Top Wineries Alexander
Valley - Lower Road
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The getaway to the lower Alexander Valley features small and delightful
family owned wineries. The combination of unique wineries and absolutely
beautiful rolling hills of vineyards is hard to match in any wine country.
We highly recommend you pick up your picnic lunch at the famous Jimtown
Store which is located on Alexander Valley Road. From the Healdsburg
Square, travel north along Healdsburg Ave for 3 miles (about 1 mile past
Simi Winery). Watch for the sign pointing the way to the Alexander Valley
Road. Turn right onto Alexander Valley Road. Jimtown store will be on
your left about two miles or so on Highway 128.
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Stryker-Sonoma
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Winery Descriptions, Driving directions, Tasting Room Hours
Stryker Sonoma Winery
After stocking up on your picnic goodies at the Jimtown Store, backtrack a very
short distance to the first intersection. The Alexander Store is on the west
corner. Turn right and travel north for about a mile and half. Turn right into
the driveway for Stryker. This is a very new winery with a beautiful tasting
room facility. The tasting room is spacious providing fabulous views of the
Alexander Valley vineyards. This is the perfect spot to enjoy your picnic lunch.
Enjoy your lunch with a glass of Stryker’s delightful Semillon, a delicious
and dry white wine not often found as a varietal. You will find the Stryker
wines to be of excellent quality.
Tasting room open daily, 10:30 to 5 pm
(800) 433-1944, e-mail: info@strykersonoma.com, Stryker
Sonoma Winery
Sausal Winery
From Styker, head back and drive past the Jimtown store and following winery
signs and the Alexander Valley Road towards Calistoga. Sausal will be the first
winery on the left shortly after you make a sharp right turn on Alexander Valley
Road, Highway 128. Sausal is owned and operated by the Demostene Family. The
name Sausal comes from the name of the ranch property the family purchased
in 1956. The winery began operation in 1973. Dave and Ed Demonstene are the
growers and the winemakers, while their two sisters run the tasting room. As
you can see this is truly a family operated winery. Don’t pass up the
Zinfandels here. Their premium Zinfandel is excellent and they also produce
a private reserve Zinfandel and a Century Vine Zinfandel from a vineyard that
is 120 years old. The winery has planted a significant amount of Sangiovese,
the predominant grape of the Chianti region in Italy. The Sausal’s Sangiovese
is light and flavorful.
Tasting room open daily, 10 to 4 pm
(800) 500-2285, Sausal
Winery
White Oak Vineyards and Winery
Just down the road from Sausal, but on the opposite side of the
road, is the White Oak Vineyards and Winery. The winery was first
established in 1981 as a small winery producing just a handful of
wines from a single vineyard. In the years following, owner Bill
Myers, brought in partners and purchased additional vineyards. The
winery opened a new Mediterranean tasting room in 1998. Today the
winery is making a line of excellent wines. At our recent tasting
we tasted five wines that were well made and full of character.
The Zinfandel and the Syrah are incredibility good. The grounds
are very nicely landscape and the winery has an inviting atmosphere.
The tasting room is elegant and a walk up the staircase leads to
a display of prints and photographs. The view of the surrounding
vineyards is a delight.
Tasting
room open daily, 10 to 5 pm
(707) 433.8429 e-mail: tastingroom@whiteoakwinery.com, White
Oak Vineyards
Alexander
Valley Vineyards
Just down the road from Johnson’s and to the left is Alexander
Valley Vineyards. This family owned winery was purchased in 1962 by
Harry and Maggie Wetzel. Shortly after, vineyards were planted and
in 1975 the family built the winery and tasting room. The estate land
once belonged to Cyrus Alexander for whom the valley is named. The
winery produces 80,000 cases annually on 125 acres of vineyards. They
produce nine different types of wines so you should find something
here to your liking. Don’t pass up a bottle of the Sin Zin if
it is available.
Tasting room open daily, 10 to 5 pm
(707)433-7209, e-mail: AVV@ avvwine.com, Alexander
Valley Vineyards
Hanna
Winery
Your next stop is just a short mile away. The Hanna Winery is located
to the left on Alexander Valley Road on a stunning hillside. Travel
up the driveway to the tasting room that was built just a few years
ago. It’s a beautiful tasting room and offers an exciting view
of the lower Alexander Valley. The winery is owned by Dr. Ellis Hanna,
a famous San Francisco cardiologist. The winery produces excellent
wines. The Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays are particularly good.
The 1999 Cabernet has been highly rated and is an excellent value
at its price.
Tasting room open daily, 10 to 4 pm
800-854-3987, e-mail: Hannawinery@hannawinery.com, Hanna
Winery
Field
Stone Winery
The last stop on this outing is Field Stone Winery. It is about a
mile from Hanna and to the right of the highway. This winery is very
unique in that the winery is carved into a hillside of oak woodland
vegetation. The result is a rather interesting vista as you approach
the winery. The small tasting room is located inside the wine cave.
The Sauvignon Blanc is quite interesting with a spicy flavor. The
Petite Sarah is from 100 year old vines and will smack your lips and
tongue with good flavors. Field Stone produces a great Sangiovese
that is a little heavier than most Sangioveses. They also produce
a reserve collection of wines. If you like the wines, you can purchase
them at the winery or by order from their Web site.
Tasting room open daily, 10 to 5
800-544-7273. e-mail: fieldstone1@earthlink.net, Field
Stone Winery
The Alexander Valley Wine Tour - Upper Road
Where To Stay in the Russian River Wine Region
Where to Dine in the Russian River Wine Region
Best Picnic Spots in the Russian River Wine Region
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