Best Sonoma wineries you've never heard of
May 16th, 2012, 07:07 PM
#21
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Mine too, NewbE. Now MacRostie sounds familiar...are they in Sonoma?
We took part in the inaugural Sonoma Reserve event ( Supercilious, was that your reply?) and I believe that they were included in the program. We would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an organized tasting opportunity...good guides and great access to small wineries ( that's how we learned of haywood, one of my personal faves).
We learned of Truett Hurst about 5 years ago through inquiries while tasting at Pedroncelli and both times we have planned to stop by they were closed for a private event! I felt like it was karma that we would never get there. Sounds like we need to try harder!
Starrs- regarding ports...a new interest on our part...have you had the tawny port from DeLoach or Chris Loxton's Shiraz port? Worth pursuing if you have the time!
boom_boom, regarding Mendocino area (totally foreign to us), do you know Jaxon Keyes? and isn't that where Joseph Phelps has the second facility?
We took part in the inaugural Sonoma Reserve event ( Supercilious, was that your reply?) and I believe that they were included in the program. We would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an organized tasting opportunity...good guides and great access to small wineries ( that's how we learned of haywood, one of my personal faves).
We learned of Truett Hurst about 5 years ago through inquiries while tasting at Pedroncelli and both times we have planned to stop by they were closed for a private event! I felt like it was karma that we would never get there. Sounds like we need to try harder!
Starrs- regarding ports...a new interest on our part...have you had the tawny port from DeLoach or Chris Loxton's Shiraz port? Worth pursuing if you have the time!
boom_boom, regarding Mendocino area (totally foreign to us), do you know Jaxon Keyes? and isn't that where Joseph Phelps has the second facility?
May 16th, 2012, 07:12 PM
#22
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Oh, and Bowsprit- my map is old and I didn't know that Beltane Ranch has wine; according to this map they are listed as lodging, not tasting. Are they new to the winemaking business, do you know? We really like Sauv. blanc and would be interested to try theirs.
May 16th, 2012, 07:22 PM
#23
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otherfootloose - Try looking at this link I sent you 3 days ago, if you want an up-to-date map.
http://www.sonoma.com/wineries/featured.html
Also, buy the new WineSpectator, which has maps, and all the specific wineries shown, complete with winery details.
This I mentioned yesterday.
http://www.sonoma.com/wineries/featured.html
Also, buy the new WineSpectator, which has maps, and all the specific wineries shown, complete with winery details.
This I mentioned yesterday.
May 16th, 2012, 08:50 PM
#24
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Thanks Rasta'- I didn't ignore your previous post, I just didn't see MacRostie on the list that is presented on the link, and the map doesn't have it either.
That isn't uncommon because most of the webistes that cater to wine tourism promote wineries that subscribe to the services on that site ( winecountry.com; wineroad.com, etc are other examples) and the very small places don't have the budget to participate, so its not unusual for them to be missing. Just makes the search more interesting!
As for Beltane, its on my map, but the legend lists it as lodging, not a winery...that is why I was asking Bowsprit about it.
And I subscribe to WS, so I have that issue at hand, as a matter of fact! Thoroughly enjoying it, too I might add! =) It offers some great ideas, but you may have noticed that not all wineries in an area are mentioned, just those that are "featured" in the article.
At the moment my research bin is not accessible, so that is why I was having trouble with the locations...I'll try to be better prepared next time.
You mentioned Bedrock earlier...have you had the privledge of tasting Morgan's product?
That isn't uncommon because most of the webistes that cater to wine tourism promote wineries that subscribe to the services on that site ( winecountry.com; wineroad.com, etc are other examples) and the very small places don't have the budget to participate, so its not unusual for them to be missing. Just makes the search more interesting!
As for Beltane, its on my map, but the legend lists it as lodging, not a winery...that is why I was asking Bowsprit about it.
And I subscribe to WS, so I have that issue at hand, as a matter of fact! Thoroughly enjoying it, too I might add! =) It offers some great ideas, but you may have noticed that not all wineries in an area are mentioned, just those that are "featured" in the article.
At the moment my research bin is not accessible, so that is why I was having trouble with the locations...I'll try to be better prepared next time.
You mentioned Bedrock earlier...have you had the privledge of tasting Morgan's product?
May 17th, 2012, 08:34 PM
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MacRostie is a good wine. Their chardonnay is lovely. Too bad they were recently sold.
About 4-5 years ago, some distributor closed out about 20 cases of the chardonnay for $1 a bottle at my local Big Lots.
