Northern California Wineries You Can Discuss with

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For my birthday this yr, I made up our minds to discuss with a handful of Northern California wineries in partnership with Discuss with California. Although I have been to Sonoma, I had by no means skilled Napa or that hidden gem of wineries, Lake County.

View of vineyard with mountains in background.

All of us suppose California first when making plans a wine tasting travel, and rightfully so with one of the vital highest wine areas on the planet.

However do you know the Golden State is the fourth-largest wine-producing area in all of the international? The US falls fourth in the back of Italy, France, and Spain, basically as a result of California produces 80% of US wine and 95% of the rustic’s wine exports. California wine is beautiful particular, and we have been excited to discuss with some new spots.

Each and every unmarried vineyard in this listing has produced award-winning wines, so a discuss with to any of those wineries can be a deal with.

Whether or not you pass wine tasting with buddies, e book a personal tasting, or attend one of the crucial many wine-tasting stories, you’re going to like those wineries in Northern California.

Although I did this travel over about 5 days, it’s essential make an afternoon travel of visiting the wineries in every county.

When you’re pondering of visiting Southern California, ensure to take a look at my favourite Santa Barbara eating places. You’ll to find numerous superb puts to style wine, there, too.

The place is that this Area of Northern California?

All 3 areas and 11 northern California wineries we visited are simply north of the San Francisco Bay space, so that you’ll fly into San Francisco World Airport and hire a automobile for the travel.

In Napa, most of the wineries are shut in combination, some have been even strolling distance from our room on the Harvest Inn. However issues are extra unfold out in Sonoma and much more so in Lake County.

Every vineyard is marked at the map underneath, so you should definitely come again and seek advice from it while you’re able to begin exploring.

Sonoma County Wineries

Sonoma is in reality the biggest wine manufacturer amongst those 3 counties. It’s additionally the biggest space geographically, so has extra vineyards and wineries.

It’s a lovely space with stunning surroundings, making it an ideal holiday vacation spot. As a result of the huge array of soil sorts and microclimates, greater than 60 grape sorts are grown in Sonoma wine nation, generating a various vary of scrumptious wines.

Tip: To avoid wasting a package deal, you’ll acquire a Sonoma County Tasting Cross for 1 day, 2 days, or 30 days. This move has numerous loose tastings!

Francis Ford Coppola Vineyard

We’ve been participants of Coppola Vineyard in Geyserville for roughly twelve years, getting quarterly shipments in their pink wines. There may be much more to do at this vineyard than style, so you’ll want to take time to discover!

Woman sitting at table at winery holding glass of red wine.

After all, wine tasting is the rationale the general public discuss with wine nation, Coppola integrated.

When you don’t have a reservation, you’ll need to step within the living room for a tasting on the Primary Bar. That is complimentary for wine participants and $25 for guests.
Reservations are advisable for a seated tasting at the Terrace, which takes about 45 mins. This tasting flight is $20 for wine participants and $40 for guests.
You’ll be able to additionally take a complimentary excursion of the valuables as a wine member. Visitor pay $10 plus tax every for this revel in. Reservations are strongly inspired.

We participated in a seated tasting within as an alternative of the Terrace Tasting because it was once drizzling out of doors, however it was once beautiful.

Up to we drink Coppola’s pink wines, my husband stated he’s forgotten how a lot he loved their Chardonnays. Wager we’ll be ordering Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay one day!

After your tasting, discover the memorabilia from Francis Ford Coppola’s films. It is a self guided excursion so take your time exploring the Academy Awards, props like Don Corleone’s table from The Godfather, and a sneak peek at Coppola’s upcoming film.

If the elements is heat (Would possibly 4th- September twenty ninth), make plans to discuss with the pool space. That is slightly the revel in so you should definitely test it out and e book as some distance upfront as you’ll.

Have lunch or dinner at Rustic Eating place. They’ve numerous possible choices at the menu, that includes Francis Ford Coppola’s favorites, and be offering day by day specials, so you should definitely ask. The parts are massive so stay that during thoughts.

Salmon on top of grains and spinach with sauce.

Jordan Winery & Vineyard

This was once our 2d discuss with to the Jordan Winery & Vineyard in Healdsburg and it’s nonetheless certainly one of our favorites.

Bottle of white wine with napkins in front and glasses in back.

