The staff can be kind of hit or miss. Usually they are a little stand-offish or at least less eager to talk, but they don't try to over sell you on buying their wine they let you enjoy the experience. The tasting room isn't spectacular (actually I liked the smaller tasting room they had before) but they do have a large selection of gifts other than wine.
Fourth generation wine grower Ray Teldeschi and his wife Lori, have some of the oldest zinfandel vines in Dry Creek Valley. In 2005 they released their first vintage of old vine Zin and Cabernet and they’ve been winning blind tastings ever since.
Top notch experience with top notch wine. Lauren was our host for the day and started by taking us into a big room with a fully set table. The wine snob that I am appreciated that we were each given multiple glasses that were appropriate for the wine were were tasting - Chardonnay, Pinot & Cab. It makes such a difference and that should have been the first clue to the experience we were about to have.
The wines are delicious, the employees are knowledgable and friendly.The view is magnificent perfect for enjoying a few glasses of wine during a sunset. The cellar carved into the mountain reminds me of something out of Lord of the Rings.
Since 1927, when John Pedroncelli, Sr. purchased vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, two elements remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms vineyards, and the family's dedication to making fine wines.
A single vineyard estate that produces an ultra premium pinot noir from their 10,000 vines planted on 1.75 acres. Cloud Rest is situated at a lofty 1250 ft. on Sonoma Mountain in the Sonoma Coast AVA. Cloud Rest believes bottle aging their Pinot Noir for a minimum of 3 years, after resting in French Oak for 1 1/2- 2 years is the right thing to do before releasing it. Cloud Rest just recently added a Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Cloud Rest's goal is to consistently produce world class wines that make great memories.
The Solitude brand is owned by the Dreyer Wine Company. The Dreyer family has been farming for three generations, and has been producing wines in both Sonoma and Mendocino County for over thirty years. The Dreyer family produces the Dreyer Sonoma, Compass, Seabiscuit Ranch, and Il Cuore Wine Cellars wine brands.
Richard Litsch is the winemaker for the Solitude wines. Born and raised in California, Richard became interested in wine while attending the University of California, Davis. After obtaining his B.S. degree in 1983, he began work at Rombauer Vineyards. After two years in the Napa Valley, he was off to Australia, working a harvest and traveling extensively through both Australia and New Zealand’s wine country. Upon returning, Richard became Assistant Winemaker at Chalone Vineyard, and established Solitude in 1986.
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.
The Crinella Estate Vineyard is located in Forestville in the Green Valley appellation. 30 acres of Pinot Noir have been planted to multiple heritage and Dijon clones by the Crinella family beginning in 1999. The vineyard manager is Jim Pratt. The Crinella family intended initially only to be growers but by 2006 had released their first Estate Pinot Noir. The wine is sold on the website.
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.
