I recently took a trip to California, first to visit wine country and then to kick back in the SoCal sun. Living in Ohio for my whole life, I had never really been exposed to California wine and this was my first trip to the west coast. Sure, I’d participated in the occasional tasting, but this was new to me.
Dry Creek Valley is one of Sonoma County’s world famous wine regions—Russian River Valley and Alexander Valley being the others. It’s only about 16 miles wide, but Dry Creek is known for its Zinfandel. Interestingly, it grows more Cabernet Sauvignon than Zin, 3000 acres more to be exact. The area’s most important white grape production is Sauvignon Blanc. It’s known as one of the top Zinfandel producers in the state, and over 50 wineries. Just down the road is Healdsburg, and the town square is rife with tasting rooms. There were around 26 while I was there. Here are a few of my favorite tasting rooms and wineries of the appellation.
I hate to play favorites, but I loved Michel-Schlumberger! It also helped that I have a few friends there and got to spend a lot of time on the property, and taste a lot of wines that I otherwise wouldn’t have. The winery is organic, and very beautiful. There are flowers and vegetables abound. You can tour the property on foot and find some beautiful views. The wine maker is Mike Brunson who is awesome, and makes equally awesome wines. Their La Brume Chard is perfect for summer.
Bella started in 1995, and is primarily run by Scott and Lynn Adams. Who, like me fell in love with Dry Creek and purchased land to begin wine making. The winery is made up of four vineyards:, Big River Ranch, Lily Hill Estate, Bell Canyon Vineyard, and Two Patch which is made up of what else? Two patches of vineyard. As we arrived we walked past a safari truck that took us up the somewhat steep acres of vineyard to look out upon the valley. I took my favorite picture of wine country here. The tasting room is in their wine cave, which makes it a must buy just for the aesthetics. The two patch Zin is pretty good too.
This is by far the best winery mission statement I have ever heard: “People want value, and they also want good one. One of the missions of Toad Hollow is to provide both.” Especially in today’s economy, we want good wine and a good price. Their Dry Pinot Noir Rose was voted best value by Wine Spectator at under $10 a bottle. Their labels and wine names are a lot of fun too. The risqué sparkling wine I took home had a picture of a can-can dancing toad on the label.
I loved Artiste’s style. They not only give you bites of food expertly paired to their wine, they also refuse to put tasting notes with their wines because every palate is different, and very easily swayed. The tasting room itself is covered in really unique and beautiful art, but the best by far is the art on the wine bottles. Rather than a traditional label, they reproduce a painting, and that goes on the front of each bottle with the name of the wine on the back. My favorite wine I took home was from here.
I loved Amphora, and Amphora loved me! The winemaker, Rick was so cool; the second time I came to visit he was making custom wine blends for me to try! I was also pulled here because of the amphora, I love history, so I figured by default I would love his wines. I was right. How could I not? They are award winning after all. He has expanded his wine list since beginning in 1997 to include everything from a Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Thanks Emma for the great words on our region. Perhaps your next visit will bring you to Dry Creek Vineyard.
Cheers!
P.S. I just tweeted your link.
Thanks Bill! I’m trying to Come back out in December and would love to visit Dry Creek Vineyard. I kept driving past it, but I just had so much going on and such a small amount of time in which to do it I didn’t get the chance.
Cheers,
Em
Yes, just finished some outstanding Zinfandel from Everett Ridge Winery. *looking at the bottle on the counter* Beautiful area also.
You found one of God’s chosen spots. The beauty of it is, you have just scratched the surface and can visit many more times!
Glad to read your enjoyment of our region. We’d love to have you stop by Dutcher Crossing Winery during your next visit, if time allows.
Cheers!