Champagne Baron Dauvergne

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 5/5

  • Main varietals: Blanc de Noir Champagne

  • Tasting fee: None, purchased a few bottles

I’ve been loving Blanc de Noirs from Bouzy and wanted to visit a few producers in the area. I remembered trying a bottle from this producer at a bar in Korea and decided to visit. The entire visit actually ended up being a super fun memory because their secretary/host who speaks english was unexpectedly out and the “retired” 3rd generation wine maker Hubert greeted us, in French.

They specialize in Blanc de Noir and Rosé Champagnes using Pinot Noir grapes in Bouzy and Hubert’s son Vincent currently manages and makes Champagnes. The family lives on the property and they have an underground cave with an open elevator. Overall super fun visit and great Champagnes at a great value, at ~$30-50 from the winery.

More about Baron Dauvergne: Website

Castello Tricerchi

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 5/5

  • Main varietals: Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino (Sangiovese)

  • Tasting fee: starts at €35

Castello Tricerchi is located in the northern part of Montalcino, which is a cooler climate are compared to rest of the region. This translates to their brighter, more delicate wines which I loved! Winery is built on the castle from 1400s and you can still see parts of the original castle. Such a fun historical place with an amazing view from the top. Most of their wines were sold out so we didn’t get to buy any bottles but enjoyed 2019 Brunello di Montalcino (wasn’t available for sale yet as we went at the end of 2023) and the Rosso. Bottles are affordable and you get the small family owned vibe here.

More about Castello Tricerchi: Website

Gavalas Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 5/5

  • Main varietals: Greek whites, reds, and sweet wine

  • Tasting fee: €16-35 depending on the flight you choose

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

I remember personally liking the wines here better compared to Venetsanos so recommend trying Venetsanos for the view and trying Gavalas for wine tasting flights! This winery is filled with history as it started more than 300 years ago. You can take a peak at their old traditional facility and handmade barrels, which are still used to store Vinsantos, sweet wine that put Santorini wines on the map. Tasting flight was a good representation of Santorini grapes: Aidani, Assyrtiko (whites) Mavrotragano (red), Vinsanto (sweet).

More about Gavalas: Website

Occidental Wines

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5, bottles priced at ~$130

  • Main varietals: Pinot

  • Tasting fee: Waived with purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.5

Occidental is a fairly new winery started in 2011 but by the seasoned winemaker of Kistler. Occidental only produces Pinots, mostly grown on west Sonoma coast, which is a cool-climate area and makes them different from more inland Pinot grapes. Tasting flight typically consists of ~4 different Pinots and they are delicious! Delicate and juicy without being jammy/sweet. Drive up to the tasting room and the view from the property is stunning, as the building itself. Highly recommend putting Occidental on your list of wineries to visit!


More about Occidental: Website, Yelp , IG

Truchard

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $30-80

  • Main varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot, Cab,

  • Tasting fee: $40 to taste, waived with 3 bottles

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

One of my recent favorite finds if you can visit during the weekday. They are only open on weekdays but totally worth the visit! It has everything I love at a winery from intimate tasting experience, great wines with great quality to price ratio, nice vineyard view, and an adorable garden. Loved everything we tasted, especially Roussanne to sip on a summer day and Merlot, Cab Franc, Pinot, and Cab at less than $50


More about Truchard: Website, Yelp , IG