I always try to take advantage of steals like this.
I live about 90 minutes from Sonoma, and find great bargains like this all too frequently.
About 4-5 years ago, some distributor closed out about 20 cases of the chardonnay for $1 a bottle at my local Big Lots.
I always try to take advantage of steals like this.
I live about 90 minutes from Sonoma, and find great bargains like this all too frequently.
May 17th, 2012, 11:22 PM
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Be sure to visit VJB Vineyards and Cellars in Kenwood on the Sonoma Highway. They make a wonderful Barbera among many other wines. You will love the owners, Vittorio and Maria! The gift shop is filled with Maria's sauces as well as other delights. There is a new tasting room as well. Check out their website.
May 18th, 2012, 03:35 AM
#28
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WOW,Rasta'- I've never been to a Big Lots that sold wine, anyway...but $1/bottle? That IS a deal.
TTOCSGS- When we were last in Sonoma the VJB facility was under some MAJOR construction- is that over with now?
TTOCSGS- When we were last in Sonoma the VJB facility was under some MAJOR construction- is that over with now?
May 18th, 2012, 08:23 AM
#29
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It's pretty much only in California, and mostly in the Bay Area.
BL is a feast or famine kind of place. There will be crap, mostly Fred Franzia's crap, for months on end, followed by a find. It's been crap lately.
The best time, oddly enough, was after Hurrican Katrina. We started seeing high end wine with New Orleans' distributor labels on them. I filled my car cup twice with about 15 cases of wine. Roederer Brut Premier for $6.00 a bottle, and the like.
Speaking of VJB, there's a less expensive version of The Girl and The Fig in Kenwood, called The Fig Cafe. No reservations and corkage fee is zero. The place is packed every night.
BL is a feast or famine kind of place. There will be crap, mostly Fred Franzia's crap, for months on end, followed by a find. It's been crap lately.
The best time, oddly enough, was after Hurrican Katrina. We started seeing high end wine with New Orleans' distributor labels on them. I filled my car cup twice with about 15 cases of wine. Roederer Brut Premier for $6.00 a bottle, and the like.
Speaking of VJB, there's a less expensive version of The Girl and The Fig in Kenwood, called The Fig Cafe. No reservations and corkage fee is zero. The place is packed every night.
May 18th, 2012, 09:45 AM
#30
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Rasta, thanks for reminding me--Dry Creek Kitchen In Healdsburg does not charge corkage fees on any Sonoma wine you bring in, which is a killer deal given the really nice sommelier service they offer.
As for MacRostie, I heard they retained the winemaker after the sale--is that not true? One big change was that they lowered their price points, and are slowly upping production.
As for MacRostie, I heard they retained the winemaker after the sale--is that not true? One big change was that they lowered their price points, and are slowly upping production.
May 18th, 2012, 12:38 PM
#31
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I can see that I have found a good Sonoma resource! Thanks for sharing what you know.
Found a couple of apparently very small places to ask about- anyone know (of) Valdez ( could be Valvez, I've seen both) or Davenport and Co?
These are reportedly Rockpile winemakers in the north county. I've been searching for a couple months and have not seen anything about either one.
Found a couple of apparently very small places to ask about- anyone know (of) Valdez ( could be Valvez, I've seen both) or Davenport and Co?
These are reportedly Rockpile winemakers in the north county. I've been searching for a couple months and have not seen anything about either one.
May 18th, 2012, 09:16 PM
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It's really hard to say which wineries and what wines. We've found that in going to the barreltasting event in Sonoma every year for the past ten years or so that, really, the name of the winery doesn't matter very much, nor the type of grape. Each year we've found something wonderful (to our tastes). One year it was Tara Bella and Thomas George. This year it's Route 128, Ramazotti, Rockpile and Matrix. Our long-time favorites are Davis Family, Mazzocco, Rafanelli's, Trefethen, Sunce, and any number of really small wineries. This year, we picked up a case of Armida's "Poizin" ("the wine to die for"), because somehow this year it tasted better than in past years.
That's the fun of going winetasting! It's all such an individual thing - and the production is so varied year to year and winery to winery.
Enjoy your winetasting experiences!
That's the fun of going winetasting! It's all such an individual thing - and the production is so varied year to year and winery to winery.
Enjoy your winetasting experiences!
