 From Viansa it was on to Artesa at Cornerstone just off Highway 121. This is a really fun group of businesses including a café, a great garden and architectural salvage company, many art galleries and several wine tasting rooms. This day the Los Carneros Family Wineries tasting room, which includes Artesa and Larson Wineries, was hosting the event. We were moving on to the actual Larson Ranch Winery to taste after we left here, so we skipped their wines and went instead to taste the wines of Artesa and its sister winery, Ridgeline. When we arrived there was some very pleasant music being played by two gentlemen in the center of the room between the two tasting bars.
This is the place to go to taste the wines of Artesa’s Alexander Valley Estate. If you want to taste their Napa Estate wines you need to go to the winery in the Northern Napa end of the AVA. We decided to give the Ridgeline Cabernet a taste and were not disappointed, this is a wine that fills your mouth with a satin body and great ripe fruit. The winery also was tasting the Merlot, which was just as delicious and paired both with chocolates from Annette’s Choclate Factory in Napa. The woman doing the tasting with us was both knowledgeable and friendly making this another great tasting experience for the day.
 Larson Family Winery
The Larson Family Winery is built on the 101 acres of land that has been in the family since 1899 and is truly a part of California history. The farm, located on Sonoma Creek, is the farthest north navigable point and was once the spot where the steamboats from San Francisco would dock. The Larsons have managed to preserve that wild west feel to the spot, offering tasting in a redwood barn that is decorated with period memorabilia that celebrates the spots colorful history. They allow visitors to wander down to the creek and take in the wildlife and beauty of the area.
For the event the crew was all decked out in western wear and there was a gentleman picking a guitar and playing country western music near the vineyards. Everyone we spoke with was particularly friendly and we had a chance to taste with winemaker Carolyn Craig, who, like most winemakers, enjoyed discussing her wines and what makes them special. This spot had great ambiance beyond just the wonderful wines and great service and is one just a few wineries that is truly kid friendly. If you are looking for a spot to spend the night in this region of wine country they offer lodging in the Captain’s House, an 1800s four bedroom, two bath home that sits on the winery grounds.
It was a great event, one we heartily recommend for the serious wine adventurer. We do have a few recommendations; try to attend both days so you have time to enjoy the entire ambiance of the region and can enjoy the special activities each winery has to offer; take a designated driver if at all possible and be sure to try some of the wineries we didn’t make it to for this particular article; we have been to them on other occasions and they are equally fun and hospitable.
If you would like to read more, access our web travel guide, LosCarnerosWines.com, which includes interactive maps to the wineries of the region, or read our full article on spending A Weekend in Sonoma. Hope to see you there! |
