Sonoma

Sonoma

Russian Hill Winery/Talawind Ranch

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Patrick Melley is Winemaker and Co-Founder of Russian Hill and Talawind Ranch wineries.

Patrick’s path to becoming Russian Hill’s Winemaker was fueled by a love of food and wine. A self-taught winemaker, Patrick developed his love of wine through attending FIU, a leading food and beverage college in Florida, coupled with many years of working in the restaurant business. He became a restaurant manager for an international affiliation of restaurants and one of his favorite responsibilities was developing their wine lists. This diverse exposure to wines from around the world refined his palate and sparked a life-long passion for wine and wine and food pairing.

The natural next step was for Patrick to make wine himself. In 1989 he started making wine at home and in 1993, he-co-founded Benicia Cellars Winery, where he was responsible for the general development of the company, grape acquisition and winemaking.

In 1997, Patrick and his partners moved to the Russian River Valley and founded Russian Hill Estate Winery. Here, Patrick could pursue his passion for Pinot noir and other cool climate varietals and make wine from the surrounding estate vineyards.

California Cider Company

woman with dogs enjoying cider - Wine Artist Agata Zomborowski

The California Cider Company is owned by Geoffrey House, the man credited with initiating the national cider renaissance. Utilizing his insider's view of the cider industry, he took more than two years to develop the Ace Cider. House, owner of the second largest specialty beer and cider marketing company in the US.

Landmark Vineyards

glass of wine - Pixabay

Landmark offers a gorgeous but relaxed setting to sample their wines. It really is a beautiful winery. Gracious, welcoming, picturesque and some darn good wines. Now that is a combination that can't be beat!

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.

Glenlyon Vineyards & Winery

grape cluster - Pixabay

In 1986, Squire and Suzy Fridell packed up their three-year old daughter and all their worldly goods to trade the freeways and the sand of Southern California for the back roads and fertile soil of Sonoma Valley. They purchased twenty-six acres of raw land, just north of the Village of Glen Ellen. The gentle rolling hills were covered with poison oak, oak trees, manzanita trees, madrone trees, bay trees, and a few redwoods. Glenlyon Vineyards & Winery does not have tours or tasting at GlenLyon.

Albini Family Vineyards

glass of wine - Pixabay

Albini Family Vineyards only sell two kinds of wine - Zinfandel and Merlot. This year, there are three varieties of wine available: First, is the 2008 Zinfandel (500 cases; Russian River Valley); Second is the 2008 Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard (500 cases; Russian River Valley); Third is the 2008 Merlot (Russian River Valley).

Rochioli Vineyards & Winery

pouring a glass of wine - Pixabay

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.

Lost Canyon Winery

wine pouring into glass and swirling - Pixabay

You are welcomed to visit Lost Canyon Winery for wine tastings, and we are opened for tasting from Wednesday till Sunday from 11 AM till 4 PM. Please, send us an email or give us a call to confirm your arrival and the size of your group. Not only that you can taste our wines but you are able to make a purchase with 10% off. In addition to that, you can buy a bottle of our Pinot Noir and Syrah and have it shipped for your friends and family as a surprise gift! We can wait to meet you at our winery!

Cobb Wines

glass of wine - pIxabay

Cobb Wines is a Pinot Noir specialist focusing on single-vineyard wines that was established in 2001 by Stephen and Ross Cobb and their parents David and Diane Cobb. David Cobb owns and farms the 15-acre Coastlands Vineyard and oversees all the vineyards from which the winery sources grapes. David began growing Pinot Noir at the sustainably farmed Coastlands Vineyard back in 1989.

Davis Family Vineyards

glass of wine - Pixabay

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.

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