385401 Tue Mar 27 05:59:10 -0700 2007 13 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2424472 My boyfriend and I are going to Sonoma and Napa for three days in early June. We're spending two nights in Sebastapol and one night in either Napa or Calistoga. I've been to a lot of the larger wineries (Coppola, Artesa, Cakebread, Duckhorn, Rutherford Hill among others). We're looking to visit some of the smaller boutique wineries that may be a little hard to find. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. What's the feedback on any of the following: Hendry Unti Kornell Jarvis Also looking to do a barrell tasting one day. I've done the one at Del Dotto (fabulous). Does anyone know any other wineries that offer barrell tastings? Thanks!!!! Tue Mar 27 05:59:10 -0700 2007 71887 jrl2929 1 2424728 I've only been to one that you mention. Jarvis is gorgeous. They do a great tour/tasting, and the caves are amazing. It is unlike any other place I've been to in the Napa area. You will need an appointment and their wines are on the pricey side - starting at $70. Brian Fleury does a crazy barrell tasting. He is a dot commer who recently purchased some land in the Rutherford area and his humor borders on the crude side (which we loved). Tastings are by appt only. There is a link at napavintners.com. We were able to blend and bottle our own wine which was amazing. Our 1-2 hour visit lasted almost 5 hours. Joseph Phelps also does barrell seminars. They are off the Silverado Trail in St Helena. Also appt only, they have their own website. We have not been there, but it is on our itinerary for our Oct trip. Also if you haven't stopped by Van Der Heyden make sure you do. He is a small producer of some fabulous wines including a great late harvest cab. He loves to tell his stories and jokes...no barrell tasting, just a great family. Hope this helps. Tue Mar 27 07:38:22 -0700 2007 2424472 86283 AGallagh 2 2425137 Very helpful!!! Thanks so much! Tue Mar 27 09:23:34 -0700 2007 2424728 71887 jrl2929 2 2425397 If you are on the Silverado Rail, the prettiest area in Napa Valley in Calistoga Stop by the Dutch Henry Winery- a lovely small, family- owned and devoted to producing small cases lots of excellent varietals, excellent cabs! It's very relaxed, casual and a friendly place. I highly recommend it. http://www.dutchhenry.com/ Then if you want something very special head over the hill to the Petrified Forest Rd, off to the left you will wind up the most beautiful road to find- Graeser Winery is located within the Diamond Mountain- No real tasting available, but you can purchase one of their wines and sit outside on the estate and pretend for an hour or two that it's all ours. There is a picnic table up on the hill that you can use for a picnic with an outstanding view. Their winery dog Alex ( a German Shepard) just passed a few days before we visited this place for the fist time, so in his honor we bought the " 2002 Alex’s Ruff Red Table Wine 80% Zinfandel & 20% Cabernet Franc Fruit forward red blend built for pure enjoyment! Sweet blackberry fruit with lots of vanilla, medium Structure, multi-layered & long sweet finish" It was quit excellent and this place is a treasure. http://www.graeserwinery.com/graeser/index.jsp Something Historical and Beautiful Chateau Montelena Winery, not familiar with their wines, I was there many years ago. Tue Mar 27 10:26:07 -0700 2007 2424728 52212 Lori SF 1 2426384 I have had wonderful barrel tastings at Vincent Arroyo up near Calistoga. Relaxed and friendly and unassuming (tasting room = warehouse), but excellent petite sirah and cab. LPM Tue Mar 27 14:14:06 -0700 2007 2424472 13071 LPM 2 2577829 I second Vincent Arroyo. The Petite Syrah is their signature but they have other wines and interesting blends that I find amazing as well. You need to call first to make a tasting appointment - however, last weekend I showed up with 9 ladies unannounced and they were incredibly gracious in accommodating us and actually conducted a "private" tasting