Kathleen has a couple of really nice young guys working the tasting room and it looked like the winery's reputation is growing as they had been busy. This vineyard is in Santa Rosa, and Kathleen is producing some amazing wines. While she has been producing at this organic vineyard for 10 years, this seems to be her break out year, because her work is finally be recognized.
After tasting completely through, I must admit I was very impressed! Not only by all the lovely single vineyard pinots, but also talking with Scott (winemaker) and Marta Rich about the wine... Really cool folks.
Ray is the owner and winemaker, has been in this location for 16 years. He sources fruit from a variety of places, and has some varietals (wine types) he always makes, and also mixes it up sometime. Besides the 4 varietals usually pouring the current for sale list will have chardonnay, several pinots, gewurztraminer, zin, and more. Total case production for D'Argenzio is only 3k cases a year.
Mike and Lorene Kuimelis have been growing reserve designate grapes for noted wineries in the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys of Sonoma County since the late 1970’s with roughly eighty acres under vine. They passed their enthusiasm and knowledge of wine and vineyards on to their son Mike Jr. who started the next chapter of this story by producing the first wines under the Mantra label. Mantra is dedicated to producing wines that reflect the unique characteristics of our high elevation vineyard sites in the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys of Sonoma County. Mantra Wines specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah.
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!
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.
Hidden gem...A small, husband and wife run winery that makes one kind of wine that they make really well...For $10 you get a tour and tasting. They walked us through the whole process of how they make their wine, let us sample grapes & such along the way, and were very personable and friendly.
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.
Don't miss Enkidu amongst the cluster of newer tasting rooms in Kenwood. The staff is always friendly and always willing to open anything you may want to try, Don't miss the 07 Humbaba, 08 Sangiovese and the Tin Barn Chardonnay.
Boutique winery. Appointment only but that ensures that they can make time for you to taste in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Very informative and the wines were outstanding. Not inexpensive but not overly pricey either.
