Sonoma Valley Appellations included:
- Alexander Valley
- Russian River Valley
- Dry Creek Valley
- Chalk Hill
- Sonoma Coast
Wineries
|
TRL
|
S
|
W
|
Total
|
Comments
|
A. Rafanelli
|
8
|
6
|
5
|
19
|
Underwhelmed...
|
Amphora
|
4
|
6
|
4
|
14
|
See “Don’ts”.
|
Arista
|
10
|
8
|
7
|
25
|
Only 3 wines to taste. Boo!
|
Armida
|
10
|
8
|
10
|
28
|
See “Do’s” : By the way, PICNIC!
|
Balletto
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
21
|
|
Bella
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
20
|
|
Belvedere
|
9
|
7
|
5
|
21
|
Gone - See C. Donatiello
|
Benovia
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
30
|
Picnic! First perfect score! See “Do’s”
|
C. Donatiello
|
10
|
7
|
7
|
24
|
Gone - See V.M.L.
|
Canyon Road
|
Gone - See Trione
|
||||
Christie Vineyard
|
6
|
9
|
6
|
21
|
|
Christopher Creek
|
7
|
7
|
7
|
21
|
|
Clos Du Bois Wines
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
|
David Coffaro
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
20
|
Cult wines...that’s all I’ll say.
|
Davis Bynum
|
Gone - See Thomas George
|
||||
Davis Family
|
7
|
7
|
7
|
21
|
|
De La Montanya
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
21
|
Wines were over-hyped.
|
DeLoach
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
23
|
|
DeLorimier/Mosaic
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
25
|
|
Dry Creek Vineyards
|
9
|
7
|
6
|
22
|
Celebrity endorsements don’t sell it for me. It only reveals their bad taste in wine.
|
Dutcher Crossing
|
9
|
7
|
8
|
24
|
A picnic will be ok, here… better if you hit it on an off day. You may be the beneficiary of a vineyard tour that compliments your lunch.
|
Dutton Estate
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
22
|
|
Ferrari-Carano
|
10
|
5
|
5
|
20
|
|
Forchini
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
22
|
|
Francis Coppola
|
10
|
6
|
7
|
23
|
Hollywood hype. Don’t bother.
|
Frick
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
18
|
|
Fritz
|
8
|
9
|
9
|
26
|
|
Gallo
|
8
|
9
|
7
|
24
|
Healdsburg Square Tasting Room...gone
|
Gary Farrell
|
9
|
7
|
7
|
23
|
|
Geyser Peak
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
21
|
|
Gopfrich
|
8
|
9
|
9
|
26
|
It’s Ray...what more can I say?
|
Hanna
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
22
|
|
Harvest Moon Estates
|
7
|
8
|
7
|
22
|
|
Holdredge
|
6
|
8
|
7
|
21
|
|
Hop Kiln
|
9
|
7
|
7
|
23
|
|
Huntington Wine Cellars
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
22
|
Co-resident with an art gallery, they are “no-more”. You didn’t miss anything.
|
Iron Horse
|
1
|
7
|
5
|
13
|
Only three wines available for tasting. Worst excuse for a TRL ever! A rating of 1 is generous! See Don’t Wineries.
|
J Vineyards
|
9
|
8
|
6
|
23
|
|
Joseph Swan
|
7
|
8
|
7
|
22
|
This can be a good value during Barrel Tasting
|
Joseph Swan
|
6
|
8
|
8
|
22
|
|
Kendall Jackson
|
10
|
8
|
7
|
25
|
Yes, we did it. Haven’t done it since.
|
Korbel Champagne
|
9
|
5
|
6
|
20
|
|
La Crema
|
8
|
10
|
7
|
25
|
|
Lambert Bridge
|
9
|
7
|
6
|
||
Limerick Lane
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
|
Lynmar
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
27
|
|
Martin Ray
|
7
|
8
|
7
|
22
|
|
Martinelli
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
24
|
Seriously, if Sonoma wineries are going to claim they are “Napa on a budget”, then should damn well act like it!
|
Matanzas Creek
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
27
|
Robinson Crusoe lived in the ‘burbs compared to how out-of-the-way this place is, but if you find it, it’ll be like Shangri-La.
