With over 250 wineries and 13 appellations in Sonoma County, planning a wine tasting tour can be overwhelming.  Sonoma is diverse with varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah.

Alexander Valley Wineries, Healdsburg

With so many varietals and appellations here are a few suggestions for planning a Sonoma tasting tour.  Choose an appellation, select a favorite varietal or two and focus on those wineries.  You can also hire a professional guide as well.  For our short trip, we were interested in tasting some as many different options as we could.  Here’s a glimpse of some of Sonoma County’s wineries.

An interesting fact of this area is that it was once covered by sea, but the coastal hills resulted from tectonic shifts, pushing the sea out and creating thousands of acres of rich soils for grape growing.

Alexander Valley Vineyards

We had to visit the winery that was voted Sonoma’s Best Winery from the 2011 San Francsico Baylist competition and they did not disappoint.  Be sure to make time for them on the weekend and take a cave tour.

Tasting List Includes:

2010 Gewurz

2009 Estate Chardonnay

2009 Reserve Chardonnay

2006 Estate Viognier

2009 Temptation Zin

2008 Sin Zin

2006 Alexander School Reserve Zinfandel

2007 Redemption Zin

2008 Estate Cabernet Franc

2005 Cyrus

From the whites we really enjoyed the Gewurz and the Estate Chardonnay.  The Gewurz is actually a Mendocino County wine.  It was a pleasant surprise to get a taste from this region where we’ve heard so many great reviews.  If you like flavors of pear, apple and grapefruit this light taste is ideal for poolside.  Their Estate Chardonnay is well balanced with creaminess and toasted oak and displays flavors of pear, apple and citrus, as well.  The Viognier has a highly aromatic nose, displaying a hefty fruit finish.

Adam joined me on this tasting trip and we really enjoyed the Redemption Zin.  He noticed the viscosity and elegance of Dry Creek Valley Zin instantly.  I was surprised at the spice finish of this Zin.  Apparently this is common of Dry Creek Zins.   This well-priced wine can easily fill up your wine carrier.  If you fancy notes of smokiness in your wines, then try their 2008 Estate Cabernet Franc.  This medium bodied wine is accompanied by black currant, black cherry, chocolate and plum —  another well priced and award winning wine.  A bottle of their flagship wine the 2005 Cyrus was open, so we were fortunate to try it.  Each year it’s made with different percentages of a blend.  It has lots of layers created by aging for 2 years in French oak and 8 months in the bottle.

Thanks Scott for an extensive tour of Alexander Valley Vineyards delicious wines!

Seghesio Vineyards

The Seghesio family started planting grapes as far back as 1895.  This is the first winery I’ve visited that used to be in the bulk wine industry.  This means they would crush grapes in bulk production for other wine makers before the bottling process.  It wasn’t until 1983 that they decided to bottle their first bottle under their family label.

Tony our host for wine tasting and the barrel tour, was a wealth of knowledge on the family’s history, the cave and their diverse wines.  Their one-of-a-kind barrel room has several redwood storage tanks.  We also learned that the large tanks were cut in half in order to fit in the barrel room.  So, the photo here shows them at half their original size.  Reclaimed lumber from the redwood tanks was used in the construction of the ceiling and doors in the barrel room.  Tony explained how redwood is a neutral wood that was used to store the crush grapes before they are pumped to tanks on trains for market.

Seghesio Family Vineyards encompasses 300 acres of grapevines covering parts of Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys.

Tasting List Includes:

2010 Pinot Grigio

2010 Arneis

2009 Costiera Pinot Noir

2009 Old Vine Carignane

2008 Cortina Zinfandel

2009 Rockpile Zinfandel

2009 Home Ranch Zinfandel

2007 Home Ranch Petite Sirah

2008 Omaggio

2005 Dionigia

Of these, we particularly enjoyed the Costiera Pinot Noir (which is only sold in their tasting room).  This wine exhibits rich flavors of dark cherry and vanilla.  It was a treat to try their Arneis wine which is made from a Northern Italian grape.  Arneis translates to “little rascal,” due to the viticultural challenges it presents in the vineyard.    They currently have 8 acres of this grape which produces a pleasant wine with flavors of pear & melon.

The Rockpile Zinfandel was fantastic as well with its aromas of spice and flavors of red fruit.  It was interesting to learn that the grapes for this wine are grown 1,200′ above Dry Creek Valley in a very rocky area that is hot and dry due to its elevation.  The 2007 Home Ranch Petite Sirah is another rich wine that has a chewy mouth feel.  The Omaggio was great as well!

I love the name and taste of their dessert wine.  And the Vintage 2005 Dionigia translates to, “Wine Goddess” in Italian.   This Petite Syrah, Cabernet and Zinfandel blended dessert wine is also worth mentioning.

Share your passion for wine and remember your wine tasting trip with Wine Maps.

Wine enthusiasts are enjoying the art of saving wine labels.  Wine label savers are keeping wine labels as keepsakes in remembrance of wine travels, special occasions (such as weddings and anniversaries) and enjoying wine with friends, family and lovers.  A creative way to save a wine label is to create  Wine Bottle Cheese Boards.

Others save wine labels in Wine Journals.  This is an easy way to reference memorable wines.  You can even write wine tasting notes next to the labels!

How to Remove Wine Labels…

The easiest way to remover wine labels is by using a wine label remover.  It’s one of the safest ways to remove labels from wine bottles without tearing the label.

Vintage oak barrel furniture has a sophisticated, yet relaxed rustic look. These hand crafted wine barrel and whiskey barrel furnishings add a unique touch to any cellar, living room, screened deck or home bar. Plus, barrel furniture is eco-friendly since the staves, barrel heads and barrel hoops are removed to create wine barrel stave furniture.

Barrel Furniture, New Designs

Checkout some new designs of authentic barrels that are transformed into exquisite, eye-catching coffee tables, barrel stools and wine tables.

Barrel Coffee Tables

Complete a rustic or wine themed room with stave coffee and end tables.  The legs of this wine barrel coffee table are constructed with staves from a recycled wine barrel.  The coffee table top is solid oak.  A genuine barrel hoop completes the base of the table for an authentic look.

Handmade vintage oak whiskey barrel is transformed into a functional coffee table with lots of storage.  The half barrel base has loads of charm.  This eye-catching coffee table with huge table top is a great conversation piece.  Store magazines, games, bottles, blankets and more in the storage area below the hinged table top of whiskey barrel coffee table.

Barrel Stools & Chairs

New!  Barrel stool available at various bar heights reuses barrel staves to construct the barrel stool backrest, stool seat and legs.  Thick curved staves give this simple design remarkable strength, while showcasing the natural beauty of the wood grain.  This new design has 4 staves to create the back rest.  Custom orders available with 2, 3, or 4 stave construction for the back rest.  In addition, custom orders for 1 to 2 footrests at 9″ and 18″ from top of the seat.

If you are looking even more style, custom orders are available with contrasting finishes.  For example, walnut finish stave seat with golden oak stave legs and backrest.  Call us at 919-341-4279, describe your room decor and we’ll inspire you.




Soon to come is this newest addition to barrel stools:

Wine Barrel Table

Wine Barrel Table with Metal Top is an exclusive, new design constructed from a reclaimed barrel that has been stained, finished and reinforced. The durable metal table top is 42 inches in diameter and powder coated with a pebble texture surface, copper vein (bronze) in color. Also features a black powder coated foot rail.  Custom table top sizes are available.  Wine and table design also comes in an oak top bistro table.  Shop the largest collection of furniture wine tables.