11 May Sass + Moxie + Wine
This post is TOTALLY off my normal topic, but I am asked a question ALL THE TIME because of my passion project – Women On Wine TV!
The question—> What are my favorite wineries/places in Napa… in Sonoma… in Willamette Valley… in ________?
This is an IMPOSSIBLE question to answer. Choosing a favorite wine or winery is like choosing your favorite child. They are all different and divine – in their own special way.
So here are some of my favorite experiences along the way. I promise this post will change and grow with each visit to my beloved Wine Countries.
Santé,
Napa Valley
Napa Valley Wineries
Round Pond Estate roundpond.com
Their gorgeous patio area is right out of Tuscany and their paired tastings use their own fresh pressed olive oil! The blood orange is to die for… WOW.
Don’t miss the photo ops around the property, including this giant fireplace!
Tres Sabores tressabores.com
Amazing tour, a great place for a picnic, and the winemaker (a woman) is sooooo passionate about the story of her wine – it takes your breath away!! Oh, and they have SHEEP!
Chimney Rock chimneyrock.com
The tour is phenomenal and super informative. If Matt is there on the day you visit – request him! If not, be sure to give yourself a self-guided tour and check out this magnificent property. The room pictured here is where they host fab private events… They are known for their DIVINE Cab Sauvignon – especially their Tomahawk!
Darioush darioush.com
EXQUISITE experience. Schedule a private wine tasting and pairing… it is worth every penny! Depending on the number of people in your group, you may be able to reserve the winemakers room – pictured here.
Raymond Vineyards (So Much MOXIE!) raymondvineyards.com
Bubbles and Reds are their SPECIALTIES! They also have the most AMAZING grounds. Be sure to tour the MOXIE-PACKED red room (oh my word!), see the crystal, walk thru the gardens, meet the animals and experience the Corridor of Senses!
One of our Women On Wine TV Adventure stops was here, read more on that in this post…
Napa Valley Restaurants
Bouchon Bistro – Delicious Brunch location!
French Laundry – SPECIAL OCCASION meal – totally worth every penny – must have a reservation!
FARM – One of the best meals I have ever had in Napa! Perfectly timed, 4-hour experience!
Some of the better resources I have used, along the way: napavalley.com
Storytelling of the magnificent people behind the food and wine in Napa: thewinesiren.com
Sonoma Valley
Where we tied the knot forever…
Sonoma Valley Wineries
Buena Vista buenavistawinery.com
Their gorgeous grounds and original buildings had an extensive renovation. They have a WHITE BUBBLE ROOM! Do not miss this. They have SASSY, FUN PROPS!
St. Francis Winery stfranciswinery.com
We celebrated my niece Aubrey and her now hubby, Alex, at this winery. Alex’s Mom and her hubby, Joel, scheduled a killer tour of this place. So much history… so many wines… My fave pour here was the 2016 Rosé. Mmmmmm!
Deerfield Ranch deerfieldranch.com
Serious CAVE experience here! Lots of comfy couches to taste, sip and savor. The farming style is organic and biodynamic.
Gundlach Bundschu (aka GunBun) gunbun.com
Gorgeous views. The Cab Franc is stellar. Do a chocolate pairing here. They also have picnic snacks you can purchase!
Iron Horse Vineyards (off the beaten path!) ironhorsevineyards.com
Another amazing view… bubbly, romance, pinot noir, and chardonnay.
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards gloriaferrer.com
Drew and I visited this place the day after we were married. They were warm, inviting, and graciously gifted us the most colorful champagne flutes I have ever seen. GF will always hold a special place in my heart… and in my long stems. ;) Need more? Champagne Caves and delish nibbles – on the patio – with a stellar view. Enough said.
Sonoma Valley Restaurants
Cafe Citti cafecitti.com
A little hole in the wall (in Kenwood) with some of the BEST Caprese Salad and Polenta I have ever tasted. They do “TO GO” food, as well as casual dining inside and on the patio. Drew and I hosted our Rehearsal Dinner here in 2003 and stop by for picnic nibbles whenever we are in town. I sobbed deeply when the Sonoma fires were raging. PRAYED some serious prayers to Jesus to not take our special place. I must have called their number a thousand times until someone finally answered and told me the restaurant survived. Go here. Love on these people. They will love you back – tenfold.
the girl and the fig thegirlandthefig.com
Fabulous and French. If you are a Francophile – this place is for you! :)
El Dorado Kitchen eldoradosonoma.com/restaurant
Cocktails. Brunch. Small Plates. This place is foodie HEAVEN.
