Tara Bella Winery & Vineyards

 Out in the Russian River Valley Tara Bella produces delicious Estate Cabernet Sauvignon wines. I got to speak with the owners son Dillon who helps out with allot of the work around the vineyard and the process of making wine. I was very excited about visiting this winery because its not normally open to the public. Also it is very rare for Cabernet Sauvignon to to grow out in Russian River Valley being its a colder climate. The cabs have  the aromas of tobacco and green bell pepper. On the palate I get soft tannins with blackberries. Tastings are by appointment only price range is from $60-$80 per bottle.  If you are a lover of Cabernet Sauvignon you should try out this winery.

Battaglini Winery

What I like about this winery is that it has a ma and pa feeling when you go into the tasting room. I called to make an appointment for a tasting. When I got to the parking lot the owner and vintner Joe Battaglini walks out of his house and greets me with a wine glass and walked me to his shack where his wines are kept. Joe makes his wines the old Italian way, where his award winning wines from whites to reds are meant to age for 10-15 years. I had a Chardonnay that was vintage 2001 along with Zinfandel vintage 2002 that both tasted great. I left with a few bottles of Zin. Wines here are fairly priced  from $15-$40 per bottle.

Check It Out!

http://www.battagliniwines.com

Karah Estate Vineyards

This place was formerly known as Windy Hill EstateWinery. Same vintner owner, same grapes . You can even get some of the 04, 05, 06 vintages Pinot Noir under the Windy Hill label. The new style wines are not aged as long under the Karah Estate label. This winery specializes in making great quality Burgundy wines. My favorite is the 2010 Karah Estate Pinot Noir that has the aromas of berries and toast marshmallows and baking spice. Yes I said toasted marshmallows!  The 2011 Karah Estate Chardonnay has the taste of pineapple and creme bulee with a nutty finish. The sell prices fluctuate but price ranges are from $15-$40 per bottle. The gentleman who pours here name is Bill. Bill is very knowledgeable and a hoot. Since the winery is on a hill top you get an awesome peaceful view of the Petaluma valley.

http://dev.karahestate.com/vineyards/

Taft Street Winery

Taft Street Winery is one of the hidden gems of Russian River Valley. This winery is off occidental road as you cross 116 going west. The wines I enjoyed the most was the Riesling, Rose of Pinot Noir, 2011 Chardonnay and the 09 Merlot. By the way all these wines are award winning in major wine competition events. What I like about Taft Street is you can buy great quality wine without a huge mark up. Most of the prices ranging from $18-$36 a bottle. Staff here is knowledgeable on there wines and other wineries in the Russian River Valley area. Check it out worth the trip.

www.taftstreetwinery.com

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

This is a beautiful winery inside and out with a friendly staff that gives a peaceful feel  to the whole experience. The wines will run between $30-$50. The zinfandel wines here are very good. You can get a delicious generous size port sold in 375 mil bottle for $38. My favorite wine here is the red blend known as the 2010 Rockpile red. This wine is smokey and makes me think of bacon and BBQ. The food wine pairing is $40 and worth ever penny. Definitely a must go to.

www.stfranciswinery.com

Gamba Vineyards & Winery

Gamba Vineyards & Winery specializes in old vine zinfandels. In my opinion some of the best zins I have every had. This winery is only open on Sundays by appointment only. First time I was here was actually during the Follow the Olivet Road wine event and was blown away by the awesome live jazz music playing outside. There is meats and olives served during tasting. It is really something to ask the vintner how long the winery has been here and have them respond with "my family planted these grapes in the early 1900 and been here ever since." That's pretty humbling for a wine lover. If you like zinfandel, you should check out Gamba Vineyards & Winery

Vigilance Winery & Vineyards

I went here while on vacation with my wife. There are really good wines produced here for very low prices. It really should be a crime! The staff was friendly and took us on a tour of the vineyards. We ended up buying a bottle with a picnic kit of goat cheese, smoked salmon and crackers and sat outside at the picnic benches and enjoyed the glorious view of a Clear Lake and the vineyards. I know Lake County has a bad reputation, but if your a true oenophile you should make the trip out to this winery.

www.vigilancewinery.com

Yorkville Cellars

This is the place if you like the wines of Bordeaux, individually and collectively. And when I mean Bordeaux, I mean the varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Carmenere and Malbec. They actually had two of the white Bordeaux grapes, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion (which is rare to find in California). They even have a late-harvest Semillion. The wines that made my tongue all happy and excited was the Malbec and their Sweet Malbec. Be sure to ask about their deals. Staff is professional, friendly, knowledgeable. So if you are out in Yorkville (Anderson Valley AVA), do not pass this place by.

