By the early 20th century, over 200 Sonoma County wineries were making wine in the region. However, Prohibition devastated the nascent winemaking industry. Nearly all wineries closed. Those few that remained officially open were allowed by the government to produce “sacrificial” wine for religious purposes. Even after prohibition, most wine growers sold off their grapes to bulk jug wine producers. It would take until the 1970s for the Russian River Valley to return to the preeminence of former times. 

Now, the American wines of the Russian River Valley are continually among the favorites of California wine spectators and novices alike. If you’re looking to taste great cool-climate California red wines like Pinot Noir, check out our Red Wine Lover’s Guide to Russian River Valley Pinot Noir for more detail about this particular varietal. But if you’re looking for the best Russian River Valley wineries to visit, read on. These Russian River Wineries are also top picks on TripAdvisor.

Established as an AVA in 1983, the Russian River Valley now hosts over 70 wineries producing over 30 different varieties. The region’s close proximity to the Pacific Ocean allows for the cooling influence of morning fog. This contributes to the very important diurnal temperature variations that facilitate a long, slow ripening period for the grapes. When combined with the sandy loam “Goldridge Soil” and clay-based “Sebastopol soil,” one can see how this region blossomed out of obscurity into excellence. 

All this contributes to the perfection of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. While Russian River Chardonnay and Zinfandel are equally fantastic here, Pinot Noir is king. This is where California’s New World style earned its accolades and set the standard.

Here are 7 top Russian River Wineries every vino lover should have on their wine tasting rooms to visit list.

Russian River Wineries Map

The Russian River Valley is a rural area without reliable public transportation. You need a car to get around. There are plenty of hotels, inns, and restaurants serving world-class cuisine, so schedule a few days in the region. There are many great Russian River Wineries to visit and beautiful sights to see, like the majestic Sonoma Coast and the redwoods at Armstrong Woods Campgrounds.

Russian River Winery #1 – Halleck Vineyard

$65 per person includes a vineyard tour and eight wines paired with local bite-sized delicacies
(707) 738-8383
3785 Burnside Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Fri-Sun 11am-3pm, by appointment only
Russian River Winery Wine Tasting

For true Pinotphiles, no trip to the Russian River area is complete without a wine tasting at the Halleck Vineyard Estate. It’s surrounded by one of the very first Pinot Noir Vineyards planted in Sebastopol. Their Pinot Noir was judged Best Pinot in America three years in a row. Their Sauvignon Blanc was judged Best California White Wine. And their Dry White Gewürztraminer was judged Best White Wine. 

These are small batch, luxury wines made by Ross Halleck and Jennifer Halleck. They host small, unpretentious wine tasting salons at their hilltop Sebastopol Estate with sweeping views of the Russian River Valley. This is your chance to live the dream and see what the Sonoma Coast lifestyle is all about. 

Tour the viticulture roots of the best California Pinot Noir and get a chance to buy hard to find wines that are not available in stores. Taste 8 different award-winning wines poured with stories about how they’re made. Each is paired with delectable, single-bite delicacies made from locally sourced ingredients including triple cream truffle brie and Pinot Noir infused chocolate.

There are only 16 guests per wine tasting experience, so make sure to reserve your West Sonoma County wine tasting experience well in advance. Halleck Vineyard is a fully fenced and dog-friendly Russian River Valley winery and vineyard.

Russian River Winery #2 – Merriam Vineyards

$35 seated tasting, $75 estate vineyard tour & tasting
(707) 433-4032
11650 Los Amigos Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Open Daily 10am – 5pm, walk-ins welcome, reservations required for Estate Tour

Just minutes from downtown Healdsburg, enjoy a memorable wine tasting on the patio at the Merriam Estate House, in the heart of their 11 acre vineyard.

This Russian River Winery is designed with the comfort and warmth of a cozy New England farmhouse. The patio has surrounding views of Merriam’s vineyards, and plenty of outdoor seating, with large umbrellas for shade. Choose between the Russian River Tasting or the Single Vineyard Tasting. 

The Single Vineyard Tasting highlights the very best blocks of vines the estate has to offer. Each tasting includes five estate-grown, award-winning wines. For the enthusiast looking to go behind the scenes, take the guided estate vineyard and winery tour. It will give greater insight into the history of Merriam Vineyards, as well as the Eastern Hills of the Russian River Valley. 

Stroll around the organic estate and investigate the winery and cellar operations. This is followed by a seated tasting of some of their Single Vineyard wines and includes a charcuterie and cheese board with delightful vegetable snacks. All items are hand selected and sourced from local purveyors or made in house. 

Russian River Winery #3 – Balletto Vineyards

$15-20 per person tasting
(707) 568-2455
5700 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Seated Tastings Daily from 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, by reservation only

Located in the Sebastopol Hills part of the Russian River Valley, Balletto Vineyards is one of a handful of Russian River wineries that have 100% control from vineyard to bottle.

After the founder John Balletto transformed the land from a vegetable farm to a fully functioning vineyard, their reputation for producing exceptional fruit has soared. They sell most of their grapes to other winemakers, however, they keep the best vineyards and blocks for themselves. 

Try a four or five wine flight on their patio garden outside. Don’t pass up the snappy dry Gewürztraminer, or bright and fresh Zinfandel. There’s no “wine babble” here, just interesting and amusing tales of the winery itself told by friendly and welcoming staff. 

A large, calming water fountain in the center of the patio and the breeze flowing through the surrounding vineyards is pretty much the definition of relaxation. Tasting fee waived with the purchase of two or more bottles. 

Russian River Winery #4 – Notre Vue Estate Winery

$35-300
(707) 433-4050
11010 Estate Lane, Windsor, CA 95492

11am – 3:30pm, Thursday – Monday, by appointment only

Join Notre Vue for a crafted experience of wine, food, and nature. The property features 350 acres of “Forever Wild” protected open space, and 250 acres of beautiful rolling vineyards. 

Take a hike around the property before or after a tasting, and explore some of the trails crisscrossing the nature preserve. Enjoy the cool breezes and sweeping views of the rolling hills of Sonoma countryside. 

For the wine tasting, sit on the terrace perched high above their prized vineyard, and savor a flight of 5 gourmet estate wines, including Zinfandel and sparkling Rosé. Their wines are made in the European style, which focuses more on finesse and purity, rather than over-extracted, over-ripe grapes, and heavy-handed oak. 

The terrace is decorated with chandeliers, plush sofas, wine fridges, coolers and is fully covered. There’s an optional Charcuterie Board for $15 per plate (serves 1-2 people) which includes local cheeses from Point Reyes and cured meats. 

They also offer a wine tasting at the lakeside pavilion. It’s a secluded spot with comfy couches, and a great view where it’s common to see herons, otters, ducks, deer, and other wildlife.

Russian River Winery #5 – Siduri Wines

$30-70 per person with three different tasting options
(707) 578-3882
235 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, CA 95448

10am – 5pm, Monday- Sunday, by appointment only 

This is one of the largest tasting rooms in downtown Healdsburg, where the Russian River meanders before heading west at Windsor.

With oversized leather chairs, great artwork on the walls, and a wide selection of tasting options, Siduri lives up to their motto, “serious wine and serious fun.” Although they offer wines by the glass, full bottles, and beer on tap, pick out one of their guided tasting to get the full experience. 

There’s the “Sonoma County Exploration” which focuses on specific, notable vineyard sites throughout the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. The “North-to-South” tasting is an educational experience showcasing six of Siduri’s single-vineyard Pinot Noirs that span 1,000 miles from Oregon to Santa Barbara. 

Finally, there’s the “Reserve” experience which combines the best Siduri has to offer from Oregon down to Santa Barbara. This wine tasting experience is ideal for the scrupulous Pinot-phile looking for that extra something special. 

Their tasting bar also has a food menu with regionally inspired small bites, with a focus on pairing with the wines. Be sure to make a reservation for groups of 6 or more.

Russian River Winery #6 – Jeff Cohn Cellars

$35 – $60 per person tasting
(707) 938-8343
34 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448

11am – 6pm, Friday – Sunday, by reservation only

The Russian River wraps around Healdsburg and heads south to Windsor before heading west toward the Pacific Ocean at Jenner. All these areas are part of the Russian River Valley.

For something a little different, stop by Jeff Cohn Wine Cellars along the Healdsburg plaza square. Trellised root vines hang on the walls, along with engaging modern artwork. Taste some highly-acclaimed, small-production Rhône varietals and single-vineyard Zinfandel wines. The Iris Reserve flight offers a unique GSM blend (Grenache-Syrah-Mouvedre) and the hard-to-find Petite Sirah. The Great Rhône Whites tasting is a fabulous introduction to the wines of that region, including Viognier and Marsanne. And the best of the bunch is the Private Vault Tasting. 

Try eight coveted, limited production wines and dig deeper into Jeff’s process, learning more about where he sources his grapes. This wine tasting includes an opportunity to purchase highly allocated wines. Or savor a wine list of five of highly-acclaimed, small-production Rhône and single-vineyard Zinfandel wines. 

The tasting room features small and large wooden tables around a cozy fireplace. They also have outdoor seating along the plaza square and a private tasting room for special events. But make sure to book this special wine tasting experience at least a week in advance, because they sell out frequently. 

Russian River Winery #7 – MacRostie Winery

$40 per person
(707) 473-9303
4605 Westside Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448

11am – 5pm, Monday – Thursday; 10am – 5pm, Friday – Sunday, reservations required

Located just west of the Russian River, and south of Healdsburg, MacRostie Winery is in the Windsor area with vineyards in the Russian River Valley flood plain.

Voted the best winery in Sonoma by the San Francisco Magazine in 2017. MacRostie Winery is a Russian River Winery where you can slow down and soak in the beauty of the Russian River Valley. It’s set against the stunning backdrop of Russian River Vineyards, and designed by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm of Gould Evans. 

Light, airy, and built with natural materials, the winery features multiple indoor venues for seated wine tastings and three expansive patio terraces. MacRostie’s Wine Ambassadors are knowledgeable and enthusiastic without being overly pedantic. They’ll craft an engaging and memorable experience — sharing fascinating details about their winemaking and vineyards. It is very much recommended if you are interested in Russian River Valley viticulture. 

Each tasting highlights five wines, with a focus on single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Explore the sustainable building design, admire the nearby sycamores, and gaze at the large floor plan elegantly framed on the wall. Don’t forget to reserve the best seat on the property: The Corner Table on the North Terrace. This panoramic view overlooks the Westside Road that runs through some of the most picturesque vineyards in Sonoma.

Top Russian River Wineries Wrap-Up

Russian River Valley wineries typically don’t have expansive crowds or the level of snobbery you may find in Napa Valley. And the wines don’t disappoint. Some top Napa wineries source their cool-climate grapes from Russian River Valley vineyards. 

Russian River wineries are not as isolated as the more northern parts of Sonoma County. There’s an untroubled attitude to this lush and bountiful land steeped in tradition yet open to new trends. 

Old farm sheds, modern urban warehouses, sprawling ranch homes, redwood groves, apple orchards, and a majestic flowing river through the heart of it all. The top Russian River wineries are among California’s best destinations for wine tasting. 