Our final discuss with was once ten years in the past for the Jordan Vineyard Property Excursion and Tasting, so we have been ready to take a trip out during the vineyards and notice what else they have been increasing in addition to revel in a tasting out of doors amidst the vineyards.

This discuss with began with a champagne welcome toast and excursion of the ancient oak wine tanks room at the side of a tasting of the Jordan Russian River Valley Chardonnay and hors d’oeuvre.

Large oak barrels with smaller barrels in the middle.

Subsequent was once a tasting of the Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon within the Grand Library of the Vineyard’s Château.

In the end, we took a stroll thru a secret door into the French-inspired cellar room for a small staff seated wine pairing with meals ready by means of Government Chef Jesse Mallgren.

Large table set with food pairings and wine glasses.

That is this sort of particular solution to style wines at Jordan. Take a look at all their excursions sooner than you pass. When you’d love to revel in the wine excursion we took, it’s known as Uncover the Château.

Cline Circle of relatives Cellars

Although we didn’t have time to discuss with Cline Circle of relatives Cellars in Sonoma Valley this time, we have been participants for years and nonetheless love their wines. We discovered Cline on a relatives holiday again in 2014, and it’s the easiest vineyard to discuss with when you’ve got children with you. Mother and Dad can experience wine tastings whilst taking the children on a self-guided excursion of the valuables.

Lake County Wineries

After a few days in Sonoma, we headed north of Napa and Sonoma to Lake County, excited to discover wineries and vineyards there. The power to Kelseyville was once about an hour from Geyserville, with stunning perspectives and loads of twists and turns my husband beloved. I used to be glad to let him power!

Although Napa and Sonoma wineries are generally nearer in combination, there’s something actually particular in regards to the broad open area of Lake County. For the ones within the California Gold Rush, there’s additionally numerous historical past in there.

In Lake County, you’ll to find greater than 30 wineries, the cleanest air within the Golden State, Transparent Lake – The usa’s oldest lake, a strong arts and leisure scene, and native artisan retail outlets. I want we’d had extra time to discover! Thankfully, we did find time for the 5 wineries indexed underneath.

Shannon Circle of relatives of Wines

We spent a few hours with Pleasure Merrilees, the Head of Manufacturing, and Jerónimo Da Valle, winemaker at Shannon Circle of relatives of Wines. It’s so amusing to hang around with different wine enthusiasts, and we may have stayed all day!

Two women and two men at bar for wine tasting with bartender in background.

We began the excursion with a tumbler of glowing wine, their Cricket Farms Brut Rosé, adopted by means of the 2023 Clay Shannon Sauvignon Blanc and 2023 Rosé.

Bottle of rosé wine with glass with small tasting.

The Sauvignon Blanc was once particularly simple to drink, with a crisp, brilliant taste. We took a smash from tasting and explored a little bit of the valuables with Pleasure and Jerónimo, who hails from Argentina. Pleasure and Jerónimo’s hobby for winemaking makes you wish to have to be informed extra, and they’re glad to percentage and solution questions.

Following the vineyard excursion we started the pink tasting revel in with the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was once superb. Subsequent was once the 2019 Ovis Cabernet Sauvignon, which my husband and I knowingly gave every different the glance that we might be ordering this one for house.

Bottle of red wine next to glass with tasting.

Ovis is Latin for sheep, and because the Shannon relatives has sheep which might be “wooly caretakers” in their vineyards, this small lot assortment can pay homage to them.

It was once interesting to be informed about how the sheep feed at the grasses and put again advisable micro organism into the soil. It’s an excellent partnership. We tasted the 2020 Dollar Shack Zinfandel, elderly in bourbon barrels, and the 2020 Clay Shannon Pink Mix, and I beloved them each

Shannon Circle of relatives of Wines has a different bargain for your first discuss with of fifty% off your order with a flat $10 delivery. We joined the wine membership and have already got our cargo. I’m having a look ahead to tasting our subsequent cargo and sharing it with buddies. By means of the best way, wine golf equipment can prevent a package deal, so in the event you to find one thing you’re keen on, sign up for!

And talking of buddies, the staff at Shannon makes you are feeling like you might be a part of theirs. It was once an effective way to start out our exploration of Lake County.

Boatique Vineyard

No, that isn’t a typo. The Boatique Vineyard in reality has a stupendous vintage boat at the premises. The title is a play at the phrases boat and boutique vineyard.

