Want to love every wine you taste more than the previous one, have a great time chatting with the knowledgeable and fun folks pouring for you. You just might find yourself unable to resist the wine club, and drive away with some affordable wine and the feeling that you've found one awesome Sonoma secret, then Macrostie Winery & Vineyards just might be your place.
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.
Living, loving, and breathing everything wine in Dry Creek Valley, Mounts Family Winery embodies the essence of a true family-owned and operated establishment in the heart of this picturesque region (Healdsburg, Sonoma County). With four generations and over 70 years of grape-growing expertise, they take great pride in showcasing the unique terroir of their 140-acre estate. Their hope is that each guest will savor the wines nurtured from their estate vineyards, share them with loved ones, and find joy in every sip.
Mounts Family Winery is eager to share this remarkable journey as the fourth generation learns, grows, and prepares to carry forward the family legacy. Visitors are invited to experience their unique and charming outdoor wine tasting. Reservations can be made using the system provided below. For those who prefer curbside pick-up, simply select WILL-CALL when ordering online and email the winery to schedule a pick-up time. A 24-hour notice is appreciated.
Free wine tastings, perfect scenery, a great little picnic area, and did I mention free tastings? There's also a great book of menus/letters from the White House where their wines had been used. They go back to the Clintons - kind of cool! Hours: Thursday - Monday 11:00 to 4:00, Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment only.
Winemaker Peter Kirilov, and Kukeri Wines is based out of Sebastopol. Peter has sourced the grapes for his 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder of the Mayacamas Mountains that separates Sonoma from Napa. The clay and volcanic soils that are characteristic of this area produce small, intense fruit. A rich, ruby red color, the wine is remarkably smooth and balanced considering its relatively young age. Though Kirilov has just recently launched Kukeri he’s no stranger to wine making or the wine industry. He’s a full time wine-maker for two other wineries and founded VinoEnology.com, an industry website that offers winemaking solutions for vintners, including calculators, tools and marketplace. This boutique winery and winemaker is a good one to keep an eye on. Small production wines with the fire of the winemaker’s passion for the wines he makes. Peter offers a Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
Tasting room is charming and served by caring staff who know the wines and vineyards. The solar panel roof is amazing. We enjoyed walking around the various garden beds filled with fresh vegetables and flowers. The "chicken condo" is amusing, and must be a delight for visitors with children.
Our pourer today was Matt, who was a wealth of knowledge. Many pourers are good at recital of their product, but don't have a lotta depth. Matt is extremely well versed in wine, wine making, viticulture, and local wineries.Starting with a very nice Gewurtztraminer, it had all the great aromatics and was very sharp on the palate. The Dutton Ranch Chardonnay was excellent and a nice balance of classic and new world styles. The Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir was a great classic Russian River Pinot.
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.”
Ladd Cellars is a winery in Sonoma, California. The winery is operated by Eric Lundblad. Eric Lundblad is the winemaker at Ladd Cellars. Ladd Cellars offers Pinot Noir.
Windsor Oaks estate is open to the public only eighteen days a year. They do offer limited VIP tasting and tours.In an wine tasting event that sadly has become increasingly all about tour buses, limos, bridal parties and frat boys guzzling Coors Light in the parking lots, many wineries struggled to find the right balance of paying attention to those that were there to focus on the art of winemaking, and those that were there to party. The folks at Windsor Oaks rose above and created a memory for all in attendance. Special thanks goes to winemaker Julie Hagler Lumgair, who climbed atop a second tier barrel, and from above, shared a taste of yet another wine "off the list"...her passion, expertise, warmth, and generosity.