Wineries Russian River Glossary

Russian River Wineries FAQ

Use this section for answers to frequently asked questions about wineries in the Russian River Valley.

Wineries Russian River: Popular Wine Varietals

The most popular Russian River Valley grape varietals and wines types are:

• Chardonnay from Russian River Wineries
• Pinot Noir from Russian River Wineries
• Sauvignon Blanc from Russian River Wineries
• Zinfandel from Russian River Wineries
• Syrah from Russian River Wineries
• Pinot Gris from Russian River Wineries
• Cabernet Sauvignon from Russian River Wineries
• Merlot from Russian River Wineries
• Viognier from Russian River Wineries
• Gewürztraminer from Russian River Wineries
• Riesling from Russian River Wineries
• Petite Sirah from Russian River Wineries

Wineries Russian River: Overlapping AVAs

While the Russian River Valley is a unique American Viticulture Area, it overlaps with these AVAs. That means a portion of them intersect with the Russian River Valley AVA on the map.

• Green Valley of the Russian River Valley
• Chalk Hill within Russian River Valley
• Sonoma Coast overlapping Russian River Valley
• Sonoma County that includes Russian River Valley
• West Sonoma Coast area of Russian River Valley
• Petaluma Gap aligns but does not overlap with the Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley: History

The Russian River Valley in California is named after the Russian settlers who arrived in the region and settled at Fort Ross during the early 19th century. These settlers, primarily involved in the fur trade, established a presence in the area, and the river that flows through the valley was named the Russian River in their honor. The valley, now renowned for its viticulture and wine production, carries the name as a nod to this historical connection. Fort Ross is now a national park open to visitors and here’s their park map.

Russian River Valley Vineyards Viticulture Practices

The following viticulture practices are all indicative of wine growing and Russian River Vineyard management.

Russian River Valley Sustainable Farming

Many vineyards in the Russian River Valley emphasize sustainable wine growing techniques to protect the environment and ensure long-term viability. This includes minimal use of pesticides, promoting biodiversity, and using organic fertilizers.

Russian River Valley Canopy Management

Due to the region’s cool climate and foggy conditions, careful canopy management is essential in the Russian River Valley. Vintners strategically prune and arrange grapevine leaves to balance sunlight exposure and air circulation, which helps prevent disease and promote even ripening.

Russian River Valley Cover Cropping

Growers in the Russian River Valley often plant cover crops, such as legumes or grasses, between vineyard rows. This practice helps improve soil health, prevent erosion, and manage water runoff.

Russian River Valley Irrigation Management

Although the Russian River Valley receives significant rainfall, irrigation is still necessary during dry periods. Vintners use drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to the vines’ roots, conserving water and ensuring precise control over vine hydration.

Russian River Valley Harvest Timing

The cool climate and varying microclimates within the Russian River Valley require careful monitoring of grape ripeness. Harvest timing is crucial to achieving the desired balance of sugar, acidity, and flavor in the grapes, often leading to multiple passes through the vineyard to pick grapes at their peak.

Russian River Valley Clone Selection

Vintners in the Russian River Valley often experiment with different grape clones to find the ones best suited to the region’s specific conditions. This helps enhance the complexity and quality of the wines produced.

Russian River Valley Low-Yield Practices

To improve grape quality, many growers in the Russian River Valley limit the number of clusters per vine, focusing on fewer, more concentrated grapes. This practice is particularly common in producing premium wines.

Russian River Valley Frost Protection

Given the cool climate, frost can be a concern for winemakers in early spring in the Russian River Valley. Wine growers use wind machines, sprinklers, or heaters to protect young buds in the vines from frost damage aka shatter.

Russian River Valley Organic and Biodynamic Practices

Some vineyards in the Russian River Valley go beyond sustainability, embracing organic or biodynamic practices. These methods exclude synthetic chemicals and often involve holistic approaches to farming, such as using composts and aligning farming activities with lunar cycles.

They compared 4 award-winning, small-production California wines from the Halleck Vineyard boutique Sonoma winery in the West Sonoma County town of Sebastopol with 5 French wines, all carefully paired with contemporary French dishes from one of the most celebrated French chefs in America.

The French wines, selected by Taylor, all had similar grapes to the Halleck Vineyard varietals They were served with the California wines to illustrate the variations in styles and terroir. The wine dinner was hosted for members of the Inner Circle Wine Club and regular customers of Bar Boulud in their resplendent and cavernous underground wine cellar located near Lincoln Center in Manhattan. 

The bistro was founded by Daniel Boulud, a French-born chef and restaurateur renowned for his contemporary French cuisine. Born in Saint-Pierre-de-Chandieu, France in 1955, he began his culinary training at 14 and has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in France including the Michelin-starred restaurants Le Moulin de Mougins and Le Cirque in New York City. 

In 1993, he opened his first restaurant, Daniel, in New York City, which has earned 2 Michelin stars and is considered one of the best French restaurants in the US. He has since opened several other successful restaurants in New York City, Las Vegas, Miami, Singapore. He has won numerous awards for his culinary achievements, including the James Beard Outstanding Chef Award and the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur from the French government.

Since pairing wine with Mediterranean food is something we get asked about about a lot, we previously covered pairing the Halleck Vineyard Hillside Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with the signature basil fruit spiced Rohan Duck entree served at Chef Boulud’s standout New York City Mediterranean restaurant, Boulud Sud.  

Bar Boulud is a quintessential “casual” French Bistro in New York City. Not as formal as the Michelin-starred Upper East Side restaurant, Daniel, Bar Boulud near Broadway’s restaurant row carries a loose, lively vibe, with an emphasis on regional French dishes and charcuterie. And there’s an exciting selection of terrines, pâté, and wine from around the globe. 

Ross Halleck did not take your typical path to the winemaking profession. He found success as one of the leading brand agencies in Silicon Valley in the 1980s. But once his wine obsession finally took over, he planted a vineyard in the Sonoma Coast American Viticultural Area in 1991 as a fanciful notion. Planting exclusively Pinot Noir, it was the first vineyard in the region. Its first harvest was in 1999. 

Ross is passionate about creating perfect pairings and enchanting wine dinners with top chefs for Halleck Vineyard’s Inner Circle Club members. Previous dinner collabs include Chef Victoriano Lopez from La Mar in San Francisco, featured Ceviche Victoriano with Halleck Vineyards Sobre Vista Chardonnay, and Lumache bolognese with black truffle and Halleck Vineyard’s Three Sons Pinot Noir at Chef Alfred Portale’s flagship Portale restaurant in the chic Chelsea borough of Manhattan. Ross delights in creating extraordinary opportunities to build community through wine, and these wine dinners are just one of the ways Halleck Vineyard brings their wine club members together.

With a penchant for sustainable winemaking, Halleck Vineyard embraces the low-intervention, cool-climate style of Cote de Beaune in Burgundy. There’s an even and measured oak treatment in the red wines: only 30% new French Oak. Grapes are hand-sorted and go through whole-berry fermentation. As a result, the wines have higher natural acidity and minerality without losing the typical fruit profile of California Pinot Noirs. 

Halleck Vineyard falls into the ‘boutique winery’ category with fewer than 2,500 cases produced annually. But since these are small-production wines made exclusively from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Mountain vineyards, and given the finite amount of fruit harvested in these iconic regions, their case production is too limited for retail distribution. These fine California wines are only found at select restaurants like Bar Boulud, via wine club allocations, or at a wine tasting at the Halleck Vineyard Winery Estate in Sonoma County, which recently opened a wine lodge for guests on the property.  

First Course Halleck Vineyard Wine Dinner

Escargots Persillade with garlic herb butter

• 2022 Halleck Vineyards Little Sister Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley, 267 case produced
• 2021 Domaine de Pré Semelé Sancerre, Loire Valley, France, 7000 cases

The Escargots Persillade with mushroom garlic herb butter at Bar Boulud in NYC is a classic French dish that is executed to perfection. The tender escargots are served deshelled and bathed in a delicious garlic herb butter, which adds richness and depth of flavor. 

It was presented with a slice of crusty baguette, perfect for dipping into the sauce and sopping up all the delicious juices. The parsley and garlic add a bright, fresh note to the dish, balancing out the richness of the butter. This is a must-try dish for any foodie looking for an authentic French culinary experience in New York City.

The crisp, bright Little Sister Sauvignon Blanc highlighted the richness of the snails. The nose of lemon, lime, and boxwood shrub really complemented the garlic and herb sauce. Medium to high acid on entry, the wine smooths out and becomes creamy at the core. 

There’s no oak on the wine, similar to the Domaine de Pre Sancerre. This French wine is rounder and richer, with a bit more saline on the finish. Not as vivacious as the Little Sister Sauv Blanc, but more voluminous. It matched the weight of the snails, a heavy-for-heavy pairing. All were surprised by the character of the French wine leaning more in style to California, a result, expressed Taylor, of global warming.

Second Course Halleck Vineyard Wine Dinner

Oxtail Ravioli with tomato and fine herbs

• 2019 Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 512 cases produced
• 2018 Clos Salomon Givry 1er Cru Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France, 210 cases

The Oxtail Ravioli with Tomato and Fine Herbs at Bar Boulud in NYC is a unique and delicious take on a classic Italian dish. The homemade ravioli is stuffed with tender and flavorful braised oxtail, perfectly balanced by the light and tangy tomato sauce. 

The fine herbs add a fragrant and fresh note to the dish, elevating the flavor profile and giving the dish a vibrant and appetizing appearance. Each bite of the ravioli is a delight, with the rich and savory filling contrasting with the delicate pasta and bright tomato sauce.

There’s a savoriness in the oxtail and tomato which is like the deeper fruit tones of the Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Pinot Noir. The wine comes from the Russian River Valley, but it doesn’t have that region’s typical intense baked fruit character or red opaque color. It has  a jewel-like shimmer. More caramelized cherry, earth, and pepper aromas. Far more complex than typical Russian River Pinot Noir and a fantastic compliment to the zesty tomato sauce

By contrast, the Clos Salomon was a touch muted on the nose. A bit of earth, soil, ripe cherries. Very autumnal. Yet the wine was quite clean and refreshing. Smooth and supple tannin, ripe dark cherry fruit. But both wines melted into the oxtail with ease, no flavors fighting for supremacy. 

Third Course Halleck Vineyard Wine Dinner 

Coq au Vin with lardons, mushrooms, and pearl onion

• 2019 Halleck Vineyards Clone 828 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast,  212 cases produced
• 2012 Halleck Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir in Magnum (served blind), less than 100 cases
• 2017 Gérard Segiun Gevrey-Chambertin Terroir du Domaine Pinot Noir (served blind), Burgundy, France, 250 cases

The Coq au Vin at Bar Boulud is a quintessentially French dish that showcases Chef Boulud’s mastery of classic French cuisine. The dish features tender chicken that has been slow-braised in red wine with lardons, mushrooms, and pearl onions, resulting in a rich and complex flavor profile. 

The sauce is velvety and sumptuous, with the bacon lending a smoky note and the vegetables adding a subtle sweetness. The chicken itself is cooked to perfection, with the meat effortlessly falling off the bone. This dish is a delicious reminder of the warmth and comfort that French cuisine can provide.