Yountville
Cornerstone Cellars (winery) cornerstonecellars.com
Their Cab Franc and Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon are +11!
MA(i)SONRY maisonry.com
One of the most efficient ways to taste wine in the Valley… *wink* They have oooooodles of boutique wines to sip and exquisite art throughout the building!
Redd-Wood (eats) redd-wood.com
Casual, scrumptious wood-fired pizzas and Italian eats! Awesome for a large, hungry group that spent the day wine tasting.
Bardessano (HOTEL) bardessono.com
Oh My Word! Drew and I stayed here for an anniversary. The location and staff exceeded our expectations! If you are visiting Wine Country – check this place out. You are welcome. ;)
Washington Wines
Woodinville Wine Tasting
Warehouse District
Bunnell Family Cellar
Their tasting experience is AMAZING. Their reds are divine… Especially the Syrahs! They also have cheese boards…
Savage Grace
One of the only local Pinot Noir… (the fig and cherry are mouthwatering!) Their entire portfolio is spectacular. The Sauv Blanc is perfectly paired with a spicy Thai! Michael Savage is the winemaker. He is always happy to share about his wines, so if he’s pouring – ask away!
Barrage Cellars
Alias and Outcast are top sips! Wowza!
Flying Dreams http://www.flyingdreamswine.com
Some stellar Spanish varietals. His Tempranillos (don’t miss the Reserve!!) and Garnachas are divine…. and the Monastrell is bursting w/ blackberries, spices and pepper!!
Robert Ramsey: http://www.robertramsaycellars.com/
They are a WA Rhone house… Amazing ‘non-mainstream’ reds like Counoise, Cinsault, and a velvety Mourvedre!
Welcome Road: https://welcomeroadwinery.com/
The Meribel is getting fab praise… They have wonderful WHITES, so if you have a white lover – this is a great stop. Please tell Leigh & Kristen I said hello. :) They have a fireplace you can chill by while you taste/sip!
Sol Stone (they share a tasting room w/ Welcome Road)
They have a great Chardonnay (my Chard-loving pals rave about it) and Viognier (fruit forward & crisp – yum!)… The Tempranillo is delish w/ cherry, smoky notes! Buzz and Karen are the warm, passionate owners.
West Valley District
Cascade Cliffs http://cascadecliffs.com
This is a Piedmont varietal house! The Reserve Nebbiolo is mouthwatering… Barberas are spectacular too. They are famous for their Blood Red wine. :). We are members here.
Januik:
The winemaker here (Mike Januik) was the head WM at CSM for years… His Riesling dances on your tongue… His Weinbau Cab is berries, chocolate and a delish long finish. We are members here. If they are tasting Andrew Januik’s Stone Cairn Cab- definitely give it a sip! OMG divine!
Woodhouse: http://www.thewoodhousewineestates.com/
Kennedy Shah Reserve La Vie en Rouge and Petite Verdot are “don’t miss me” wines! This warehouse style location is awesome – complete w/a professional kitchen for parties!
Hollywood District
Brian Carter http://www.briancartercellars.com/
Mark Ryan https://markryanwinery.com/
Lachini http://www.lachinivineyards.com/
Gorman http://www.gormanwinery.com/
Patterson http://www.pattersoncellars.com/
Chelan Valley
Cairdeas Winery – if you only have time to go to one winery when you visit Lake Chelan… let it be to visit Lacey and Charlie!
Oregon Wineries
Willamette Valley
Argyle Winery = BUBBLY! Try the Ruby Brut… it will surprise and delight you!
The Four Graces – The Pinot Gris is perfect for sipping on the porch on a warm summer night.
Domaine Drouhin – Take the tour. Eat the chocolate. Soak in the views.
Stoller Family Estate – We loved their glasses… it added a divine layer to the tasting.
Domaine Serene – schedule The Signature Experience tasting… You’re welcome. :)
Lange Winery – the views are STUNNING… and their charcuterie plate is delish! Schedule a Signature Tour & Tasting if available.
Sokol Blosser – schedule a private tour of the property. Also, check to see if they are hosting a Farm & Forage event while you are there. If they are – DO IT.
Urban Portland
Oui Wine Bar + Restaurant at SE Wine Collective
Fave final winery before you hit Cali…
Abacela Winery Divine Spanish Wines… the BEST Tempranillo… pencil shavings and leather and tobacco – oh my!
(More coming soon…)
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