Wineries
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Most reviews by James Knight. Note: Those listings marked ‘WC’ denote wineries with caves. These wineries are usually only open to the public by appointment. Wineries in these listings appear on a rotating basis.
SONOMA COUNTY Bella Vineyards (WC) Specializing in Zinfandel, Bella Vineyards farms three vineyards in Sonoma County: Big River Ranch in Alexander Valley, and the Lily Hill Estate and Belle Canyon in Dry Creek Valley. 9711 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. Open daily, 11am– 4:30pm. 866.572.3552.
Claypool Cellars “They call me Mister Knowitall, I sup the aged wine.” Sup on Primus frontman’s Purple Pachyderm Pinot Noir and Rhone-style Fancí Blend in wine country’s cutest caboose, a must-see for rock and wine fans alike. 6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Open SaturdaySunday, 1–5pm. 707.861.9358. Iron Horse Despite the rustic tasting room, Iron Horse produces sparkling wine and Pinots for the elite. A brilliant view for winetasting. 209786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol. Open daily, 10am–3:30pm. 707.887.1507.
Korbel Champagne Cellars A large, ivy-covered
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winery with a huge tasting room, fun staff, excellent deli and hourly tours, a perfect stop on the way to the Russian River. 13250 River Road, near Rio Nido. Open daily, 10am– 5pm daily. 707.824.7316.
Mill Creek While the historically inspired building is just spinning a decorative wheel, quaint is just a footnote to quality. All the wines are above average. 1401 Westside Road, Healdsburg. Open daily, 10am–4pm. 707.431.2121. Red Car Wine Co. Lay
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some track to the “Gateway to Graton” and take your palate on a ride with Boxcar Syrah and Trolley Pinot from Sonoma Coast vineyards. Next stop: Côte-Rôtie on the way to Beaune. 8400 Graton Road, Sebastopol. Open daily, 10am-5pm. Tasting fee $10. 707.829.8500.
Sonoma Valley Portworks Although it’s a small-time crime to call a wine “port” what wasn’t made in Portugal, it’s all on the level here at the home of DECO California Port. Everybody gets a button: “Lick my glass!” 613 Second St., Petaluma. Thursday–Monday, noon to 5pm. No fee. 707.769.5203.
Thomas George Estates Pinot pioneer Davis Bynum hung up the hose clamp and sold his estate, but the good wine still flows in remodeled tasting room featuring a long bar and vineyard videos. Russian River Chard, Pinot and Zin; sweet berry flavors and long-lasting finishes. Wine caves. 8075 Westside Road, Healdsburg. 11am–5pm, daily. Tasting fee, $15. 707.431.8031.
Truett-Hurst Newly planted biodynamic estate features patio seating, gardens, steelhead habitat, plus frisky goats and sheep. Taste brambly Zin and “Burning Man” Petite Sirah in airy, barnlike house, furnished with rough-hewn recycled materials. 5610 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. Tasting, 11am–5pm daily, no fee. 707.433.9545.
Wine Guerrilla Comrade, it brings glory to the revolution to inform you that this artistic, quixotic all-Zinfandel brand now has its own spacious tasting room in downtown Forestville. I’d say that these screw-capped but definitely serious Zins are worthy of cellaring, but that would be so bourgeois. 6671 Front St., Forestville. Daily, 11am–5pm. Tasting fee, $10. 707.887.1996.
NAPA COUNTY Cain Think you know about what food to pair with Napa Valley “mountain grown” Cabernet Sauvignon? How about sake-marinated poached cod in a light broth? Yeah, it is different up here. 3800 Langtry Road,
St. Helena. Tour and tasting by appointment only, Monday– Friday, 10am and 11:30am; Saturday, 10am and noon. $35. 707.963.1616.
Corison Winery Winemaker Cathy Corison proudly describes herself as a “Cabernet chauvinist.” 987 St. Helena Hwy., St. Helena. By appointment. 707.963.0826.
Far Niente (WC) Far Niente was founded in 1885 by John Benson, a ’49er of the California Gold Rush and uncle of the famous American impressionist painter Winslow Homer. The estate boasts beautiful gardens as well as the first modern-built wine caves in North America. 1350 Acacia Drive, Napa. By appointment. 707.944.2861. Jericho Canyon Vineyard Oh boy, boutique Napa Cab from celebrity consultant Michel Rolland and high-rollers who used to spend half the year in Hawaii? Well, yeah, but they’re super nice, work hard, and their wines are tops. Cab and Sauv Blanc. 3322 Old Lawley Toll Road, Calistoga. Tour and tasting by appointment only, $30. 707.942.9665.
Krupp Brothers Estates The story of Stagecoach Vineyards is of extremes: two miles end-toend. One billion pounds of rock extracted. Seventy wineries buy the fruit; the Krupps release 2,000 cases including Black Bart Marsanne. 3265 Soda Canyon Road, Napa. Tours by appointment, $25. 707.260.0514. Tasting at A Dozen Vintners, 3000 Hwy. 29, St. Helena. Daily, 10am-5pm. 707.967.0666.
Madonna Estate Millennial contingent of multigenerational family winery, once known as Mount St. John, finds success running it old-school: touristy, oldfashioned, and wildly popular. Refreshing Gewürztraminer for summer picnics. 5400 Old Sonoma Road, Napa. Daily 10am to 5pm; $5–$10. 707.255.8864.