The course was Initially paired with Halleck Vineyards Pinot Noir Clone 828. This wine recently earned double gold at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. High-tone cranberry and pomegranate on the nose gives way to a much more complex bouquet of pepper, saddle leather, and an elusive smoky tobacco note, much like a fine cigar. It was remarkable that the strong flavors didn’t overwhelm some of the subtleties of the dish. 

Later, the two other reds were served blind. Sommelier Victoria Taylor labeled each glass so there would be no confusion, and the wines were tasted side by side. 

The 2012 Halleck Estate had no browning or bricking around the edges, suggesting quite a long life ahead for it. There’s more density and complexity here. Refined and impressive. The Gevrey-Chambertin (also served blind) was similar in flavor and aroma but earthier than both Halleck Pinot Noirs. A little more tannic feel here, with more power. It was four years younger. 

Dessert Halleck Vineyard Wine Dinner

Raspberry Mousse with orange blossom, almond, and marzipan ice cream

• 2022 Halleck Vineyards Dry White Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, 265 cases produced
• 2017 Gros Noré Bandol Rose, Provence, France

The Raspberry Mousse with Orange Blossom, Almond, and Marzipan Ice Cream at Bar Boulud is a dessert fit for royalty. The mousse is light and airy, bursting with the sweet and tangy flavor of fresh raspberries. 

The marzipan ice cream is a delightful surprise, with its subtle almond notes and delicate hints of orange blossom adding a touch of sophistication to the dish. The ice cream’s creamy texture and velvety finish perfectly complement the mousse’s silky texture, creating a heavenly dessert experience that is both indulgent and refined.

The Halleck Dry White Zinfandel is a crowd-pleaser. After a meal such as this, it’s like ringing in a new party. Sheer watermelon pink color, it doesn’t have that cotton candy sweetness typical of other California roses. Zippy and energetic, there is a buzzy quality to this  wine. Bright citrus fruit all the way through from entry to a snappy finish. Not the least bit of sweetness. 

And the Gros Nore, a classic Provencale Rosé, was perfectly aged. A deep nose of cherry, strawberry, licorice, and spice. But still delicate on the palette. A combination of muscle and grace. As per the rest of the meal, both wines showed extremely well and presented as distant cousins,, but both paired with the dessert exceptionally well.

California and French Wines – A Grape Comparison

California and French wines are renowned for their exceptional quality and diversity of styles. California is known for producing rich, full-bodied wines with bold fruit flavors and high alcohol content, while French wines are often characterized by their elegance, finesse, and complexity. The wines from Halleck Vineyard definitely lean toward the French in style and character, making this event particularly interesting.

California’s warm climate and abundant sunshine are ideal for producing nuanced Pinot Noirs and Sauvignon Blancs. At the same time, France’s diverse terroir is perfect for producing nuanced and flavorful wines such as Burgundy and Sancerre.

The opportunity to compare the best California and French Wines with a privately prepared meal by a Chef like Daniel Boulud is just one of the benefits Halleck Vineyard wine club members enjoy. Other benefits of club membership include allocations to award-winning vintages like the Dry Gewurztraminer from Calandrelli Vineyard – like the Clone 828 Sonoma Coast Pick, not Noir is only available at fine restaurants like Bar Loulud or through the California wine club.

Sustainable Wineries

Sustainable wineries are an increasingly popular choice for consumers who value environmental conservation. Unlike conventional winegrowing, sustainable wineries minimize the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which can be harmful to both the environment and the health of workers and consumers. 

Conventional viticulture leads to higher yields because the pests and diseases – which affect grapevines are killed off – but these neurotoxin-infused substances find their way into the grapes, the wine, and our bodies. Winegrowers who farm biodynamic and certified organic wines, on the other hand, work to minimize harmful impacts on the environment through sustainable viticulture farming and the reproduction of organic and natural wine. 

Sustainable Viticulture

For some winemakers, sustainable viticultural practices have become so important, they’ve become advocates in the culture of environmentalism. The quality of the wine we drink —its basic structure, aromas, and flavors—is inexorably linked to the chemical composition of the soil (among other factors like climate, slope, etc). Growers had evidence, vintage report after vintage report, of the negative effects conventional agricultural processes had on the grapes and the vineyard. It’s not just the dip in quality, but the gradual degradation of soil (less fertility and more erosion) through conventional techniques that is an overall threat to human health. We need to reduce the poisons in our lives however we can, not add to them.

Even packaging is considered, with more and more sustainable wineries opting for BPA-free materials and oak from sustainable sources. With the USDA recognizing organic wine growing as a sustainable practice, it’s no wonder that more consumers are choosing organic wines as a way to support sustainability and promote a healthier planet.

What is Sustainable Wine? 

In the last few decades, the strong ecological consciousness within global governance has promoted a basic philosophy of environmental stewardship. At the core, this is an individual, communal, corporate, and governmental sense of social responsibility for the overall quality of the environment.

This is reflected in the wine industry by the whole-scale conversion of many vineyards and cellars to fully certified sustainable, USDA organic, or biodynamic practices. Vintage after vintage the percentage of vineyards that farm by these means only increases. It is being done at every level. 

From small independent producers who make less than 2,500 cases to looming Rioja giants like La Rioja Alta, wineries from California to Australia want to work to become more self-contained and create healthy, self-sustaining ecosystems on their own, capable of maintaining control over all aspects of grape cultivation and wine production, and doing so with minimal (and even regenerative) effect on the environment.

Is Wine Environmentally Friendly?

The wine growing industry was not always environmentally conscious. Irrigation and water use have long been an issue in wine-growing regions around the world, where vineyard sites are often in rugged and dry climates. More recently, wineries have dumped more than their fair share of chemicals on the land. Although often accounting for a very small percentage of total agricultural land, wineries spray a disproportionate amount of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. 

Directly opposing this trend, in the United States, a very large array of regulations and certifications were (and are still) being created with the aim of producing wine that is environmentally friendly. These practices are laying down the groundwork for a healthy worldwide viticulture ethos that will extend into future generations. 

SIP Certification (Sustainability-In-Practice)

Revolving around the three P’s of sustainability – People, Planet, Prosperity – SIP Certification seeks to implement stringent winemaking and wine-growing standards. They require “a measurable, holistic set of practices addressing habitat, water, energy, soil, recycling, air quality, packaging, pest management, social equity, and business management.” To ensure compliance all wineries are independently audited by third parties to eliminate any conflicts of interest. They look at sustainability in practices on every level from farm labor to agriculture – from energy conservation to water quality. 

CSWA (California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance)

Similar to SIP, an annual third-party audit is required to earn and maintain CSWA certification status. Here, wineries must adopt sustainable winegrowing standards based on the Industry’s Code of 200+ best practices for the environment, community, and wine. Vineyards must also “meet an overall score threshold, and measure and track metrics for water, energy, greenhouse gasses, and nitrogen.” Restrictions on crop-protection materials like pesticides are highly controlled as well. 

LIVE Certified

Originating from a cooperative of winegrowers in the Pacific Northwest, LIVE Certified sustainable wineries partner with numerous other certification programs and NGOs to audit the sustainable practices of participating wineries. They use the latest in university research and internationally accredited sustainability standards. All LIVE members are required to maintain ecologically rich areas on farms. These include “swaths of wildflower meadows, dense rich hedgerows, forested stands of trees, and protected riversides.” Although not required, many LIVE Certified wineries dry farm grapes without irrigation, using gravity flow systems to clarify wines. They rely on solar energy and biodiesel to power winery operations. Wineries are required to provide healthcare, safe and healthy working conditions, and fair wages for their teams in the field.

Napa Green

Napa Green is a third-party certification program for sustainable wineries. From the cellar to the offices, from the tasting room to the outdoor landscaping, all operations are measured against the six pillars of sustainability: water, waste, energy, regenerative farming, synthetic chemical reduction and social equity. The goal is to both improve soil health and help sustainable wineries become carbon neutral to negative within six to nine years. Irrigation assessments, prohibited pesticides, and conservation burning are just a few of the practices they seek to improve. Unique among the programs, Napa Green has social equity, justice, and inclusion standards that incorporate direct input and feedback from farm workers.

USDA Organic

There are two distinct categories of USDA Organic Wines. “Organic Wine” is made without using any prohibited substances or genetic engineering at any step of the process, from the vineyard to the bottle. Organic yeast must be used, and sulfites may not be added to the finished wine. However, “wine made from Organic Grapes” can involve the addition of sulfites and non-organic yeast to the winemaking process. Both designations undergo a very strict and expensive certification overview every year. 

Demeter Biodynamic 

Similar to USDA organic, but Demeter Biometric sets “higher standards on materials as well as on processes.” Demeter refers to a certification organization that promotes biodynamic farming practices. Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach to agriculture that considers the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem. Biodynamic certification requires certain organic soil preparations to be used in lieu of toxic chemicals. It also revolves around a “whole-farm” approach to growing wines in tandem with livestock, mixed agriculture, and natural systems like rivers, forests, high deserts, and ocean hillsides. Demeter certification requires that the vineyard follows strict guidelines for soil management, pest control, and the use of natural preparations, such as compost and herbal teas, to enhance the health and vitality of the soil and the vines. Wines made from grapes grown in Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards can bear the Demeter logo on their labels. Its chief concern is regenerative agriculture. 

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is an environmental management system (EMS) standard that provides guidelines for organizations to manage their environmental responsibilities. In viticulture, ISO 14001 certification indicates that the winegrower or winery has implemented an effective environmental management system to minimize their environmental impact, improve sustainability, and comply with environmental regulations. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing waste and water use, preserving biodiversity, and promoting the responsible use of natural resources. ISO 14001 certification is becoming increasingly important in the wine industry as consumers become more aware of environmental issues and demand more sustainable and eco-friendly products.

What is Sustainable Farming Wine? 

Cono Sur Winery in Chile is a long way from Sonoma County, California. A commitment to biodynamic wines also involves reducing oversupply, which has earned Cono Sur, a Chilean winery producing certified organic red wines, international recognition.  This sustainable winery is a prime example of sustainability in practice. In a true gesture of transparency, available on their website is a mammoth 100+ page sustainability report that details everything from supply chain logistics to employee working conditions to legal code compliance to vineyard practices. How well do they conserve water and use energy efficiently? Is there a water recycling system? Solar panels? Do they adopt electric vehicles? Purchase green electricity? Use recyclable wine shipping materials? Reduce air shipments? See for yourself here [pdf]

Cono Sur Winery is one of the wine brands that is leading the way in local education and promotion of sustainable wine production. This is an all-important second step that many wineries simply don’t have the bandwidth to take on. By providing an arena where other winemakers can visit and learn sustainable farming practices, Cono Sur is improving the chances of sustainability spreading throughout the other vineyards in the region. Austrian wines and those from the Gironde region of France are also known for their organic and biodynamic practices. 

