New Year’s Resolution: Discover New Wines You Love
Make a New Year’s Resolution that you’ll actually want to keep this year. Seek out new epicurean adventures in 2015! With that goal in mind, these four Dry Creek Valley wineries are hidden gems worth discovering.
The view from D H Gustafson’s Estate picnic area.
DH Gustafson Family Vineyard – The most remote of all the tasting rooms in Dry Creek Valley, and well-worth the scenic drive you’ll take to get there. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy scenic views of the valley from the highest elevation in the appellation. Grapes are all grown at the estate and farmed sustainably. Because of the unique terroir and cooler microclimate at the Gustafson Family Vineyard, they produce the only Dry Creek Valley Riesling. They also make excellent Syrah, Rose of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and more! If you don’t have time to make the trek, they’ve just opened a tasting room in Healdsburg, too.
Gopfrich Winery
Gopfrich Winery – You’ll have to plan in advance to visit this charming winery in northern Dry Creek Valley, as they are open by appointment only. Their production is very limited, and everything is grown and bottled at their estate. You’ll adore their Estate Cuvee, which blends together 15% merlot, 35% syrah, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 35% zinfandel for a wine that is complex, deep, and rich in dark fruit flavor, yet remains soft and elegant. They also make wonderful varietal wines from each of their estate’s grapes.
Vineyard tour at Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate
Michel-Schlumberger – Nestled in the hills, this gorgeous estate feels distant, but is actually just ten minutes away from Healdsburg by car. Michel-Schlumberger makes sumptuous Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and more from their benchland and mountain-top vineyards. When you visit, you can take a motorized vineyard tour and have a multi-course wine pairing lunch by Executive Chef Michael Pryor.
Zichichi Family Vineyard Welcome
Zichichi Family Vineyard– This family-owned winery has been committed to producing extraordinary full-bodied wines since they opened in 2006. Their estate vineyard is home to old vine zinfandel, planted in 1928 and petite sirah planted in 1964. You’ll love their special brand of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. Enjoy tasting at a redwood table or sit on the patio for a picnic, weather permitting.
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