What an awesome winery!
We came here yesterday to do some wine tasting. It was pretty late in the day so I think we were the last ones there? We were the only ones there while we were tasting...
Anyway, the guys who did the tasting for us were pretty awesome. I loved that they gave us a little background on each of the wines before we sampled. I LOVED the port that they gave us. It was just a very laid back tasting, but with some really good quality wines.
The Room, not to be confused with their Estate a few minutes away, is super modern. This is where you want to go if you want a quick stop. If you want to tour/cave experience, take the extra time to go to the estate. If you're your timing is right, you may even get to pipette from the barrel!
The Estate:1978 West Zinfandel Lane No Appointment required
The Room: 677 St Helena Highway (Highway 29) By Appointment
The wines are delicious, the employees are knowledgable and friendly.The view is magnificent perfect for enjoying a few glasses of wine during a sunset. The cellar carved into the mountain reminds me of something out of Lord of the Rings.
Schug was not on our original list to visit while in Sonoma, but we happened across it and were glad we did! Its down a dirt road and still feels privately owned which is my preference. We were tasting in the patio area / courtyard which was much more open and nicer than the indoor tasting room. Tasting was 10 dollars for 6 wines and the team was knowledgeable and friendly. Schug is known for their Pinots, but I thought their Carneros Cab Sauv was also really great.
John Christopher Cellars is a family owned boutique winery located in the Livermore Valley producing around 1500 cases of heart and hand crafted wine each year. We offer both red and white wines, with our main focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Syrah. Most of Tom's current focus is on red wine, through Chardonnay is also one of his favorites. Both Chard's are from Livermore Valley grapes and are a favorite among Chardonnay lovers who value lively fruit and a rich buttery finish.
Had an excellent time here. The gentlemen doing the tasting was very personable and informative, I highly recommend.
The atmosphere of the tasting room is simple but modern. You can tell that they put their real energy into the wines. It's a nice stop with the Jimtown Store right next door where you can pick up a tasty sandwich and sit out back looking over the vineyards. When it comes to the people and service, you really get a feel that this is a family run operation. Stephen Hawkes the owner/farmer/winemaker is there every year at the barrel tasting to share the experience and crafted love that goes into these amazing red wines.
Naughty Cellars is now part of Reynolds Family Winery.
The Ehlers family history, within the wine business, began
during the early days of prohibition. Some of the first,
family ancestors arrived in California in 1835 where they
settled in the town of Lockeford and in the town of
Courtland, along the Sacramento river. The more recent
family migrated to California after a brief stay in Minnesota
after arriving from Germany.
The Team at Silt Wine Company Shannon Ogilvie, Phil Ogilivr and Tom Merwin are proud to represent what Clarksburg AVA has to offer to winelovers. This boutigue winery has taken on the name for the rich "silt" soil that is found in the Clarksburg AVA. Silt Wine Company you can experience in you glass a little of what has kept the families at Silt to have roots reaching back generations. Clarksburg AVA offers some of the finest winegrapes produced in California and the folks at Silt are proud to share with you the fruits of their labor. Just outside of Sacramento you can enjoy in every bottle a combination of passion of the Clarksburg farmer and the gift that the rich Delta Soils bring to your glass. *
Hours:
Thur 11:00am to 5:00pm
Fri 11:00am to 5:00pm
Sat 11:00am to 5:00pm
Sun 11:00am to 5:00pm
By Reservation