Spottswoode Winery in Napa Valley is a California example of how all these regulations can coalesce to make wineries a constructive part of the environment. To conserve water, they use sensors to indicate when to irrigate vines. They do their own composting, using winery pomace and estate livestock manure to add nutrients to the soil. They plant fruit and olive trees to promote biodiversity. They have bird boxes and raptor roosts to encourage the presence of birds that eat harmful bugs and rodents. They plant cover crops in the vineyards which pull carbon from the air, and goats and sheep graze on it during the dormant season. 

The winery’s carbon footprint is measured annually by a third-party company. And solar energy powers all winery and vineyard operations. In their commitment to preserving local ecosystems and wildlife, they offer financial support to a host of organizations like the Land Trust of Napa County, the Center for Biological Diversity, the National Forest Foundation, and many others.

The cost of entry to these sustainable, organic, and biodynamic programs offer accountability and transparency. However, the cost for entry is in the thousands, annually. For many smaller-sized wineries, it is a prohibitive cost, usually unaffordable. But this doesn’t stop conscientious wineries from putting these ideas into practice.

Halleck Vineyard in Sebastopol typifies the sustainable boutique Sonoma winery. Their flagship estate vineyard, exclusively Pinot Noir, is organically grown. No pesticides are sprayed. No synthetic additives are used. Case production for the Estate Grown Pinot Noir is under 200, which has won best Pinot Noir in America, a testament to the results of following organic principles.

Does Sustainable Wine Taste Better? 

Despite broad disagreements, it is widely accepted that wine matures over time, meaning that its flavors and aromas become more interwoven and balanced. A healthy product (grapes with no pesticide residue) can contain and reflect qualities of the grape (Merlot) and terroir (Pomerol) with more purity than conventional viticulture. Think of the difference between an apple bought at 7-11 in winter and an apple bought at the local farmer’s market in fall.

The key difference in taste between conventional and sustainable wines lies in this difference between uniformity and uniqueness. Conventional viticulture is often mass viticulture, producing millions of bottles per year. The final goal of these products is a total uniformity of taste from one bottle to the next. Naturally, sustainably made wines avoid synthetic intervention and manipulation, so there is much more variation from vintage to vintage (and even bottle to bottle). This is a battle of taste: the comfort of uniform expectation vs the adventure of a unique experience.

Why Sustainable Wine Matters

Sustainable wine is a worldwide culture to create thriving and self-maintaining ecosystems in wine growing regions around the planet. Backed by a growing and diligent network of organizations that ensure accountability and transparency, many wineries around the world and in the United States are implementing these changes from grape to glass. It is a seismic and permanent shift in the principles of vineyard and cellar management. This has resulted in wines of increasing distinction and regional character, which, for many in the wine-loving world, becomes a source of continuous pleasure and discovery.

Despite the wide-ranging and heated discussions around natural and organic wine, ultimately, the difference, here in the US, is quite simple.

Organic wine is certified by the FDA. Natural wine is not. 

This is just fine for many passionate, anti-authoritarian, and raucous natural wine community members who suspect the futility of effective government regulation. The initial cost of organic certification (around $6,000), the price of annual inspections required to maintain certification, and the paperwork involved are all formidable barriers in acquiring that official organic seal.

This can be prohibitively expensive for small independent producers, who are more prominent in Sonoma County. And it’s an important factor in the rise of natural wine. However, there is also a very real danger that wineries and winemakers may claim to be “natural”, but unlike certified organic wine, there is no way to verify how they farm their vineyards or how they create wine in the cellar.

Nonetheless, organic and sustainable wine brands, also known as zero-zero – which essentially means zero additives – are here to stay. There’s even biodynamic wine, which uses a program of different organic preparations to enhance and re-vivify the life of the soil, and are applied in conjunction with natural rhythms like moon cycles. So in this golden age of grape juice when our wine cellars are filled with a vast array of choices, it should be easy to pick what we want. But it isn’t. 

Tyranny of Choice: Biodynamic, Organic and Natural Wine

The paradox of increasing freedom of choice is the necessity for an ever-sharper sense of discernment. 

Every day seems to introduce some new specialized production method. Every day seems to unearth an ancient, long-lost-and-now-found grape varietal only the deepest oenological obsessives have knowledge of.

Speedy advances in transportation, storage, and marketing have allowed previously far-flung locales like the Canary Islands and Tasmania to occupy coveted menu/shelf space next to Sonoma County Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. 

For the consumer, there is confusion and skepticism. But there’s also curiosity and even better, bravery. 

We want to experience something novel and exciting without accelerating the destruction of our environment through chemically dosing our agricultural products. We want renewable energy. We want to be environmental stewards. We want to know what toxins we’re putting in our bodies. And we want to know the differences between organic and natural wines. 

Organic vs Natural Wine: Science and Sulphur in Sonoma

It is important to understand that the term “natural wine” has no widely accepted definition nor legal certification and regulation, both in the United States and around the world.

In fact, France is the only country to recognize a definition of natural wine. In March 2020, The Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO), France’s official agricultural organization, recognized a system called Vin Méthode Nature. In this system there are two tiers of certification: those with no added sulfites, and those that add less than 30 mg/L sulfites. That is all. And this definition doesn’t apply anywhere else. 

Sulfites are a topic worthy of a PhD dissertation alone. There are huge, vehement disagreements between organic and natural wine producers on the role of sulfites in wine. In the most general sense, sulfur is a naturally occurring compound winemakers use to prevent flaws and spoilage. Sulfites are added to stop the fermentation process or preserve the flavor profile.

It is a key structural component of the wine. Many highly respected vintners are adamant that without sulfur wines don’t age well. However, many natural winemakers believe it is an aspect of “intervention” they could do without. Hence, the zero-zero category. Some are dogmatic about their practices. Some are not. It remains a point of contention. 

But there is complexity and overlap here, as most (though not all) natural wine producers acquire grapes from organic vineyards. And organic wines are legally allowed to use conventional yeast and sulfur additions, which many natural winemakers would scoff at. In the end, it’s up to the winemakers to decide. 

Natural Wine and Sonoma Wineries

To keep it short: an unofficial grouping of French vignerons in the 1980s started to loudly reject the modern wonders of industrial chemistry and forge ahead with what they saw as more sustainable approaches to winemaking.

Their approach revolved around a constellation of beliefs and practices that are not universally agreed. Their viticultural counterparts in Italy, under the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) designation, pursued the same lofty ends in response to the mass production of what natural winemaking advocates like New York Times wine writer Alice Feiring and others regarded as Frakenwines.

Sustainable farm practices behind natural wines

Regenerative farming, without fertilizers or pesticides (and in some cases, irrigation) to build a permaculture that builds instead of depleting the soil; eliminating additives like commercially produced yeast; eschewing oak barrels (for clay vessels); and generally aiming for the lowest possible human intervention in the winemaking process, whether that be eliminating sulfur additions or throwing dry-ice on grape must (aka the “cold carbonic” method).

The carbonic maceration process, which involves whole cluster fermentation in a closed anaerobic vessel, is considered to be a mainstay in natural wine production. But carbonic maceration only begins the fermentation process. Winemakers who use this process, may still inoculate the juice with additives, so some may say it is not entirely natural. At the same time, many commercial yeast strains, which are used for inoculation, are naturally occurring strains.

Natural wine production is meant to bring more distinction, clarity, and individual character to every little spot of land and grape on earth. It is meant to create wine with more personality and variation, wine with less pesticide residue and carcinogenic compounds. Natural and organic wine methods go hand-in-hand with the notion of purity, or the perfect expression of the characteristics of the grape through the terroir. 

In connection with this idea, a profound respect and reverence for the environment is found among all natural and organic winemakers. The overall goal of the movement, besides making exceptional wine, is to create a healthy ecosystem for the community. They provide clean air, fresh water, medicines and food security. They also limit disease and stabilize the climate. Therefore, these types of wine are far more sustainable than those farmed by conventional methods which contaminate the air and water and deplete (and eventually destroy) life-giving nutrients in the soil.

Natural winemaking in Sonoma

For natural wine producers, the emphasis is strongly, if not exclusively, on the vineyards themselves. Adherents believe this allows for a more authentic expression of grapes and terroir. The dogma has no trouble finding fresh believers. Since the 1980s “natural wine” has bloomed into a major international phenomenon. Every relevant winemaking country is on this train, and it’s not going to stop.

Idlewild Wines, which has a crown vineyard above the Russian River Valley and a Tasting Room just off the plaza in Healdsburg, is an excellent California example of this worldwide movement. Spearheaded by Sam Bilbo, this Sonoma winery grows Piedmontese varieties (Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cortese) planted in Mendocino County. All those vineyards are maintained by holistic farming practices like composting and carbon sequestration. Pesticides are not sprayed. There is no oak aging. Native yeast is judiciously used, and a minimal amount of sulfur is added at bottling. 

Organic Wine and Sonoma Wineries

Organic wines start with organic grapes. Organic vineyards undergo a rigorous five-step verification process in the United States. Both growing the grapes and the conversion of those grapes into wine must follow these requirements, which can be found in lengthy detail on the USDA website. Admittedly, this is an expensive and time-consuming process, but it does yield the assurance to the consumer that the wine and the vineyards have undergone inspection and are truly “organic”. 

Yet it’s very important for the consumer to keep in mind that organic agricultural production still uses pesticides and herbicides that USDA’s organic certification standards have deemed acceptable. Just because something is labeled “organic” does not mean that no pesticides or herbicides are used. It simply means that the ones applied met the USDA’s production standards for the term.

Some Sonoma winemakers label sustainably farmed and otherwise organic wines as simply “natural”

Halleck Vineyards typifies the small producer in Sonoma County. Halleck Vineyard makes two organic red wines, but given the expenses associated with certified organic, which includes maintaining three years of diligent records in English (most farmworkers speak only Spanish), their wines are not certified as organic and must be marketed as natural wines, ever though their farming practices are regenerative, sustainable, and 100% organic. The Halleck Vineyard Estate Grown Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, which has been judged the best Pinot Noir in America again and again, comes from a tiny one acre vineyard about 900 ft above sea level in southwest Sebastopol, bordering the new West Sonoma Coast AVA. 

Planted in 1993, the vineyard has never seen chemical spraying or invasive mechanization. Organic practices allow the fruit to get naturally ripe and highly concentrated. The wine undergoes fermentation with native yeast, but Halleck likes to add about 30% new oak to the wine, leaving it in the barrel for ten months. This is one major difference between organic and natural winemaking. One will often see organic producers using new oak, while natural winemakers often opt for clay or stainless steel tanks.

Do Sonoma Organic Wines have Fewer Chemicals than Natural Wines?

Organically grown grapes cannot be treated with any synthetic pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, or fertilizers. 

This fact alone makes them a much healthier alternative to conventionally produced wine, which has tons upon tons of harsh chemicals sprayed on them every year. Despite this, certified organic wine is allowed to have about 70 different chemicals added to it. These are mostly organic and naturally occurring acids, salts, and sugars (the list can be found on the FDA’s website). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibits any organic products from using chemicals that have an adverse effect on the environment or on human health.

But even though organic wine is generally recognized to be healthier and safer than conventional wine, the actual scientific data regarding the importance of organic production on the chemical content of wines is shockingly scarce. There are only a few studies coming out, all from European countries such as Italy, Croatia, and Romania, none from the US. What they have found is quite enlightening: the mineral (heavy metal) composition of wines depends on factors different from organic/conventional production methods.

