The current state of the World is unprecedented. Something none of us has any real comparable for in our lifetimes. But things will get better. Normal will return, at some point. Perhaps slower than we all want, and not all at once, but it’s going to happen. When it does, look out! Many of us are going to bust out of our shelters and drive, fly, train or hitchhike somewhere we love. One of the places I’m chomping at the bit to return to is…
Dry Creek Valley
It’s been my good fortune to spend time in Wine Regions all over the globe. I’ve toured vineyards, sampled delicious wines and in short had a hell of a time because of Wine on 4 different continents. If you don’t have a good time and learn something touring wineries and tasting the nectar of the vines, you may just be doing it wrong.
And while I have a good time everywhere and believe there is wine worth noting the world over, no place calls to me the way Dry Creek Valley does. Located in Northern Sonoma County, I first visited in the mid 90’s and I just kept going back. It’s not a huge place, and boasts just 60 wineries. It’s best known for a few things, but the ones I think of first are Family owned Wineries, Genuine Hospitality, and Charm.
Wine wise they’re most famous for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, although Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape. A lot of that Cabernet ends up in wines produced in other regions, some of them more famous than Dry Creek Valley. They have a killer downtown in Healdsburg which in the time I’ve been going there has gone from sleepy to bustling. Whether you want to eat amazingly well, shop, or keep tasting wine, Healdsburg has you covered.
If you’re going to visit, and when the current crisis is over, YOU SHOULD, it’s all about the People and their wines. One thing I find amazing is how many of their wineries are ones I would recommend. Percentage wise, it’s stunning how many Dry Creek Valley Wineries are worth your time and money. That said we all have favorites. Here are the 10 Wineries I’m bursting at the seams to get back to, just as soon as I can.
Keep in mind, while these producers aren’t open for visitors now, you can purchase their wine locally or order it direct from the wineries through their website. Often their websites will offer limited production wines you’ll never see on the shelf back home or at an online retailer. Many Wineries are also currently offering Virtual Tasting Options.
Pedroncelli
This winery has been family owned and run for 93 years. Montse Reece who has been with the winery since 2007 was named Winemaker in 2015. She’s tweaked the wines a bit and added her own influence. But they remain delicious and extremely well priced for what’s in the bottle. I wouldn’t dream of setting foot in Dry Creek Valley without a visit to Pedroncelli.
Wines to look out for:
Mother Clone Zinfandel - This was literally the wine that first drew me to Dry Creek Valley. It’s still a great value in well made, proportionate Zinfandel
Dry Rosé of Zinfandel - The Pedroncelli’s were way ahead of the U.S. Rosé curve. They’ve been producing one since 1954 and it’s a consistent beauty and award winner.
Four Grapes Vintage Port – This is one of those wines you’re not going to find on the shelf back home. They grow traditional Port grapes(Tinta Madeira, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, and Souzao) in Dry Creek Valley to produce this wine. It’s consistently delicious and ages nicely too.
Frick Winery
Winery namesake Bill Frick is a one man show doing everything at Frick. He grows the grapes, makes the wine, cleans the equipment, runs the tasting room, ships you the wine you ordered, and you get the idea… Everything! Something else that sets Bill apart is his exclusive focus on Rhone varieties. They thrive on his property and he gets out of the way and makes sure they turn into beautiful wines.
Wines to look out for:
Cunoise – One of the least commonly known grapes Bill works with is also one of my favorites. It leans lighter bodied and towards red fruits. It’s flavorful, easy to drink yet with complexity to spare.
Cinsaut – All of Bill’s wines shine even more with food. The Cinsaut however seems to crave the company of a good meal more than most. It’s not picky though, it’ll be happy to accompany whatever you’re in the mood for.
Cotes De Frick – One of several distinct blends this one combines Syrah, Grenache and Viognier.
Collier Falls
When you stop by to taste Collier Falls wines there’s a good chance it’s Barry Collier who will pour them for you. He’s a gregarious fellow who crafts beautiful wines from his hillside property, which does indeed feature a waterfall. If you make it out to visit Barry at the vineyard, it’s certain to be one of the key highlights of your trip.
Wines to look out for:
Cabernet Sauvignon – The key is the hillside fruit. And as a result of that and Barry’s approach to let the vineyards speak, this is one among the very best Cabernets in Dry Creek Valley one vintage after another.
Primitivo – Zinfandel and Primitivo are genetic siblings. Collier Falls has both planted and they’re more than disparate enough. This is a wine I always look forward to tasting.
Syrah Du Soliel – The Syrah vineyard was planted by Barry’s late wife Susan on their Sonoma Coast Estate. The entirety of the proceeds from this wine goes to ALS Research; a great cause and a delicious wine.
