Prettiest and most picturesque winery?

[D Hound]

Hi. Relatives will be visiting in Sept. Though foodies, they are not really into wine. So we want to take them to the prettiest, most picturesque, winery in Wine Country.

Do people have any recommendations?

Thanks.

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

i am a sucker for a picnic table overlooking a vineyard. Quintessential wine country experience. My vote is for Gundlach Bunshu in Sonoma.

http://www.gunbun.com/index.cfm?metho...

[Allfrog68]

I was recently at Stryker Sonoma near Healdsburg and thought that was a very beautiful setting.

[jmarek]

I think Iron Horse is a spectacular location. The tasting is outside and very laid back with a gorgeous view. It feels a million miles away from the bustle of Hwys 12 and 29. And even if you aren't that into wine, how can anyone not like bubbles? The buildings aren't much to speak of, if you are looking for that kind of thing... it's all about the setting.

(Full disclosure: my father used to work at Iron Horse)

[vulber]

v. sattui is great

[wolfe]

May we disagree with you?
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6246...

[vulber]

i would disagree with those comments quite a bit; but regardless, that thread didn't say anything about the picturesque-ness of it, which is what this thread is discussing. i happen to love the wine and deli there, but even if you odn't, you can't deny that it's gorgeous

[maria lorraine]

It's just that -- in comparison -- other wineries are far more gorgeous *with* wonderful wine.

Read more in this thread specially on V. Sattui:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/381428

[brucemac707]

V. Sattui and his "castle" embody everything that's wrong with Napa Valley.

[Mariana in Baja]

Agree totally with brucemac - look at me - I've got lots of money and no taste or sense. If they like art, a visit to Hess would be pretty special.

[maria lorraine]

The Hess Collection refers to one of the single best contemporary private art collections that exists. It's also a winery. Definitely worth the visit, and the drive up into the Mt. Veeder hills. There are two levels of wines available -- very good "everyman" wines, and then a higher level of wines, among them the excellent Mt. Veeder Cabernet.

[mare]

At Hess the tours are free and the wine is good. I think they offer art tours, too. I never tire of driving there.

[forestd]

I think that Matanzas Creek Winery in Sonoma is also very picturesque.

Forest Davenport

[baron45]

Ch.Montelena:

http://www.montelena.com/

[Sharuf]

Chateau Montelena has a lovely building and charming spacious grounds.

[Robert Lauriston]

Only if you like being lied to about who put them on the map.

[Paul H]

Grgich denial? They do make a very good traditional style California Cabernet. I would think you would be a fan!

[Robert Lauriston]

They make some good wines.

[sfcitygal]

Domaine Carneros is always lovely to visit. Its in a grandiose looking chateau, perched on a hill. It has a large terrace with ample outdoor seating and gorgeous views of rolling hills. Its particularly nice because unlike most of the wineries, where you stand at the counter for the tastings, you can sit and relax at one of the outdoor tables (they have indoor tables also, if it is chilly) and a server brings choice of flight/glass. They have a sparkling flight, a red flight, or you can order by the glass. They also have really nice cheese plates to complement each flight, caviar and smoked salmon that you can order to accompany the wine and view.

www.domainecarneros.com//index.cfm

[maria lorraine]

We call it the Faux Chateau. OK views, good reserve Bubbly called Reve, but not much else.

[Sharuf]

My usual tourist guide routine would include one of the following.

-- Buena Vista in Sonoma, as the oldest winery in the state, has a charmingly antique look to it. It's in a very pretty setting, right outside the the wonderful historic town of Sonoma. Roaming around town makes for a bonus side trip.
http://buenavistacarneros.com//index.cfm

-- Benziger Family winery in Glen Ellen gives tram tours of the vinyards and explanations of their green farming philosophy. Folks with an agricultural interest will like this. Just up the road is the historic Jack London park, for a bonus side excursion.
http://www.benziger.com/

-- Sterling Vinyards at Calistoga is an ultra mod facility scenically planted on top of a hill. The main attraction is riding in the arial tram swinging over the picturesque Napa Valley carrying you up to the winery. Calistoga makes a nice side trip, and you may want to enjoy one of their hot springs spa offerings.
http://napavalley.winecountry.com/win...

