On our Muir Woods and Wine Country Tour we enjoy the woods in the morning and typically visit three wineries and occasionally one more in the afternoon, depending on the available time, the weather, the length of the lunch break, the efficiency (read: speed) of tasting participants, etc. There are about 650 wineries to choose from, but, using our years of experience and reams of research, we have narrowed down the list of wineries to a short list of the best based on several criteria. The list of "winners" not only represents the best that California Wine Country has to offer, but also keeps the average costs down, and allows us to provide free tasting samples at each of our stops on this tour. We like to cover the range in size from small and homey, to large and grand, always with an eye for visual appeal, friendly atmosphere, good presentation, and good value.
Winery List
Click on the link below to learn more about the Wineries we Visit:
- Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
- Chateau St. Jean
- Cline Cellars
- Loxton Cellars
- Homewood Winery
- Viansa Winery
- Schug Winery
- Kenwood Vineyards
- VJB Vineyards & Cellars
- Valley of the Moon
- Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
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Famous for the bath spa that bears their family name, the Jacuzzi family, also own a winery and vineyard located in Sonoma Valley, California. Over a century ago, the Jacuzzi family emigrated from Italy to Washington and eventually to Northern California. Starting their operations with 161 acres, the family now owns a total of 940, mostly in the Petaluma Gap of the Sonoma-Carneros Region.
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards practice and promote responsible farming practices using a variety of unique farming methods and imaginative fertilizers. For example, instead of using pesticides to prevent weed growth in their vineyards, Jacuzzi employs a friendly herd of sheep to 'weed' crops, and pull any remaining weeds by hand. Also, instead of petroleum-based fertilizers, Jacuzzi trust “Compost tea”, a concoction of molasses, fish emulsion, rock dust and microbes to fertilize their vines.
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards is a pleasure to visit and their Italian heritage is evident as soon as you step foot inside their winery and tasting room. Enjoy a selection of varietals including Barbera, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Primitivo and Sangiovese amongst a magnificent European ambiance set by the Italian artwork and furnishings. The director of wine-making at Jacuzzi, Charlie Tsegeletos, has a penchant for reds which are big and dark and whites that are bright and fresh and this is reflected in the wines produced. Also on-site in Jacuzzi is the award winning Olive Press where guests can enjoy a sampling of the most decadent Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced in California.
- Chateau St. Jean
Chateau St. Jean is located in the heart of the beautiful Sonoma Valley, and has long been recognized as a leader in Vineyard Designated wines.Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren uses her 30 years of winemaking expertise at Chateau St. Jean to highlight the best of each vineyard in their wines.
In 1999, Chateau St. Jean was the first Sonoma winery to be awarded the prestigious "Wine of the Year" award from the Wine Spectator Magazine for its 1996 Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux-style blend of "five varieties." The winery received high acclaim again when it received the "#2 Wine of the Year" from Wine Spectator for its 1999 Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chateau St. Jean is not only well known for its great tasting wine, but their elegant landscape is abundant with exotic trees, flowers, and spectacular water features, which provides visitors with a perfect backdrop for an afternoon of wine tasting.
- Viñedo Cline
Cline Cellars tiene viñedos verdaderamente bellos. Su propiedad cuenta con magnificos jardines, rodeados por mas de 350 acres de viñedos, jardines con mas de 5, 000 rosales. Esta propiedad historica fue sitio de una aldea de indios Miwok, el primer campamento de la Mision de Sonoma ,a principios de los 1900s un baño de aguas minerales , un criadero de caballos y hoy es el perfecto lugar para un picnic en los viñedos.
La historia de Cline Cellars... Despues de haber pasado muchos veranos de su niñez aprendiendo agricultura y vinicultura de su abuelo, Valeriano Jacuzzi (de la famosa bomba para la tina), Fred Cline fundo Cline Cellars in 1982, en Oakley, California. Fred comenzo el viñedo con $12,000 de herencia de la venta de Jacuzzi Bros. In 1986, el hermano de Fred, Matt se unio a Cline Cellars como vinicultor despues de estudiar WINEMAKING en la Universidad de California en Davis. En 1991, las operaciones del viñedo se relocalizaron en el Valle de Sonoma en una propiedad de 350 acres en el Distrito de los Carneros. Los hermanos Cline, Fred y Matt, son especialistas en VARIETAL Zinfandel y Rhone. Sus propiedades incluyen algunos de los viñedos mas raros y viejos de California. Son reconocidos por sus plantios de uvas de mas de cien años como: Carignane, Mourvedre y Zinfandel que son cultivados en Oakley, California. El Mourvedre que ellos cultivan representa aproximadamente 85% de la producion total en California de esta fascinate y versatil variedad.
