A Rafanelli Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $40-100

  • Main varietals: Cab, Red Blend

  • Tasting fee: $10, Waived with a bottle purchase per tasting

  • Average wine rating on Vivino:

Depending on the time of the year, they might have 2-3 red wines available to taste. It is a small winery that produces Merlot, Zin, Red Blend, Cab Sauv, and Premium Cab Sauv (Terrace Select). Casual but also private experience. When we visited, they showed us around the cave and wines were pretty good. They usually sell out of their Cabs within couple months of release so we didn’t get to taste. We left with a bottle of their blend and ended up purchasing their cab when I saw it for sale online. If you are planning a trip to Healdsburg and like small wineries with a private experience, definitely recommend!

More about A Rafanelli: Website, Yelp, IG

Lancaster

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5, average price $90-150

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv

  • Tasting fee: $40, waived with 2 bottle purchase per tasting

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

We stumbled across this winery on a rainy day in March so didn’t get to enjoy the ground and view as much. However, I could still tell how beautiful the winery and vineyard view would be during the peak season. They are known for their big bold reds and all were pretty good, albeit being a bit on the pricy side.

More about Lancaster: Website, Yelp, IG

Bells Up Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 3/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $30

  • Main varietals: Pinot

  • Tasting fee: $30, waived with purchase

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1

I was on a search to find small family owned wineries to visit in Willamette Valley and came across this gem. When the wine bar owner in downtown Portland also recommended us to visit Bells Up, I got even more excited to visit. Tasting room has a patio with a beautiful view of the vineyards and we enjoyed all of their wines, especially for the price!

More about Bells Up: Website, Yelp, IG

Lambert Bridge

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 3/5

  • Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Cab, Franc, Bordeaux varietals

  • Tasting fee: Waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

Titus, where I’m a member, had a “Become a member for the day” event with Lambert Bridge and we decided to make a trip out of it and headed to Healdsburg for a weekend trip. We didn’t know until we got there but were told that they are members only winery (at the time of visit in early 2020 before SIP). It is a little out of the way but totally worth the drive if you can get a tasting spot. Private experience with a dedicated host in the tasting room that feels luxurious and cozy. Bottles are not cheap at $55-140 but we ended up buying two bottles of their Cab Franc.

More about the winery: Website, Yelp, IG

BR Cohn Winery

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $30-70

  • Main varietals: Variety of reds and whites. Merlot is one of the easiest drinking weekday wine!

  • Tasting fee: Currently have $35 flight for two. Waived with membership

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.0

Located in Sonoma, the ground is beautiful with an elevated view of the vineyard. They have a huge picnic/outdoor area that we frequented. They also sell varieties of olive oils (used to have free olive oil tasting room but is temporarily closed due to COVID) that are really good! Their Petricka Vineyard Merlot is actually one of my go to weeknight wine, super easy to drink without food. I think the highlight of BR Cohn is definitely the view! Makes you want to sit there and drink wine all day.

More about B R Cohn: Website, Yelp, IG