TASTE ROUTE - Wine Country This Week

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Balletto Vineyards & Winery
Graton Ridge Cellars
5700 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, (707) 568-2455
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3561 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., (707) 823-3040
Once prominent vegetable farmers, the Balletto family now grows over
600 acres of grapes in the Russian River Valley. Nearly 200 acres
surround the winery and tasting room off Occidental Road, including 40
percent of the Pinot Noir Balletto grows, as well as Chardonnay. Drop by
seven days a week to taste their award-winning wines and savor the
rustic setting. The location is a photographer’s dream during mustard
flower season each spring.
Graton Ridge Cellars is owned and operated by the Paul family,
Gravenstein apple farmers in the West County for over 65 years. The
family winery produces just 1,700 cases per year – keeping lots small.
Beating out more than 3,000 wines, Graton Ridge Cellars won the Red
Sweepstakes in the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle wine competition. If you
like a sweet wine, try the 2011 Graton Ridge A+ – it’s a Gravenstein apple
dessert wine. Stop by the tasting room, purchase a favorite wine and sit
beneath the giant Sequoia tree for a picnic, or play a round of bocce.
Dutton Estate Winery
8757 Green Valley Road, Sebastopol, (707) 829-9463
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
An award-winning, family owned and operated winery, Dutton Estate
produces Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Syrah. Located
on Green Valley Road, conveniently off Highway 116, visitors can relax
and enjoy flights of wine, served with local Joe Matos Cheese and Zoe’s
uncured salami. The Dutton family prides itself on sustainable farming
practices, and has a long-standing farming history in the Sonoma County
region, with an extensive wine following.
HANNA Winery and vineyards
5353 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, (707) 575-3371
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EKTIMO WINES
The original home ranch of HANNA Winery & Vineyards is just off of
Occidental Road in Sonoma County. The picturesque winery has lovely
grounds and a picnic area overlooking the vineyards (HANNA Winery
also has a stunning Mediterranean-style hospitality center in heart of
Alexander Valley, 9280 Highway 128, Healdsburg). With over 25 years
of winemaking experience, this estate winery produces varietals from
three of Sonoma County’s finest regions: Russian River Valley, Alexander
Valley and the Mayacamas Mountains.
4950 Ross Road, Sebastopol, (707) 827-3937
Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hook & Ladder Winery
“Ektimo Wines is a full working winery, tasting room, part-time organic
farm, and an amazing place for our family to call home. Ektimo has
changed since we first opened the tasting room in 2011. One of the best
features (aside from the Pinot and Chardonnay) is the property itself.
We invite you to come out and visit our organic farm, bocce ball court,
picnic area or take a tour of the newly planted Pinot Vineyards.”
2134 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa, (707) 546-5712
Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hook & Ladder Winery is located on the beautiful and historic Olivet
Road in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. The tasting
room is situated inside the winery’s production facility surrounded by
some of the Russian River Valley’s oldest vineyards, many dating
back to the early 1900s. Bring a picnic and enjoy the garden patio
area and play some bocce overlooking the vineyards. Private
tastings and tours of the winery and surrounding vineyards
are also available by appointment.
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Known as West County, the Highway 116 route that ambles through Sebastopol, Graton and Forestville is home to a
unique cluster of twelve family-owned wineries that make-up the Taste Route 116 trail. These vintners bottle some of
Sonoma County’s most prized, often small-production varietals, from crisp Chardonnay to earthy Pinot Noir, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Zinfandel and more.
The drive along Highway 116 drifts through Gravenstein apple orchards, redwoods and gently rolling hills of perfectly
trellised vineyards – with small towns, great food and interesting discoveries along the way.
EKTIMO
WINES
LAG
UNA
RD
TASTE ROUTE
JIGAR Forestville
WINE
GUERRILLA FRONT ST
BOHEMIAN HWY
West County Wineries Invite Visitors to
12
101
Annual Events Calendar
for 2015-2016
• June – Grill 116
• November
Wine Club Appreciation
Weekend
• February – Sweet 116
Check the website for details
tasteroute116.com
Sebastopol
116
TO
SAN FRANCISCO
Jigar Wines
Russian River Vineyards
6615 Front Street, Forestville, CA 95436
Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., (707) 874 6123, info@jigarwines
5700 Gravenstein Highway North, Forestville
Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., (707) 887-3344
After moving to Sonoma County, Jigar soon became passionate about
Sonoma County wines learning to appreciate the incredible diversity
available here. Jigar Wines strives to make the best wine possible from
only the finest vineyards of County. Their small-production techniques
and relationships with growers allow them to make wines that are as
individual and unique as the vineyards they were harvested from. The
focus is on minimalistic winemaking. “We believe each wine should be a
true expression of what we love about the area.”
Martin Ray Winery
2191 Laguna Road, Santa Rosa, (707) 823-2404
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Located in the hub of the Russian River Valley, Martin Ray Winery is
located on one of the oldest historical winery sites in California
(established in 1881), known by its soaring water tower built in the
1940s. The grounds are serene and lushly landscaped. Pack a picnic to
enjoy with a bottle of Martin Ray wine. Tasting room staff is friendly,
knowledgeable and unpretentious – happy to guide visitors on a wine
tasting journey. First-timers come in as strangers and leave as friends.
OCCIDENTAL ROAD CELLARS
870 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, (707) 827-3327
Open Thursday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Tuesday/Wednesday
Owned and operated by fourth generation farmers, Richard and Joelle
Prather invite visitors to stop by their tasting room in Sebastopol for a
sample of Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and more. If you’re
interested in touring their winery or vineyards along the Sonoma Coast and
Russian River Valley book an appointment – they accommodate both large
and small groups. Visitors wishing to spend a night amongst the vineyards
can also book a stay at their private vineyard estate – a tranquil place to
absorb the West Sonoma County lifestyle.
Celebrated Russian River Valley is home to Russian River Vineyards. It’s a
unique destination winery, where visitors can easily spend an afternoon
wine tasting, taking in the panoramic views and savoring Cork’s restaurant
– the only winery-based restaurant in the Russian River Valley. Meticulously
crafted wines can be enjoyed in the open-air tasting room or on the
romantic patio, an ideal place to catch a dazzling West County sunset.
Taft Street Winery
2030 Barlow Lane, Sebastopol, (707) 823-2049
Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends until 4:30 p.m.
The term “Garagistes” originated in Bordeaux, France in the 1980s and
referred to a group of innovative winemakers who produced exceptional
wines in their garages rather than a grand chateaux. Like the renegade
French Garagistes, Taft Street began in a garage in 1979, stressing quality
without pretense. The winery continues in the Garagistes tradition to this
day, producing limited production, handcrafted wines from select Sonoma
County vineyards. Taft Street makes great wine, available at a fair price,
and has a fun time doing it – sharing that joy daily with visitors.
Wine GueRrilla
6671 Front Street (Highway 116), Forestville, (707) 887-1996
Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
With its maxim being “The Art and Soul of Zinfandel,” there’s no
mistaking where it’s at for Wine Guerrilla. Made entirely from Sonoma
County-grown grapes, and distinctly bottled with the splendid musings of
artist Sean Colgan adorning each label, these popular Zins make it worth
a trip for a taste. Enjoy lunch on the charming outdoor patio (gourmet
boxed lunches can be ordered and delivered to the tasting room for $15)
along with your wine purchase.
By Denise Oliffe