I drink a lot of wine (in moderation, of course). I write about wine as part of my journalism work and live in the heart of beautiful Northern California Wine Country. You've probably already seen it pop up here on Steemit.
One thing you've probably noticed also, is that I don't include a lot of photographs of myself in my posts. I travel alone a lot (therefore no one to take a lovely photo of me) and selfies don't always do the trick (however, I did buy a selfie stick recently, so we'll see what happens!).
However, I do take way too many photos of my wine. With that, you get the wine selfie - a picture of a wine glass, preferably with great tasting wine inside, and a beautiful setting behind it. When you visit Northern California Wine Country, here are 10 places that are perfect for wine selfies [in no particular order].
#1 Roederer Estate, Philo, California
One of the finest sparkling wine producers in the country, Roederer Estates' winery is unpretentiously tucked into the rural, no-cell service Anderson Valley in Mendocino, County. Tastings are a mere $6 per person and include five to six wines, including a taste of a sparkler from a magnum (wine tastes better out of a magnum!).
#2 La Crema at Saralee's Vineyard, Santa Rosa, California
One of the newest tasting experiences in Sonoma County is offered by La Crema, which produces widely distributed chardonnays and pinot noirs. Their spectacular new tasting room is located in the heart of the iconic Saralee's Vineyard. Tastings start at $15 and you'll find yourself easily wandering the vineyards, glass in hand, in no time.
#3 Sunflower Caffe, Sonoma, California
Yellow is the theme at Sunflower Caffe, one of the most popular brunch spots in my hometown of Sonoma. Order a mimosa (sparkling wine and orange juice) and your food at the counter and grab a table in on the back patio. The mimosa is the largest in town and they use a decent sparkler and freshly squeezed orange juice. The yellow on yellow on yellow action will leave you selfie satisfied.
#4 Paradise Ridge Winery, Santa Rosa, California
The view from Paradise Ridge is breathtaking, with mountaintop panoramic views of their estate vineyards and the city of Santa Rosa (and beyond). However, right now it is a bittersweet view: the winery burned down to the ground during the recent Tubbs Fire. However, they are rebuilding. And when they do you can taste through their wines on the patio and explore their ever changing large scale sculpture and installation exhibitions that are disbursed throughout the property (and still standing after the fires, go figure!). Tastings start at $15 at their Kenwood, California, tasting room.
#5 Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, Sonoma, California
Ya'll read about Gloria Ferrer a few days ago here on my blog - the view at Gloria Ferrer is remarkable, with a huge patio overlooking the Carneros region of Sonoma County. Enjoy tastes of their vintage and non-vintage sparklers and don't forget their delicious still wines. They also offer tours of their production facility and great cheese plates to nibble on while enjoying the views. Tastings start at $25. You can also just get a glass and enjoy the sights.
#6 Pangloss Cellars, Sonoma, California
One of the hottest tasting rooms in Wine Country, Pangloss produces reasonably priced, small production wines. Their tasting room is decorated with a Restoration Hardware vibe and is a place to "see and be seen" in Sonoma. A giant portrait of Voltaire (who wrote Candide, which features the character Professor Pangloss) looms over the tasting room and tasting options include locally sourced food pairings and wonderful views of the Sonoma Plaza. Tastings start at $25.
#7 Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg, California
This appointment only estate specializes in two varietals: chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. The wines are wonderful, and tastings include a tour and food pairing. It's the type of tasting you'll be bragging about afterwards - and inducing major FOMO via Instagram. The French chateau-style winery sits upon a vast estate with organic gardens, vineyards, and farm animals. My tasting at Jordan included truffles with filet mignon and Maine lobster. Tastings start at $30.
#8 Fort Ross Vineyard, Jenner, California
Fort Ross produces some of the finest pinot noir in the country and their tasting room lends itself to a beautiful experience that complements their wines perfectly. The tasting room, which is located just off of the famous Highway One, is located above the fog line and on a clear day one can see the Pacific Ocean. Tastings start at $20.
