This was also a fabulous winery to taste at. They let us picnic in their beautiful courtyard, complete with bocce court, and supplied us with complementary glasses of wine to enjoy while we ate. The employees were chatty, knowledgeable, and not at all pushy.
With not more than a vision for making cool-climate, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs some friends made their first vintage - 250 cases - in 2004. Less than five years later, they have a critically acclaimed brand and more demand for their 1,500-case annual production than they can meet. They've earned having Anthill Farms in the coveted spots on wine lists at the French Laundry, Cyrus, Gary Danko and other well knowns and sommeliers say they can't keep the bottles in stock.
What is nice about this place is its secluded and private. You can also bring a picnic and enjoy it with some wine in their lawn/patio area. Tasting is free (imagine that) for their Angeline line, and has a nominal fee, waived with purchase, for their Reserve. We got about 5 or so pours of the Angeline line, including a Sav Blanc, a few Pinots, and a cab. The staff was friendly -- always a plus when tasting.
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.
Today, Walter Hansel Winery farms 80 acres of grapes and produces roughly 5,000 cases of Pinot Noir; 5,500 cases of Chardonnay; and 1,500 cases of Sauvignon Blanc.
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.
Wild Hog Vineyard is at the headwaters of Wild Hog Creek (from which the winery derives its name) 45 minutes west of the small town of Cazadero. At 1400 feet elevation and 5 miles from the Ocean east of Fort Ross, the vineyard avoids most of the summer fog. The climate of the coastal range, in conjunction with our farming practices, helps to produce intense flavorful grapes.far off the beaten path, which, in my opinion, makes the place all the more special. There is no way anyone could find this place on his/her own. (You have to meander for miles on a narrow dirt road.) If you are one of the few people fortunate enough to do an actual tasting at this small, informal winery, you likely will meet the proprietor, Daniel Schoenfeld, a warm, kind-hearted gentleman, who obviously is passionate about wine-making. (He, quite appropriately, self-describes his line of work as a "labor of love.")
We tasted some exceptional wine here and the customer service was great here. We were able to enjoy our tasting on their beautiful ground outside while snacking on some really nice cheeses, meats, and crackers that we brought along with us. They poured us some wines that were Members Only wines that we really fell in love with.
The place is very relaxed, dog- and child-friendly, and the grounds are rustic with a nice view of Carneros. It's getting the wine country experience without venturing too far up the 121, and without the tour buses and connoisseurs.
Spend your day with us at The Sonoma House, our striking tasting room just south of Sonoma Plaza. Enjoy indoor or outdoor wine tastings as you sip our single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay selections.
Reservations are required for all experiences. To book a reservation within 24 hours, or for groups larger than six, please contact us at 707-265-7700 or info@patzhall.com.
