Sullivan Vineyards Winery is a local independent wine producer founded and owned by Jim and JoAnn Sullivan. It offers a selection of premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and blends made with grapes from its certified organic vineyards. The company makes approximately 5,000 cases of wine yearly. Tours are available by appointment.
Swanson Vineyards has its beginnings in the mid 1980s, producing merlot. Today, it has since expanded its selection to include cabernet sauvignon, pinot grigio and Alexis. Tastings are offered by appointment. Swanson Vineyards was founded by W. Clarke Swanson Jr. and is located on 100 acres.
Upon entering Michel-Schlumberger Wines, visitors get an impression of a Spanish-style mission complete with a central patio courtyard and fountain. This winery is committed to sustainable wine growing through the implementation of sheep for mowing, chickens for bug control and bio-diesel made with used cooking oil. It has been deemed a Fish Friendly Farm as well as a Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary and gained CCOF recognition in 2010. As for Michel-Schlumberger's wines, they have recently recieved a Gold (2007 Le Source Syrah) and Bronze (2006 La Cime Cabernet Sauvignon) Medal at this year's Sonoma County Harvest Fair. For more in-depth information on the wines and winery, visit the website or blog.
Laurel Lake Vineyards was founded in 1980 by a group of Chilean and American vintners and friends. Its spacious and modern tasting facility with a sweeping view of the vineyard is where visitors can sample the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Pinot Noir and the popular Riesling. Laurel Lake can also host weddings and other private events.
Jessup Cellars is a small winery. It produces Petite Sryah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel Port, among other wines. It offers tastings daily.
The owners and winemakers at Landmark Vineyards take pride in handcrafting a variety of wines with the proper balance of sugar and acid to make flavorful chardonnay, grenache, pinot noir, syrah and rose varietals. It also hosts tastings and tours.
Salvestrin Winery is a family-operated winery featuring a 26-acre vineyard. All wines sold by the company are produced on-site. Tours and tastings are available by appointment. Products also can be purchased on the website.
"The nicest place you can't find," joked a customer who was tasting one of De La Montanya's prize-winning estate wines. Located at the edge of the Russian River Valley, De La Montanya can be a bit hard to find, but its well worth the effort. It's tucked off the main road. But just watch for the signs and don't miss the turn under the bridge. Nestled beside vineyards, the farmhouse-style tasting room serves some of the most exquisite Italian varietals north of Naples. They also have picnic areas and bocce ball courts. Better hurry, rumor has it in 2011 the direct-to-consumer winery will offer tastings by appointment only.
Schramsberg Vineyards specializes in sparkling wines. It offers daily tours with advance reservations, with tastings also available by appointment. Visitors are guided through the vineyards 120-year-old caves and learn the process of wine making. All visitors must be older than 21.
