Best Tasting Room You Ever Visited

Bob_Wood · February 19, 2009, 11:12pm

Here’s mine.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · February 19, 2009, 11:27pm

No pics, but Shafer.

Kara_VanCorbach · February 19, 2009, 11:30pm

Whose house is that? Errr I mean tasting room?

Bob_Wood · February 20, 2009, 12:08am

It’s David Coffaro’s tasting room/barrel room/home theater/gym/office. He looks a bit like Jerry Garcia except Jerry’s dead, and he’s a tireless tinkerer. He’s rarely bottled a wine that wasn’t blended, often with something unusual. For example, the “Estate Cuvee” this year is zin, cabernet, carignane and peloursin.

Brandon_Miller · February 20, 2009, 12:12am

That is SICK! I want one

Randy_Bowman · February 20, 2009, 12:25am

Depending on what Carrie opens for “Tasting & Research.”

Tyler_Rico · February 20, 2009, 1:11am

David Coffaro’s spot is awesome during the RRV wine road. 16+ barrel samples to be had, food and a loud music videos playing on the projector.

Chris_Freemott · February 20, 2009, 2:16am

http://www.fidelitaswines.com/modern_shed.htm

This is the winery at Red Mountain for Fidelitas. Charlie throws one hell of a party during open house week.

Great view and great food.

Jorge_Henriquez · February 20, 2009, 2:42am

I liked Vistalba (Carlos Pulenta) in Mendoza quite a bit.
Achaval Ferrer was also quite nice.

Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l · February 20, 2009, 3:13am

Bob - David’s former assistant has a label called Periscope Cellars here in Emeryville (home to Premier Cru) and his space looks very similar…just add the kitchen from Top Chef SF, which was actually filmed in his space. The oven is amazing…

LMD_Ermitano · February 20, 2009, 3:37am

It really depends what we’re talking about.

In terms of streamlined, elegant modernity, I’d have to go with Latour:

In terms of welcoming, honest simplicity, it’s a toss up between Léon Beyer’s at Eguisheim…

…and Canon La Gaffelière at St-Emilion.

Jack_Bulkin · February 20, 2009, 4:50am

Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino

I was provided with a private tasting in their kitchen ( tasting area) of a ten year vertical of their wines.
We ate a lovely tuscan bean soup, several local olive oils with fresh crusty loaf and I met the assitant wine maker who was drop dead gorgeous. She alone was worth the 5 hour visit and 2 hour drive back to San Gimigano.

Jeff_Pf0h1 · February 20, 2009, 9:13am

Weinbach, just in their sitting room.
Shafer for Napa although I vaguely remember being at Del Dotto
de Vogue
Krug

Terence_T-Bone_Livingston · February 20, 2009, 2:01pm

Frass Canyon offers really big pours! Usually something in a Meritage. Always unfiltered.

LMD_Ermitano · February 20, 2009, 2:15pm

I was at Weinbach not long ago and I am just curious what about their sitting room was paticularly memorable for you?

Jeff_Pf0h1 · February 21, 2009, 12:27am

It was more the personal aspect. Visiting wineries normally involves a corporate feel, a corporate cellar, the standard cellar barrel room tour. Here we were, literally sitting in their home. And then of course there was lunch with the family.

LMD_Ermitano · February 21, 2009, 1:15am

Yes, the personal touch definitely matters a lot. I see that much more in Burgundy, Alsace and even the Loire rather than, generally, in Bordeaux (the Médoc in particular, right bank owners are generally friendlier). There are exceptions, of course, and if one knows the owners themselves and/or has prior introductions from common friends. One notable exception is Stephan von Neipperg.

Jack_Bulkin · February 21, 2009, 1:51am

Looks like you got the Count all hot and sweaty.

LMD_Ermitano · February 21, 2009, 1:59am

You’re a funny guy.

Actually, that was early June 2006, it was incredibly hot in France - even by Philippine standards. The tasting room was cool enough, but we had just come from the vineyards where it was blistering.

N

Jack_Bulkin · February 21, 2009, 2:16am

No explanations necessary. I have met the man several times and his Old Spice Stick worked better in my presence.