A Wine Tasting Itinerary in the Western Dry Creek Valley AVA
Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley offers up so many incredible wines, we have broken it down into three different itineraries to capture its breadth starting with the north end of the valley, the Rockpile AVA, and now the West corner. This itinerary takes you on a tour of the wineries that line West Dry Creek Road, starting with Mill Creek Winery in the south and Bella Vineyards, Martorana Family Winery, La Follette, and Quivira Vineyards further north. Give yourself a full day, or two, to see them all!
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Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves
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La Follette Wines
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Martorana Family Winery
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Mill Creek Winery
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Quivira Vineyards
La Follette Wines
La Follette Wines sources small quantities of Burgundian varietals from family-owned, cool-climate vineyards around Sonoma County. Winemaker Hugh Chappelle is focused on creating terroir-driven wines that are a pure expression of vineyard site and a delight to drink. For this reason, the vast majority of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnays produced by La Follette are single-vineyard bottlings. These wines are consistently critically-acclaimed for their complexity and beautiful expression.
Wines Produced: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Just had a tasting at La Follette in the Healdsburg square. The staff were amazingly knowledgable and so nice to talk to. The wines were delicious. I went away with a Pinot and Chardonnay . Wonderful experience!! L.B., Google Review
Martorana Family Winery
Perhaps one of Dry Creek Valley’s best kept secrets is Martorana Family Winery. This family-operated, organic property is nestled in the west part of the valley amidst 35 acres of prime vineyard.
Winemaker Gio Martorana crafts small production award winning estate wines and pressed olive oil. The winery features a tasting room wine cave, outdoor picnic areas among the vines and walking access to Dry Creek. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, play a round of Bocce and take in the views from the roof top garden.
From the beauty of the grounds to the elegance in the wine, a visit here is rejuvenating.
Wines Produced:Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah
This is my favorite wine country get-away. Beautiful rural setting in any season, friendly people, tasty wines. It feels like your own private estate. -CS, Google Review
Quivira Vineyards
Quivira is comprised of three separate organic vineyards which are located within the unique Dry Creek Valley AVA and combines both coastal and inland influences. In addition to meticulously farmed vineyards, the 100+ acre estate features over 100 garden beds with rotating plantings of fruits, vegetables and flowers surrounding the tasting room and winery. The beautiful grounds make for an idyllic setting to enjoy your flight of wines, of which Quivira is an acclaimed producer of Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and Rhone varietals.
Wines Produced: Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Rhone-style red blends, Cabernet Sauvignon
Beautiful setting. Loved the gardens and animals. Great wine, views. The general manager Jim is a national treasure. The customer service at this vineyard is the best I have ever experienced. You will not regret an afternoon spent at Quivera. -AB, Google Review
Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves
Bella Vineyards is a small, family run winery dedicated to handcrafting small lots of zinfandel. The family focuses on their century-old estate vineyards as well as those tended by other small, passionate growers who are extremely dedicated to the heritage and quality of these vines planted so many generations ago. Tastings are held in the wine cave on the property at the north end of West Dry Creek Road. The atmosphere, hospitality and wines are top-notch!
Wines Produced: Zinfandel, Grenache, Petite Sirah
Great wine, great atmosphere and friendly staff! The wine tasting is done in the cave and the ambiance is really nice. The wines were excellent, and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The grounds are so pretty with lots of seating to enjoy a glass of wine and some yummy chocolate. -AB, Google Review
Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery
At the south end of the Dry Creek AVA and on the outsirts of Healdsburg, Mill Creek Vineyards and Winery is a small, estate winery that was established in 1974 by the Kreck family. Mill Creek wines are almost exclusively produced from grapes grown on the winery estate property and the family home in Alexander Valley.
Weather permitting, all tastings are seated outside in the garden behind the tasting room and beside the waterwheel. The tasting room building was modeled after photos of lumber mills that existed west of Healdsburg in the late 1800s. It is based upon photos of mills in the Mill Creek watershed, and was created by local architect, Jerry Anderson, to be a functioning tasting room, as well as a symbolic replication of those mills. There is a wide selection of wines to try - three white varietals and three red varietals - with something for almost every taste.
Wines Produced: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a smaller family run vineyard and tasting room, friendly and accommodating - made us feel like we were old friends. The wine was very good, and there was a good variety to choose from. If you like family run wineries, do yourself a favor and stop by! -BH, Google Review
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