Dry Creek/Alexander recs - need more like Unti, Preston, Coffaro

[23dex]

Hi - my wife and I are going up to stay in Healdsburg for a couple days, and I am looking for more recommendations of places similar to the places i named in the title - smaller, family owned, good wines, with a range of affordable wines (for this i mean mainly below mid $30s). Another thing I like about these wineries is that they make a number of different varietals. Do people have recommendations of other similar wineries they like.

I have read through a number of different archived threads on the boards, and have a couple possibilities on my list already - Seghesio and Rafanelli, so I will probably be checking them out. But what other recommendations do people have?

[VineBuzz]

What is the order of your preferences on varietals? I can give better recommendations knowing this much.

[PekoePeony]

We've tried a good number of the Dry Creek wineries from going to the Passport to Dry Creek event a few times (a fabulous affair which we highly recommend). I really like Frick which has some unusual and tasty varietals -- great to visit when you're a little Zin'ed out. Seghesio is awesome; we stock up every year. Teldeschi and Pedronicelli are good value for the money, esp. with their Passport discounts. Last year we tried Mazzocco for the first time and were quite impressed. Bella wines are delicious and the winery is pretty, but the wines can get a little pricey.

[23dex]

Thank you all for the responses so far! I will check out Yoakim Bridge, Nalle and Salinia/NPA (sounds very interesting).

Are there any recommendations for Alexander Valley?

[SFDude]

Additional Dry Creek places to try are Mauritson and Meitz, both family owned producers of excellent zinfandel. In AV, I have enjoyed Meeker in the past, but haven't been there for awhile. I actually like Dry Creek better.

[HoosierFoodie]

I agree with Mauritson-definately worth a stop. I'd throw Dry Creek Vineyards in the mix, too.. They make some pretty good wines at reasonable prices.

[mzsnowhite]

Meeker moved their operation from the TeePee to Napa County. Another location that I aways enjoy was Raymond Burr, Dry Creek. If you are lucky, you can also get a tour of the orchid hothouses.

[TwoGuysFromNapa]

For Alexander Valley, our favorites are Hawkes Wine, Medlock Ames, Stonestreet, Stuhmuller, and Trione.

[pinotho]

Seghesio, inside Healdsburg city limits......excellent wines.

[Robert Lauriston]

I wish there were more places up there making wines as good and interesting as Unti's.

The Natural Processs Alliance does, but they're in a Santa Rosa industrial park.

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Salinia Wine/The NPA
3350 Coffey Ln, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

[ernie in berkeley]

Nalle is always a good bet.

[mzsnowhite]

Rafanelli is by appointment only. Don't be put off by the gruff manner of the woman who will answer the phone.

[mdg]

Preston is a favorite of ours too. The smaller family-owned winery that immediately comes to mind is Yoakim Bridge - excellent Zinfandels, delightful people, and a great place to visit.

Michael