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Theresa Downs

Sonoma Wineries by Wine By Appointment

 

Sonoma Wineries

The following Sonoma Wineries are highly recommended to book a visit for a tasting.


Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Francis Ford Coppola Winery located at 300 Via Archimedes in Geyserville is a delightful wonderland of vistas and wine. Within towering castle- like structures, the winery features great eateries, bars and fascinating movie memorabilia displays, a pool, cabanas, and, of course, wine. Plan on spending some extra time to wander through the museum areas and enjoy a glass of the acclaimed wine on one of the outside terraces in abundance there. It’s best to make a reservation here as well, especially if you want to take a dip in that pool..


Outside view of gate into Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis Ford Coppola Winery Geyserville

Tasting bar at Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis Ford Coppola Winery Geyserville

Tasting room at Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis Ford Coppola Winery (The Restaurant) Geyserville

Case with movie items at Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis Ford Coppola Winery Geyserville

Ferrari Carano Winery

Sitting in Ferrari Carano’s beautiful Il Terrazzo Terrace makes you feel like you’ve just landed in Tuscany. The winery, located at 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, features gorgeous gardens, both public and private tasting rooms, and amazing terraces. Sip a glass of their acclaimed Sangiovese or Pinot Grigio and you’ll be brushing up on your Italian. This is an amazingly beautiful winery so it’s fun just to tour the grounds. The winery does offer both public and private tastings but we recommend the private tasting in the Enoteca Wine Tasting Bar for a more intimate experience.


Outside bronze wild boar at Ferrari Carano  Winery
Ferrari Carano Winery Healdsburg
Outside view of the entrance to Ferrari Carano  Winery
Ferrari Carano Winery Healdsburg
Outside tasting area at Ferrari Carano  Winery
Ferrari Carano Winery Healdsburg

Meeker Vineyard

Stopping in at Meeker Vineyard is like visiting an old friend. Located at 5 Fitch St., Unit B (back of the building), Healdsburg, its unpretentious, cozy tasting room offers an inviting respite. Complete with two friendly dogs that give a warm welcome to all visitors, you can sit, chat and taste some truly good wine. (I learned to love Petite Sirah by tasting their wine). Plan on a visit; you won’t be disappointed.


A photo of founder Charlie Meeker behind a former wine tasting bar
Charlie Meeker

Hawkes Winery Healdsburg

Hawkes Winery located at 6734 CA-128 Healdsburg features some of the best of what Northern California wine country has to offer (I’m particularly drawn to their Merlot). Come for a visit and enjoy the attention of attentive staff in an intimate tasting room experience. No reservations necessary.


Outside sign to Hawkes Winery
Hawkes Winery Healdsburg
Inside view of the wines at Hawkes Winery
Hawkes Winery Healdsburg
Inside tasting room view outside to the vineyards at Hawkes Winery
Hawkes Winery Healdsburg


Seghesio Family Vineyards

I’m always on the lookout for wineries that produce Italian wine varieties, and Seghesio Family Vineyards doesn’t disappoint. Italian wine lovers can enjoy white wine favorites such as Arneis and Vermentino or a robust Aglianico red wine to go with that plate of spaghetti con polpette. Open to the public, it’s an easy drive from downtown Healdsburg and well worth a visit. Ciao!


Outside view of the doorway into Seghesio Family Vineyards
Seghesio Family Vineyards Healdsburg

Inside view of the tasting bar at Seghesio Family Vineyards
Seghesio Family Vineyards Healdsburg

Inside view of the tasting bar at Seghesio Family Vineyards
Seghesio Family Vineyards Healdsburg

Imagery Estate Winery

Imagery Estate Winery is an old favorite of ours. Located at 14335 Sonoma Highway Glen Ellen, it’s always a fun place to visit because the winemakers there don’t shy away from something new. Offering other wines than the usual fare, such as Lagrein, Malbec and Tempranillo or Tannat, it’s a great place to relax and experience something different. Open to the public, put this on your list to visit too.


Outside winding path and sign to Imagery Estate Winery
Imagery Estate Winery Glen Ellen
Inside view of the tasting bar at Imagery Estate Winery
Imagery Estate Winery Glen Ellen
Inside seating are in front of the fireplace at Imagery Estate Winery
Imagery Estate Winery Glen Ellen

Bottle Barn

When talking about wine or procuring wine in the North Bay, I’m duty bound to give a shout-out to Bottle Barn located 3331-A Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa. Bottle Barn is a warehouse for booze and wine! It literally has every type (well probably not every type) but at least a good portion of hard-to-find wine in the world. So, if you’re taking a class featuring Australian wine or just have a hankering to try something new, pay a visit to Bottle Barn and you won’t be disappointed…very affordable as well.


Outside view of the entrance to the warehouse Bottle Barn
Bottle Barn Santa Rosa

Partial inside view of the racks and racks of world and local wines for sale at Bottle Barn
Bottle Barn Santa Rosa

If you have any comments, please let us know at contact@winebyappt.com

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