There are numerous numbers of wineries and wine shops to do a little tasting everywhere in Sonoma Valley. If you really looked, the list is endless, which is never a bad thing. Lots of options, lots of different kind of wines, lots of new experience… It certainly is a fun adventure!

We visited one of wine shops in a cute little spots by Sonoma Plaza, called Sonoma Wine Shop. It has a cute sign with some tables and chairs right outside, and when you enter, there are window seating on both side, and one table in the middle. Since we were just there for the wine tasting, we did not sit at the table.

 

They had wines displayed in the wooden wine armoire cabinets, with seemed like hand curved design on the top, which was very interesting. Even though they had lots of wines, when I really studied them, they were mostly from the same kinds/wineries of wines.

 

So, the owner or the manager came and started to give us some wines to taste. First, some white wines. He gave us very small amount of Paro wines called Belle Torrette (2014). Very crisp white wine, perfect for salads and light seafood dishes. Then Robert Hall Grenache Blanc (2012) from Paso Robles, with great aromas and flavors of white peach, lychee, apricot, nectarine, pear, quince and cardamom. So, it was fruity, wish I could’ve had a little more than the tiny amount that we were getting…

 

Then moved onto the reds. What was disappoint to me was that the same glass was used, without being rinsed out, so the white and reds a getting a bit mixed, and each additional tasting was mixed of all the previous wines… and we were getting such a small amount in the glass. Once you are used a wine tasting with a generous pour, it is not pleasant to go to wine tasty with stingy amount being offered to you… The first was Harvest View Pinot Noir (2012), which was rich, fruity, and smooth with a touch of spice on the finish.  We also tried Havest View Cabernet Sauvignon (2005), which was smooth and earthy with scent of cedar, complex and bit dry.

Then, Elevation Sensation (2007), which was a blend of Grenache and Mourvedre, from the Alta Mesa Vineyard. It was an excellent wine with amazing “fruit, complexity, structure and concentration.” The last wine was a label interesting logo, called Five Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon (2012), which had notes of dark cherry, blackberry and cassis with hints of licorice and leather. Big and round, earthy richness with nice finish.

Overall, I got to try and discover all the excellent wines that I have never heard of, but did not purchase any bottle. I really think the not-so-nice service can make or break the experience. In this case, I did not enjoy the experience that much, I wish if we had more than half the sip for each wine, and I wish they would rinse out the glass in between so that we can really appreciate the flavor of each wine. So far, the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards (http://www.foodlovergirl.com/jacuzzi-family-vineyards/) has been the best in Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Wine Shop – 412 1st St E, Sonoma, CA 95476