by hand three times per day. After fermentation, it is pressed in a traditional basket press and aged in French oak barrels.

Schug Carneros Estate Winery

glass of wine - Pixabay

Schug was not on our original list to visit while in Sonoma, but we happened across it and were glad we did! Its down a dirt road and still feels privately owned which is my preference. We were tasting in the patio area / courtyard which was much more open and nicer than the indoor tasting room. Tasting was 10 dollars for 6 wines and the team was knowledgeable and friendly. Schug is known for their Pinots, but I thought their Carneros Cab Sauv was also really great.

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