Laughter at Ledson

WINE TALK
1

While up in wine country last week, some friends recommended that I stop by Ledson in Sonoma to entertain myself. Apparently, they used to have a sign out front that said “Cult Wine Tasting today.” That sign wasn’t there, but it is a rather silly place in the Monty Python sense of the term:

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Obviously, a GREAT DEAL of $$ was put into the building, the property, the landscaping, etc. The wines, though, were just so-so for me–mostly overly tannic and underfruited. They are on the pricy side for what is in the bottle, and they seem to get fruit from a wide variety of counties without much rhyme or reason.

Anyway, most of the entertainment was in the tasting room. The main pourer in my room was kind of full of himself. I asked him, for example, about the total case production, and the answer was about 40,000 cases a year. When I asked why the wines weren’t sold in retail stores or in restaurants, he smirked and said “that’s because we’re the boutique of boutique wineries.” Oh brother.

I could go on and on, but much of the wine information being doled out was either inaccurate or irrelevant. I was told later that the tasting room staff get bonuses based on how much they sell, and there is definitely a hard sales vibe in the tasting room. He was trying to explain why the wine club offering two cases a year at about $1,200 was a great deal “because you’re saving so much off the regular price.”

Has anyone else visited this place?

Bruce

2

Visited… yes! Gorgeous! We liked the deli, and bought a few items.

Purchased wine…no, for the reasons you so accurately stated. [snort.gif]

3

OMG … look at this. They make an Orlando Cepeda “Baby Bull” Zinfandel.

flirtysmile

4

So, is this like the V. Sattui of Sonoma?

5

I saw Paul Kantner @ their tasting room on The Square a few years ago. I also recall the wines being very grippy.

6

I went there once must be over ten years ago. Never been back for obvious reasons.

7

I am not a fan. It’s too expensive, there are too many people, the wines are not to my liking and the pourers too pushy. I go to Loxton when I am on that side of Sonoma.

Bill

8

There is a good Thai place in Sonoma Square just a few yards away. I like the patio eating there but the wines are just okay. They sell a ton of it right off the premises. The foot traffic on that street is ridiculous. Napa has nothing like it.

9

My wife makes me go every time because she likes the building and the gardens. Ive liked 2 of their wines but I didnt buy any and I cant remember which wines. They make a whole bunch of different bottlings. The deli is good for sure. Not quite as good a deli as Vsuttui though. Not as many people either not by a long shot.

10

My boss is a member there and so I generally get quite to taste quite a bit of the wine when I visit his house. Your description of the wines & tasting room is right on, they are overpriced and quite full of themselves, although the cult wine banner I think was tongue-in-cheek. I don’t mind drinking the wines when I don’t need to pay for them.

I stopped by there once since I needed to use up some B&W film in my camera and the brickwork seemed like a good target. The grounds are certainly beautiful, until the next earthquake I guess…
pileon

11

The place is a joke. It’s the last place I’d ever recommend to someone.

12

The estate on Hwy 12 looks interesting from the road, but I can never bring myself to taste at a winery that has multiple limos parked out front - and this place seems to get a constant stream.

I have looked at the menu that is out in front of their room/bar on Sonoma Square. $50 for a RRV appellation pinot from a non-specialist producer?? [scratch.gif] I’m sure they do well considering both locations and the luxury vibe that they give - God knows their margins have to be massive selling sub-par juice customer direct at inflated prices.

13

Roy,
I know where you mean but I think Bruce went to the palace out on Sonoma Hgwy.
And that Thai place rocks - best green curry I ever had.
Best, Jim

14

Joke is right! We went in there once, years ago, because we had to see what this new monstrosity was all about. Some of the most overoaked gawd-awful wines I’ve ever had, and the tasting room staff were extras in the movie “Boiler room”. I have never experienced such a hard sell anywhere. With every taste, the pourer would use some glowing words to describe the wine, and ask if I wanted to take home a case. I’m sure it’s a magnet for unsuspecting tourists driving by on 12, but I always try to persuade people to stay far, far away. Hope that’s not too judgmental :wink:
Cheers

15

Or like Peju without Lisa…

[bye.gif]