- Loxton Cellars
Chris Loxton would have been the 4th generation of Australian grape ranchers, but for some reason they encouraged him to go into Physics, and he ended up in Southern Illinois, teaching particle physics. But his upbringing left him with wine in his blood (it was well above the legal limit!) and he applied his scientific mind to the problem of how to break into the business as fast as possible – by commuting from Australia to California every year and getting two harvests, two crushes, two of everything under his belt each year.
So he became the 4th generation involved with wine in his family, but he’s here in the heart of Sonoma Valley making great Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Late Harvest, Shiraz AND Syrah wines, and an award winning Port made from grapes imported from the family vineyards in Australia. His very small operation, about 3000 cases per year, is also one of the most accessible, as you park next to his Syrah vineyard, walk past the fermentation vats and grape press as you enter, and stand next to the aging barrels as you taste his great wines, served by Chris himself unless he is busy actually making the wine out on the pad.
- Homewood Winery
Dave Homewood looks like he never left the beach, but he moved from the Midwest into wine country, and got his tan in the Sonoma sun, not Malibu. Homewood is a very small operation, and you can see almost all of it from the parking lot, which holds about 7 cars. His car license plate is “RDRDBTR” and his truck’s is “SNMARED” so you know where his heart lies when it comes to making wine - and drinking it!
Making around 3000 cases per year, he does make a great Chardonnay, which is natural considering the location in the heart of the Carneros, known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which is another of Dave’s specialties. He also has great Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Zinfandels. He has hired knowledgeable and personable servers, and a trip to Homewood is always fun and informative, and Dave usually stops by to say hello and maybe answer a few questions.
- Viñedo Viansa
Fundado por Sam y Vicki Sebastiani, Viansa (de VIcki ANd SAm) tiene la experiencia de tres generaciones de vinicultores en cada botella de vino, la mayoria de las cuales son vendidas exclusivamente en el viñedo. Adicionalmente, el viñedo decorado al estilo del viejo mundo Toscano ofrece una variedad deliciosa de comida gourmet que pueden ser saboreada en conjunto con su seleccion refinada de vinos para degustar lo cual crea una experiencia inolvidable. Todo un nuevo nivel de sabor que se encuentra al mezclar comidas especiales con vinos especiales.
- Schug Carneros Estate Winery
The Walter Schug has a long history of experience in making wine for Phelps and others, but he wanted to start his own, which finally happened in 1980. They specialize in wonderful Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, but also make great Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, and even a sparkling Pinot Noir!
- Kenwood Vineyards
Located in the village of Kenwood in the northern half of Sonoma Valley, Kenwood is a medium-large operation, producing several hundred thousand cases per year. Founded in 1970 in the old Pagani Winery, they have had exclusive access to the Jack London Ranch for the better part of 2 decades.
Jack London was a famous author from the early 20th century, who invested his royalties in land and grapes near Glen Ellen, just south of Kenwood. Kenwood is well known for its Sauvignon Blanc, but also produces some fine Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Merlot, mostly in small lots, but a whole lot of lots!
- VJB Vineyards and Cellars
A young Vittorio and Maria Belmonte emigrated from Italy to Boston in 1963. Vittorio dreamed of continuing the family tradition of wine-making, so they naturally ended up in California and opened a restaurant. Their sons Henry and Victor wanted to open up a winery to complement the restaurant.
Before their dream reached fruition, tragedy struck and Young Victor died, and the family honored his memory by naming the winery VJB, Victor’s initials. They concentrate on Italian grapes, like Barbera, Primitivo, Sangiovese, and Montepulciano, but they also have Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. There is a nice little Italian Cafe Citti next door.
- Valley of the Moon
Originally part of General Vallejo’s huge estate, the first grapes were planted here in 1863. The current stone wine cellar was built in 1887. Prohibition made for hard times and dormancy, but it was reawakened when the Parducci Brothers bought it and named it Valley of the Moon in the 1950’s. The tasting room is a huge open room filled with elegant gifts, and artwork for sale. The wine list features Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. (Small groups)
