Hartford Family Winery is in the Russian River Valley just outside the town of Forestville. It’s rather an oasis tucked in the vineyards and surrounded by Redwood forests. We visited midweek during a summer hot spell which probably explains why we had the place nearly to ourselves. We’ve been here other times when its been extremely busy. This was a refreshing change!

Ruthanne was our host and could not have been more warm and welcoming. Hartford makes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel wines. They produce wines from at least 21 vineyards on their estate, from the Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley and Carneros appellations.

In addition to the tasting menu wines we tried the 2021 Anderson Valley Velvet Sisters Pinot Noir and the 2019 Santa Rita Hills Truly Rita Pinot Noir. Both were exceptional. Ruthanne used the descriptor ‘red licorice’ to describe the nose on the Velvet Sisters and she was so right on!

Hartford offers a charcuterie plate that is by far, one of the best we’ve had at a tasting. We shared it along with a bottle of Truly Rita.

Some wineries are so worth returning to time and again. Hartford is one of those!

Thank you Ruthanne for such a terrific tasting.

Salud!

Notes: Hartford also has a tasting room in downtown Healdsburg across from the plaza.