North Coast wines in $30-$50 range?

I recently moved to Sonoma County (Santa Rosa) and am looking to stock up on some local wines. So I’m seeking in particular some recommendations for wines from the general area, if anyone would be so kind as to kick a few ideas my way. I don’t want to limit anyone in what they suggest - I like a bit of everything - but if you need some constraints to narrow the focus, I’d like to stay below 15% alc, I’m always interested in trying weird stuff, and I’m on a real Syrah kick right now.

Some wineries I’m already fond of in the general area: Ridge, Copain, Merry Edwards, HdV, Gundlach Bundschu, Rafanelli, Schramsberg, Stonestreet

I’m not working with a lot of cash here so the further under $50 the better.

Thanks!

Walter Hansel
[u]http://www.walterhanselwinery.com/[/u]
.

Ohh, good call!

In Santa Rosa there is Hobo which IMO is putting out some really good stuff at great prices. My preference is for the Hobo label but drink a good amount of the Folk Machine as well. Alcohol levels are on the low side for most wines and some will be below 12%.

The Calluna wines are from Chalk Hill and lean more old world in profile without losing the Californian aspect to them. At the lower price point the vineyard Cuvée (CVC) is a great bargain. Also in your price range is the merlot, Malbec, and blanc; all of which are worth cellaring.

Seems like a good local retail store might be a good option. I don’t know any , however.

Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa.

These are wineries we buy from and enjoy but more important you can visit each one and taste with the owners - winemakers and listen to their thoughts, philosophy and goals for the brand. It is so much better than just going into a store and buying a bottle without any knowledge. Every one of my links below is within a few miles of Santa Rosa. Between all the wineries virtually every grape variety is covered and most of the wines are way below $50.00 with a few exceptions, the wines are delicious and most not even close to 15% ABV. If you want some ideas outside of Sonoma County, let us know. Most of all have fun exploring Sonoma County Wine Country!!

https://jolielaidewines.com/wines/

https://www.bedrockwineco.com/
https://halconvineyards.squarespace.com/
http://www.rootdownwinecellars.com/

https://scherrerwinery.com/
https://www.ruthlewandowskiwines.com/wines

Pax north coast Syrah falls in that range. Bedrocks Coast Syrah is a little below it but its so good.

^^ This ^^

You can load up on wines here from all over Sonoma County and beyond. I do it all the time. Just be aware that you will blow your budget by walking the aisles here.

Corner of Airway and Industrial in the same building as UPS.

Yup, not only best prices and selection but they do some kick ass tastings as well

Double post

+1

Can’t walk out of this spot without dropping at least $100 and getting some great wines.

@Tom: awesome listing.

@Ben: if you want to go further up the coast a bit, the Anderson Valley (over the border into Mendocino) has many producers with really good wines, most in your price range. Try Handley, Navarro, Drew, MacPhail, Lazy Creek, Philips Hill, or Foursight, though there many more. All of these have tasting rooms you can just walk into. Very relaxed.

Check out Peay, particularly their more affordable (but very good) “Cep” wines.

I like Kutch’s pinots, although I don’t know how available they are at retail.

Walter Hansel’s too.

I would second the Cep wines from Peay.
In your price range and very good.

This is perfect and exactly what I wanted, thank you Tom. I’m keen to head out to as many wineries as I can, so knowing which places are good not only to buy from but also to visit is invaluable. I will keep this list handy!

Gosh yes, I forgot to mention Bottle Barn in my post. I went in there a few weeks out and had to cancel my plans for the rest of the afternoon…the profusion of available wines there is one of the things that inspired me to post here in the first place, to try to narrow down some of my initial choices!

Glad that I could be of some help. The opportunities to learn and enjoy wine here in Sonoma County is incredible. People travel thousands of miles to meet with winemakers throughout Europe, South America and Australia and now you have that same opportunity literally in your backyard. It is one of the highlights of living out here.

Here is one example of learning about wine. Idlewild Wines has “Sunday School” once a month, usually the first Sunday and is all about a Region of Italy. I have posted about a few of them if you use search option. Always informative, Sam Bilbro, Idlewild Owner - Winemaker is present among others ITB and makes for an interesting discussion and tasting. This Sunday, July 7th Sunday School is FRUILI WHITE RIOT: FEATURING OUR FAVORITES FROM MIANI, BORGO DEL TIGLIO, GRAVNER AND RADIKON. Italian wine fanatics like me are in heaven :slight_smile:. Don’t know if any tickets are still available, just wanted to show you the type of events happening here.

Tom

Tom

If you like Syrah I would certainly get on the Carlisle waiting list. It will take a while but you will be rewarded with a long list of fairly priced premium wines.

This. So much this! Navarro is the only wine club I belong to and Anderson Valley is my idea of a slice of heaven. One quibble is that MacPhail does make some nice wines but the are based in Sonoma and their tasting room is at the Barlow in Sebastopol.