• 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

Top 6 Eclectic Russian River Valley Wineries (Sonoma County)

January 30, 2017 by Deborah Mines 4 Comments

In no particular order, I’ve made a list of the top six most eclectic Russian River Valley wineries, which is no easy feat. With over 100 wineries in the Russian River Valley AVA, there are a lot of choices.  These are off the beaten path wineries with stellar wines, avant-garde winemakers, friendly down-to-earth folk and inviting and fun tasting rooms.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are highly revered here, and comprise over 70% of the vineyard plantings.  Cool climate varietals such as Syrah and Zinfandel make a good showing, along with Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Sirah.

#1 Moshin Winery – Tucked off River Road, it’s easy to miss the entrance.  Look for the giant iron butterfly hovering above the road.  Moshin pours several amazing Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay, a Sparkling Blanc de Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah and a late harvest Zinfandel dessert wine.  The tasting room is adorned with local artwork and features a small gift shop.  Super fun way to spend an afternoon!   www.moshinvineyards.com

#2 Porter Creek Vineyards – Stay on Westside Road a mile or so and you’ll arrive at Porter Creek.  The long dirt driveway leads to a vintage outbuilding-style tasting room next to the exotic chicken house.  Large enough for about 10 people, the view from the tasting room rivals the best view in the valley.  The tasting lineup is sure to please every palate.  Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Old Vine Carignane and Old Vine Zinfandel.  Plus, super friendly hosts!  www.portercreekvineyards.com

#3 Matrix Winery – Keep going down Westside Road, toward Healdsburg to find Matrix Winery, which is one of my latest finds in Russian River Valley.  Winemaker Victoria Wilson, of the infamous Wilson wine family, is a hoot.  She’s young, flamboyant, creative and knows her way around the 777, 667 and 118  Pinot Noir clones.  Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah are equally exciting.  The tasting room is under construction until Spring but looks to be nothing short of first class.    www.matrixwinery.com

#4 Harvest Moon Winery – Head down Olivet Lane, which is as charming as the name implies.  No trip to Russian River Valley is complete without a visit to Harvest Moon.  Spicy Zinfandel rules the roost here, along with bubbles!  Dare to try the dry Sparkling or late harvest Gewurtztraminer or the delicate Pinot Noir Rosé.  On occasion, winemaker Randy Pitts is known to bring out the saber sword and shear off a cork samurai-style!  Can’t say enough about Harvest Moon ~ It’s literally over-the-moon!  www.harvestmoonwinery.com

#5 Hook & Ladder Winery –  It’s impossible to miss Hook & Ladder Winery, just look for the vintage red fire engine parked out front on Olivet Lane.  Probably one of the most storied families in Russian River, Cecil and Christine DeLoach are at the helm.   The themed tasting room is modeled after Cecil’s previous life as a San Francisco fire captain.  Estate wines include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese.    www.hookandladderwinery.com

#6 Woodenhead – Circle back to River Road and look for Woodenhead, seated high on the hill. Don’t let the exterior fool you, for amazing flights of Pinot Noir and Zinfandel await.  Belly up to the lodge-like bar to taste Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley, Mendocino and Humboldt or Zinfandel from Mendocino.  For an alternative, there’s a sparkling Rosé Brut, French Colombard, Charbono and Syrah.  A little funky setting with commanding views and spectacular wines.  www.woodenheadwine.com

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Rose, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Tasting, Zinfandel

Comments

  1. unclelawwy says

    February 1, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    Thanks. I appreciate your approach. It’s the kind of story I used to love doing up to 15 years ago when we left the Valley for far away places. Not surprising that Porter Creek is the only winery I’m familiar with and Cecil and Christine are the only names I knew. Ah, nostalgia

  2. Deborah Mines says

    February 2, 2017 at 7:15 am

    Appreciate your feedback! RRV is a special place ~ I hesitate at times to tell others about it.

  3. Katie Ambrosi says

    October 5, 2017 at 11:56 am

    We’d love to have you back at Matrix Winery now that the Tasting Room remodel is complete. It looks great and we are so excited!

  4. Deborah Mines says

    October 7, 2017 at 6:38 am

    Thank you Katie! I will see you in January at the Winter WINEland event! Love Matrix wines!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

  • 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
  • Hidden Gem Alert ~ Dry Creek’s Unti Vineyards Is A “10” October 31, 2018
  • Windsor’s Notre Vue Estate’s Unabashed Views Are Worth The Drive October 20, 2018
  • Cheers To Russian River Valley’s “Uneventful” 2018 Harvest! September 21, 2018
  • Add Healdsburg’s Raford Inn To Your Wine Bucket List August 9, 2018
  • A Walk Between The Vines At Emeritus Vineyards… June 29, 2018
  • Follow the Olivet Road… Top 3 Artisan Winery Picks! June 8, 2018
  • Thomas George Estates’ Wine Cave Is Truly A Hidden Treasure! May 24, 2018
  • Get Your Sips Off Route 116… Sonoma Co’s Crown Jewel Wine Road March 9, 2018
  • A Rainy Day In Napa Suits Me Wine… December 20, 2017
  • Whimsical & Historical Sites Dot North Sonoma County’s Wine Trail November 21, 2017
  • MacRostie Winery & Vineyards’ Elevated Tasting Takes Center Stage October 25, 2017
  • Kistler Vineyards Is A Wondrous Showcase For Chardonnay Lovers! September 27, 2017
  • 2017 Russian River Valley Grape Harvest Is One For The Record Books September 13, 2017
  • Top Paso Robles Wine Trail Picks August 22, 2017
  • Especial Wine Stops in Historic Alexander Valley ~ Sonoma Wine Country August 2, 2017
  • Top Picks To Wine Down In Dry Creek Valley July 19, 2017
  • Russian River Valley’s Martinelli Winery Dates Back To 1890’s July 4, 2017
  • BOOK REVIEW: A Glass Full of Miracles June 17, 2017

Find Me On Twitter

My Tweets

Copyright © 2019 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.