Matanzas Creek Winery

Matanzas Creek seems to be one of the only wineries in Bennett Valley.  They are the only one with estate grapes actually grown in Bennett Valley.
Bennett Valley AVA, is one of the small microclimates of Sonoma County - in between Sonoma Valley and Russian River Valley.  Small little island of coolness.  Gets a good amount of fog and a surprising amount of heat.  You can actually grow Chardonnay, Pinots, Merlots and Cabernets here, all in the same wine region.
The winery is surrounded by aromas of lavendar, as you enter.  Big oak trees hug the tasting room.  And the scenery is so nice that every time I go there I see professional photographers there taking either family photos or senior pictures.
The tasting room is a large redwood decked structure with even a stronger aroma of lavendar inside.  They have a whole store full of lavendar products, both culinary and personal care.  Surprisingly, it does not affect your tasting.
Tasting room staff has always been friendly, as I have tasted here many times.  I have brought family and friends here, as it is so close to the town of Santa Rosa.
Chardonnay that I enjoyed has some vanilla, lemon, creme brulee flavors.  They have Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir but then they have a higher end series - called the Journey series - that you don't share with your non wine educated friends.  You take the Journey home and enjoy it yourself.  

Cheers

Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery

There are some new AVAs of Sonoma County recently that I have explored.  One of them is Ft. Ross/Seaview.  The very winery I went to was this place and they specialize in mostly Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.  They are definitely different with the cool climate flavors yet with the high elevation production of grapes.
I was very intrigued by the pinot and chardonnay. The flavors of the pinot were earthy, blackberry and raspberries.  A little deeper in color than you'd expect, but still translucent and beautiful.  Great acidity.  The Chardonnay almost made me want to go to the nearest fish and chip place, which would have been in Bodega Bay, and enjoy with their wine.  But what blew me away the most was a very unique varietal that you don't really find anywhere else in Sonoma County - Pinotage.
Pinotage has some serious earthy flavors (cocoa, coffee, mint), soft tannins with some eucalyptus mint.  Kind of spicy finish. Very unique for me.  And this is my first Pinotage and it is also a high elevation Pinotage.
Me and the group I was with were very intrigued with the Pinotage.  The pourer educated us on the history and lineage of the grape (from South Africa and a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault [hermitage]).  They claim to be the only producers of Pinotage in Sonoma County.  So, definitely one to put in the books if you are a fan of Burgundian style wines.

So, now, I talked about the wines.  What about the winery itself?  It is a long drive, as it is up the coast.  About 30 minutes north of Bodega Bay.

Great view of the coast, as you are so high you can see above the clouds.  On a clear day you can see the ocean that is miles and miles away down a stunning valley.

The tasting room itself is a very modern redwood building.  Concrete floors, nice countertops, clean, sleek design.  Good jazz music for your enjoyment.  You can do your tasting either inside or outside on the spacious deck at a nice teak table looking out at the coast.

Bring a lunch, if you are coming here, as it will probably be your only stop for the day.  There are some places you can do 4 winerys a day, but this is a single winery trip.
On your way in, admire their huge bay laurel tree.
But, it is highly worth it.  Check it out.

http://www.fortrossvineyard.com/