Wineries in Russian River

[shf66shf]

I am heading up there next month. I will have 1 day to tour wineries. If I was going to stop at 4 wineries up there, which ones should I not miss? I love Rhone varietals, Pinots, Zin's. Any particular wineries you like?

[Allfrog68]

Oh yeah, be sure to walk around the Healdsburg Plaza. There are some excellent restaurants in a small area and some wonderful shops.

[Allfrog68]

We live in the Oakland, CA area and love the Russian River area. Seghesio is excellent for zins. They also have a fun food & wine pairing that is nice and helps avoid some of the crowds. Others that are good include Ridge, Mazzoco, & Arista. Preston is a fun place, they have jug wine on Sunday's (double check date). Bella is really beautiful, they do pourings in a cave. http://www.seghesio.com/

[maria lorraine]

Just curious -- Do you consider Ridge, Mazzocco and Preston part of the Russian River Valley?

I don't. They are all in the Dry Creek Valley.
Though the two areas are near one another, Dry Creek Valley doesn't follow the Russian River at all. Here's a map:
http://www.wineroad.com/maps/2/

Though it may seem like a silly differentiation, the two areas grow mostly different wine grapes, and the wines have different fruit flavors. Dry Creek in known mainly (but not exclusviely) for Zinfandel; Russian River more for Pinot Noir and Chard (cooler there).

Russian River Valley Wineries I'd recommend:
Dutton-Goldfield, Freestone, Lynmar, Merry Edwards, Hartford.
Map of Russian River Wineries:
http://www.wineroad.com/maps/4/

[bbqman]

Ironhorse, just outside of Sebastopol is our favorite. Fantastic wines, and free tasting, if you have a Visa Signature card!
http://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/
Quiet outside tasting area, with a great valley view.

bbqman

[whiner]

#1 Merry Edwards
#2 Siduri/Novy
#3-tie Hartford Family
#3-tie Freeman

All but Hartford are (1) free and (2) require an appointment. Hartford charges (plus additionally if youwant to taste their good wines... which you DO) but is drop-in.

Another one you can drop by is Martinelli.

[maria lorraine]

Whiner knows his wine.

I disagree slightly on Siduri/Novy (because of the Brett in some of Adam's Pinots), but Whiner has a wonderful palate and all these are good recs.