Delicatexan

Hey, I need advice from resident oenologists. We are going on a 1 week road trip through Sonoma, Russian River, and Napa Valleys, and can't practically visit each and every wonderful winery. Please recommend all the "cannot miss" wineries. On my short list so far are Beringer, Clos Pegase, and Hess Collection. Please help me add to the list. Thanks!

kleroux

Well, if you do one actual tour of a winery it gives you an idea how they make wine, and from then on its tasting. I like the Healdsburg area... Preston in Dry Creek is little known and just wonderful!!! If you just visit the main square in Healdsburg there are a lots of winery tasting rooms, so you wouldn't have to drive to the actual winery. Lots of people like Ferrari Carano, the grounds are lovely.

elnap29

Your short list is good for different reasons. Beringer has an interesting Cave Tour, the grounds are classic - lots of history there, although it is all owned by a big corporation now.
Clos Pegase has an interesting collection of ancient wine vessels. Hess is in a mountain location above the valley floor; there is a good film and an interesting art gallery.
I like Peju Winery in Rutherford. The wines are outstanding, especially the Cabernet. The grounds are beautiful. The winery is owned by a family who lives there and works every aspect of the winery - even the grapes are grown on the property. And ask for the yodeler in the tasting room! You will have a lot of fun there!

razzledazzle

Napa's Del Dotto gives a fab cave and barrel tasting-there's a fee and you need a reservation. Worth it, IME.

Now, let's add to your list for Sonoma County-These are all near Healdsburg in
Dry Creek/Alexander Valley/Russian River areas:
Lambert Bridge
Papapietro-Perry
Amphora
Thumbprint
Wilson
A. Rafanelli (needs reservations)
David Coffaro
Joseph Swan
and don't miss Siduri near the airport in Santa Rosa.

Now just in case you get hungry in and around Healdsburg do try:
Zazu
Manzanita
Cena Luna
Willi's Seafood
Barndiva
Ravenous
Sake 'O
Bistro Ralph
Charcuterie
Cyrus
Oh, and do venture over to the
Jimtown Store for a fun lunch !

Have a wonderful visit here !

R5

rockie

Hi,
Beringer is a fantastic tour. I also like Sterling for the tram ride and great views. Have a great trip!

LLindaC

razzle and I have very similar tastes. ;-) I would cross Clos Pegase off my list if it's crowded. Last time we were there, it was Disney...bunch of tour buses and limos. Don't miss Rosenblum in the Healdsburg Square. I just got this month's excellent Wine Spectator tasting guide. It has ratings of many wines, prices, etc. Lots of overpriced wines IMO. By the way, Papapietro Perry had something like 6 that received over a 90 rating! So did Gary Ferrell. While visiting Amphora and Papapietro, ask them for advice. I like talking to owners of small wineries and getting personal suggestions. Don't just do the big wineries, you'll miss a lot. Oh, a second to Wilson Winery. NOT to be missed!

kymm

I would highly recommend taking the tour (appt only) at Frog's Leap. Wonderful wines, excellent environmental practices and great people.

rncheryl

Second to A. Rafanelli. When we were there, the owner himself presided over the tasting. Great to see family business succeed. We also really enjoyed Ferrari Carrano; go downstairs for the tasting. You pay a fee, but have it refunded on the wine you order, and you will order...!

Also would add Dry Creek Kitchen for a meal in Healdsburg.

savannah

I like Peju a lot...wonderful mustards that make good gifts..and it's right in the middle of Napa on 29

bill_boy

Oenologists?

Delicatexan

Thanks everybody for the help. I guess "oenologist" should be oenophile? Oh well, you get the idea.

LLindaC

well, as a "biologist", I know that an oenologist is one who has studied wine and understands the chemistry and horticulture associated with the industry. However, a palate is like a musical talent....you can teach someone the notes, but those who possess a natural gift and ear are always the best, IMO. It doesn't take a degree to develop a fine palate and love of wine. We all taste different things in whatever we consume. The key is to find what you love and what you love to consume with the foods you love. Don't let anyone convince you that a $80 bottle of Peju is better than a $30 bottle of Rosenblum. It's all in what you taste. But remember, those overblown and overvisited napa wineries have to pay for the expensive property and the wine they give away to all the drunken bachelorette parties and bus tours. Look for the little guys!

razzledazzle

Well said, Linda !

R5

bill_boy

Nicely posted LLindaC.

But, with the recommended wines so far, all I can surmise is all the massive oak and overly extracted stuff that mask all the defects and any terroir-driven subtleties that the fruit is suppose to show. Everything that's been recommeded taste the same. - massive oak, vanillin, overstracted, ripe, cloying after a few glasses etc. By the way, price has nothing to do with it - if one want's more complexity in one's wine, whether in Napa or in Bordeaux.

Anyway, I have to remember that these are supposedly tourist-recommended wineries, i.e. oak is good.

BTW, I'm not an oenologist, but I also do not believe that any magazine's point rating can make up my taste in wine for me.

calipete

Don't bother with Napa, just drive around Sonoma, you'll get great wine, less traffic, and better scenery.

kawh

As a Sonoma County resident, I have to admire your taste, Calipete! I know that your focus is wine, and not scenery, but we always suggest that our guests drive along Westside Road and stop at the wineries along there. It is a beautiful area and Hop Kiln, and others like them, are good land stewards as well as making fine wine. You can take that road up towards Healdsburg. If you do go to the Napa Valley, make sure you stop for a soak at the Calistoga hot springs. My favorite is Indian Springs-- but there are many.
k.

bill_boy

You posted your admiration for Calipete's taste based on his one short sentence post? Amazing.

mikemo

Beringer's upstairs premium tasting room is/was very special: for about $5., we got to taste some of their best and the tasting fee was applied to a purchase (prob/?? not anymore).
Also, I personally know some of the tasting room folks at Ch. St. Jean and Benzinger if you have any interest there.
M

kawh

billboy. It was a napa vs sonoma county joke. Amazing.

bill_boy

Oh. Okeay then kawh, LOL.

Here's something that you might not find funny.

Forget Sonoma! Napa's where all the WORLD CLASS wines are. Stag's Leap district and Silverado, Carneros district and Spring Mountains have wines and sceneries that are unmatched and un-visited.