The landmark Naughton Study, published in 2008, rocked the wine world by revealing that the vast majority of wines in Europe contained dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals. This meant that, in a very real way, it didn’t matter if the wine was made by natural, organic, or conventional methods. Toxic heavy metals saturate our air and water, and so they saturate our wines. These are called “priority pollutants” and can have potentially deadly effects if their concentrations are not kept under legally allowed limits. 

Sustainable farming is not enough to produce organic grapes

A grapevine is like an ecological vacuum cleaner. It sucks in everything from everywhere. Many wine characteristics, such as grape ripeness, taste, aroma, and more, are under the hidden influence of these “priority pollutants” because of the absorbent nature of the grapevine. 

You could be an outstanding natural boutique winery in Sonoma. But, if your neighbor is a conventional Monsanto farmer, that’s trouble. Contamination of your wine by “priority pollutants” can happen at any stage of the process. 

A big gust of wind can take a synthetic pesticide cloud down the road and into your vineyard. Heavy metal contamination may be caused by long contact of acidic wine with aluminum, brass, stainless steel, and wood used in machinery and pipes, casks, and barrels. Or the chemicals you use for cleaning and sanitation might find their way into the must. Or maybe your vineyards are near the roadway. Those often contain high levels of cadmium and lead from vehicle exhaust fumes. 

Nearby commercial industries, city waste management, and traffic may contribute to the introduction of metals into soil, grapes, and ultimately into the final product. Collective environmental circumstances influence soil, climate, ripeness, transport, and storage. Even glass bottles and foil capsules can seep heavy metals into the wine. 

The reality is, organic wines are only “better” for you in the sense that they eliminate the main carcinogenic compounds which are intentionally used in the production of conventional wines. The less you are poisoned by your food and drink, the better. Yet these effects are often systemic and compounded with time: the longer you drink in life, the more it will affect you. It’s not a glass at night that’s bad. It’s a glass at night for 20 years that could be detrimental to your overall health. 

But this, in a nutshell, is exactly what the natural wine movement seeks to do. It seeks to help safeguard the planet’s ecosystem, so we don’t have to be inundated by toxic heavy metals anymore. And we can enjoy those 20 years of nightly glasses without worrying about our lasting overall health. 

Do Natural and Organic Wines from Sonoma Taste Better?

Similarities do exist between conventional, organic, and natural wine. All alcohol causes inflammation in the human body. It doesn’t matter if it was made in your backyard with pristine ingredients or at a mega-chateau with synthetic additives. And no alcohol in excess, no matter how immaculately produced, is kind on your liver. 

Conventional, organic and natural wines all cause hangovers. But organic and natural wines are made without the chemicals used by conventional winemakers. This may be less taxing on your biology, but it does not eliminate the negative effects of alcohol, when taken to excess. Additionally, since some wine drinkers develop sensitivities to sulfur at some point in life, they prefer wine with fewer quantities added in. This is a big selling point for natural wines.

Taste of Sonoma natural wine

But taste, of course, is highly subjective. Organic and natural winemaking techniques are not simple or easy to execute, no matter how “hands off” it seems. It takes a highly skilled viticulturist to both grow grapes and make wine with no additives. This is why taste will vary so markedly from producer to producer and from bottle to bottle. Although the aspiration of organic and natural winemakers is the production of wines that taste like where they came from, in practice, there are many wines that lack flavor, structure, and definition. There’s a nasty wet dog and barnyard component that can’t be overcome. Thankfully, very few wines have these qualities. The best practice to develop your taste would be to find a wine shop that knows their stuff and can point you in the right direction. 

The Natural Finish

The difference between natural and organic wine is complicated and intertwined. There’s a long and complex history involved in the growth of the natural wine industry, and much of it is tied into organic farming and the creation of a sustainable wine industry, at least in the United States. The number of certified organic vineyards grows year and year, as does the number of self-described “natural” winemakers, but since there are so few laws and regulations in regard to natural wines, the debate between the taste, philosophy, and quality of natural versus organic wines will continue to rage.

Now a lot has changed, but one thing remains the same. We still enjoy gathering together to share our passion about wine with others.

This is your fact-checked, 100% up-to-date wine festival calendar for 2023.

2023 Uncorked Wine Festival

For 2023, Uncorked Wine Fest returns to Union Station. More than 150 wines plus food trucks, music and a beautiful setting rounds out a perfect Saturday for us. General admission will be able to sip from 6 to 9 pm. The VIP ticket provides early admission at 5 pm and includes an extra hour of tasting with a smaller crowd for the first hour, and bonus pours from select wineries during that hour. Tickets include all beverage tastings, with food sold separately. There will be a DJ, live band, and photo booth. This event benefits the nonprofit organization A Kid Again

9th Annual Garagiste Festival Southern Exposure

The Garagiste Festival is “one of the premier wine events of the year”, according to the LA Times, and was named the ‘Best Wine Festival in the US in 2018.’ Every winery featured during the tasting makes under 1500 cases per year. This is the first and only wine festival dedicated to the undiscovered and under-recognized American artisan ‘garagiste’ producers who are making some of the best, most exciting, innovative, handcrafted small-lot wines in the world. During the Grand Tasting, complimentary cheese & charcuterie (and water) will be provided along with tasty treats from local artisan vendors. A signature Stolzle glass is included in the ticket purchase. And don’t forget the silent wine auction. All proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Garagiste Scholarship Fund at Cal Poly SLO to help fund the future of California winemaking.

Les Fondamentales

If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s no better place to taste Pinot Noir than Burgundy. This is the holy grail of Pinot Noir, the most famous and high-quality region for this particular grape. Few places express the notion of “wine civilization” as well as they do. The Fundamentals are a half-day initiation into the exciting world of Burgundy wines. Whether you are a confirmed wine-buff or simple enthusiast keen to stimulate the tastebuds, this event will initiate you into the secrets of the land, and the magic of vinification. Learn to look, smell, taste, and properly identify and evaluate the startling white wines of Chablis and Meursault, and the legendary reds of Cote de Nuits. Agricultural conservation, the correct serving of wines, and the association of food and wine pairings are also discussed. At the end, you will be more comfortable with a glass of Burgundy in your hand, and begin to find the right words to share your impressions.

21st Annual World of Pinot Noir

The annual World of Pinot Noir event gathers the world’s foremost Pinot Noir wineries, winemakers, renowned chefs, sommeliers, and leading wind scholars in a weekend-long seaside celebration of all things Pinot. Luncheons hosted by Santa Barbara winemakers, a Grand Cru Burgundy dinner, educational seminars, blind tastings, VIP sommelier tours, and the ultimate Grand Tasting at the Ritz-Carlton’s Grand Ballroom. Just a few of the perks of the festival. This event sells out fast, so advance tickets are a must. 

16th Annual Pigs and Pinot Festival

This event has become a tradition among pork and wine enthusiasts. Every year, Chef Charlie Palmer brings in culinary and wine elites from around the country to showcase their talents. Friday evening the festival kicks off lively Taste of Pigs & Pinot where guests sample 60 highly-acclaimed Pinot Noir wines competing in the Pinot Cup competition, both from Sonoma County and around the world. Tastings are served alongside a variety of pork dishes, including homemade sausages, charcuterie, grilled pork, patés and other special creations from Chef Palmer, Dry Creek Kitchen, guest celebrity chefs, and local Healdsburg restaurants including Barndiva, Spoonbar, and Valette. Guests can purchase tickets to two different chef seminars for a more lively gourmet experience. All net proceeds from Pigs & Pinot benefit Farm to Pantryas well as local scholarships and charities

Passport to Dry Creek Valley

Sponsored by the winegrowers association of Dry Creek Valley, this is an immersive experience that goes beyond wine and food tasting. Festive themes at more than 45 wineries transport guests to another time and place. Ticket-holders will enjoy intimate vineyard tour lunches and exclusive winemaker dinners featuring unique themes and premium wine and food pairings. Guests will have access to countless wines that aren’t available in stores, and a chance to snag a coverted spot in wine clubs. Choose your starting winery and go at your own pace with no reservations necessary.

2023 Sun, Wind, and Wine Festival

Every year, the Mer Soleil Winery generously opens its doors for the day to allow wine lovers to visit a beautiful property that’s not open to the public. Join the preeminent producers of the Santa Lucia Highlands for an unforgettable vino-afternoon. Chat with the winemakers like Charles Hendricks of Hope and Grace or Scott Shapley of ROAR as they personally pour their most sought-after Santa Lucia Highlands bottlings. The wines can be paired with gourmet delicacies prepared by chefs from exceptional Monterey Peninsula restaurants and food purveyors. There’s also live music and a silent auction that benefits a local charity. 

2023 Nantucket Food & Wine Festival

May 17th – 21st, 2023

White Elephant, 50 Easton St, Nantucket, MA 02554

Tickets: $150 – $650 (events vary)

www.nantucketwinefestival.com

Selected Wineries: Marchesi di Barolo, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Chateau Musar

The Nantucket Wine Festival is easily one of the most prestigious events of its kind. This year the event celebrates its 25th Anniversay. It draws over 3,000 attendees to the island, and boasts a massive star-studded lineup of vintners, wineries, chefs, and restaurants, like Paul Hobbs, Eric Asmov, Kevin Zraly, and Joseph Keller. Despite its illustrious pedigree, the NWF remains boutique in style and intimate in its setting. Sit down with an educational seminar on Chablis Grand Cru, enjoy a five-course dinner with Opus One. Don’t miss the grand tasting. Besides the good vino, this festival marks the awakening of the island itself, as restaurants, galleries, activities, and tours open for the season. Try over 100+ wineries from Italy, France, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, California, and Oregon.

40th Annual Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival

May 19th – 21st, 2023

Lake Skinner Recreation Area, 37701 Warren Rd, Winchester, CA 92596

Tickets: $35 – $300 (for Balloon Rides)

www.tvbwf.com

Selected Wineries: Altisima Winery, Palumbo Family, Vindemia

Popular Varietals: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay

Prominent AVAs: Temecula Valley

The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival continues to give vino lovers a truly unique experience. Where else can you view grape vines from a hot-air balloon? This three-day offering of exquisite local wine and top-name entertainment continues to go strong in its 40th year. The Main Stage brings concert goers to their feet every afternoon and night. The Wine Stage is bustling each day with local favorites and up-and-coming indie producers of wine and beer from near and far. Walk along the Commercial Court, which is home to over 100 vendors that deliver all of your favorite fair foods. Arrive early to experience balloon lift off or rides! Balloons fly 3,000 feet above Lake Skinner (depending on the weather) in the cool, early morning only. If you’re not an early riser, enjoy the evening Balloon Glow. Held Friday night under the stars, this special event features tethered balloons dancing to live music.

