In the Dry Creek Valley just below Lake Sonoma sits Cast Wines. It’s perched on a hillside with views for what seems like miles across the valley, beyond Bella Vineyard. We were there pre-Covid for Passport To Dry Creek not long after the winery had opened. They’ve expanded extensively since then. Their wine making facility is on site along with an interesting array of venues … Continue reading Sensational View
Just east of downtown Sonoma along 8th Street you’ll find Patz & Hall. It’s a stunning facility with a tasting bar and indoor and outdoor casual seating. Single-vineyard, limited-production Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines are what Patz & Hall are all about. They have established exceptional relationships with some of the best growers throughout the region and the Central Coast enabling them to create some … Continue reading Patz & Hall
If you’re lucky enough to live in the area, events at Grand Cru Custom Crush are not to be missed. After attending their well-done event in June of 2019 I made sure to keep track of future events they were scheduling. Grand Cru is a crush facility in Windsor, California. 20 or more family wineries share the facility for the production and tasting of their … Continue reading Grand Cru’s Summer Event
You can’t visit a winery much older in Dry Creek than A. Rafanelli. Four generations have worked the land growing grapes and making wine here. Alberto and Letizia Rafanelli began planting and farming in the early 1900’s and today David Rafanelli and his daughter Shelly continue the farming and the production of truly excellent wine. The tasting room is as traditional as they get. Just … Continue reading Wine and a Story…..
We had the pleasure of being invited to a private dinner at the Skiptone Estate just outside of Geyserville. Patricia Smith was our host and met us with a pouring of Skipstone’s Rose de Constance Champagne. It’s produced in conjunction with Diebolt-Vallois and named after Skipstone’s owner’s wife. We had never been to Skipstone so this was a treat! A long private lane brings you … Continue reading Dinner at Skipstone
Joan and Walt Flowers made two trips each year to California to purchase seeds for their nursery in my home turf of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Those trips gave them more access to California wines, and most certainly fueled their growing passion for them. That passion got the best of them and they purchased land along the Pacific Coast on Camp Meeting Ridge thus beginning Flowers … Continue reading Flowers
When Governor Newsom gave the o.k. for wineries and tasting rooms to reopen we were quick to venture out. Yes, there were and continue to be limitations, rules, and masks of course, but it seemed worth abiding the rules to have a relaxing afternoon trying a new winery. We were met by Alice Hunter the winery’s manager who gave us a wonderfully in-depth background on … Continue reading Marimar Estate
Silver Cloud, a 160-acre property on Cavedale Road is up, and I mean up, a winding road nearly to the Sonoma – Napa County line. It’s an incredible vineyard on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains that is part of the Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery. Silver Cloud, located outside Glen Ellen, is quite a destination. Once an old mountain cabin, it is … Continue reading Out of the way and special!
A favorite annual event in support of our premier center for the arts – Luther Burbank is being held online this year. Excellent wine lots and trips to get your hands on! For our eastern friends – 4 nights at the Four Seasons DC is a great choice! The auction runs May 3-9. It is definitely worth creating an account just to view the fantastic … Continue reading Bid for Wine and More
There is no excuse for your wine supply to dwindle. Thanks Wine Road! Salud! Continue reading 50 Ways to Get Your Wine!
John's Wine Cellar 