[Robert Lauriston]

It's hard to beat Buena Vista. It's lovely and a place of real history rather than a contrived tourist attraction. Plus Sonoma Valley is not as wildly overrun with tourists as Napa Valley.

[rworange]

I third Buena Vista. Maybe not so much pretty as charming and what one would expect a real winery to be rather than the pre-fab touristy feel of so many places.

[lynnlato]

If they are art lovers, Clos Pegase has an amazing collection of art in the winery and also scultpures in the vineyard. The caves are amazing and the owner, jan shrem, is a serious art collector. www.clospegase.com. Last I knew, tours were free.

A friend who lives in the area (she's a sommelier) was married at Quintessa and I heard it is just gorgeous. I have never been myself though. According to their website, tours are by appointment only and tastings are $45. http://www.quintessa.com/

[Paul H]

My three favorites are:

Hartford Family Winery,
Lynmar Winery, and
Arista Winery

These are all in Sonoma (or thereabouts). I don't think there is anything "pretty" in Napa.

[adamshoe]

Do you mean "artesa" or "Arista"? Artesa is stunning; wines-hit and miss. It's across the hiway from domaine carneros (also very pretty) and near the DiRosa preserve, an amazing art destination. adam

[Paul H]

Arista. The Japanese garden is really special.

[mariacarmen]

i agree that Artesa is a gorgeous spot, and not typical of the other wineries, design-wise. I used to like their Pinots very much . . .

[D Hound]

Sonoma is fine too (anywhere in Wine country). I will keep an eye on reports, and soon start planning my visit(s). I will report in mid September or so, after my visit(s).

Thanks to everyone for their recs (keep them coming!)

[drycap]

Since wine isn't your primary goal here, you might consider Jordan in Healdsburg. I think you can tour by appointment. It's basically a French chateau perched on the top of the hill overlooking the valley. Stunning views.

[wolfe]

Besides a 107 room castle does Castello di Amarosa have anything to recommend it?
http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/

[Mariana in Baja]

Castello di Amarosa - ugh. Not at all pretty - IMO just plain dumb.

[maria lorraine]

<<Besides a 107 room castle does Castello di Amarosa have anything to recommend it?>>

No. It's a steep ticket for the fake castle: $25 weekdays, $35 on weekends. The wines are probably the worst wines I've ever had at a winery.

[Mari]

I have heard that Far Niente has the nicest grounds. Perhaps someone could chime in if they'd recommend it considering the $50 price tag for a tour and tasting.

[maria lorraine]

Far Niente is among the most beautiful wineries in America. It's my top choice for beauty: the grounds, the gardening, the old stone winery, the lake, the mindblowing vintage car collection. The wines are excellent across the board. Elegance, finesse, balance -- top flight.

Here are some others that may be of interest:

Nickel & Nickel -- lovely old barns, pastoral setting; excellent single-vineyard reds and whites. Sister winery of Far Niente.

Spring Mountain Vineyards -- stunning. centered around the mansion called Miravalle, which was the Falcon Crest House. Beautiful grounds as well. Wonderful wines.

Quixote -- designed by Viennese artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, wild

Schramsberg -- beautiful country setting for this sparkling wine house, which makes some of the best bubbly in America. Stunning caves, just like a trip to France.
Do not miss.

Artesa -- modern, bermed into the hill, designed by Domingo Triay, OK wine

Quixote -- designed by Viennese artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, wild

Frog's Leap -- lovely, gracious, Victorian revival architecture, great people, good wine.

Pride Mountain -- unbeatable view from the picnic area. Extremely good wines.

Clos Pegase -- post-modern architecture by Michael Graves, so-so wines

Trefethen -- beautiful older winery, on a large compound with a series of distinctive buildings (all a dusty rose color). Classy. Wonderful gardens and grounds. Superior wine.

Hall Winery -- I'm referring to the second location up in the eastern hills above Rutherford, not the location on Highway 29. This is an amazing setting with a spectactular view, artwork, veranda, dining room (don't miss the chandelier). OK wines.