|
Matrix
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
|
Mauritson Family Winery
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
|
Mazzocco
|
9
|
8
|
10
|
27
|
A picnic here might be nice, but lounging w/ a bottle or glass is better. Their management of their wine clubs has been a cautionary tale.
|
Merry Edwards
|
7
|
8
|
7
|
22
|
|
Michel-Slumberger
|
9
|
7
|
8
|
24
|
|
Mill Creek
|
8
|
9
|
8
|
25
|
|
Moshin
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
23
|
|
Murphy-Goode
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
21
|
|
Nalle Winery
|
6
|
8
|
7
|
21
|
|
PappaPietro-Perry
|
7
|
8
|
8
|
23
|
|
Passalaqua
|
8
|
8
|
3
|
19
|
Wine was unmemorable (good or bad).
|
Pedroncelli
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
21
|
|
Pellegrini
|
6
|
8
|
7
|
21
|
|
Peterson
|
4
|
6
|
4
|
14
|
|
Portalupi
|
7
|
7
|
5
|
17
|
|
Porter Creek
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
23
|
|
Quivara
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
21
|
|
Rabbit Ridge
|
7
|
5
|
5
|
19
|
Dead. Matrix has taken over. No loss here.
|
Raymond Burr
|
8
|
7
|
8
|
23
|
Celebrity has its draw in California, but the cache doesn’t always translate into good wine… that’s all I have to say about that.
|
Red Car
|
8
|
9
|
8
|
25
|
|
Ridge/Lytton Springs
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
Are you freaking kidding me with these prices?!!
|
Robert Young Estate
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
24
|
|
Rochioli
|
7
|
8
|
8
|
23
|
|
Rodney Strong
|
9
|
8
|
8
|
25
|
|
Rosenblum
|
7
|
7
|
9
|
23
|
|
Rued
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
23
|
|
Russian Hill Estate
|
8
|
7
|
8
|
23
|
Perennial return for syrahs and pinot noirs
|
Sapphire Hill
|
8
|
9
|
9
|
26
|
Under the new management, this is a different winery...in best way.
|
Sausal
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
20
|
Overpriced for the quality.
|
Sbragia
|
10
|
7
|
8
|
25
|
|
Sheldon Wines
|
8
|
10
|
9
|
27
|
See Do Wineries.
|
Siduri
|
1
|
10
|
10
|
22
|
Even in their new location (across the parking lot), they still taste in the warehouse. Oh well, I’m still going…and taking people with me! They are a winemaking juggernaut!
|
Simi
|
9
|
7
|
6
|
22
|
|
Skewis
|
8
|
10
|
9
|
27
|
I’m generous with the TRL - it’s a small room
|
Sojourn Cellars
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
20
|
|
Stonestreet
|
7
|
7
|
8
|
22
|
A picnic would be nice here.
|
Stryker-Sonoma
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
20
|
|
Sunce
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
22
|
|
Talty
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
|
Thomas George
|
9
|
7
|
7
|
23
|
|
Topel
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
One of the few notable cabernet and meritage producers in Sonoma Valley.
|
Trentadue
|
9
|
9
|
9
|
27
|
|
Trione
|
9
|
9
|
9
|
27
|
I’ll cut to the chase...the WINE!
|
Truett Hurst
|
9
|
9
|
9
|
27
|
Exceptionally club-worthy. The humble exterior belies the spacious and charming interior. The picnic areas along the creek should be your semi-permanent residence for the day. Seriously, see the chapter photo of “What do you mean you’re Hungry?” and “The WIne Experience” of the Wine Manifesto.
|
Twomey
|
10
|
8
|
8
|
26
|
They’ve gone into the pinot business in RRV. The prices are going to stymie them.
|
Unti
|
6
|
9
|
9
|
25
|
I don’t care if you don’t like Barbera, you better leave with one!
|
V.M.L.
|
10
|
8
|
7
|
25
|
Whomever ends up on this facility will always inherit a beautiful tasting room and winery.
|
Williams Selyem
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
30
|
Spectacular! HELLOOOO!
|
Williamson Wine
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
23
|
Food pairings here, with a cheese club option.
|
Wilson Winery
|
8
|
5
|
5
|
18
|
|
Windsor Oaks
|
6
|
9
|
8
|
23
|
|
Woodenhead
|
8
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
Only tasted the two futures, which weren’t for sale. I wasted a stop.