The small vineyard tasting room while you first input Boatique is comfortable, however there’s extra seating to be had when they’re busy. It was once cold after we have been there, and I beloved the bonus of having the ability to sit down by means of the fireplace whilst finding out about their wines.

We loved the 2021 Pinot Noir and 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon in addition to a tasting of the 2020 Madi’s Muse Property Pink and 2020 Runabout Property Pink, that have been beautiful.

Boatique has a couple of possible choices for tastings, together with seasonal sundown tastings. Guide on their website online or give them a decision.

You’ll be able to in reality keep on a winery proper subsequent door in The Cottage. Extra on that coming quickly!

Brassfield Property Vineyard

Although we didn’t have time to discuss with, a consultant from Brassfield Property Vineyard joined us for dinner so we have been ready to style among the wines from any other Lake County vineyard.

Bottle of red wine with glass and more bottles in the background.

Brassfield Vineyard is understood for his or her hand made wines and sustainable farming. What was once as soon as a 1600-acre farm animals ranch is now a winery.

Do you know the ground a part of the valley (known as the valley flooring) is very best for increasing grapes as it’s extra fertile? Vines increasing on mountains are extra uncovered and battle, no longer ready to supply up to the ones within the valley.

That unquestionably doesn’t imply one is best than the opposite. With the mountainside grapes, the battle produces much less however what it does produce is extra concentrated. This ends up in wines with bolder flavors. That’s your wine lesson for the day!

View of vineyard in Northern California.

Brassfield has vineyards at the prime valley flooring in addition to the volcanic ridges, generating all kinds of grapes. I want we’d had time to discuss with, however we have been ready to style the Serenity Rosé of Pinot Noir and the 2022 Pinot Gris, which I beloved.

We additionally tasted the 2019 Syrah and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, each paired neatly with the lamb lollipops I used to be consuming.

Additionally they be offering tasting charges waived with the acquisition of 2 bottles, so head out and order the charcuterie board to pair with one bottle and take the opposite one house. A bottle of excellent wine and a charcuterie board is heaven for me!

Take a look at the website online and plan to discuss with while you’re in Lake County.

Six Sigma Ranch & Vineyard

If you realize the title and are questioning what the connection is, Kaj Ahlmann had an extended a success occupation in asset control, ceaselessly the usage of the Six Sigma technique in his industry technique. Nowadays, he makes use of the Six Sigma strategies within the increasing of grapes and winemaking.

Man seated in front of a fire pit holding a glass of red wine.

We had such a lot amusing at Six Sigma Ranch & Vineyard, in part as a result of there’s such a lot to do, but in addition for the reason that relatives is simply so darn great! This family-owned vineyard was once certainly one of our favourite stops whilst in Lake County.

Hand holding a glass of rosé wine in front of a vineyard.

Once we arrived, we jumped right into a Pinzgauer, which is sort of a Hummer on steroids!

Woman stepping down from big military truck.

The trip was once such a lot amusing, and we stopped to have a tasting in their Wildflower Picnics Rosé whilst Christian Ahlmann, Kaj’s son and President of Six Sigma Vineyard, advised us in regards to the vineyards whilst we loved the breathtaking surroundings.

It is a wine tasting revel in any person can do on Saturdays, so give them a decision and set it up. It’s most effective $25 according to individual and a wine tasting is integrated. Assembly with the grape growers isn’t one thing you’ll do in every single place.

The Level Trainer Prevent Tasting Room was once in reality a stagecoach forestall within the 1800s, and also you actually must pass in and read the wine, meals, and reward pieces you’ll take house. You’ll additionally see books about Topper the Pig, who you’ll meet and feed acorns. He’s beautiful lovable!

We loved a tasting in their 2021 Marianne’s Rosé, 2019 Diamond Mine Pink Mix, 2018 Cuvée Annette, and the 2019 Reserve Tempranillo. The Tempranillo was once my non-public favourite.

Six Sigma Ranch has actions all month lengthy, like Paella evening at the first Wednesday, weekly guided hikes, Ranch Desk Dinners, and barrel tastings. Take a look at the website online or Fb web page for the agenda.

Wild Diamond Vineyards

The perspectives from Wild Diamond Vineyards are impressive because it sits at a 2,200-foot elevation. With 9,000+ acres of vineyards, this assets turns out to move on eternally. Did I point out the ones perspectives?