 Cheers!

www.yorkvillecellars.com

Campovida Winery

In the town of Hopland,Ca Anderson Valley appellation you will find a beautiful winery that happens to be an Inn as well.  I went here with my wife on the way to Lake county to do more wine tasting when we saw the sign for Campovida winery.  Very artsy, contemporary tasting room with a friendly down to earth staff.  Some of the wines were roussanne, marsanne, viognier, syrah ( rhone varietals).  Their zinfandel and charbono cabs were pretty darn good.  While we did our tasting we had an option of having bread and olive oil or local honey.  We were encouraged to check out the beautiful organic garden, and then return to try some more reds.  This is a great spot to bring kids to because it is so close to nature.  Tasting fee is $5 dollars wines run from $20-$40 per bottle.  Check this place out.  

www.campovida.com

Best view of Russian River Valley

OK i dub Paradise Ridge Winery to be one of the most beautiful wineries in Santa Rosa with an awesome view.

Though it is kind of out of the way from the other wineries in the town of Santa Rosa. It is a hidden gem in the Fountaingrove Hills. The Vineyard is surrounded by unique art work and trails to various sculptures.

The other thing about this winery is its wonderful view of Santa Rosa. There are bistro and picnic tables where you can bring your food, buy a glass or bottle of wine and have a stellar time.

The staff is great and very knowledgeable. Now to finally get to the wine. Most of the wines are estate produced. You will find sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, blush, cabernet sauvignon, Zinfandel and some good blends most of the grapes are estate grown.

 It is always gratifying to taste a wine and see the very field it came from.

Everett Ridge

I was referred to go to Everett Ridge from some good friends. Finally took a trip out to taste the wines and got a chance to meet one of the owners.

One thing about this winery...it has a wonderful view of the entire valley. Whether you are sitting out at the tables or inside doing a tasting. Staff is very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. I was a fan of quite a few of the wines. What stuck out for me was the Zin-a and the Diablita Red Blend and the Diablita Blanca. It is very rare that I go to a winery and from day 1 join the wine club - I did here!

I was surprised not to see too many awards, but found that the family does not focus on the competitions.

One thing that is unique about this winery is that it is owned and operated by an African American family (4 brothers and their Dad).

I also liked their port, which was fortified with grappa made from grape skins. This is my favorite type of port, and only a select few wineries fortify with grappa.


http://www.EverettRidge.com

Robert Young Estate Winery

If you like the kind of red wines that suck the moisture out of your mouth this is the place for you. The Cab Franc and Petite Verdot are awesome but a kick in the mouth. All the wines here are good. The hostess took me to the wine cave that stays at a constant cool temperature for storing the wine. I left with the Cab Franc and Petite Verdot. The Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignon are excellent. You will find this winery in Geyserville, Ca Alexander Valley appellation.

http://ryew.com

Kendall Jackson

I treated myself to a petite food wine pairing. Robert was the hostess who served and explained the wines while each chef explained the dish that they served. What I enjoyed most was a syrah wine that paired well a crispy fatty bbq pork belly slider omg good! I felt like a king here great service and had a wonderful experience. But better if you go with company. 

http://www.kj.com

Carol Shelton

Zin, Zin, and more Zin. Carol Shelton makes some awesome zinfandel. She also makes a delicious syrah and rose. The first time I went here I actually had a chance to be poured by vintner and owner Carol Shelton herself. She is very kind and humble. One of my favorite Zins is, the Karma Zin, and the Wild Thing Zin. This is an urban winery in a cluster of other urban wineries in northwest  Santa Rosa, Ca. 

http://www.carolshelton.com

J Rickards Winery

Darn good wine for reasonable prices.  What I enjoyed here was the old vine zins, the cab and the malbec. The rose here is a must try as it's perfect to have on a hot day.  If you like dessert wines there are three that the vintner produces, such as the los ninos perdidos that is a port style and the twilight a late harvest sauv blanc wine.  The friendly vintner and staff makes the environment here very welcoming and laid back. You will find this winery in South Cloverdale, Ca Alexander Valley appellation. 

http://www.jrwinery.com

Sunce Winery and Vineyards

Out of all the wineries I have been to Sunce is still my favorite winery when it comes to great experience and variety of good wines made here. I recently tried the merlot port that is still aging in the barrel. Being a port guy I couldn't help but to buy futures on what Frane (the owner/wine maker) has aging.  I'm still in love with the Les Trois Amis a splendid silky red wine blend.  The staff and wonderful family here are absolutely awesome.  When ever I take my family and friends out wine tasting this is the first place I have them check out.
I'm a wine club member here so I've had the pleasure of helping out at some of the events.  I had the pleasure to be apart of harvesting the estate pinot noir.

For the last two years I've helped at the annual barrel tasting events and had a great time!

http://www.suncewinery.com/

The First Pour

I have made my journey across most of northern california, tasting many good wines.  Most of the time I've had great experiences at the wineries I've visited.  On this blog I'd like to tell you about the varietals that grow in Northern California, the great wineries, and which wineries to avoid.  My wife and I live in Russian River Valley appellation so most of our review are of this area, but we have traveled to Dry Creek, Alexander Valley, Napa and Lake County.