Repris

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $50-100+

  • Main varietals: Rhone blend whites, reds, Bordeaux blend reds

  • Tasting fee: $100 to taste, waived for members

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.5

Vineyard view from the mountain side of Sonoma is unreal. This winery tasting experience is such a treat as they take you through one of their vineyards and a view point in an ATV and expansive cave all while having delicious wine in your hand. Well crafted wines from their Rhone and Borbeaux blends, I liked every single wine I tasted there! Definitely a splurge but if you are looking for a high-end experience in Sonoma with great views, experience, and wines it’s a great stop.

More about Repris: Website, Yelp , IG

Lynmar Estate

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $50-100

  • Main varietals: Sparkling, Pinot, Chardonnay

  • Tasting fee: $60, waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4

In Sebastopol, the more quiet town of Sonoma, you will find various small wineries that offer great Pinot and Chardonnay. Lynmar is one of them and welcomes you with a modern tasting room in the middle of vineyard hills and an adorable garden. Tasting is accompanied by gourmet popcorn that pairs really well with their line up of Chardonnay and Pinot. I ended up really liking their intro level Russian Valley Pinot and left with a few bottles! Our group of 6 enjoyed tasting in the garden with a vineyard view and it was definitely difficult to leave.

More about Lynmar: Website, Yelp , IG

Amista Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 5/5, average price $30-60

  • Main varietals: Various of sparkling, Rhone blends, Zin, Cab

  • Tasting fee: $30 for still $40 for sparkling, waived with 2 bottles purchase or membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

If you are tasting in Healdsburg (which you absolutely should!) Amista is a good option for anyone who like Rhone blends or sparkling wines! They have two different flights so it’s also good for a group. Outdoor tasting area has a view of their vineyards and is so great to spend the morning or afternoon. They serve popcorns with the tasting that goes well with their fun and easy drinking wines.

More about Amista: Website, Yelp , IG

Smith Madrone Vineyards

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $30-65

  • Main varietals: Dry Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Tasting fee: $65, currently not waiving tasting fees

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.2

Smith Madrone is another small family winery up in the Spring Mountain area. It’s so small and operated by 4 people and was closed for over a year when COVID started. They finally reopened for tasting this fall and I jumped on the opportunity. Winery has been recommended by several other people in the industry and the wines and the view lived up to the hype. Tasting is casual and set up on top of the hill and the view was do die for. Dry riesling was so refreshing! Also LOVED the Cabernet Sauvignon blended with a small percentage of Cab Franc that made it unique. Great price point for the area too! If you can’t do a whole tasting, it’s also a good idea to see if you can stop by for the view and purchase a few bottles.

More about Smith Madrone: Website, Yelp , IG

Roederer Estate

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $20-100

  • Main varietals: Sparkling

  • Tasting fee: $20, only waived for members

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 3.9

I’ve been getting more into sparkling wines as I’m learning how versatile it is to pair with any food! It’s not only for celebrations but a great sipping wine for any day, time, or occasion. I haven’t done a ton of tastings to compare different types sparkling wines (would definitely be a fun at-home tasting!) so it was treat to visit Roederer in Anderson Valley on the way to Mendocino. Their N.V. Brut Cuvee is widely distributed and available at places like Costco but here you get to taste Magnums, sparkling Rosé, and extra dry sparkling. My favorite part was doing a side by side of the Magnum and a regular 750ml of the same exact wine. Because traditional method of making sparkling wine means transformation from a still to a sparkling wine occurs entirely inside the bottle, Magnum definitely tastes different and I actually liked it better!

More about Roedere: Website, Yelp , IG