#9 Patz & Hall, Sonoma, California
Another excellent pinot noir producer, Patz & Hall's Sonoma House is an elegant and modern property on the outskirts of the town of Sonoma. Tastefully decorated with rotating contemporary art exhibitions, you'll find plenty of visual appeal for Instagram. Appointment only, they offer multiple experiences, including outside tastings next to their estate vineyard with locally sourced food pairings. Tastings start at $30 and include access to exclusive estate wines.
#10 Viansa, Sonoma, California
Viansa is one of the first wineries to greet visitors upon arrival in Southern Sonoma Valley. The winery used to specialize in Italian varietals, but recently replanted estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. Viansa is also committed to environmental conservation - they have 97 acres of preserved wetlands. At Viansa, I can blend two things I love - wine and birds. Over 500 bird species have been noted on the property and you can have a private tasting in a hillside overlook with binoculars and birding guides. The views are beautiful. Tastings start at $15. viansa.com
Wish I would have seen this yesterday, I was driving around Napa with visiting Canadians!
Any idea how I can save this post?
Bookmark it on your mobile? Not sure how else..! :)
An excellent vineyards post, so vivid that as if I was going with you visiting the vineyards and tasting those vines.
This is the only Californian red I have at home
. As a casual wine drinker, I dont know much about California wines. Pardon my ignorance.
Thanks so much for sharing this wine! And no need to apologize - we're all learning together, all the time!
This is a brilliant post sarahvain! I love all your wine selfie shots, really beautiful backgrounds too. I have lots of my wine pics as well, need to go through them, there're so many ... :)
Thanks for stopping by @anna-bella!! I'm sure you've got some awesome wine pics - you're a fab photog!
Lovely & informative post! The scenery is amazing! Living in Las Vegas, I don't get to see all that beautiful green nature!😍
Thanks @linlee888!! Right now it's nice too, because the rain = green! (But you get lovely mountains!!)
Now that is THE GOOD STUFF!
Yeah i got lucky with scoring these bottles.
About time i see some wine content on here!!!! Nice recommendations. I also would add Siduri on your list. Adam Lee is making some of the best Pinot around sourced from the sone of the best vineyards on the west coast! They have a wine lounge in Healdsburg. Have you had any of SAnta Lucia Highlands Pinot?
Hey @jonyoudyer! Glad to meet another wino! Siduri does make great wine, my favorite out of the Jackson Family Wines portfolio. I still need to get to their tasting room in downtown Healdsburg. They were lucky during the recent fires - their winery was close to where the fires were at. Anyway, I love Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot - Three Sticks makes one to die for!!
I’ll check out three sticks. I am really found of Pisioni especially outta SLH. Any ways I’ll look forward to your content and hopefully i get some great recommendations from you👍
Wine selfies. Awesome. I don’t drink wine, but I have to admit, yes, I have taken pictures of beer. Mostly unique beer or local brands when I travel.
Looks like we're overdue for a "top beers for selfies" post ;)
What kind of beer is that!?
Huda. It is a local beer in Hue, Vietnam.
If I can figure out where they all are. Lol.
These all look great. I'm guessing you didn't do them all in one go.
Hah! No way! This was over almost a year of tasting! :) Thanks for popping by!
Lol, that makes sense. Having spent many a day doing winery tours in Adelaide (Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale being the main ones) I think you'd be a bit over the limit if you'd got to that many in one day and were driving yourself around. 😁
Ha ha, totally. When I first started visiting Wine Country with family we'd do a ton in one day and by the end of the day I'd be asleep by 6 PM. I learned that lesson fast ;) I'd love to get to your wine country someday!!
amazing！California is such a good place for having wines~~
Indeed!! Have you visited? Or do you drink California wine? :)
Always a fun of California wine ;)
Good set)
Thanks so much for reading!
Amazing photos! I will open one bottle for dinner later...Good post)))
Thanks @daniii! Cheers!!