Sonoma

Sonoma

Kokomo Winery

wine cellar

"Bodies in the sand, tropical drink melting in your hand We'll be falling in love to the rhythm of a steel drum band Down in Kokomo... That's where you want to go to get away from it all, down in Kokomo" Actually, this winery doesn't have anything to do with The Beach Boys and their song, but this winery. definitely does have good wines. Actually, Kokomo pays homage to the winemaker's (Erik Miller) origins, Kokomo, Indiana. Kokomo Winery consistently win awards for their wines, most notably their rose.

Vineyard of Pasterick

wine and cheese - Pixabay

This is a very small, private winery. The Pastericks are super friendly and will share the history of the property and their wine with you. They grow all of their own grapes and only produce one type of wine, Syrah, which is pretty tasty. Tasting is $10. They basically just pour you a glass of wine to drink while you walk around and tour the grounds.

Silver Oaks Wine Cellars

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

The day was gorgeous and couldn't have been more perfect. Both indoor and outdoor surroundings were beautiful. The architecture and the courtyard were very impressive. There were plenty of shaded lawn areas that were perfect for picnics or for the guests to simply sit and hang out at.here were just a few cars in the parking lot when we arrived, and the tasting room was warm and inviting. There's a really cute patio and fountain outside, so if the weather was nicer I can see that being a great place to relax with some friends and a glass of wine. We found a spot to stand at the counter/bar and ordered 2 tastings to share. They are a red only producer, so we tasted 4 different vintages from the Alexander Valley.

Russian River Vineyard

wine by the fireplace - Pixabay

In 2008, a fourth-generation farmer and aspiring winemaker Giovanni Balistreri, under the tutelage of award-winning winemaker Anthony Austin, set out to reclaim the rich history and enormous untapped potential of one of Sonoma County’s finest wine-making estates.  The estate lies in the heart of the Russian River Valley and thus proudly and appropriately bears the Russian River Valley appellation. 

​

The winemakers understood the potential of this small estate, but even more importantly, they had come to know the special region in which it sits.  This was not a place to build a large, corporate winery to produce wine in high volume.  It was a place where a careful, patient approach could produce world-class wine.  And in the decade since, the venerable estate has been returning to its former glory. 

Preston Vineyards

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

Wine tasting at Preston was a fun experience. The tasting room had a welcoming atmosphere with lots of funny books decorating the bookshelves and samples of their olives and sourdough. There were other groups also present, but we were attended quite quickly. Hidden gem. This is what wine country should feel like...to be continued.

Macrostie Winery & Vineyards

bottle of MacROSTIE wine

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.

Windsor Vineyards

wine barrels - Pixabay

The young man who hosted our tasting was knowledgeable yet casual and easy to talk to - right up our alley. Really appreciated the time he took to do "compare & contrast" tastings! Definitely stop in here for a tasting - whether you linger or quickly move on to the wineries, you'll get a nice intro to wines in the region.

Bucklin Old Hill Ranch

pouring wine into a glass - Pixabay

The Bucklin's were all born and raised in San Francisco, but spent virtually every weekend and summer on their Grandmother's ranch in Sonoma. In 1976, their mother Anne, a professional landscape gardener, moved to Sonoma when she married Otto Teller. Otto and Anne lived together on Oak Hill Farm where they raised organic flowers and vegetables. In 1981, the Tellers purchased the venerable Old Hill Ranch Vineyard which is adjacent to the farm. Meanwhile, the four Bucklin siblings set off on separate paths across the country pursuing various careers, spouses, and hobgoblins, only to return to the family farm in Sonoma.

Pages

Subscribe to Sonoma