in the lovely rose garden. I won't repeat my trick of not calling ahead though. Thu May 17 09:40:33 -0700 2007 2426384 10189 celeste 1 2426908 Sonoma: Open to Public- Martinelli (rediculously small pours, though), Rochioli (only a few things to try), and Hartford (go there) and Landmark (but you need to pay). Need to set up private tastings- Siduri/Novy, Carlisle, Peay, Rivers-Marrie, Merry Edwards, Freeman property (Freeman, August West, Sandler), Deerfield Ranch property (Kosta Browne, Kutch, Deerfield Ranch). Kosta Browne is bar none, not even close, the best tasting in Sonoma. Napa- http://winodepot.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=5583 Most of the wineries listed do barrell tastings. I'd also add Etude to that list. Call and ask to speak with John Oglesby. Tue Mar 27 16:46:30 -0700 2007 2424472 50041 whiner 2 2519338 I can't edit this anymore, but John is too tied up to give private tours at Etude, f you go ask to speak with the hospitality department. Thu Apr 26 19:01:04 -0700 2007 2426908 50041 whiner 1 2571834 Hendry Primitivo, as well as all of his wines, are simply the best wines for the money produced on the planet today. Consistently perfect every year. No one will give you a better tour or price point. What a genius. Shane Tue May 15 13:05:23 -0700 2007 2424472 98812 shanethewino 1 2572915 Try Yoakum Bridge in Sonoma. Best Zins ever and the owners are always on hand, during crush they showed me the tubs of crushed grapes because the guy owner (forgot his name) had wine stains on his hands and I asked about it. Free meatballs to pair covered in their yummy zin reduction sauce. Only open weekdays with reservations, I think. Tue May 15 18:48:29 -0700 2007 2424472 98877 LaurenTX2CA 2 2573296 Take a trip up Spring Mountain Road in St. Helena for: Pride Mountain Vineyards www.pridewines.com Robert Keenan Winery www.keenanwinery.com Terra Valentine www.terravalentine.com Barnett Vineyards www.barnettvineyards.com Sherwin Family Winery www.sherwinfamilyvineyards.com Spring Mountain Vineyard www.springmtn.com Tue May 15 22:04:15 -0700 2007 2572915 74399 fyoulady 1 2577838 Nicholson Ranch and Barthalamew Park are both excellent. Thu May 17 09:43:05 -0700 2007 2424472 24575 lebelage 1 2577878 I have not been to the wineries you've listed, but have tried and had great times at the following places: In Sonoma: The wild and crazy, fun-loving gals at Meeker: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&q=wineries&near=Geyserville,+CA&fb=1&latlng=38706569,-122904282,7328124180646608273 A Rafanelli, great and limited Zin (Advance appt ONLY!): http://www.arafanelliwinery.com/ In Napa: The irrepressable Bill Cadman, the man who is Tulocay Winery: http://www.tulocay.com/ On Spring Mountain, as stop (with prior resi's) at Domaine Charbay: http://www.charbay.com/ For a change of pace (but still wine-related), if you enjoy modern art, I highly recommend a visit to the Di Rosa Preserve, in Carneros http://www.dirosapreserve.org/ Thu May 17 09:55:45 -0700 2007 2424472 19558 mikester 1 2577944 In Sebastopol, your're in the heart of the Russian River Valley appealtion- known for it's exquisite pinot's and chards. You must try Sebastopol Vineyards/Dutton Estate Winery on the corner of Hwy 116 and Green Valley Rd. From there venture down Occidental Rd to Balleto/Dutton-Goldfield tasting room and Hanna. Someone also mentioned Hartford Winery-YES-it's beautiful and delicious. Iron Horse has champagne tastings in a gorgeous setting. In Dry Creek Valley-up towards Healdsburg try Armida. Its my mom's favorite winery to take out of town guests. I don't know where they do barrel tasting specifically, but every year (usually the second weekend in March) is Barrel Tasing Weekend in Sonoma County and over 150 winery's participate in the Russian River & Dry Creek Valley appelations. It's a blast, costs only $5 or 10 dollars for a glass and you can go to all the best winery's- I would highly reccommend it. Thu May 17 10:07:31 -0700 2007 2424472 96960 misscotati