On Wednesday we all loaded into the car and drove to Sonoma for a wine tasting day. Our first stop was a winery that I have wanted to visit for some time but have never managed to get to. Normally people are drawn to a winery because of the wines - I wanted to visit Matanzas Creek because it is reputed to be the most beautiful winery in Sonoma. Part of this reputation for beauty comes from a massive cultivated lavender garden which is in full bloom at the end of June/beginning of July.
Last weekend was the Days of Lavender event - while we missed the event I knew that the gardens would be in full glory. This way we could miss the crowds of the lavender event while still enjoying the beauty.
Cradled between three mountain peaks in Sonoma County’s small, fertile Bennett Valley, Matanzas Creek Winery crafts distinctive wines that speak to this beautiful, singular place. Founded in 1977, Matanzas Creek has been known to produce world-class wines that showcase the special qualities and diversity of Sonoma County. In the process the winery has turned Bennett Valley into an enchanting wine-country destination.
Matanzas Creek is located just off the beaten path (a stone’s throw from downtown Santa Rosa and an easy drive from the San Francisco Bay area). The serene, natural beauty of the winery grounds encourages guests to linger.
The tasting room is airy and expansive, inviting guests to browse and enjoy Matanzas Creek’s lavender products, which are all on display for the sampling. And, of course, one can't ignore the the wines. We were guided through a series of tastings by the knowledgeable pourer, including some reserve wines not available for tastings but which had been opened for the festival the day before.
Located 930 feet above Bennett Valley’s floor, the winery’s 110-acre terraced vineyard site, Jackson Park Ranch, grows a fresh, herbal Merlot that has helped earn Matanzas Creek Winery’s impeccable reputation. In addition to the Bennett Valley vineyard the winery also has vineyards in the Russian River where they grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as vineyards in northern Sonoma where they grow cabernet.
It was a struggle deciding which wines to buy - everything we tasted was wonderful and I would have bought a case had I lived closer. In the end we bought a bottle of the 2013 Pinot Noir and the 2012 Chardonnay to tuck in our suitcase for the journey home (If it makes it that long). :-)
All in all this was a wonderful stop on our Sonoma wine tour . . .
If you ever tire of your job I think you should write travel guides/brochures/books, etc. You have a way with all that which makes me want to see places I maybe never thought I really wanted to see...and plenty that I do want to see! That lavender is gorgeous!
Posted by: Kayte | July 03, 2015 at 06:01 PM
The lavender was amazing - a sight I haven't seen since I was in France.
Posted by: JDeQ | July 20, 2015 at 05:10 PM