This is the place to go if you want some good valued Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot. I really liked their $20 per couple cheese and wine pairing. The people were very friendly and laid back which really fit this wonderful boutique cozy winery.
Nice big reds here. Everything we tasted had merit. Another plus is the tasting room is shared with Muscardini so you can taste two wineries at once. George was very accommodating and knowledgeable. If you are a red fan, you'll want to stop in.
Following a lifelong fascination for food and wine, James and Rosalind Manoogian established Fog Crest Vineyard in 1998 in the Russian River Valley area of Sonoma County, California. As a restaurateur in San Francisco, James had had close proximity to the great wine-growing regions surrounding the city, and it allowed he and his wife to become knowledgeable about wine, how it accompanied fine dining, and where each varietal excelled locally. Today, Fog Crest Vineyard produces less than 2,500 cases annually of limited production, vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that show off the classic terrior of this small Russian River Valley vineyard.
Sourced exclusively from Estate-owned Knights Valley vineyards, Anakota is a collection of single vineyard, single varietal Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines that exemplify the rustic elegance and spirit of Sonoma County’s Mount St. Helena. Situated in the flanks and foothills of Mount St. Helena, each mountain vineyard is brought to life as stressed vines struggle with rocky soils and challenging climatic conditions to create small, intensely flavored berries.
One of the oldest wineries in Napa and so down to earth! We had a great visit chatting with the hostess. We discovered things about the history of the local wine industry from her that other places were not sharing. Very personable.
A total of 6 tasters were brought out as well as one dessert - all were delicious. This normally runs you $30 per person but we were given a $10 off coupon so each it ended up being $20 per person. Even at $30 per person, it was a really good deal and at $20 ...it was a steal! I'd definitely recommend this pairing to anyone who wants to sit down and take wine tasting to the next level. Usually we drink wine with food so it's really neat to get ideas on what to pair these great wines with.
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.
The Rockpile Vineyard, at the northwestern end of Rockpile Road, is approximately 2000 feet above Lake Sonoma and Dry Creek Valley. Originally owned by Rod and Cathy Park, vines were planted as early as 1992, known as the kick off of the grape growing era. In late 2014, the Park family sold the 800 acre ranch to Ken and Diane Wilson, the beginning of the 10th winery being added to the family of Wilson Artisan Wines.
Originally planted with 25 acres of vines, (red Bordeaux varietals along with Syrah and Petite Sirah) by Rod and Cathy Park, Rockpile Ranch is 100% sustainably farmed, and solar power is used for all farming operations and dwellings. Now, this beautiful mountaintop vineyard has 60 acres of planted vines producing Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah & Cabernet Sauvignon of elegance & complexity made by Diane Wilson, Antoine Favero and Chris Barrett.
SL Cellars is one of the smaller wineries in the Sonoma Valley and just sits right off of the 12. SL is an old school house transformed into a Wine Tasting Room. It has a nice come here and sit for a while feels and a nice little park area that you can go to for a light lunch. SL Cellars specializes in Sparkling Wine. They had some of the betters ones I tasted this weekend. The had an almond and raspberry sparkling wine that is worth the stop and tasting.
The Emeritus Vineyards story began with a remarkable ridgetop piece of land, Hallberg Ranch, in the cool Green Valley region of the Russian River Valley. The distinctive Goldridge soil that our vineyards are planted in allows us to dry farm our grapes, resulting in the remarkably deep and enduring root structures that shape the character and complexity of our Pinot Noirs while allowing the grapes to achieve ideal ripeness at lower sugar levels. The cool, foggy climate of our two renowned vineyards, Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill, gives our wines their pure, soaring flavors and elegant and energetic personalities. Last, but most important, the experience, wisdom, and passion of our acclaimed team give our wines their spirit, creating Pinot Noirs that are as unique as they are extraordinary.
