Round Pond Estate

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 5/5

  • QPR: 4/5, $80+ per bottle for reds

  • Main varietals: Bordeaux blends, Sauvignon Blanc

  • Tasting fee: $60 for a portfolio tasting, $100+ for food experiences

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.2

Round Pond Estate has an iconic palm tree-lined entrance that transforms you to Palm Springs. Palm trees along the vineyard makes it a picturesque view and set the mood for a nice tasting session. They focus on Bordeaux blends including Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot. I actually loved the welcome pour of their Sauvignon Blanc as well! Really well balanced smoothness, freshness, and fruity aroma. Tasting room also has an artistic window (photo spot) that reminds you of the Museo d'orsay.


More about Round Pond: Website, Yelp

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

Failla wine

TL;DR

  • Cute for pictures: 4/5

  • QPR: 4/5, average price $40-100

  • Main varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot

  • Tasting fee: $65 to taste, waived with 4 bottles

  • Average wine rating on Vivino: 4.3

If you need a little break from tasting Napa Cabs, definitely add Failla to your itinerary. They specialize in Chardonnay and Pinots from both California and Oregon. You typically only get to taste California wines in the Napa tasting room but after the visit, I definitely want to try more of their Oregon Pinots as well! Not typical but they ended up pouring one of their 2014 vintages due to an unusual availability and I loved it enough to buy a couple bottles. They didn’t have their sparkling wine opened but I ended up buying a bottle based on other wines and loved it when I opened it at home.

More about Failla: Website, Yelp , IG

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