TL;DR
Cute for pictures: 4/5
QPR: 4/5, average price $25-65
Main varietals: Pinot, Whites, Sparkling
Tasting fee: $15
Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1
This is a cute little family owned winery in Anderson Valley on the way to Mendocino from SF. Lots of wineries with Pinot but Lichen is a fun spot where you can find unique Pinots, whites, and sparkling. White Pinot, multi-vintage blend of Pinot, Blanc de Noir sparking from pinot to name a few.
TL;DR
Cute for pictures: 4/5
QPR: 3/5, average price $80-200
Main varietals: Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, good rosé!
Tasting fee: $75
Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.4
Hamel Family Wines is located in Sonoma and has a great view of their own vineyard from the chic and modern tasting room. Experience feels fairly private with a dedicated host for your party who takes you around the property and cave. They have an in-house chef for their wine pairing meals and while I can’t speak for the meals, the house-made ricotta cheese and cracker was amazing. Wines and the experience itself is not cheap but you get what you paid for here. Recommend if you like Cabs and looking for a bit more elevated experience in Sonoma.
TL;DR
Cute for pictures: 4/5
QPR: 3.5/5, average price $60-100
Main varietals: Pinot
Tasting fee: $40, waived with purchase
Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3
Beaux Frères seems to be one of the more well-known wineries in Willamette Valley. It was the first winery we visited in the area and it set the bar pretty high. Hosts were all super nice and they even poured us a surprise bottle from sister winery, which I actually really enjoyed. All of their Pinots were enjoyable and you get to enjoy with a nice view of the mountains and vineyard.
Thumbnail image from Natalie's official IG
TL;DR
Cute for pictures: 5/5
QPR: 3/5, average price $60-75
Main varietals: Pinot
Tasting fee: $20, waived with 2 bottles purchase
Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1
This was one of the larger wineries we visited in Oregon and the ground and tasting experience definitely felt more formal compared to smaller casual spots we visited. You can either taste or have a meal in the main building overlooking the vineyard or go to a smaller guest house for a more intimate tasting. Can’t comment about the food but good wines and views so can’t complain! They mostly distribute their pinots but I really enjoyed their sparklings as well.
Thumbnail image from Soter official IG
Cute for pictures: 3/5
QPR: 5/5, average price $35-150
Main varietals: Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Bordeaux varietals
Tasting fee: $40. Waived with membership or with purchase
Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.1
I don’t fully remember how I found Titus Vineyards, but am so glad I did. Their wines are so good and price for value (especially for Napa) is amazing, you can find a good bottle or whites or reds for $30-60. They do have more expensive bottles at $80-100 that are also really good for more special nights. We ended up joining their club during the first visit and I stop by the tasting room, either to taste or to pick up a few bottles, almost every time I’m in Napa. The winemaker also makes wines for Chappellet, larger another great winery. Titus seems lesser known relative to big name wineries in Napa but it checks off all the boxes for me and it is high on my list of recommendations. My favorites, considering QPR, are Merlot, Cab Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc.
