PARTNERS
RESOURCES
WINERY TOURS AND TASTINGS
NAPA VALLEY
Favorite Napa Valley wineries to tour and taste
Sparkling wine house owned by France's Taittinger. The perfect place to start your day in Napa or Sonoma.
Phenomenal biodynamic wines and extraordinary culinary program
Failla ~ By Appointment Only
Specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made by legendary winemaker Ehren Jordan
The Napa Valley's Premier Organic Winery
Napa Valley's first LEED certified winery, pouring exceptional wines amongst incredible art.
Historic, a pioneer in Napa Valley wineries, and the original single vineyard Cabernet producer.
Sparkling wine house owned by France's Mumm
Schramsberg ~ By Appointment Only
Historic sparkling wine house
Viader ~ By Appointment Only
Biodynamic winery specializing in Bordeaux blends
Ashes & Diamonds ~ By Appointment Only
Specializing in minimal intervention Bordeaux varietals at an incredibly modern winery
Benchmark Cabernet from Napa and Alexander Valley
Matthiasson ~ By Appointment Only
Pioneering wine maker Steve Matthiasson making noteworthy minimal intervention wines
SONOMA
From legendary film maker Robert Kamen, and equally legendary Viticulturist Phil Coturri
ANDERSON VALLEY
Boonville (located way north in the majestic Mendocino County) is the best hub for wine tasting in the Anderson Valley, and in our opinion, absolutely worth an overnight stay to explore as much as possible.
Home of incredible wines, hospitality, and Sandwich the Doodle
Gorgeous wines that are always a standout at Pinot Fest
Legendary food friendly wines with an Alsatian varietal bent
Fantastic food friendly wines and charming hospitality
The most enjoyable sparkling wine house in the area
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
There is so much to explore in these wine regions! Check out Sideways before heading down 101, and then pop into these tasting rooms!
San Luis Obispo
Ryan Deovlet is one of the most talented wine makers I've ever met, and the wines are ones that I've been happy to feature on many lists over the last several years. Located in an industrial area in San Luis Obispo, this is a great place to start or end your trip down south. Hatch is a great restaurant to stop into not far away in Paso Robles as well.
Los Olivos
This little town is a one stop shop! So many incredible tasting rooms! Next trip we'll have to find a place in town to stay so that we can visit more.
Larry Schaffer is one of the most brilliant wine makers in the region. His passion is absolutely unrivaled, and his screw cap wines will have you questioning why anyone would use corks.
These wines are truly incredible. I ran into Brandon while I was on a buying trip in the Loire Valley, and his passion for terroir and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the other varietals shows up in every glass.
Santa Barbara
Another one stop shop is the Funk Zone near the beaches. Great tasting rooms and restaurants all within walking distance.
One of the original Rhone Rangers, the wines of Kunin are legendary.
OREGON WINERY TOURS AND TASTINGS
We're exploring the great north and have found a couple of gems far off the beaten path and worth the trek.
Applegate Valley
Rhone Varietals, Biodynamic, and outdoor tasting cabanas with locally sourced charcuterie and cheese
Umpqua Valley
In the tiny town of Elkton, Terry Brandborg makes incredible and award winning Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and several other varieties and blends.
Willamette Valley
Alsatian Varietals, minimal intervention wine making, historic winery.
PREFERRED WINE CLUBS, SHOPS, AND ONLINE RETAIL SOURCES
Somm Select
Sommelier selected wines offered daily by Master Sommelier Ian Cauble.
The best online wine and spirits retailer in the country.
The industry's favorite place for wine, conversation, and education, in the Bay Area.
The best natural wine spot in the Bay Area, with great pop up events.
An East Bay institution with impressive allocations of extraordinary wines, with an emphasis on Italian wines.
The legendary importer of French wines has brought some of the best small producers to the US since the seventies.
WINE STORAGE
Wine Cabinets
In-Home
Offsite
Subterranean ~ by referral only
WINE TRANSPORTATION
Appellation Wine Transport
WINE INSURANCE
Insure My Wine an Ellis Insurance Agency
BAY AREA CATERERS
EVENT LOCATIONS
Master Sommelier David Glancy founded the San Francisco Wine School for industry professionals and consumers in a stunning location in South San Francisco that can accommodate up to 400 guests.
Stunning San Francisco location above the intersection of Broadway and Columbus with a fully stocked visible kitchen, that accommodates up to 30 guests for a fully customizable sit down dining experience.
Beautiful, private, professional spaces in and around the Bay Area, New York, and London.
They are working on an option for off-sites
The AirBnB of event spaces, perfect for off site seminars and retreats
OTHER
Stemware
EDUCATION
Personally selected books, movies, websites, and study tools
Sommelier Madeline Puckette created a website, book, maps, and prints in one of the most visually stunning resources dedicated to wine in existence.
The most detailed and comprehensive wine region maps on the market.
MOVIES
A documentary by Jason Wise following a group of Master Sommelier candidates.
A follow up documentary by Jason Wise on "The history, politics, pleasure, and BS of wine told through opening ten very different bottles."
A surprisingly amazing documentary on wine by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan.
Experience the year with French wine importer Martine Saunier as your guide, visiting Domaine Leroy, Domaine Perrot-Minot, Domaine Morey-Coffinet, Domaine Bruno Clavelier, Domaine Mortet, Domaine Michel Gay & Fils, and Dominique Cornin.
BOOKS
Wine and War by Donald and Petie Kladstrup
Champagne by Donald and Petie Kladstrup
The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace
The Juice by Jay McInerney
Tangled Vines by Frances Dinkelspiel
Wine Folly: The Magnum Edition by Madeline Puckette
Adventures on the Wine Route by Kermit Lynch