Discovering hidden gems along the Russian River Valley wine trail is always a high point in my wine travels. With a little last-minute networking, I quickly found myself on the outdoor deck at MacRostie Winery & Vineyards for an unforgettable seated wine tasting. The tranquil vistas from the newly harvested vineyards stretched toward the magnificent Macayamas Mountains and were breathtaking from every vantage point.
Perched high atop the hill is the lodge inspired tasting room with each table poised to take in the expansive views of the estate vineyards. The sole focus at MacRostie Winery and Vineyards centers around the small lot production of single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Each vintage, Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen utilizes over 130 fermentations to craft the MacRostie flagship wines. Bridenhagen has explored wine regions worldwide and also worked at New Zealand’s Oyster Bay to gain a greater perspective on international wine styles.
Plain and simple, world-class vineyard access is key.
“This remarkable level of diversity allows us to explore the entirety of the Sonoma Coast, from the vibrant purity of Wildcat Mountain Vineyard to the lushness of the Russian River Valley to the nerve and ethereal aromatics of the extreme Sonoma Coast.” www.macrostiewinery.com
The wines are poured as a flight, each uniquely sourced and grown in the Russian River and Sonoma Coast viticulture areas. A savvy wine ambassador will personally guide you through the tasting with antidotes and leaves no stone unturned as to requests or revisits of the wines. Each flight is beautifully paired with artisan cheese and chocolate, making for a quintessential experience.
All tastings begin with the delightfully crisp Russian River 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, which is a new project by owner Steve MacRostie and Bridenhagen. Guests may customize their tasting with a flight of either the Chardonnay or Pinot Noir or a combination of both. Favorites for me were the 2015 Charles Heinz Vineyard Chardonnay from the Green Valley AVA and the 2015 Thale’s “Terrace Block’ Pinot Noir, from the Russian River Valley AVA.
My vote goes to MacRostie Winery and Vineyards for the ultimate in customer service surpassed only by the most beautiful tasting room views in the North Sonoma County Wine Country. An afternoon on the terrace is the perfect place to be, with a glass of MacRostie Russian River Pinot Noir, of course! Reservations are highly recommended.
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