Blue Adirondack chairs on patio with view of vineyard and mountains.

The pink volcanic soils, blended with heat days and funky nights, are ideal for grape-growing.

Tastings are to be had Thursday thru Sunday from 10:30 a.m. till 4 p.m. with prolonged hours till 6 starting in Would possibly. You’ll be able to stroll in, however reservations are inspired.

I’d counsel you take a look at certainly one of their Rhone varietals below the label Dumb Success. We loved the 2016 Grenache, with flavors of citrus, berries, and highly spiced cinnamon.

Bottle of red wine next to a glass of wine with food in background.

We additionally actually preferred the Wild Diamond 2016 Cabernet Franc, which gained a ranking of 90 from Wine Fanatic. I assumed this was once an ideal wine and it could pair neatly with my husband’s wonderful grilled steaks with mushrooms.

Bottles of red wine on wood table with food in background.

Take a stroll and discover. See if you’ll discover a Lake County diamond, additionally known as Moon Tears. You’ll most effective to find those gem stones right here in Lake County, close to Mt. Konocti. This actually was once a lovely revel in and the easiest atmosphere for enjoyable with buddies and playing wonderful wines.

Napa Valley

Our ultimate vacation spot was once Napa Valley, with greater than 400 wineries and 90 tasting rooms open to the general public. It’s no longer sudden Napa has been known as the Tasting Room Capital of the International.

Probably the most causes Napa Valley is so well-liked is that there’s such a lot to do but even so wine tasting, like biking the Silverado Path, consuming on the French Laundry, and buying groceries.

Although all the ones issues are on our listing for subsequent time, we have been nearing the top of our Northern California wineries travel, with 5 wineries left to discuss with.

Raymond Vineyards

Raymond Vineyards in St Helena has a plethora of excursions and tastings, like liberate occasions, upscale non-public Library Tastings, the seasonal Tasting within the Grove, and so a lot more. There may be all the time one thing amusing happening at Raymond Vineyards.

Experiencing Raymond Vineyards Winemaker for a Day was once a different deal with for my birthday. After a snappy excursion, you’ll head to the lab and don your lab coat.

A woman in a silver jacket at a stainless counter with wineglasses and wine in the background.

Your host will give an explanation for the method of mixing wines to seek out your very best Napa Valley Bordeaux-style pink mix whilst a amusing playlist blares within the background.

Papers and pen on stainless counter with wine glasses on sides.

I realized such a lot about mixing thru trial and mistake. It was once an absolute blast!

Two women pointing with wine glasses in the foreground.

After you craft your wine, you’ll practice your host to any other room to fill your bottle, cork it, tablet it, and put for your customized label. You’ll be able to take the only bottle or purchase a case of your mix for presents for friends and family. How cool is that?

HALL Wines

My husband and I’ve beloved HALL Wines for a few years however have by no means had the risk to discuss with. When you practice me on Instagram, you will have observed we’ve labored in combination a few occasions.

HALL gives slightly a couple of tasting alternatives, just like the HALLmark Excursion and Tasting, the Artwork of Cabernet Tasting, the Platinum Enjoy, and the Cabernet Collector Tasting, which we did.

Wall with neon letters and table with bottles of wine.

We had tasted a few of these choices sooner than, however it was once amusing to revel in it there. Earlier than we went within, we tasted certainly one of our favorites, the 2019 Kathryn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Glass of red wine next to bottle of red wine on wood table.

When we have been seated within the tasting room, we loved experiencing the 2013 Bergfeld Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 HALL Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2018 Montagna Cabernet Sauvignon.

Four bottles of red wine on table between chairs.

We all the time have 3 or 4 bottles of HALL wines readily available. All of them pair so neatly with meals and buddies.

Clif Circle of relatives Vineyard & Farm Tasting Room

When you’re questioning if the Clif Circle of relatives is identical corporate that created the Clif Bar, the solution is sure. Then again, the Clif Bar portion in their industry has been bought so they may be able to center of attention at the vineyard.

We sat within the Clif Circle of relatives Vineyard Tasting Room and loved the 2022 Rosé of Grenache, 2022 Grenache, 2021 Proprietary Pink Wine mix, and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Glass of red wine next to bottle on wood table.

This was once our first creation to Clif wines, and we loved all of them. I’m most often a larger fan of reds, however I actually beloved the Rosé of Grenache with the small meals pairing.

