Take Me Back to Sonoma
It’s been nearly six years since I visited Sonoma – the first time was with my good friend and PR colleague Maddi and we hosted a group of media to run the Napa to Sonoma race while staying in a HomeAway (now Expedia) vacation rental home. My job was to set up winery appointments for the group – tough job but someone had to do it!
The Sonoma wine scene reminds me so much of Texas – laid back, comfortable and welcoming tasting rooms. Of course, the wine selections are quite different with Sonoma featuring Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and other familiar varieties. That said, there is still experimentation in Sonoma, much like we see in Texas, with warm climate varieties.
I was thrilled when my friends Rachel and Ed invited me to Sonoma to do the Levi Leipheimer GranFondo ride this past April. I cycled 81 miles with sweeping view of Sonoma’s vineyards and The Geysers, home to North America’s largest producer of geothermal power. A tough, but beautiful day!
Of course, I built in time for some winery visits. Here are three I highly recommend.
I visited Iron Horse during my first trip to Sonoma, with vivid memories of a wonderful day. No stuffy sparkling house here! Iron Horse sits on a hill, surrounded by a cluster of rustic, redwood barn-style buildings with an amazing view. Its welcoming staff is anxious to pour you some of their famous bubbles of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A small, independent, family-owned winery, Iron Horse is run by Joy Anne Sterling who is highly respected in the wine world.
Hard to name a favorite, so I joined the wine club so I can experience everything!
2019 Classic Vintage Brut, the flagship of Iron Horse bubbles, has notes of apple, pear and brioche, with gentle bubbles.
2019 Wedding Cuvée has strawberry, raspberry and zesty lemon notes with a creamy finish.
Unlike many Sonoma wineries working with more traditional grapes, Pax plays around with grapes more familiar to Texas wine drinkers such as Vermentino, Grenache, Mourvèdre and most notably, Syrah. Pax practices a holistic style of winemaking using fruit that is grown organically or sustainably with no unnatural additions used during winemaking. I love their use of carbonic maceration and whole cluster fermentation. You’ll love the urban winery and tasting room with roll-up garage doors and vinyl on the turntable.
2022 Chenin Blanc, Lyman Ranch has notes of tart apple, tangerine, honey, peach and chalky minerality.
2020 Syrah, Majik Vineyard has bright fruit notes of cherry, black cherry, black pepper and mineral notes.
2020 Syrah, Alder Springs from Mendocino County reflects whole cluster, carbonic fermentation with notes of black pepper, black cherry, black plum, mint and herbs.
Featuring cool-climate vineyards from Marin County to Mendocino, Dutton-Goldfield makes stunning Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir. Their Sonoma County vineyards are certified sustainable under Sonoma County’s program. Recently named one of the top 12 Sebastopol wine tasting spots, Dutton-Goldfield offers a spacious tasting room and beautiful outdoor seating where I soaked up the fabulous Sonoma weather before catching my flight home.
2022 Pinot Blanc, Green Valley has green apple, citrus and honey notes with ginger on the finish.
2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir, North Coast has strawberry, cherry, raspberry and herbal notes.
2019 Angel Camp Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley has luscious and complex notes of raspberry, blueberry, cinnamon, pepper, leather and herbs.
Cheers from me and Rachel (my #fitsomm friend!)
Denise Clarke is an avid wine enthusiast who loves sharing and teaching people about wine. She is a Certified Wine Educator, Certified Sommelier, WSET Advanced graduate and an expert on Texas wine. Owner of Denise Clarke PR, she currently represents Texas Fine Wine and the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Wine Marketing Program. She has lived in Austin for more than 30 years and when she is not swirling and sipping wine, she can be found on her bike, climbing every hill she can find.
Follow Denise on IG at @deniseclarkeTX for more wine recommendations.