|
Zichichi
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
20
|
Carneros
Wineries
|
TRL
|
S
|
W
|
Total
|
Comments
|
Acacia Winery
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
20
|
|
Arrowood Winery
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
|
Artesa Winery
|
10
|
8
|
7
|
25
|
Given the modernity of the TRL, you couldn’t really call any dining experience a picnic, but you could definitely lounge with some noshes.
|
B.R. Cohn
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
|
Buena Vista Winery
|
10
|
9
|
9
|
28
|
PICNIC!
|
Chateau St. Jean
|
10
|
5
|
7
|
22
|
|
Cuvaison
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
27
|
Stunning place. Contemporary and picturesque.
|
Domaine Carneros
|
10
|
8
|
6
|
24
|
|
Gloria Ferrer
|
10
|
8
|
7
|
25
|
|
Gundlach Bundschu
|
9
|
7
|
8
|
24
|
|
Imagery
|
10
|
8
|
7
|
25
|
Over 400 labels
|
Kenwood
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
21
|
|
Kunde Estates
|
8
|
2
|
5
|
15
|
|
Landmark
|
10
|
9
|
9
|
28
|
Gorgeous! Club-worthy! DO!
|
Mayo Family Winery
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
20
|
|
Schug Carneros Estate
|
3
|
8
|
5
|
14
|
If you can find it, plan on sharing personal space for out-of-character Pinots.
|
St. Francis Wny & Vyds
|
10
|
6
|
6
|
22
|
Nice setting, but like dating the prom queen, they think more of themselves than they deserve.
|
Viansa
|
8
|
9
|
8
|
25
|
This gets a TRL-8 due to the crowded nature of its tasting room. Long bar...not long enough. The Staff gets a 9 because a friend was a club member, otherwise it might get a 7 or 8.
|
Napa Valley Appellations included:
- Oakville
- Calistoga
- St. Helena
- Yountville
- Rutherford
|
Wineries
|
TRL
|
S
|
W
|
Total
|
Comments
|
|
Bennett Lane
|
10
|
10
|
7
|
27
|
|
|
Cakebread
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
24
|
More dumbshit Napa Valley antics...I don’t even want to talk about it. DON’T
|
|
Castella di Amorosa
|
10
|
6
|
7
|
23
|
Do the tour...you won’t be disappointed...in the tour.
|
|
Charles Krug Winery
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
24
|
|
|
Clos Du Val
|
10
|
8
|
6
|
24
|
Nice setting, but leaves you wanting...
|
|
Clos Pegase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conn Creek/Villa Mt. Eden
|
8
|
7
|
9
|
24
|
See Do Wineries.
|
|
Cuvaison
|
8
|
9
|
9
|
26
|
Club-worthy! Two tasting locations. This one is very nice, but go to the one in Carneros.
|
|
Domaine Chandon
|
10
|
9
|
10
|
29
|
Even if you don’t like sparkling wine, the tour is great, the tastings are enlightening, and oh, by the way, their varietal wines (Pinot Muenier and Chardonnay) are real head-turners!
|
|
Dutch Henry
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
20
|
|
|
Flora Springs
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
21
|
|
|
Freemark Abbey
|
9
|
9
|
8
|
26
|
Best valued Cabs in Napa!
|
|
Girard
|
9
|
7
|
7
|
23
|
|
|
Grgich Hills
|
8
|
7
|
5
|
20
|
Overpriced Napa swill.
|
|
Haven
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
20
|
|
|
Heitz Cellars
|
9
|
8
|
8
|
25
|
|
|
Jessup Cellars
|
9
|
9
|
10
|
28
|
|
|
Louis Martini
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
24
|
|
|
Luna Vineyards
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
20
|
|
|
Merryvale
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
24
|
|
|
Peju Province
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
24
|
|
|
Sequoia Grove
|
8
|
9
|
8
|
25
|
Very, very charming, but Cabs are overpriced. Rediscovered nice winery in Napa.
|
|
St. Supery
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
17
|
|
|
Sterling Vineyards
|
10
|
7
|
7
|
24
|
Great setting and tour! See Do Wineries.
|
|
Turnbull
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
22
|
|
|
Twomey
|
8
|
8
|
9
|
25
|
Best Merlot in the Valley...and you’ll pay for it!
|
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