Tucked in a corner in Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg is the tasting room of Smith Story. It’s a welcoming storefront with a beautiful garden patio. Ali Smith and Eric Story are the couple behind the wine. Katy Wilson is their consulting winemaker and Dusty Rhodes their hospitality director. And not to be left out in any way is Lord Sandwich, the canine behind it all. … Continue reading Picpoul & Bourboulenc?
On one of the hottest days this summer we visited Gary Farrell Vineyard & Winery. It’s located in one of the coolest regions in Sonoma’s wine country but we were experiencing a heat wave. The temperature was hitting 100 degrees. Tasting outdoors was not going to be an option. Their facility sits well above the river off Westside Road and on a normal day you’d … Continue reading Russian River Valley Winery
Mauritson Winery makes a number of wines under the labels – Mauritson, Rockpile, Charlie Clay and Loam. They are all award-winning, estate grown, exceptional wines Clay Mauritson, owner, and winemaker, Emma Hall are responsible for. This week we participated in tasting the release of Mauritson’s 2019 Loam wines. It was truly a wonderful opportunity to relax in the winery’s library and try these three wines … Continue reading 2019 Release Tasting
We had friends from Florida visiting recently who were interested in tasting Pinot Noir wines, in particular Papapietro Perry. It has been several years since we were there so we were looking forward to a return. Their tasting room is off Dry Creek Road, north of Healdsburg alongside several tasting rooms as well as winemaking facilities. Their tasting room is what I would call “casual … Continue reading Papapietro Perry
We visited Lancaster Estate a year ago and had an exceptional tasting in their cave. Returning a few weeks ago we reserved an outdoor tasting and lucked into perfect weather and the perfect host. Lancaster is on Chalk Hill Road in Alexander Valley. The drive up Chalk Hill Road from Windsor is gorgeous but you can also drive in from Geyserville which is just as … Continue reading Return Visit to Lancaster Estate
Currently Closed Tucked away in Bacchus Landing is a unique tasting room –13th & Third. This boutique winery produces their Rhone style wines in Paso Robles but their tasting room is here in Healdsburg. Gregg Rothenberg and wife Julie are the passion behind the wine. They’re New Yorkers who met on 13th & Third in the city, married, and made the move to California to … Continue reading Paso Wines in Healdsburg
In 2015 Comstock Wines opened its doors on a 17 acre site along Dry Creek Road. Kelly Comstock Ferris is the General Manager and Chris Russi the winemaker. Together they have created a wonderful array of experiences with great wines. The tasting room is expansive offering both indoor and outdoor tastings. There is a bocce court for those who require more than wine and a … Continue reading On Dry Creek Road…….
Just about halfway between the town of Healdsburg and the Hacienda Bridge in Forestville is Arista Winery. 36 acres in what is known as the Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley. Here they focus on making exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from their estate grapes and from a handful of the areas finest growers. The McWilliams family and winemaker Matt Courtney are responsible … Continue reading Tasting at Arista
There is a new complex in Healdsburg off Westside Road that is quietly opening this summer called Bacchus Landing. We stopped in last week to have a look. There isn’t much signage in or around the facility to direct you but there are in fact a few businesses open and happy to see visitors. In the huge and empty courtyard of Bacchus Landing we met … Continue reading New in Healdsburg
Armida Winery has one of my favorite Sonoma views. It’s set on a hillside off Westside Road just south of Healdsburg. Their view is across the vineyards of the Dry Creek Valley, past “J” and Rodney Strong Vineyards to Chalk Hill, Fountaingrove, and in the far distance, Mt. St Helena. It’s gorgeous and the perfect spot to relax, open a bottle of their wine and … Continue reading Armida
John's Wine Cellar 