May 19th, 2012, 06:40 AM
#33
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You are SO right, easytraveler! Our focus event has been the Sonoma Harvest Fair...not sure how long, but a number of years now. And we found several of your past favorites there. Its just been in very recent times that we learned that there are REALLY small producers out there who don't meet the production criteria for HF and are thus excluded.
Those are the places that have provided us with the "big rush" with their wines, and they are the ones I'm trying to ferret out. Its like a treasure hunt to us.
Some subscribe to the wine travel sites and if you go to the right site you can learn of them, but some spots you just "luck into" through forum/message board situations like this. and that's why I'm here.
You have memntioned a couple that are completely outside my radar: Thomas George and Davis Family...where are they located?
Those are the places that have provided us with the "big rush" with their wines, and they are the ones I'm trying to ferret out. Its like a treasure hunt to us.
Some subscribe to the wine travel sites and if you go to the right site you can learn of them, but some spots you just "luck into" through forum/message board situations like this. and that's why I'm here.
You have memntioned a couple that are completely outside my radar: Thomas George and Davis Family...where are they located?
May 19th, 2012, 07:23 AM
#34
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Here you go, otherfootloose!
Thomas George has this wonderful "cave" - believe it's dug into a hillside.
http://www.thomasgeorgeestates.com/
Davis Family is in Healdsburg but not around the main square. Davis Family is on a side road and by itself and opposite it are a bunch of really small wineries that share space. Camellia is one of the small ones that I remember, we bought a "First Kiss" from them one year - went back the second year and asked if they had produced a "Second Kiss" and they said, alas! no.
http://daviswines.com/
I can't find a website for Camellia, but here are the Yelp reviews to give you some idea. Also the location seems to be called "Old Roma Station", it's one of the highlights for us on any winetasting trip. We usually stock up with something from one of the small wineries
http://www.yelp.com/biz/camellia-cellars-healdsburg
BTW, try the Sonoma barreltasting event which occurs on two weekends in early March.
Thomas George has this wonderful "cave" - believe it's dug into a hillside.
http://www.thomasgeorgeestates.com/
Davis Family is in Healdsburg but not around the main square. Davis Family is on a side road and by itself and opposite it are a bunch of really small wineries that share space. Camellia is one of the small ones that I remember, we bought a "First Kiss" from them one year - went back the second year and asked if they had produced a "Second Kiss" and they said, alas! no.
http://daviswines.com/
I can't find a website for Camellia, but here are the Yelp reviews to give you some idea. Also the location seems to be called "Old Roma Station", it's one of the highlights for us on any winetasting trip. We usually stock up with something from one of the small wineries
http://www.yelp.com/biz/camellia-cellars-healdsburg
BTW, try the Sonoma barreltasting event which occurs on two weekends in early March.
May 19th, 2012, 09:11 AM
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Their website doesn't seem to be active anymore, and the Yelp reviews are a couple of years old.
I found this by digging. "Camellia Cellars. Our award-winning Camellia Cellars closed in June, 2011. Our family and winemakers thank you for your support."
I found this by digging. "Camellia Cellars. Our award-winning Camellia Cellars closed in June, 2011. Our family and winemakers thank you for your support."
May 19th, 2012, 04:10 PM
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OK, since no one has mentioned it, there is the Annapolis Winery in Annapolis in western Sonoma County which is just up the road from the famous Starcross Monastery which makes award-winning olive oil.
Starcross is well known (CNNN, ABC 20-20, etc.) for its work with HIV positive orphans in Eastern Europe and Africa as well as the U.S. All proceeds from their olive oil go to support their programs.
The Scalabrini family owns Annapolis Winery. Though the patriarch, Basil, recently died, his son and daughter-in-law are carrying on the business. There is tasting and a beautiful area for picnics. They have also won several wards over the years in Bay Area wine competitions
Lisa
Starcross is well known (CNNN, ABC 20-20, etc.) for its work with HIV positive orphans in Eastern Europe and Africa as well as the U.S. All proceeds from their olive oil go to support their programs.
The Scalabrini family owns Annapolis Winery. Though the patriarch, Basil, recently died, his son and daughter-in-law are carrying on the business. There is tasting and a beautiful area for picnics. They have also won several wards over the years in Bay Area wine competitions
Lisa
May 19th, 2012, 05:36 PM
#38
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Lisa, this is a bit outside the grid for our upcoming visit, but sounds like something that I need to keep in mind for another time. Thanks for the "heads up" on this facility.
denisea-isn't Bennessere in Napa?
denisea-isn't Bennessere in Napa?