Glass of white wine in front of food pairing.

We additionally had lunch from the Clif Bruschetteria meals truck, which was once wonderful. I’ll be operating on recreating that flatbread with squash!

Squash flatbread with cheese in front of a fried chicken sandwich and other dish.

Identical to with the Clif Bar merchandise, house owners Gary Erickson and Equipment Crawford are nonetheless keen about sustainability and high quality and follow natural farming of their vineyards.

The house owners are nonetheless adventurers, and also you’ll see a wide variety of biking occasions together with staff rides and biking charity occasions.

V. Sattui

The final vineyard we visited sooner than heading to SFO was once V. Sattui Vineyard, any other new one for us. Established in 1885 by means of Vittorio Sattui, you’d suppose it will be the oldest vineyard in Napa, however it’s no longer. Strangely, you’ll to find many wineries in Napa which might be over 100 years previous!

V. Sattui must be one of the crucial most adorable wineries in Napa, with a stupendous Reserve Tower Tasting room the place I skilled a handful in their scrumptious wines whilst munching on a charcuterie board. That is this sort of stunning tasting room!

Wine tasting room with bar and leather chairs.

This vineyard makes a speciality of conventional wine-making strategies, constantly receiving most sensible honors for his or her wines. In truth, on the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Festival, they gained 31 awards together with the best honor.

I tasted the 2022 Dry Riesling, which was once crisp and colourful. When you don’t like Riesling, do that one with an open thoughts. Subsequent I tasted the Howell Mountain Zinfandel, which I actually loved.

A glass of red wine next to a bottle on a marble bar.

You received’t to find V. Sattui wines in retail outlets. You’ll be able to most effective get them on the vineyard or on-line at once from them. Their wines are crafted in small a lot, however they provide numerous other varietals.

Be certain that to take a look at the wine cellar and retailer. There’s a picnic space within the again at the outside patio with surprising perspectives. Take a picnic lunch or a couple of small bites and sit down out of doors to benefit from the California sunshine!

Counter in store with meat hanging above and cheeses in the case.

V. Sattui additionally has slightly a couple of occasions, like dinners with Michelin-starred cooks. Take a look at the website online for his or her agenda.

Steadily Requested Questions

What’s a Wine Membership?

Becoming a member of a wine membership is a solution to discover extra of the wines from a selected vineyard, ceaselessly with nice financial savings. There’s no club charge according to se, however you decide to receiving a undeniable selection of bottles, most often quarterly, from the wine membership you sign up for. You’ll additionally get further perks, like loose tastings, invites to important occasions, in addition to being the primary to style new releases.

What’s the Apparel for Wine Tasting?

Each and every vineyard we visited was once informal is reasonably. Denims, great shorts, and informal clothes are all effective. You wouldn’t put on gymnasium shorts and a tank most sensible. When you’re taking a excursion of the winery or going anyplace in the back of the scenes, put on closed-toe sneakers.

Are Wine Tastings Unfastened?

You could to find some small wineries that also permit loose tastings, however maximum rate a small charge. We have now all the time discovered it was once value each and every penny to pay for a tasting.

Guidelines for Visiting Northern California Wineries

Make a Reservation

Now not all wineries require a reservation, but when you already know you’re going, why no longer attempt to make a reservation?

Many wineries have numerous tasting choices, from elementary tasting to order tasting, and a few come with wine excursions and meals pairings. Are you extra within the intimate revel in of a personal tasting, or are you k in a bunch? It’s just right to understand which one you’d find irresistible to do sooner than you pass.

Some wineries even have indoor and outside seating, and if it’s a hectic time of yr and the elements is just right, you will have hassle getting a desk out of doors. Name forward or take a look at the website online for reservations.

Take a look at the Web page for Occasions

It’s all the time just right to look if there’s a particular tournament all the way through the time you’re visiting. Some wineries have occasions with reside tune or meals, just like the Paella nights at Six Sigma. I want I’d recognized about that one! Maximum even have harvest season occasions. I would really like to return then as I wager the elements is lovely.

Suppose About What Roughly Wine You Revel in

Suppose forward about what varieties of wines you wish to have to style. When you love Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, search for a tasting that provides the ones wines.

Which Northern California wines are your favorites? I am hoping you’ll take a look at some from this listing!

Keep tuned for extra about this travel, together with the place to stick on a winery in every location!