Summer is slowly creeping up and with the extra heat outside, there is nothing more refreshing than a glass of crisp, white wine. Many of you will be touring & tasting wine country this summer and the vast array of wineries and wines are enough to send any wine traveller into a heat spell. Relaxing in the shade with a cool and refreshing glass of wine is the best way to enjoy your summer wine country travel.
Here is a small list of Touring & Tasting’s favorite and “coolest” summer wineries. With charming tasting rooms, invigorating white wines and a wide variety of outdoor activities, there is no better place to tour & taste this summer, than these 9 wineries:
Beringer
Guests to Beringer Vineyards in the Napa Valley are treated to a true, historical treat. As the oldest continuously running winery in the valley, Beringer Vineyards has been entertaining guests for years with informative and fun winery tours, as well as exclusive wine tastings. The 2010 Private Reserve Chardonnay is an excellent choice for any summer visitor looking to cool off from the heat outdoors. Throughout the summer, Beringer will be hosting “Music on the Promenade” from 12-5 on the weekends. This is the perfect event for any visitor to the vineyards! Live music, great wine and delicious food make Beringer Vineyards the perfect Napa Valley summer destination!
Etude
Located in the far northwest corner of the Carneros Appellation, Etude Wines has been impressing Napa Valley visitors with fantastic wines and fun tasting experiences! Every Friday through Sunday, Etude hosts a wine and food pairing that matches 5 flights of Etude wines with small bites or gourmet cheeses. On a warm summer day in the Napa Valley, the 2010 Pinot Blanc is an excellent choice for any visitor who wants to cool off and relax in the cool of the Etude tasting room. Escape to Etude Wines and enjoy the best of the Napa Valley in the relaxed, charming and elegant Etude tasting room. There is no better place for some good old-fashioned wine country relaxation!
Fritz Winery
What better place to escape from the summer heat than underground? Frtiz Winery in Cloverdale, CA was built into the side of a hill, offering guests the most unique winery experience in the Sonoma Valley. The elegantly designed tasting room is a great spot to sit down, relax and drink a glass of wine. The 2012 Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a great summer time white wine. While the tasting experience is a large part of the Fritz Winery charm, the underground winery tour is something that no wine traveller in the Sonoma Valley should miss. The tour educates guests on the Fritz winemaking process and visitors are even treated to a taste of wine straight from the barrel!
Hovey Winery
The charming Hovey Winery tasting room is a sight to see. With small bistro tables, wicker patio furniture in the garden and great Sierra Foothills’ wines, there is something for every visitor to enjoy. The award winning 2009 Tempranillo is the perfect wine to taste in the cool of the tasting room, while the 2012 Chardonnay Duende is a wine that must be savored in the warmth of the garden. The tasting room, which is right off the main street in downtown Murphys, CA, is small and charming and invites guests to sit down, enjoy the award winning wines of Hovey Winery and relax. For wine travelers looking to experience the best of the California Sierra Foothills, Hovey Winery is the place to be!
Kynsi Winery
The Edna Valley has long been praised as a distinct wine region in the California Central Coast. Kynsi Winery, located in the heart of the Edna Valley, creates refreshing, cool and fun California wines that are perfect for any warm summer day, or evening. Known as a great Chardonnay growing region, Kynsi invites guests of the newly remodeled tasting room to taste their fantastic 2010 Chardonnay. Spectacular views of the Edna Valley surround the winery and provide the perfect ambience for an outdoor tasting. Only a few minutes away from San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, Kynsi Winery provides the perfect escape for wine travellers looking to soak up the ambience of the Central Coast wine region.
Terra de Oro
Channeling a bit of Italy in Californa’s Sierra Foothills, Terra d’Oro is a fantastic wine country escape. The heat and sunshine of the Sierra Foothills wine region is the perfect atmosphere for Terra d’Oro’s Italian varietals. In fact, Terra d’Oro was the first winery in the region to plant Zinfandel and Italian grape varietals. While the winery’s specialty is Zinfandel, the white wines, specifically the 2011 Pinot Grigio, are great summertime wines. On the 4th of July, Terra d’Oro will be hosting a “Cru-Zin in the Vineyard” Car Show and BBQ, which is sure to be a fun summer event for all visitors to the winery.
Stags’ Leap
There is no better place to experience the intimate elegance of the Napa Valley than at Stags’ Leap Winery. Right off the scenic Silverado Trail, Stags’ Leap is known throughout the valley for premiere Napa wines and fantastic touring and tasting experiences. The Historical Tasting Tour is a 90-minute affair that pairs the stunning views of the Stags’ Leap Palisades with the exquisite Stags’ Leap wines. Summer visitors to the winery should take the time to enjoy a glass of the 2011 Stags’ Leap Viognier, all while soaking in the sights and sounds of the beautiful Napa Valley!
Lineage
Brainchild of Steven Kent Mirassou, of Steven Kent Winery, Lineage represents Kent’s deep appreciation for Bordeaux varietals. With every release, Lineage continues to impress critics and wine lovers with the deep, powerful and delicious flavors of the Lineage line. Visitors to the Steven Kent Winery in Livermore, CA can experience these wines firsthand and savor a Tri-Valley exclusive. For the wine connoisseur visiting the Tri-Valley region, this is a must see, must taste summer winery experience!
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Winery tours, a vast array of tasting options and a gorgeous outdoor picnic area, are just a few of the amenities of Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, CA. Guests to the tasting room will always get a nice surprise when they receive two free pours of Rodney Strong’s “Sonoma County Wine” collection. But, the best way to enjoy the Rodney Strong experience is to take a glass of 2012 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, throw a blanket out on the winery lawn and enjoy the perfect views of the renowned Sonoma County wine region.
The following article was provided by our contributing partner – Touring and Tasting Magazine. Cheers – Ken