Tagging along with a friend to Sonoma this Saturday for business and was wondering if there are any good wineries along the Highway 12 corridor between kenwood & Glen Ellen?
Or in that general area?
TIA
Geez, Tico. It’s all of about 4 miles and Google Maps are your friends.
Now . . . off the top of my head . . .
Arrowood
Ch. St. Jean
B. R. Cohn
Kenwood
St. Francis
Audelssa
Old Hill Vineyard is right behind B. R. Cohn and there’s a winery, Bucklin, there. Don’t know if they accept visitors.
Now . . . forget the wineries. Drag your butt into Santa Rosa and have a beer at Russian River Brewing. Stop and check out the really old zinfandel vines along Route 12 - especially near Kenwood on the west side of the road - one of which I think is Pagani Ranch. Drive up Moon Mountain Road and check out the view from Monte Rosso vineyard. Cabot knows the vineyard manager, so maybe you can get a tour. Eat a taco in Agua Caliente. Have an experience.
Tyler -
our tasting room is in Kenwood, just a bit north of Warm Springs Road. i’d be happy to pour for you and your guest on Saturday if you can make it by. we’re open from 12 - 6, and if you’re in the area earlier than that just let me know and i can open earlier if need be.
cheers!
Paul
We had a great visit with Paul last July. I also agree with the Audelssa rec (they hadn’t opened their Glen Ellen tasting room yet, so we visited the mountain; your trip will be much easier now!).
Tyler, I live in Kenwood and also cut my teeth in the industry there, so I believe I know the wineries quite well.
Must stops – Audelssa, Enkidu, Loxton
Chateau St. Jean and St. Francis are the two “big” wineries I would recommend. Plenty of solid wines, and beautiful venues. St. Francis has been seeking out some fruit from quality vineyards recently and it shows with a general improvement in their wine.
Places to go with decent/above average wine, but great atmosphere and people – Eric Ross, VJB, Ty Caton/Muscardini.
Kaz is always a good time
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(Behind Landmark)
Landmark
Kunde
Imagery
Benziger
I really like the Imagery tasting room because of the great art collection that they have. Sure, it’s not museum quality, but they have some artists that are in museums on their walls (if that makes sense). Sol Lewitt comes to mind.
I do not like Ch. St. Jean. While I like their wine, when I went last year and found that their tasting room was an excuse to sell you anything and everything.
The people at Sr. Francis seem to have a bit of an attitude, more than I’m used to in Sonoma (but have been drinking their wine for years).
Benzinger is fine – good wines too (it’s right by Imagery, its little sister).
Arrowood isn’t bad. And IIRC you could fall down the hill from Imagery and into their tasting room.
In addition to what was already mentioned…one that I have enjoyed is Loxton… which has some nice syrah and zinfandels. Also VJB for some Italian Varietals, and the cafe next to it, has some very nice food… I believe it is Cafe Citti…
Enjoy…
If you can continue south from there into downtown Sonoma, I’d highly recommend visiting Sojourn (which requires an appointment).
Great tasting salon experience, great wines, reasonable prices, passionate people. You’ll see lots of positive experiences from others on this and other boards.
+1
thanks for the info everyone!
I am tagging along with a buddy who is picking up some stuff at CSJ so we will definitely taste there. Maybe hit up a few others including some board members reco’s above!
Some is a repeat, but:
Audelssa, Arrowood, Enkidu, Ty Caton, St. Jean reserve room.
Ditto Landmark.
I was there in September and they have top rate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that do not make it to retail stores. It is definitely putting out excellent wine.
Good recommendation (along with many others here) - Chris is a fun guy to talk to, and has a really unique and enjoyable winemaking style. His Pinot this last year was really fantastic.
Awesome suggestions. Well done.
Tom