Relaxed ambience. Take the path less traveled and enjoy the ultimate wine experience here in historic Los Alamos. This is what wine tasting should be with a knowledgeable staff giving each customer one on one attention, great wines that are not main stream, and an unrushed, intimate atmosphere.
Porter Creek Vineyards began its journey in 1978 when founder George R. Davis acquired the estate, which included young Pinot Noir vines, some of which continue to produce today at 45 years old. Davis initially focused on enhancing the existing vineyards before planting the remaining available acreage. By 1982, he had successfully secured one of the property's old barns for wine production, marking a pivotal moment for Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley.
In 1983, the Russian River Valley was officially designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), a period when only a few were investing in Pinot Noir. Despite the prevailing skepticism about Pinot Noir’s potential in the region, with his banker and farm advisor urging him to plant more Chardonnay instead, Davis remained committed to his vision.
Primarily a self-taught winemaker, George Davis was a voracious reader, immersing himself in literature on winemaking techniques and Burgundian winegrower philosophies. He engaged in numerous discussions with local winemakers and rented part of his winery to others, gaining invaluable insights and experience from these interactions.
Mr. Swan makes some very nice California pinot noirs and zinfandels. Sure, this is not OPUS ONE facility-wise, but Rod makes great wine at more than fair prices. I appreciated their willingness to educate people and enjoyed their 07 Tannat.
Anaba wines are handcrafted from the best Rhône and Burgundian grape varieties grown at our Carneros Estate vineyard and in selected outstanding vineyard properties throughout Sonoma County. Anaba Wines Rhône-style wines are artistic blends, inspired by the rugged earthiness of France's Rhône Valley and replicated in the rocky Sonoma soils.
Recently the World’s most respected wine critic, Robert Parker, Jr. awarded Blackjack Ranch a Five-Star rating for the production of Bordeaux varietals, specifically Billy Goat Hill Merlot and for Harmonie. Blackjack Ranch Vineyards & Winery is one of only two wineries outside Napa/Sonoma to achieve his highest ranking. In issue #148 of The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker included the following pronouncement: “Blackjack Ranch is one of the best-run wineries in Santa Barbara.
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Named after the round stones found in its first vineyard, Cobblestone utilizes the most advanced wine-making technology, using grape varietals best suited for the wine produced.
Cobblestone Vineyards began the growing of wine grapes and wine making in 1971. Cobblestone is a small family-owned enterprise motivated by a passion-driven philosophy to make the most outstanding wines possible at affordable prices.
Named after the round stones found in its first vineyard, Cobblestone utilizes the most advanced wine-making technology, using grape varietals best suited for the wine produced. There are three vineyards dedicated to the world's most exciting grape varieties, coupled with appropriate French Oak for aging.
The original vineyard of 50 acres in the cool Central Coast of California from the Arroyo Seco appellation produces a dry, vibrant Chardonnay with just a hint of French Oak.
In 1997, a second 25 acre vineyard was added in the appellation called Atlas Peak, located on a mountain range at about 1,500 feet above sea level on the East side of Napa Valley. The volcanic soil, elevation, and climate conditions produce a world class Cabernet Sauvignon and a small allotment of Petit Verdot.
Donum Estates' guided wine tasting options offer an immersive experience that blends wine, land, and art. Guests explore some of California's finest award-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay while enjoying the natural beauty of the terroir and the global art collection throughout the Estate.
Each tasting is carefully curated with thoughtfully sourced materials, including hand-blown glassware, ceramic plates crafted from Estate clay, and canapés made with produce from the culinary garden and olive oil from the olive grove.
Visitors are invited to experience the Donum Estate's signature Carneros property, situated between Napa and Sonoma Counties. This 60-minute experience begins with a splash of one of Donum's award-winning wines, followed by a tasting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the certified organic Carneros Estate Vineyard. The tasting is complemented by a guided walking tour of the Estate.
Siduri, named after the Babylonian goddess of wine, embodies the founders' shared passion for pinot noir and their aspiration to create exceptional wines. Inspired by this vision, Adam Lee and Dianna Novy relocated from their native Texas to Sonoma County's renowned wine region. They dedicated years to working at small, family-owned wineries and devoted their spare time to mastering the art of grape growing and winemaking.
Their efforts bore fruit with the debut release of Siduri Wines in 1994, which garnered significant critical acclaim and launched a 25-year journey toward perfecting Pinot Noir. Today, Winemaker Matt Revelette oversees the production of more than 20 single-vineyard and appellation-specific Pinot Noir expressions, sourced from prestigious vineyard sites along the West Coast, from Santa Barbara, California to Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Tulocay was one of the "new" wineries to start up in the early 1970's, and the owner, Bill Cadman, is still at it and still making great Napa wines, in the traditional style. This means that his wines are very well-balanced and play well with food - they don't dominate, they enhance and compliment, good meals. They also age very well. Another plus is that the Tulocay wines are generally very well-priced compared with your average Napa wine - many if not most of his wines are in the 20 to 30 dollar range.
The Dry Creek wineries produce a wider variety of wines and styles of wines than the traditional PN and Zin crowd along the Russian River. The Amphor tasting room location is in the same parking lot as 10 other wineries tasting rooms - right off Dry Creek Road. Stop at this location and you will be able to taste wines from Amphora, Collier Falls, Dashe, Forth, Philip Staley, Peterson, Lago di Merlo, Kokomo, Mietz and Papapietro.
