• Blog
  • About Me
    • Press Release
  • Back Road Wineries
    • California Wine Trail
    • Tuscany Wine Trail
    • Baja California Wine Trail
  • Wine A Bit ~ Editorial & Reviews
  • Contact Me

UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Kickstart The Weekend In DRNK’s Wine Cave

June 6, 2021 by Deborah Mines

No better way to kick off your Russian River Valley Wine tasting trek than at DRNK off Frei Road in Sebastopol.  Ryan Kunde is one of my favorite, and most talented, winemakers in Sonoma County and is known to showcase the most diverse wine tasting flights.  Ryan is in a league of his own as a fifth generation winegrower from the notable Sonoma 1880s pioneer wine family of Kunde.

DRNK is a moniker for the first initials of inlaws Dale and Nancy Dougherty and wife Katy.  Founded in 2012, DRNK is one of only four wine caves in the RRV AVA and features one of the most diverse and fun wine tasting experiences.  An avid drone pilot, Ryan uses the technology to scout new vineyards and to source fruit from premium vineyard sites throughout Sonoma County.

DRNK‘s vibrant 2020 Sauvignon Blanc and the five Bordeaux varietals found in the 2018 Red Blend are grown on the Kunde Estate’s Wildwood Vineyards in Sonoma Valley.  Looking for something different?  Try the 2020 Pinot Gris ‘Orange Wine’ from Bennet Valley.  A perfect Summer wine, as is the very limited 2020 Rose of Pinot Noir from the Russian Valley. For the traditionalists, the stellar lineup of Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast’s 2017 Pinot Hill Vineyards or 2018 Russian River Green Valley vineyards is always guaranteed to please.

Because of the 2020 devastating fires, many, if not most, winemakers were unable to make wines due to smoke taint.   A little ways off the beaten path, DRNK is open by appointment Wednesday through Saturday.

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, wine cave, Wine Tasting

Wine Trail Search

Follow My Wine Blog

    Your Name

    Your Email

    A Little About Me

    To many, I’m simply known as a wanderlust ~ a free-spirited adventuress with a passion for travel and a lover of great wines!Read more...

    Vintage Posts

    • Jordan Winery’s Chateau Block Vineyard Tasting Is Unforgettable November 26, 2021
    • Trending Now ~ Top 3 Wineries in Temecula September 12, 2021
    • Freeman Vineyard & Winery’s Cave Tasting Is A “10” August 8, 2021
    • 2021’s Top 10 Winery Picks off Russian River Valley’s Iconic Westside Road July 5, 2021
    • Kickstart The Weekend In DRNK’s Wine Cave June 6, 2021
    • Cannabis in Wine Country? NIMBY. May 29, 2021
    • Ojai’s Spiritual Vortex (And Great Wine) Soothes The Soul April 4, 2021
    • Book Review: The Billionaire’s Vinegar January 3, 2021
    • Book Review: Sonoma Wine And The Story Of Buena Vista November 29, 2020
    • California Wineries Are Now “Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop…” November 15, 2020
    • Russian River Valley Welcomes Visitors in Uncertain Times… September 20, 2020
    • BOOK REVIEW: A Wine Journey Along The Russian River May 30, 2020
    • US Wine Market Update: A Regional Perspective Webinar Unites Top Industry Leaders April 17, 2020
    • The Lifecycle of a Grape Vine ~ From Vine To Wine March 26, 2020
    • 2019’s “Top 10” Eclectic RRV Wineries December 29, 2019
    • Russian River Valley’s Arista Wines Earn Top Accolades From Wine Spectator September 24, 2019
    • Littorai Wines ~ A Tale of Two Coasts & Three Pinot Noir Styles September 13, 2019
    • After Much Ado, “House of Flowers” Debuts In Russian River Valley August 29, 2019
    • Best Backroads For Cycling In RRV-Healdsburg Wine Country August 16, 2019
    • Experience Cave-Aged Wines At DRNK Winery in Russian River Valley July 3, 2019
    • Best Kept Secret in Sta. Rita Hills ~ Spear Vineyards & Winery May 17, 2019
    • Spring Is An Ideal, And Uncrowded, Time To Visit Wine Country April 19, 2019
    • NEW BOOK RELEASE: Root Cause, A Novel by Steven Laine February 19, 2019
    • Discover the Hidden Wine Caves in Sonoma Wine Country December 17, 2018
    • Vin Santo Reigns In Chianti’s Medieval Hamlet of Castello di Volpaia November 16, 2018

    Uncorked Wine SD

    UncorkedWineTravelsFollow

    Deb Mines is a wine enthusiast with a passion for travel! Seeking the stories behind the vines... . WSET Level 3, FWS, CSW,AWE