24th Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival

May 19th – 21st, 2023

Scharffenberger Cellars + Other Locations within Anderson Valley, Philo, CA

Tickets: $75 – $350 (VIP)

avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival/

Selected Wineries: Cobb Wines, Copain, Kosta Browne, Littorai

Popular Varietal: Pinot Noir

Prominent AVA: Anderson Valley 

For an unmatched combination of the ruggedly beautiful and exquisitely refined, there’s no better place than Anderson Valley. Nobody does California Pinot Noir quite like they do. The cool climate and clay-loam soil breath elegance and grace into the grapes. You can taste from more than 50 wineries at the festival, including more than a dozen prestige labels from Napa and Sonoma that covet their fabulous fruit. Their best local chefs will serve up delicious food pairings all weekend, and wine enthusiasts can also acquire exclusive wine at our ever-popular silent auction. This year, a VIP Bubble Lounge will pour the best sparkling wines from family-owned wineries from the Anderson Valley and the Champagne region of France. Learn alongside winemakers at Friday’s educational seminars, sample amazing Pinot, rosé and sparkling wines at the Grand Tasting on Saturday, and then explore the valley during Sunday’s winery open houses. This is outdoor, so bring comfy footwear and layers in case it gets chilly. 

2023 Bottle Rock Napa Valley

May 26th – 28th, 2023

Napa Valley Expo, 575 3rd St, Napa, CA 94559

Tickets: $189 (1-day tickets on sale / 3-day tickets sold out)

www.bottlerocknapavalley.com

Selected Wineries: Amuse Bouche, Stag’s Leap Winery, Schramsberg Vineyards

Popular Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc

Prominent AVA: Napa Valley

The 2023 festival features three days of music headlined by The Smashing Pumpkins, Duran Duran, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. There’s also a culinary stage featuring live seminars and a VIP oasis with premium bars and comfortable seating. There is even a day spa with services on offer, like massages, facials, and hair-stylings. As a bonus, Bottle Rock strives to become one of the most sustainable festivals by increasing compost, decreasing landfill waste and eliminating single use plastic. 

40th Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

June 16th – 18th, 2023

Wagner Park, 350 E Durant Ave, Aspen, CO 81611 

Tickets: $250 (on sale January 18th, 2023)

Classic.foodandwine.com

Set against the spectacular Rocky Mountains backdrop, guests enjoy three incredible days filled with cooking demonstrations, wine & spirits tastings, and panel discussions led by world-class chefs and beverage experts. Attendees have the opportunity to choose from over 40 cooking demonstrations and wine seminars led by celebrity chefs and wine & spirits experts, such as Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Kwame Onwuachi, Leslie Sbrocco and Carlton McCoy, as well as a chance to sample outstanding wines, food, spirits, and beers in the Grand Tasting Pavilion from around the world. 

35th Annual Ojai Wine Festival

June 17th, 2023

Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11311 Santa Ana Rd, Ventura, CA 93001

Tickets: $75 – $95 (on sale soon)

Ojaiwinefestival.com

Selected Wineries: Bonny Doon Vineyards, Dusty Nabor Wines, Cavaletti Vineyards

Popular Varietals: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah

Prominent AVAs: Santa Barbara, Ventura County

Overlooking scenic Lake Casitas, the 35th Annual Ojai Wine Festival is the longest running wine festival in Ventura County. Lake Casitas is an idyllic venue to taste Santa Barbara and Ventura County’s award-winning wines, craft beers, ciders, seltzers, and fine spirits. You can purchase a meal from a tempting selection of gourmet food trucks, or shop to your heart’s delight among the fine arts and crafts booths. There will be a live band & lakeside dance floor, Silent Auction, and a wine, beer & spirits, wine judging competition. The Ojai Wine Festival is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Ojai-West Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose charitable projects focus on improving education, aiding low-income families, and supporting activities that enrich the lives of area youth. Admission includes a keepsake crystal wine glass.

2023 North Coast Wine Festival

June 17th, 2023

Luther Burbank Center for the Arts Pavilion, 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Tickets: $95 – $135 (VIP)

www.northcoastwineandfood.com

Selected Wineries: Amphora Winery, Merriam Vineyards, Peterson Winery

Popular Varietals: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Prominent AVAs: Napa County, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

The North Coast Wine & Food Festival is a celebration of the best wine and food of this preeminent region of California. On the gorgeous front lawn pavilion of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, you’ll enjoy a long afternoon of excellent wine and delicious food, including caviar, donuts, and grilled cheese tasting stations. Plus live music and ongoing interactive programs. Convenient on-site parking and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

2023 California Wine Festival – Santa Barbara

June 24th, 2023

Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 

Tickets: $120 – $170 (includes commemorative wine glass)

https://www.mysbnature.org/event-list/wine-fest

Selected Wineries: Au Bon Climat, Melville Winery, Tercero Wines

Popular Varietals: Pinot Noir, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc

Selected AVAs: Santa Barbara, Central Coast, Paso Robles

At the ever-popular and renowned California Wine Festival at Santa Barbara, guests will sip and savor 100+ of the Central Coast’s best wineries and culinary delights. This year the event takes place at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. Enjoy a splendid summer afternoon tasting wine and wandering along in the Museum’s oak woodland near Mission Creek. Snacks like artisanal cheese, chocolate, and seafood delicacies are abundant. Festival guests have the chance to purchase $40 raffle tickets and are guaranteed to win a prize worth $40 or more. The tasting will also sell 100 tickets ($100 each) for a chance to win an incredible 7-night cruise with AmaWaterways for two people through the French Bordeaux region. All net proceeds from the tasting and raffle support the Museum’s nature and science education programs.

35th Annual International Pinot Noir Celebration

July 28th – 30th, 2023

Oak Grove at Lindfield University, 900 SE Baker St, McMinnville, OR 97128

Tickets: $150 – $250 (on sale soon)

ipnc.org

Selected Wineries: Abacela Winery, Domaine Dujac, Craggy Range

Popular Varietals: Pinot Noir

Prominent AVAs: France, California, New Zealand

The second largest single-varietal event of its kind, drawing in thousands all over the world, the International Pinot Noir Celebration is the Cannes Film Festival of Pinot Noir. Sample an unparalleled array of over 70 featured wineries from five different countries and three continents. All Pinot, all day. The event takes place in the shaded oak groves of Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. Guests might find themselves chatting with a Tasmanian winery owner, eating lunch with a writer from a favorite wine publication, or walking through vine rows with the Willamette Valley vintner who planted them. To maximize personal interaction with each winemaker, the event is split into two sessions. 35 Featured Winemakers will pour for each session and break in the middle for winemaker introductions and surprises. And at the end of the day, everyone celebrates together at tables topped with a collection of Pinot Noir and the finest Northwest cuisine. 

2023 Wine Festivals Wrap-Up

The world of wine festivals is opening back up. Now is the time to pick the ones you want to attend and start making plans. If you’re Los Angeles or Orange County based and interested in attending any of the Napa or Sonoma wine festivals, a new airline called Avelo recently added competitively priced roundtrips from Burbank to Santa Rosa, so you can avoid the major metropolitan airports like LAX and SFO and get in and out quicker.

We can all enjoy a bottle in the privacy and comfort of our own homes. But for beginners and aficionados alike, there simply is no better place to taste and learn about wine than a festival. Whether it’s sampling 20 different southern Rhone blends from just the Central Coast, or five different Pinot Noirs from five different continents, or discussing oak treatments with a vigneron from Chablis and one from Napa, wine festivals bring so much originality and exclusivity to the table, that they’re impossible to pass up. 

So regardless of where you’re based, if you love luxury wine, indie wine, or small-production wine, we’re pleased to provide this accurate, up to date and fact checked Wine Festival Calendar for 2023 to help you plan your trip.

One of the best wines to pair with Mediterranean dishes is the Halleck Vineyard Hillside Cuvee Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, according to Boulud Sud Head Sommelier Victoria Taylor, who pours the varietal at her Lincoln Center eatery.

Boulud Sud is owned by two-Michelin star celebrity chef Daniel Boulud, best known for his Upper East Side French restaurant Daniel.

Taylor says this award-winning, cool climate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is more about subtlety than power. Halleck Vineyards is a family-owned winery located in the Russian River Valley. And their estate-grown Pinot Noir has been judged Best Pinot Noir in the US multiple times over the past two decades. This small-production Russian River Winery is only available at fine restaurants like Boulud Sud and through the wine tasting room at their Sebastopol winery estate.

There’s a ruby purple color in the glass. The fruit aromas are soft and expressive. There’s raspberry, cranberry, and a whiff of white pepper. Some chalkiness in the background, but this is more fruit than earth or mineral. It’s not super lush, but there is a great layering of red fruits, woodsy notes, and zipping acidity. 

Boulud Sud in New York City is a restaurant that celebrates coastal Mediterranean cuisine. From Spain to Greece to Turkey and beyond, the menu emphasizes the unique attributes of each micro-region. And one of the dishes on the menu that pairs particularly well with the Halleck Vineyard Hillside Pinot is their basil fruit spiced Rohan Duck. 

It’s prepared with dates, and this adds a good amount of sugar to the dish. The sweetness isn’t cloying, but it has a granular texture. It’s a complex and highly flavorful dish, and Hillside Cuvee Pinot Noir blends seamlessly with the texture and sweetness of the roasted duck. It’s a pairing of like with like. 

According to Taylor, “It can be kind of hard to pair bright, rich, brilliant, shiny wines with our cuisine.” These can impart a bitterness to the food, and blunt the expressive personality of the dishes. For specifically California wines, cool climate regions also tend to produce the best whites to pair with Mediterranean food. That’s because the cold Pacific winds keep these grapes from overripening. 

Wineries in these regions generally don’t extract too much from the grapes, meaning it won’t be super fruity or dense. These wines are light-on-their-feet. For instance, a quaffable, peppery Syrah from the Northern Rhone would generally work better than a heavily-oaked Merlot from Napa. Also, think along the lines of Nebbiolo from Piedmont rather than Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa. 

Taylor recently collaborated with winemaker Ross Halleck on a private wine dinner at Bar Boulud, another Daniel Boulud restaurant, on a private, four-course wine dinner for Halleck Vineyard Inner Circle wine club members to compare French vs California wines.

Sometimes Mediterranean food can throw you a curveball. There can be Labneh (a cheese made from strained yogurt) and other salty cheese on the menu. These foods are best paired with wine that has a good amount of lactic acid but that retains buoyancy and lift. Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast or white Burgundy from Cote d’Or are excellent choices. A mineral-tinged Chenin Blanc from Loire is also in the same ballpark. 

This helps imbue the food with a definitive texture, more so than classic French, Italian, or new American food styles. And since wine pairings are mostly focused on taste and smell, the challenge of pairing wine with Mediterranean food is to complement or align itself with textural, rather than flavorful, components. 

Historically, northern Africa and parts of the middle Middle East were colonized by the French and Spanish. Consequently, there is a lot of culinary influence from both countries on the food from these regions. Even in a really warm, humid climate, there will be various kinds of stews – tomato or squash based – coming from a tradition of stewing vegetables and meat. Fish also may be added. There’s a bit of Italian influence from pasta-centric dishes found in Mediterranean cuisine, which pairs well with the chameleon-like quality of Pinot Grigio.  

