Certainly worthy of the trek to the far reaches of the famed Green Valley AVA near Sebastopol is the Marimar Torres Family Vineyards, perched high atop a vineyard-studded hill.
Wind your way up the long driveway to the lovely Spanish inspired tasting room and you’re likely to meet the legendary Marimar Torres herself. Always by her side are her beloved Springer Spaniels, Chico and Bonita, who are on hand to greet guests and pose for photos.
Marimar paved the way in the late 1980s for other women wine makers to be recognized. Her pioneering and determined spirit was unwelcome in the primarily male-dominated wine making industry at the time. Today, however, Marimar is held in high regard in the Russian River Valley wine industry and has earned numerous awards for her stellar Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
True to Marimar’s Spanish heritage, the vineyards are organically farmed and the grapes are hand-picked, which allows the unique Russian River Valley terroir to be expressed in every glass.
Aromas of garlic and sweet pepper waft through the tasting room, setting the scene for a most amazing tasting of the estate grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir paired with tapas. The tasting flight features a selection of the estate Don Miguel Vineyard and the Doña Margarita Vineyard overlooking the Freestone valley in the Sonoma Coast appellation.
Of particular note was the 2013 La Masia Chardonnay, Don Miguel Vineyard and the 2012 Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir, Doña Margarita Vineyard. The nose of the Chardonnay was reminiscent of lush stone fruit and papaya, with a lemon twist and the Pinot Noir displayed undertones of smoked meat and forest floor with dark cherry and red currant.
Expansive views of the Green Valley can be enjoyed from the outside patio area in the warmer months. Private tours of the vineyards are also available upon request. For a truly memorable and elegant experience, visit Marimar Torres Family Vineyards.
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