This is our first blog post on discovering the wineries that we cover and the experiences they offer their guests when they visit. Each quarter, we hope to refresh and provide a new list of recommendations and share these experiences with our readers. One of the most frequent questions I get is, which wineries should I visit? Beside the impressive wines these wineries make, we hope to showcase why you should visit and experience their winery and vineyards.
In this post, we feature four Sonoma County wineries. We will start from the south and make our way north since most folks who visit the region start in San Francisco and drive north.
Our first stop is at Lasseter Family Winery. This gem is just outside the town of Glen Ellen off of Highway 12.
At the winery, you can enjoy an immersive experience, warm hospitality, and estate grown wines in a serene setting with sweeping views of their organically farmed vineyards. They produce small lot Bordeaux and Rhône inspired White, Rosé, and Red Wines, as well as century-old Zinfandel in a field blend, from their Sonoma Valley and Moon Mountain vineyards.
Their wines were originally inspired by the Lasseter’s travels, from California to the South of France, where they fell in love with the wines of Chateauneuf du Pape, and the art of blending. They are only available direct from the winery or at select fine restaurants.
Their first offering is their Cellar Tour and Salon Tasting. Sip and stroll among their organically farmed vines before heading inside for a tour of our eco-friendly cellar. Finish in the private tasting salon, with a flight of five of their most exclusive wines from Sonoma Valley and Moon Mountain vineyards, expertly paired with curated small bites from Chef Clinton Huntsman.
The second offering is their Patio Tasting. Relax on the spacious shaded patio, set within picturesque vineyards. Enjoy a flight of five estate grown Bordeaux and Rhône inspired Rosé, White, and Red Wines. Local artisan cheeses available for purchase, handpicked to complement each wine. The cost of this experience is $60 per person.
The Lasseter’s celebrate the power of wine to bring people together to create lasting memories. The Lasseter Family Winery is located at One Vintage Lane in Glen Ellen, California 95442. You can visit their website at www.lasseterfamilywinery.com. Finally, here is also a link to the KWG Lasseter Winery webpage, with all of our wine recommendations.
Heading north on Route 12 to the 101, you will drive towards Healdsburg. The next stop is Merriam Vineyards. The winery is nestled in the Eastern Hills of the Russian River Valley, just south of Healdsburg.
Merriam Vineyards offers a warm and inviting wine country experience centered around organically farmed estate vineyards, award-winning wines, and genuine family hospitality. My daughter Lindsey and her friends still rave about their visit to the winery.
While visiting, guests can enjoy seated tastings overlooking the vineyards, elevated wine experiences with charcuterie pairings, or immersive winery tours featuring samples pulled directly from the barrel.
One of their experience offerings, is The Single Vineyard Tasting that highlights their flagship wine, the Windacre Vineyard Merlot. Each tasting includes five estate-grown, award-winning wines. The cost of this experience is $35 per person.
Another offering is their “Elevated Tasting”. In this flight you will sample a selection of their Single Vineyard and Eastern Hills wines. These may include the Burgundy varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as the Bordeaux varietals of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with their more unique family members of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. (Wines in flights are based on availability). This tasting is led by one of their wine ambassadors. You will be guided through the wines while they share the story behind the Merriam family’s long-time organic and sustainable farming practices and their hands-off approach to winemaking. The tasting will be accompanied by a small charcuterie plate provided by Field & Farm. The cost of this experience is $65 per person.
Inspired by the Merriam family’s passion for French-style winemaking and sustainable farming, each experience highlights the unique terroir of their estate properties. Reservations and additional experience details can be found on their website. Finally, here is also a link to the KWG Merriam Winery webpage, with all of our wine recommendations.
The next stop is conveniently around the corner at Limerick Lane Cellars. They are a 3-minute drive from Merriam. Located at 1023 Limerick Lane in Healdsburg, California.
At Limerick Lane they invite you to slow down and settle into the rhythm of wine country living.
You can even stay among the vines at our private Vineyard Farmhouse, a charming retreat tucked into the heart of our historic winery estate in Healdsburg, surrounded by century-old vineyards and Sonoma County beauty in every direction. Wake slowly to the morning light spilling across the vineyard rows, enjoy coffee on the patio overlooking the vines, or spend the afternoon poolside with a chilled glass of Limerick Lane Rosé beside their iconic wine bottle-shaped swimming pool nestled just steps from the vineyard. Designed for gathering, relaxing, and reconnecting, the Vineyard Farmhouse offers a rare opportunity to experience the estate as few guests do.
Another experience you can enjoy at the winery is Seated Wine Tasting and Picnic in their old vine zinfandel vineyard. You will enjoy a relaxed tasting experience featuring a thoughtfully selected lineup of Limerick Lane Cellars wines paired with a picnic basket full of artisanal charcuterie bites. Their amazing team will be on hand to share the wines and tell their story while you relax and take in the sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and hillsides. This tasting takes approximately 90 minutes. The cost of this experience is $70 per person.
They offer a couple of additional tastings as well. You can find all their experiences on their website. Finally, here is also a link to the KWG Limerick Lane Winery webpage, with all of our wine recommendations.
Our final recommendation and stop is located about 7 miles and about 10 minutes away from Limerick Lane by car. That stop is at the Mauritson Winery at 2859 Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg, California.
Mauritson offers a few experiences at the winery. We will highlight three of them. The first is their Tour & Tasting Experience. You will relax in their tasting room in the heart of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley while your host guides you through a personalized tasting of their handcrafted wines. Discover the six-generation history of the family, from sheep herding to grape growing and now winemaking. You then go behind the scenes on your exclusive private tour of the production facility, meet the winemaking team and learn about their winemaking philosophy and style. This experience is limited to 6 guests. It runs for 90 minutes.
Their second offering is their Wine Library Experience. This is a privately hosted tasting that offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich history of their family while indulging in a wine flight customized to your preferences. As you sip and savor the wines, your host will share captivating stories. From the early days of farming and grape growing to the present-day winemaking endeavors, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the family’s journey and the legacy they’ve built over generations. This experience is limited to 6 guests. It runs for 90 minutes.
The final offering that I would like to highlight is their Loam Tasting. Their vision for LOAM is simple: to produce the greatest Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County by focusing on exemplary vineyards defined by their unique soil characteristics. This commitment to terroir-driven winemaking promises a distinctive expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the essence of Sonoma County’s diverse soils and microclimates. This tasting experience offers a fascinating journey into the relationship between soil and wine. The Tasting Panel thought these wines were excellent and the project and its story is very cool. We can’t wait to try the next vintage. This experience is limited to 8 guests. It runs for 90 minutes.
Please contact Carrie Mauritson at (707) 431-0804 or carrie@mauritsonwines.com to book your experience.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Sonoma County or returning to discover something new, these four wineries offer memorable experiences that go far beyond a traditional tasting. From vineyard tours and food pairings to immersive winery visits and overnight stays among the vines, each destination provides its own unique way to experience Sonoma wine country. As you make your way through, you’ll not only enjoy exceptional wines but also meet the passionate people and families behind them. We hope this guide helps inspire your next wine country adventure, and we look forward to sharing more winery recommendations and hidden gems in future editions of this series. Cheers!