    UncorkedWineTravels
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    21 Nov

    Master Sommelier Program Out of Time | Wine-Searcher News & Features https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2021/11/master-sommelier-program-out-of-time #GoodOldBoysClub #EnoughIsEnough

    Reply on Twitter 1462563347627343876Retweet on Twitter 1462563347627343876Like on Twitter 1462563347627343876Twitter 1462563347627343876
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    3 Oct

    A shout out to Ryan Kunde ⁦@DRNKwines⁩ Wildwood Vineyards 2018 Cab Sauvignon ~ perfectly integrated lusciousness🍷🍷🙌🙌#wine #SonomaStrong

    Reply on Twitter 1444458315619061760Retweet on Twitter 1444458315619061760Like on Twitter 14444583156190617601Twitter 1444458315619061760
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    16 Sep

    The @WineSpectator Scholarship Foundation is giving $10M to @NVCollege's Viticulture, Wine and Technology program. The Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex will offer affordable training for aspiring #wine industry workers young and old: https://winesp.ec/39nW5r7

    Reply on Twitter 1438493844467699721Retweet on Twitter 1438493844467699721Like on Twitter 1438493844467699721Twitter 1438493844467699721
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    13 Sep

    Top 3 Wineries in Temecula WIne Country
    https://uncorkedwinetravels.com/trending-now-top-3-wineries-in-temecula/
    #winelovers #wine #winetasting

    Reply on Twitter 1437212801898934278Retweet on Twitter 1437212801898934278Like on Twitter 1437212801898934278Twitter 1437212801898934278
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    15 Aug 2021

    Discover Scout & Cellar's Clean-Crafted Wines - Be ready to be wowed! Interested in starting your own wine business? DM for details or visit http://www.scoutandcellar.com/UncorkedWineTravels

    Reply on Twitter 1426984234573615111Retweet on Twitter 1426984234573615111Like on Twitter 1426984234573615111Twitter 1426984234573615111
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    9 Aug 2021

    Freeman Vineyard & WInery's Cave Tasting is a "10"
    https://uncorkedwinetravels.com/freeman-vineyard-winerys-cave-tasting-is-a-10/

    2
    Reply on Twitter 1424526599458754563Retweet on Twitter 1424526599458754563Like on Twitter 1424526599458754563Twitter 1424526599458754563
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    14 Jul 2021

    Hot time Summer in the city 🎵🎶. Fire up the BBQ and pair grilled goodies with Scout and Cellar’s clean-crafted wines 🍷🍷DM me for info or visit my bio link. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUti0CLHoh/?utm_medium=twitter

    Reply on Twitter 1415431411956396040Retweet on Twitter 1415431411956396040Like on Twitter 14154314119563960401Twitter 1415431411956396040
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    2 Jul 2021

    Beautiful warm breezy day @PalumboWinery #temeculawinecountry #winetasting #July4th

    Reply on Twitter 1411062285917847552Retweet on Twitter 1411062285917847552Like on Twitter 14110622859178475521Twitter 1411062285917847552
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    2 Jul 2021

    Breezy warm day in #temeculawinecountry @palumbowinery Where Will your travels take you this holiday weekend? @ Palumbo Family Winery https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ1p0hVrv_Q/?utm_medium=twitter

    Reply on Twitter 1411060360086425601Retweet on Twitter 1411060360086425601Like on Twitter 14110603600864256011Twitter 1411060360086425601
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    1 Jul 2021

    Just posted a photo https://www.instagram.com/p/CQyXbPwLFdd/?utm_medium=twitter

    Reply on Twitter 1410597696662949889Retweet on Twitter 1410597696662949889Like on Twitter 1410597696662949889Twitter 1410597696662949889
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    26 Jun 2021

    Getting in the groove! Studying for Spanish @winescholarguil exam https://el9nou.cat/osona-ripolles/actualitat/santi-carcasona-torna-a-donar-so-al-vi/

    Reply on Twitter 1408922699460534275Retweet on Twitter 1408922699460534275Like on Twitter 1408922699460534275Twitter 1408922699460534275
    UncorkedWineSDUncorkedWineTravels@UncorkedWineSD·
    25 May 2021

    Stellar @WineRRV cave #winetasting at DRNK with Ryan Kunde to celebrate #NationalWineDay

    Reply on Twitter 1397318352482095105Retweet on Twitter 1397318352482095105Like on Twitter 1397318352482095105Twitter 1397318352482095105
    Load More...

    Uncorked Wine Travels

    Follow on Instagram

    Copyright © 2022 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in