Boulud Sud is located in New York City across the street from Lincoln Center in New York. It’s next to the Metropolitan Opera, the ballet, and the New York Philharmonic. It’s open Tuesday – Sunday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Reservations are recommended.

Currently, on the menu is smoked salmon in a tart tomatillo sauce, which pairs perfectly with the 2021 Halleck Vineyard Little Sister Sauvignon Blanc. Inspired and surprising, this is a pairing you won’t be able to recreate at home.

The Little Sister is a medium-bodied wine with a savory, salty texture. There are classic green pear and gooseberry aromas, never too intense, along with lemon and floral tones that compliment the smoky, spicy qualities of the salmon. The wine has that citrus and passion fruit on the palate, typical of California, but with an added layer of mineral zip and saline finish that reminds one of Sancerre. As Sommelier Jose Delgado, the Wine Director at Mourad, describes this California Sauvignon Blanc food and Sonoma wine pairing, “The wine is round and rich enough to cut through the oily salmon and handles the smoke aspect very well.”

Smokey dishes can be particularly hard to pair wine with. Halleck Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc handles it like a pro. The winery is family-owned and located in the Russian River Valley. Their estate-grown Pinot Noir has been judged Best Russian River Pinot Noir multiple times over the past two decades.

Chef and founder Mourad Laulou maintains an inventive mix of traditional and modern Moroccan cuisine. Often recognized as one of the most creative chefs working today, Laulou is in the business of creating exceptional food memories for those who enter his restaurant. 

Moroccan food is characterized by long, long cooking times, often using a blend of house spices. There are not necessarily set recipes here, more like guidelines, and everyone has their own particular interpretation of a dish. Some use more Berber spice or different blends of cardamoms. Some are influenced more by grains of paradise or Aleppo pepper. Perhaps there are additions of cumin and coriander, even incorporating dried seafood or chilies. Often dishes with eggplant and pickled vegetables. There’s always going to be rosemary and preserve lemon, which is a staple of Moroccan cuisine. 

To maintain their rigorous quality standards, Mourad makes preserved lemons on-site. And they utilize small farms for their meat selections and buy seasonally available fish and vegetables from local markets. According to Sommelier Jose Delgado, the Wine Director at Mourad, the menu fluctuates according to what the season brings.

Other dishes that deserve mention for their outstanding pairing with the Little Sister Sauvignon Blanc are the Moroccan spice glazed chicken and the slightly cured scallops with poached pear, beets, and ponzu dressing. Since the wine is more on the savory salty side, it doesn’t clash with the spice in the chicken, and the green melon/passion fruit flavor gels with the scallops equally well.

Mourad is open Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 5 pm to 10 pm. Reservations are recommended.

Nearly 300 people attended what is the Ceres Community Project’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Partnering with celebrated chefs and local wineries, the event featured eight different food and Sonoma wine pairing stations. Here, teen volunteers, gardeners, and chefs came together to create the tasting menu and nourish the community.

Over 175 different items were donated to the ever-popular silent auction by Napa and Sonoma County Wineries, local businesses, hotels, and restaurants. “We couldn’t have raised our goal without everybody in the community coming together. So that was really big for us,” said Ceres Development Associate Melissa Hosking. 

Here are the top four auction items that were offered at the fundraiser.

Private Farm Dinner Experience for 10 at Live Oak Farm ($3,250)

A private dining experience for 10, featuring organic farm-grown produce, wine pairings, and a farm tour.  Live Oak Farm in Petaluma is a CCOF Organic farm where a collaboration of land, creativity, community, and continued evolution in farming has been created by your hosts William and Tom. Farmers William and Tom have backgrounds in food and wine prior to starting the farm and love sharing their farm story with Community. Live Oak Farm is located on the former Bundesen Ranch, where four generations of farmers previously tended the land.

5 Night Stay in Alpine Meadows, Tahoe w/John and Diana Schaefer ($3,200) 

An adorable modern cabin in the heart of Alpine Meadows, next to Squaw Valley and Tahoe City. Fully refurbished by a bay area interior designer sleeps up to 7 guests and is host to 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom, a fireplace, flat-screen TVs, and a new stainless-steel kitchen and bar area. One mile from Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, 10 minutes from Tahoe City, and just one mile from the Truckee River. Activities include rafting, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming right out your front door. The local HOA also includes a private freshwater pond with a beach, barbecue area, and tennis courts.

Halleck Vineyards and Mazza Catering Winemaker Dinner for Eight ($3,100)

Join Ross Halleck and Chef Kristina of Mazza Catering at the Halleck Vineyard Sebastopol Winery for an unforgettable food and wine pairing event. Halleck Vineyard wines have been judged #1 Pinot Noir in North America three times, #1 White Wine in California, and #1 White Wine in Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties. Chef Kristina Daya, a Sonoma County native, cultivated her craft while journeying throughout the Mediterranean and has since earned The Confrérie de le Chaine des Rôtisseurs, an esteemed chefs’ accolade. Eight guests will be hosted in Ross’s Sebastopol home, overlooking all of Sonoma County from its perch. This stunning location is also home to his Estate Grown Pinot Noir, offered only to wine club members. You will enjoy a six-course chefs’ menu from Mazza Catering paired with current and library wines from Halleck Vineyard’s extensive collection. Tour the vineyard and its beautiful gardens, pick fruit from the trees that line the property, and soak in the mystery and majesty of West County.

Dinner for Four Guests at Single Thread Restaurant ($2,750)

This 3-Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the top 50 “World’s Best Restaurants. Savor an impeccably-prepared 10-course tasting menu crafted by one of the country’s most accomplished chefs, Kyle & Katina Connaughton.

The menu showcases the farm’s seasonal bounty, grown with healthy, nutrient-dense soil in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley. It changes with each micro-season. SingleThread in Healdsburg is a sensory experience – from the comfortable, Japanese-inspired dining room to the remarkable meal presentation.

The auction was conducted by professional auctioneer, Keith McLane, who was retained by Ceres to manage the live bidding.  A large number of Northern California wineries donated to the cause, including Russian River wineries Halleck Vineyard, Iron Horse Vineyards, Horse & Plow, Inman Family Wines, Martha Stoumen, and Hafner Vineyard, a small family winery in Alexander Valley near Healdsburg in Sonoma County that produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and a Malbec. Breweries like Lagunitas in Petaluma and HenHouse in Santa Rosa supplied the auction with cases. With food from Park Avenue Catering in Cotati, Oliver’s Market in Santa Rosa, Chef Daniel Kedan of Backyard Forestville, Ceres Teen Leaders, Fishetarian Fish Market in Bodega Bay, and Three Leaves Foods in Santa Rosa. 

About Sebastopol Charity Ceres Community Project

Sebastopol charity Ceres Community Project is a non-profit organization that works with teen volunteers to prepare and deliver healthy, wholesome, and 100% organic meals to people undergoing serious acute or chronic illness. These are free or low-cost meals.

Ceres also partners with healthcare providers such as Kaiser Permanente to make access to medically tailored meals a routine part of healthcare. In 2018 it galvanized California into funding a first-in-the-nation statewide pilot program of medically tailored meals for low-income community members with congestive heart failure. Currently, Ceres is working to establish full reimbursement in the state’s MediCal program for medically tailored meals. 

Additionally, Ceres Community Project has a youth development program. They work to ensure that teens and young adults know how to make a healthy meal and understand the impact their food choice has on their own health and the health of the planet. To this end, they empower teens as volunteer gardeners and cooks, giving them direct hands-on experience in growing organic food and preparing nutrient-dense meals. With their help, Ceres maintains two organic gardens, and three kitchens in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Novato, where all meal preparation takes place. This expands their confidence and skills, which the organization mentors as they usher them into the business world.   

To make a one-time or recurring donation to the Ceres Community Projects, click here.

Downtown Sebastopol is in the south-central portion of the Russian River Valley, which is usually enveloped in a thick layer of coastal fog that rolls in from Bodega Bay. Russian River Valley wineries are acclaimed for Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and White Zinfandel.

The average price of a Sebastopol wine tasting is $48, eighteen percent of Sebastopol wineries serve food pairings with their wine tastings, and only twenty-two percent of Sebastopol wine tasting rooms accept walk-ins. So make a reservation if you’re serious about sipping fine Sonoma wines.

Once a plum and apple growing industry, the area is now a diverse paradise of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and of course, rolling green vineyards. Some of the wineries on our list are on Gravenstein Drive, which runs through the center of Sebastopol, which gives a sense of the town’s agricultural roots.

Apples and wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay do well in a cool climate. Sebastopol is a microclimate with a terrior that has an excellent predisposition to harvesting world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. They even have an annual Gravenstein Apple Festival. But historically, viticulture is relatively new in Sebastopol.

Today, heavy investment has turned nearly all former orchards into vineyards, may of which are in hilly areas enveloped in morning fog. Whereas grapes grown on a flat vineyard ripen evenly, on hilly vineyards some clusters ripen before others, which makes growing grapes in this area a little trickier, since vineyard are harvest in one fell swoop, making the pick date harder to call.

Nevertheless, the Sebastopol wineries are impressive. It’s now one of the world’s finest wine grape growing regions. But it’s very different from Napa Valley, where producers make millions of cases. Sebastopol is home to more small wineries. In Sebastopol wine tasting rooms, the person pouring is usually also the winegrower and the vintner. At boutique wineries, the owners where more hats, so the wine tasting experience often gives visitors a closer view of winemaking process from grape to glass.

Here are some of the best Sonoma wine tastings in Sebastopol. Some of the wineries are in downtown Sebastopol, or the Barlow. But the more intimate wine tasting experiences are found off the beaten path, 10 to 20 minutes from the city center. Depending on what you’re looking, you can use the Sebastopol Wine Tasting Map below to chart your course.

We start with a visit to one of Sebastopol’s first vineyard ever planted in 1994.

Top 12 Sebastopol Wine Tastings Map

1. Halleck Vineyard

• $65 per person – vineyard tour, 8 wines with food pairings
• (707) 738-8383
• 3785 Burnside Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Fri-Sun 11am-3pm, by appointment only
• Dog-friendly
• Complimentary universal car charging station
• halleckvineyard.com/wine-tasting-sonoma-county

For true Pinotphiles, no trip to Sebastopol is complete without a visit to the Halleck Vineyard Estate. This is one of the first Pinot Noir Vineyards planted in Sebastopol in 1994. Pinot Noir from Halleck Vineyard was judged Best Pinot in America for three years in a row. Their Sauvignon Blanc was judged Best California White Wine, and their Dry White Gewürztraminer was judged Best White Wine. These are small batch, luxury wines made by Ross Halleck and Jennifer Halleck. They host small, intimate wine tasting salons at their hilltop Sebastopol Estate with sweeping views of the Russian River Valley. Only 16 people per wine tasting experience and dogs are welcome. Tour the viticulture roots of the best California Pinot Noir and get a chance to buy hard to find wines not sold in stores. Taste 8 different award-winning wines poured with stories about how they’re made. Each is paired with delectable, single-bite delicacies made from locally sourced ingredients including triple cream truffle brie and Pinot Noir infused chocolate.ƒ

2. Sebastopol Winery – Merry Edwards

• $25 / $100 vertical tasting
• (707) 823-7466
• 2959 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Open Daily 9:30am – 4pm, by appointment only

After your first Sebastopol wine tour, you may also want to visit the winery of Merry Edwards. She’s one of the first women to become a winemaker in California. Merry Edwards has always been devoted to Pinot Noir. From 1973 to the present day, she’s created award-winning wines by capturing unique Pinot flavors through site-specific viticulture. The tasting room built into the winery itself. You can taste through several single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, and even her hidden gem, a truly special Sauvignon Blanc. Each wine speaks to the diversity of the region. They show Merry Edwards’ commitment to creating exceptional wines of depth that evoke a true sense of place. For the collector and aspiring wine lover, a vertical tasting flight is available. It’s a sampling of six wines of radically different vintages. This will show how traditional, labor-intensive protocols in their cellar result in wines of depth and longevity.

