Syrah

Syrah

Forth Vineyards

cheese, crackers, and wine

We found them in the Sonoma Wineries listing and saw that tasting was by appointment only..we didn't know that it was out of date and that there was an official tasting room...anyway, we made the appt and got lost trying to get there. We happened to see a man doing some work in a barn/garage and asked his help to find the winery. He told us we found it. Turns out the winery was in the barn, he was the winemaker, and the tasting was done on the porch. Talk about a beautiful setting to taste wine. The hills, the vineyards, the babydoll sheep...yes, sheep. Forth uses babydoll sheep instead of herbicides. Very environmentally friendly.

La Seremissima

Established in 1998, La Seremissima vineyards cover a gentle slope facing the Pacific Coast Trail in San Diego North County. The vineyard and winery's name, La Serenissima, pays homage to the most Serene Republic of Venice, for centuries the cultural center of the Mediterranean, where the tradition of wine making flourished, giving civilization the precious gift of wine. Annual production is limited to 1000 cases.

Rosenblum Cellars

Rosenblum is famous for being all about Zinfandel – Old Vine Zin, High Altitude Zin, Single Vineyard Zin, BIG Attitude Zin. At Rosenblum, they make over 20 different types. Rosenblum Cellars has some of the highest rated, most-awarded Zins from California’s most highly regarded vineyards. Not just Napa and Sonoma, but all over the state. While a founding member of the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers group (ZAP!), Rosenblum does make other amazing wines, including Rhône-style red wines like Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, as well as Rhône-style white wines and dessert wines.

Loxton Cellars

The property is small and nothing fancy but more likely than not, your wine tasting will be led by the vintner himself, who came to Sonoma with nothing and built this small winery with his own hands. He's a great host who truly understands and loves wine. It's a delightful experience and the wine is priced very reasonably compared to many other wineries in the area.

Tres Hermanas Winery

looking out at the vineyard through wine glasses

This is a great little winery along the Foxen Canyon trail. If you want a winery where the owners pour and you can actually talk about winemaking and the whole experience you get it here. Tres Hermanas does not make super jammy Central Coast wines but rather produces numerous wines in a more European style...lower in alcohol, higher in acid and basically more food friendly. I will have to say I enjoy 90% of what they produce. Their Tres Hermanas Cuvee is incredible as is there Nebbiolo, Refosco, Syrah/Sangiovese blend and Muscat Cannelli.

Souverain

barrel tasting

At Souverain the goal is to make authentic wines that are the best expression of each varietal and Alexander Valley. Souverain believes that consumers deserve to drink great wine every night. Souverain love affair with producing wines has stretched back over 60 years and during that time they have produced award winning wines, have received numerous accolades and praise from the wine press.

Davis Family Vineyards

pouring red wine to a glass

This place doesn't have boutique winery hipster appeal so if you're looking for that, go elsewhere. The pourer we talked to works in the field with the winemaker; she said that they all wear many hats. The people behind the tasting counter are just wonderful. Last time it was the wine maker himself! Though he said it's rare to find him doing the tasting.

Preston Vineyards

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.

Alta Colina Vineyards & Winery

In 2003, after 35 years as an engineer by day, and a home winemaker by night, Bob Tillman found the 130-acre parcel in Paso Robles' Adelaida District that would become Alta Colina Vineyard. The 31 planted acres and 8 Rhone varieties that make up Alta Colina Vineyard hit the dirt in 2005 and his daughter, Maggie Tillman, came on in 2008 to help in the efforts. With a complete focus on estate-grown Rhones, Bob crafts about 2,000 cases a year and continues to sell the remainder of the fruit to other great Rhone winemakers throughout the Central Coast. Quality, legacy, and love of the land are Bob's signature.

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