Dry Creek Vineyard
If you visit Dry Creek Valley and miss its namesake winery, have you even really been there? When Dave Stare founded it in 1972 it was the first new one in Dry Creek Valley since Prohibition. A decade later he got the ball rolling to get AVA status for Dry Creek Valley. Additionally they were the first in Sonoma County to produce a Fumé Blanc. Today their wines are on shelves from coast to coast. But in addition to those, there are quite a few offerings only available to their wine-club or directly from the winery.
Wines to look out for:
Somers Ranch Zinfandel – They produce several outstanding Zinfandels that are widely available. But this small production, single vineyard Zin is consistently my personal favorite. It leans towards dark fruits and has the structure to age.
The Mariner – One of several Bordeaux inspired blends in their portfolio. They were early adopters to these blends in Sonoma County and this is consistently a noteworthy wine.
Taylor's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Musqué Clone – The aromatics on this small lot Sauvignon Blanc are always outrageously engaging. It tastes great too, but oh, that nose!
Lambert Bridge Winery
Lambert Bridge has positioned themselves a bit differently than most other Wineries in Dry Creek Valley. They’re appointment only and they don’t focus on the same grapes most of their neighbors do. Make that appointment though, it’s well worth it. They have a refined portfolio of wines and a well thought out offering of tasting options and experiences. They’re currently offering Virtual Tastings.
Wines to look out for:
Cabernet Franc – Always an impressive example of a grape that can be difficult to get right. They nail it.
Chardonnay – From the Chambers vineyard it’s one of the few wines that isn’t exclusive to members. Winemaker Jennifer Higgins hits it out of the park with a wine that leans to Orchard fruits but is also punctuated with hints of stone fruit.
Petit Verdot – Stand alone Petit Verdot can be a behemoth. Not the case here. They craft a lovely, velvety, even keeled wine.
Passalacqua Winery
Founded by Jason Passalacqua and opened it 2004 it’s a true Family Winery. Quite a bit of the fruit they use for their wines is sourced from his Dad Tom’s 110 acre property. Much of what they produce is gobbled up by their wine club. Make an appointment and stop by, you never know what treats they’ll be pouring. They currently have some Virtual Tasting options.
Wines to look out for:
PQZ Zinfandel – This is a Dry Creek Valley Cuvee of sorts. Their goal to capture the varied essence of Dry Creek Valley Zin in a bottle, Yes please.
TR Passalacqua Cabernet Sauvignon, Blocks 18 & 19 – They make a number of different Cabernets. A few of them are very small lot wines specific to a couple of blocks. Last time I visited I sampled this one, right where it was grown and it knocked me out.
Dutcher Crossing Winery
Debra Mathy purchased the winery in 2007 and breathed new life into it. Along with her founding winemaker Kerry Damskey they reshaped everything about the brand. Dutcher Crossing wines are now made by Nick Briggs and they have a portfolio that stretches well outside the bounds of Dry Creek for some of their wines.
Wines to look out for:
Sauvignon Blanc – There’s so much good Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley, but this is always a favorite. It’s hugely aromatic and has a textured and lush mouth feel that sets it apart.
Maple Vineyard Zinfandel – Quite a few wineries produce a Maple Zin from the famed vineyard. One vintage after another I find Dutcher Crossing’s to be the very best.
Talty Vineyards & Winery
If you love Zinfandel, Talty should be on your short list. It’s their focus. Owner Michael Talty was introduced to Dry Creek Valley by his Dad William and purchased his property in 1997. His mission is to make vineyard driven, site specific, Zinfandel.
Wines to look out for:
William Talty Estate Zinfandel – From their 6 acre Estate , it’s a consistently elegant, earthy, and proportionate Zinfandel.
Buchignani Garcia Vineyard Zinfandel – This one comes from 85 year old vines, down the road a piece from their property and leans towards dark fruits.
Cast Wines
Founded in 2012 Cast is among Dry Creek Valley’s newer producers. They’re off and running with a solid portfolio of wines and a terrific tasting facility. They offer varied tasting options and like many wineries are currently offering virtual tasting options.
Wines to look out for:
Grey Palm Zinfandel – This Estate Zinfandel is Dry Creek Valley by the numbers. Black fruit and lots of spice
Sparkling Blanc de Noirs – Only a handful of Dry Creek Valley Wineries have Sparkling Wines. This one is light, crisp and refreshing.
Comstock Wines
Another of the newer wineries in Dry Creek Valley, Comstock opened in 2015. Their portfolio of wines reached outside the valley for some selections. During normal times they offer a varied list of tasting experiences. At the moment they have a couple of virtual tasting options available.
Wines to look out for:
Old Vine Zinfandel - They produce a very nice example of Old Vine Dry Creek Valley Zin. Raspberries and black pepper spice star.
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – They make a couple of Cabernet Sauvignons, but the one from their home Estate is the real standout.
And check out the video below to watch me taste one of the wines and hear a bit more about Dry Creek Valley.