3. Sebastopol Winery – Dutton-Goldfield Winery

• $30 / $45 cheese and wine pairing
• (707) 827-3600
• 3100 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Open Daily 10am – 4pm, by appointment only

Consistently voted one of the best Russian River Winery to visit, Dutton Goldfield is a well-known gem. Not only a precious spot for grape vines, but a beautiful apple orchard as well. So for those looking to get away from the boisterous valley crowds, the winery has a spacious tasting room, full of natural light. Relax on the serene patio overlooking the vineyard and discover cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You can choose the classic tasting experience, which includes a selection of their current release whites and reds, or the single-vineyard Pinot Noir experience. Another option is a seated tasting of their limited-production wines, ranging from across their portfolio of varietals, from Riesling to Zinfandel. Learn why they pair so well with the local artisan cheeses.

4. Sebastopol Winery – Red Car Wine Co.

• $25 / $55 tasting and tour 
• (707) 829-8500
• 8400 Graton Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Open Daily 10am – 5pm

Red Car is an outstanding producer of limited, single-vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah wines. A laid-back, informative tasting will guide you through a delicious array of wines. Some are only available for purchase at the winery, including a stellar Cabernet Sauvignon. Ample seating available outside on the patio. For the enthusiast, there’s the option of a walking vineyard tour of Freestone’s Zephyr Farms Vineyard. It’s a seven-acre site surrounded by breathtaking views, redwoods and coastal fog. You’ll taste Red Car Zephyr Farms Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – wines cultivated from the same seven-acre vineyard site – while you explore this special farm.

5. Sebastopol Winery – Pax Mahle Wine

• $20 / $75 tasting and cellar tour 
• (707) 331-1393
• 6780 McKinley St #170, Sebastopol, CA 95472 
• Sun – Thurs 11am-6pm, Fri – Sat 11am-7pm

Pax Mahle focuses on Syrah and Gamay from coastal sites. They also produce more esoteric varieties that brilliantly showcase the diversity of California wine. Just stroll up to their garage door and listen to some vinyl spinning on the turntable. Their tasting room in the Barlow, in downtown Sebastopol has flights, wine by-the-glass/bottle, and a selection of small bites for every palate. There’s an outdoor patio as well, dog-friendly. It’s a laid back experience that everyone can enjoy. You can also book a private tasting and cellar tour that showcases single-vineyard Syrah paired with local cheese and charcuterie. So if you’re looking for a lazy afternoon to sip wine and nibble on special treats, there’s no better place. 

6. Sebastopol Winery – Marimar Estate

• $35 / $65 Tapas and Wine Pairing Experience
• (707) 823-4365
• 11400 Graton Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Monday, Thursday, Friday 11am – 4pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm, by appointment only

Nestled in the rolling hills of western Sonoma County, the Catalan-style winery sits on a hilltop surrounded by ancient vines. Here you can watch the birds soar at eye level. Very dog friendly. The rugged terrain, with its creeks and forests, provide magnificent scenery, and make this site perfect for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Grab a spot for a seated tasting with five reds and white wines on the spacious patio. They’re paired with four tapas from Marimar’s Cookbooks. 

7. Sebastopol Winery – Horse and Plow

• Tastings priced by the glass
• (707) 827-3486
• 1272 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 12pm – 5pm, by reservation only

For a change of pace visit the redwood tasting barn at Horse and Plow, situated on two beautiful acres of gardens and orchards. The world-class apples and grapes grown in their North Coast region make spectacular cider and wine. You can taste ciders and wine by the glass, in special flights, and alongside cheese and charcuterie. Picnic-fun atmosphere. As a bonus, there’s live music on the weekends. 

8. Sebastopol Wine Tasting – Littorai

• $46 / $60 vineyard tour and tasting
• (707) 823-9586
• 788 Gold Ridge Road Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Monday – Saturday 10am – 3pm

Littorai overlooks thirty acres of rolling hills in the western Sonoma Coast appellation. Their entry level tasting will take you through some dynamic examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. There’s also the highly enjoyable and unique walking tour of the farm and vineyard. This is a place of extraordinary discovery. The knowledgeable staff will lead you through the Pivot Vineyard and Gold Ridge estate farm. Learn about Littorai’s history and discuss their generative farming practices. You’ll see where and how they make agricultural teas, compost, and preparations for biodynamic farming. How they recycle and reuse water, and how and why animal grazing is an essential ingredient for the vineyards of the future. The experience concludes with a private tasting of site specific Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

9. Sebastopol Wine Tasting Room – Region Wine Bar

• Tastings are priced by the glass
• 707-329-6724
• 180 Morris St. Ste 170, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Monday – Thursday: 1 – 8pm, Friday: 12 – 10pm, Saturday: 12 – 10pm, Sunday: 12 – 8pm

Region is something a little different for the average wine connoisseur. Conveniently located in the Barlow, they pour 2 or 4 oz. pours from 25 different wineries. By establishing relationships with local wineries they love, Region is a community space to share and enjoy wine. It’s a beautifully warm, modern, and rustic space, with lounge furniture and two fireplaces. Here you can use their self-serve wine station to try hard-to-find, independent wines from 25 local Wineries representing 14 different local Appellations. With over 100 wines by the taste, glass, or bottle, there is always the diversity and opportunity to try something new. They even offer a tailored wine experience with an on-site sommelier. As a special treat, each week a winery-partner of Region does a takeover of the space, with distinct wine and food pairings. One of the best places to relax with your vino. Elegant and cozy.

10. Sebastopol Winery – Claypool Cellars

• $35 wine tasting experience
• (707) 820-1263
• 5425 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Wednesdays – Sundays 12pm – 6 pm

Famously owned by Les Claypool, the bassist for the band Primus. Claypool Cellars is truly doing something creative and unique in an over-saturated scene of one-note winery experiences. Quirky, creative, and delicious. That’s Claypool Cellars. You can taste the wines at their charming, old-school saloon called Pachyderm Station and enjoy gourmet hot dogs. A perfect setting for the understated, too cool for school feel of this place. A very small production winery. The winemaker is Ross Cobb. They specialize in cool climate Pinot Noirs. But they also make a Rosé and a special production of Champagne which they make in France. Go figure, they even have stools at their tasting room bar. There’s also full-service tastings by the glass or bottle on the patio. And they have delicious, high-end hot dogs for sale on Sundays. Super tasty!

11. Sebastopol Winery – Fog Crest Vineyard

• $20 / $50 vineyard tour and tasting
• (707) 829-2006
• 7606 Occidental Rd., Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Open Daily 11am – 5pm, by appointment only

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fog Crest Vineyard (@fogcrestvineyard)

Winner of multiple gold medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, Fog Crest Vineyard sits high atop the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Tranquil and off the beaten path. The tasting room boasts one of the most beautiful views in Sebastopol. Come for the Pinot and Chardonnay, and stay for the locally sourced Prosciutto, Salami & Cheeses. Don’t pass up the truffle honey and fig jam! Fog Crest also offers a private gourmet lunch pairing. With rolling hills spanning for miles in front of you and a glass of wine in hand. It’s tough to beat the sunset at Fog Crest Vineyards. 

12. Sebastopol Winery – Lynmar Estate

• $60 per person
• (707) 829-3374 
• 3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol, California 95472
• Thursday – Monday 11am – 2pm

Surrounded by serene vineyards and lush gardens, Lynmar Estates is truly a luxury wine experience. The outdoor patio is essentially in the vineyards itself. The basic wine flight allows you to taste through their expansive portfolio of estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Even sample little bites like homemade buttered popcorn! They also craft a terrific sparkling rose from some of the oldest vines in the valley. For the ultimate wine and food experience, you can book a private table in the magical setting of Quail Hill Vineyard. Here, your dedicated host will guide you through an elevated three-course lunch, individually plated, and paired to Lynmar’s exquisite wines. If you haven’t been, put this on your list right away.

Sebastopol Wine Tasting Wrap-Up

For Sebastopol wine tasting enthusiasts, the Russian River Valley offers a perfect balance between small town charm and the sophisticated amenities of larger cities. There’s a great sense of discovery here, as it’s relatively new in the history of California wine. It more than deserves a place on the map, whether you’re looking for laid-back vibes in the Barlow or heady opulence on hilltop vineyards. The fantastic locales around the Sebastopol wine tasting scene will leave you happy, sated, and wanting another glass.

Russian River Valley DeLoach Pinot Noir

The color of DeLoach Pinot Noir is light red, bordering on shiny and transparent. There’s a touch of sharpness on the nose, but it is not off-putting. The alcohol is a bit higher than average. That sharpness blows off after some swirls of the glass. Aromas of cranberry, bright red fruit, baking spice, and hints of cinnamon. The body is light and lithe with higher acidity showing. Palate carries through with the aromas, adding some juicy strawberry and maraschino cherry. More savory in the mouth than on the nose. It’s not a super fruit forward Pinot that you sometimes see from the Russian River Valley. But it’s lively and the tannins give it a pleasing mouth-watering finish. Great pairing with garlic roasted chicken. 

Three Sons Pinot Noir from Halleck Vineyard

Three Sons Cuvee Tasting Notes

The Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Cuvee Pinot Noir is a shade darker than DeLoach. Garnet core with a sparkling jewel-like rim. Deep aromas. Big note of clove and cinnamon. There’s dark cherry, a touch of pepper, and some earthy forest floor in the background. Broader and fuller mouthfeel compared to DeLoach. Bright fruit and acidity combines with a streak of minerality that’s typical of the Halleck Vineyard style. Finishes with a burst of complexity. Strong enough structure to pair with hanger steak and truffle fries. 

Russian River Pinot Reviews [Video]

Ross Halleck and Harris Miner compare the 2018 DeLoach Pinot Noir to their own 2018 Three Sons Pinot Noir.

Russian River Pinot Noir Wrap Up

If you’re looking for a light, gentle wine with a higher alcohol content, try the DeLoach Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Soft and generous with gentle tannins. This can even be slightly chilled to drink on a warm summer evening. And there’s a versatility to this wine that lends itself to a variety of occasions. 

The Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Pinot Noir is vivacious and structured with the capacity to improve with age. It has a strong presence on the table and can stand up to hearty and complex dishes. 

There are common stylistic affinities between the two wines. Yet both show subtle nuances that encapsulate how different Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs can be.