Geyser Peak Winery
I sometimes forget how imposing and lovely Geyser Peak Winery is- nestled on its steep hillside with its views of Geyser Peak Mountain, the northern end of the Alexander Valley, glimpses of the glinting, green Russian River- today rising geothermal steam can be seen in the distance across the Valley. This is one of the oldest wineries in California, founded in 1880. Their roots go deep and they remain today, one of the most award-winning wineries in the state, having garnered Winery of the Year and Winemaker of the Year awards. Awards aside, the wines, fruit-forward and food friendly, are sourced from nearby Alexander Valley vineyard sites, and are well-distributed and exceedingly well-received, always a promise of great taste and wine-making. Today the...
Read MoreTR’s Itinerary: Geyserville
Here are my recommendations for a fun-filled two days/two nights in Geyserville: Arrive in Geyserville and relax around the pool at Hope-Merrill House, your lodging. Walk to Hoffman House for dinner. After sleeping peacefully in this Victorian mansion, start your day with their inspiring, complete breakfast. Head out the door and south on Geyserville Avenue- first stop is Route 128 for tasting in one of the original Henry Ford Auto supply shops. Great wine and fun are found here along with some great historical photos. Then trek to Mercury Wines, for as they say, “tiny lots of everything, at prices you can afford”- winemaker Brad is truly a mad scientist and quite the host in this white-on-white, open, modern tasting room. Then it’s time for lunch...
Read MoreHauck Cellars
I recently visited Hauck Cellars, what the owners fondly refer to as “The Best Little Bordeaux House in Sonoma County”. The tasting room structure is most interesting- a newly renovated 1948 Quonset hut and a comfortable, shaded side patio, with a cooling fountain and cafe-like tables and chairs for picnicking and sipping wine. Passionate about food and wine, the Haucks produce only varietals that they themselves would enjoy drinking- that is their goal-and their love of the wines they produce shows. In addition to tasting, guests are encouraged to pair the wines with artisan cheeses featuring local favorites like Cowgirl Creamery, Redwood Hill and Bellwether Farms. Personal hands-on attention to fruit from some of the “best kept secret...
Read MorePech Merle Winery
Pech Merle Winery has a slightly tricky name- in addition to sharing the name of one of the most famous prehistoric cave painting sites in the world, romantically visited by the winery owners, there is more to it than that- here is the official take on it in terms of its use as the winery’s name and a guide to pronunciation: Pech Merle (pesh-mel) n., 1. the vigilant courtship between land and artisan reminiscent of a bygone era. 2. an awakened memory sparked by the cultivation of senses and emotion. Speaking of courtship, memory, senses and emotion, proprietors Cheryl and Bruce Lawton promise to keep the romance alive within every bottle. In fact, devotion, or romance, for that matter, never tasted so good- check out the Wine Club with its three levels:...
Read MoreJ. Rickards Winery
I love the slogan at J. Rickards Winery: DARN FINE BARN WINE! Set midway up Chianti Road at the top of a private driveway that curves through the estate vineyards, I am greeted by numerous tennis-ball-toting winery dogs, clamoring to welcome me to this jewel of a location with a grand view of the Alexander Valley. The “J” in J. Rickards is Jim, who, along with wife, Eliza, are grape growers and wine producers of this family driven winery. With a full component of varietal offerings from this small production winery to choose from, their Wine Club is very personalized and adaptable to individual desires- in fact, when you become a member, you become a friend. As Jim says, “Friends are the family you get to chose for yourself.” He also...
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