J. Rochioli Vineyards & Winery: 6192 Westside Rd.Healdsburg(RussianRiver) 707.433.2305www.rochioliwinery.comHrs: Thurs-Mon 11-4Tues & Wed by appt TF: $Wines: Sauv Blanc, Chard, Pinot Noir. Notes: They produce great wines, but most goes to their wine club, so when you visit the list they pour may be small. Their wines have been poured for many years at the White House. A pretty place and a nice staff. Well worth the visit. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards: 24724 Arnold Dr.Sonoma(Carneros) 707.931.7575www.jacuzziwines.comHrs: 10-5:30TF: $Wines: Chard, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Sangiovese, Arneis, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Primitivo, Pinot Grigio, Moscato Blanc, Blends.Notes: A new Italian style winery created by the Cline Family whose winery is across the street. Big spacious tasting room specializing in Italian varietals. The Olive Press shares the building and has an olive oil tasting bar. Both sides have great gifts. This is a wonderful place to visit because there is something for everyone, both the wine lover and the shopper. It is very convenient to San Francisco via the Golden GateBridge. They make a great first or last stop on a tour originating in the city. The wines are great, refreshing and well-made. It has cool architecture, gardens and the event space that Cline lacked before.
James Cole Estate Winery: 5014 Silverado TrailNapaOak Knoll District 707. 251.9905www.jamescolewinery.comHrs: 10-5TF: $Wines: Chard, Malbec, Cab Sauv, Ice Wine. Notes: At the intersection of Silverado Trail and Oak Knoll Road, owned by a local family. The tasting is casual, the staff friendly and the wines good. When the Trail wineries are busy you might find a nicer experience here, away from the crowds. Jarvis Vineyards: 2970 Monticello Rd.Napa 800.255.5280 x 150www.jarviswines.comHrs: 11-4:30 by appointment at 10-11-1-2-3 TF: $$$with Tour. Wines: Chard, Cab Sauv, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cab Franc. Notes: The entire winery is inside their cave and is quite beautiful. A unique experience but bring a sweater. To reach the tasting room you have to cross over a stream that runs through the caves. The tour includes the large event space adorned with museum quality crystals. There is a 24 hour cancellation policy and the drive out Monticello Road is a little long and winding.
Jessup Cellars: 6740 Washington St.YountvilleTasting Room 707.944.8523www.jessupcellars.comHrs: 10-6TF: $$CWPWines: Chard, Rosé, Merlot, Zin, Cab Sauv, Blends, Petite Sirah, ZinPort.Notes: Their tasting room is downtown Yountville, although their vineyards are on AtlasPeak, and they source grapes from MountVeeder. They produce some wonderful wines, the staff is very knowledgeable and the tasting room is comfy, social and very convenient. They are open until 6 so they can get very busy late in the day. They are also popular with the tour companies that work with small parties, because they make such good wine, so their tasting room can get filled, but it's still fun.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery: 1474 Alexander Valley Rd.Healdsburg(Northern Sonoma)707.431.5250www.jordanwinery.comHrs: by appointmentTours Mon-SatClosed SundayTF: $$$Wines: Cab Sauv, Chard, Dessert Wine, Olive Oil. Notes: Their tasting and tour is by appointment, and they don't do instant appointments. A grand estate in the AlexanderValley with a wonderful staff and well regarded wines. The sign on Alexander Valley Road is small but the driveway entrance is quite broad and well done. If you are coming from Healdsburg it is on the right side. Architecture, Gardens, Tours.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards: 200 Taplin Rd.St. Helena 707.967.3720www.jpvwines.comHrs: appointment9-5 Mon-FriSat/Sun 10-4 TF: $$$-$$$$Wines: Cab Sauv, Sauv Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Dessert Wine. Notes: They sit in their own valley off the Silverado Trail. They offer tastings and seminars by appointment. It is a lovely tasting room & patio and their wines are highly respected. A very knowledgeable and relaxed staff and a beautiful building and grounds.They were the first Napa winery to create a Bordeaux-style blend, that mix of Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, etc that is the world standard. Their signature blend Insignia was vote the world's top wine several years ago.
Joseph Swan Vineyards: 2916 Laguna Rd.Forestville(Northern Sonoma) 707.573.3747www.swanwinery.comHrs: 11-4:30Sat-SunappointmentMon & FriTF: $ Wines: Zin, Pinot Noir, SyrahNotes: Limited to groups of 8 or less, dogs welcome.
Judd’s Hill Winery: 2332 Silverado TrailNapa 707.255.2332www.juddshill.comHrs: 10-5 by appointmentTF: $$ Wines: Cab Sauv, Petite Sirah, Chard, Merlot, Zin, Pinot Noir. Notes: This is a fun place, although a bit chaotic. That is because they are also a custom facility. Unlike the many that exist throughout wine country, they work with clients as small as one barrel, which is very tempting. They are located close to the intersection of Silverado Trail and Trancas Rd.
Juslyn Vineyards: Wines: Cab Sauv, Blends.Tasted at Silenus Tasting Room. Thischarming couple produces a very elegant wine from their beautiful vineyards on the lower edges of SpringMountain. Silenus is also their crush facility.
Call 707-235-2648 for Tours, Books & Seminars Copyright Ralph & Lahni de Amicis 2011 All tasting fees, hours, wine lists, etc are subject to change.