Planning a weekend of Wine Tastings in Sonoma? Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a girls’/guys’ weekend, or a family trip, we’ll narrow down the best wine tasting rooms that fit your preferences.  When traveling to Northen California’s wine country, you want to get the most out of your experience. But you’ve only got one weekend. And, with over 600 vineyards to choose from, planning wine tasting weekends in Sonoma can seem overwhelming at first. Wine tasting rooms in Sonoma are as diverse as the wines offered, so start thinking about what suits your group best.  But what is wine ..read more

Chardonnay is the most popular white wine varietal in the world – and it’s also one of the most diverse. In fact, oaked and unoaked Chardonnay taste couldn’t be more different. Which leads many wine drinkers to scratch their heads and wonder: “What is Chardonnay, really?”  What are the characteristics of a Chardonnay grape, and what affects the flavors that end up in your glass?  We’re here to demystify this delightful white wine. We’ll discuss what makes one Chardonnay taste so different from another – so you can choose the perfect bottle to suit your personal tastes.  How do ..read more

If you’re new to the world of red wine, or perhaps a white wine or rosé aficionado looking to branch into new (red) territory, you may have found yourself asking: “Is Pinot Noir sweet or dry wine?”  We’re here to help you understand everything there is to know about this silky red wine, including how it tastes, its origin if Pinot Noir is dry or sweet, and how food pairings can affect its taste. Ready to get started? Let’s learn all about Pinot Noir wine!  A brief background of Pinot Noir Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most popular red wines. But precisely what is Pinot Noir, and ..read more

Halleck Vineyard, a Sonoma County winery renowned for its artisanal approach, is basking in the glory of its 2019 Halleck Vineyard Three Sons Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, which clinched the prestigious Best Pinot Noir Award at the 2023 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition. Only 198 cases remain of their extraordinary vintage, available online only. This exquisite Sonoma County Pinot Noir earned a remarkable 96-point score and secured the much-coveted Best Pinot Noir title amidst fierce competition from over 900 wines. Exemplary Record of Excellence This marks th ..read more

The entry-level price of a Sonoma wine tasting rose 11% from $36 in 2022 to $40 in 2023. Adjusting for those cities with at least 15 wineries in the sample, we found that prices in Sebastopol increased the most at 27%, from an average of $37.36 in 2022, to $47.50 in 2023. While the 27% jump in Sebastopol is massive, the actual price increase of $10 is less than the price of one movie theater ticket or a quick-service restaurant meal. The overall impact on consumers is moderate, but the study shows that wine tasting room prices still appear to be rising, despite the Federal Reserve’s attempts t ..read more

Want to experience the best Pinot Noir wine this world has to offer? Pinot Noirs that are so bold and fruity you might mistake them for Syrahs? Then we have the perfect list for you – our favorite bottles of Pinot Noir from Sonoma County, California.  While the average wine drinker might be focused on Pinot Noir pairings, whether Pinot Noir is sweet or dry, or the differences between Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon.  You are looking for something deeper.  And you want to know where to find the very best pinot noir. You want to know where to get bottles of this seductive and ..read more

Winemaker Ross Halleck of Halleck Vineyard has always believed in the power of wine to bring people together and build communities. To this end, he has been tirelessly promoting his wines beyond the borders of Sonoma County, seeking to share his passion for exceptional Sonoma Pinot Noir with a broader audience. Ross hosted a wine-tasting event for his Inner Circle Wine Club members and hotel guests at The Amarano in Burbank, California, which provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of conviviality and fine wine. The hotel, which has 131 newly remodeled rooms, two meeting rooms, and a rest ..read more

What goes better with French food? French wines or California wines? Winemaker Ross Halleck of Halleck Vineyard in Sonoma County collaborated with Bar Boulud Sommelier Victoria Taylor in Manhattan on a private vintner dinner to find out.  They compared 4 award-winning, small-production California wines from the Halleck Vineyard boutique Sonoma winery in the West Sonoma County town of Sebastopol with 5 French wines, all carefully paired with French dishes from one of the most celebrated French chefs in America. The French wines, selected by Taylor, all had similar grapes to the Halleck Vi ..read more

The wine industry has long been at the forefront of sustainable farming. Long before organic became a buzzword, eco-friendly California winemakers in highly respected regions like Sonoma County became ambassadors for climate protection through stakeholder engagement. The rise of the sustainable winery, carbon accounting, and climate-neutral viticulture are their responses to the decades of depletion and contamination that pesticides and commercial fertilizers have caused.  Table of Contents Sustainable Wineries Sustainable Viticulture What is Sustainable Wine?  Is Wine Environmenta ..read more

Despite the wide-ranging and heated discussions around natural and organic wine, ultimately, the difference, here in the US, is quite simple. Organic wine is certified by the FDA. Natural wine is not.  This is just fine for many members of the passionate, anti-authoritarian, and raucous natural wine community who suspect the futility of effective government regulation. The initial cost of organic certification (around $6,000), the price of annual inspections required to maintain certification, and the paperwork involved are all formidable barriers in acquiring that official organic seal ..read more