I understand how choosing a wine can be very challenging. My husband and I are often asked how we pick out the best wines so I thought I’d use this list that I initially started to highlight how I chose the wines I’d pick.
After looking at this list and choosing which wines we’d have on our list, I thought it would be a good idea to share why I’d pick out these 17 wines below. There are qualities on the label that get me to continue reading the notes of how it will taste (that I DO NOT describe here, by the way). I’m first intrigued by picking up the bottle and continuing to read the tasting notes - you get the idea.
The idea of putting a list together from wines we’ve had in the past was too overwhelming, which was my first idea. But where would I even start?
This is a great time to describe why I chose the wines I did to help you decide which one is right for you.
Top 8 Sonoma County Wines For The Holidays
The first number is how they ranked on a top 100 list—the year after the name is the vintage.
The rating is what Wine Spectator gave them from their 100-point rating system. (Basically, anything over 90 points is an overall high-ranking score.)
#1 Aubert Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2018
Rating: 95
$85
I’m not sure about Aubert honestly, other than they’re a high-quality wine but what I do know is that this winemaker was close friends with his vineyard manager, Ulysses Valdez (hence UV Vineyard).
Valdez was a highly regarded vineyard manager and one of the most sought-after for his style of growing grapes. His story is amazing. When we were just hearing about Valdez Sr., he had a tasting room in Healdsburg where we stopped in and his kids (although old enough to pour at the time) opened their doors for us to try his wines. It was one of the best pinot noir’s I’ve ever had. This wine was surely made from Valdez’s style. Not surprised it was #2 on this list.
When visiting Tuscany, the wine I leaned towards the most was the wine from Montepulciano. I still have yet to learn about this region and why I was so attracted to their wine but the fact that this is a Vino Nobile meaning a rather noble wine, call me a sucker but I’m all over it.
Instead of your kid’s grape juice, think liquid velvet.
#2 Dry Creek Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Spencer's Hill Vineyard Single Vineyard Series 2016
Rating: 94
$44
The Dry Creek AVA is known for its zinfandels and this is from a single vineyard to boot.
The grapes are not from a hodgepodge of grapes from different areas in California or even in Sonoma. This vintage was taken specifically from one single vineyard (hence the hint in the name). Zin from this AVA and a particular vineyard make for a great choice for zin; a grape that is known to have strong tannins or just a jammy unbalanced finish. However, this rating indicates the stars-were-in-its-moon.
#3 Hartford Court Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2018
Rating: 92
$30
I’ve recommended Hartford on lists as a special occasion wine after visiting the winery including their wine tasting room in Healdsburg.
After trying different wines one Sunday afternoon at a wine bar in Los Angeles, Richard went on a limb and just chose the Hartford Russian River Pinot without tasting it. For a Sunday afternoon hanging out with our ministry leaders, he made sure to choose wisely and it paid off.
This winery is a fantastic wine to bet on.
#4 Kistler Chardonnay Russian River Valley Vine Hill Vineyard 2017
Rating: 96
$90
One of our guests who are wine collectors talked very highly of Kistler so I’m not surprised to see this with a 96 rating.
The fact that it’s from the Russian River Valley and from a single vineyard makes this the top of its class.
If you have to have Chardonnay for Thanksgiving, why not knock everyone’s socks off with a sure-to-bet $90 bottle?
#5 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2016
Rating: 96
$135
The Mayacamas is a warm climate region that is great for Cabernet Sauvignon. This region sits between Napa and Sonoma and the fact that it made this list with a 96 point rating, gets my vote.
#6 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Goldrock Estate Rating: 2018
Rating: 95
$75
Paul Hobbs is one of the early winemakers in Sonoma and his wines are highly regarded.
I like the right wine from the right area PLUS, an estate wine which means, (again) you’re tasting grapes from his vineyards. A lot of wineries buy grapes other than their estate which is a common practice. However, some winemakers produce wines just from their specific estate and Hobbs bet on his estate to single-handedly produce his pinot noir and what-dya-know? He created a 95 rating and #51 on Wine Spectator’s list.
This one is a royal flush: excellent winemaker, a grape varietal from its perfect area, Estate wine, a 95 rating, and #51 on the top 100 wine list.
#7 Quivira Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley Fig Tree Vineyard 2018
Rating: 93
$24
I’m not a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc but sometimes you’ll find a nice one in the Dry Creek Valley to drink on a hot day.
This has happened to me a couple of times. It’s like encountering the cutest little girl in the perfect flower dress with flawless skin and a lot of charm. This is probably one of those.
From a single vineyard means they made no shortcuts but a focus on the terroir.
This could be a steal for what joy this brings.
#8 Reata Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2018
Rating: 90
$20
This seems like a good deal. It’s a Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast which is a good sign and for $20 bucks I would bet on this. I would bet on practically any Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast but one with a high rating for this price is worth picking up.
Rating: 93
$35
Another good price for a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley - a region that has been consistently producing good pinot and for good reason. It has the right climate these grapes demand.
The point I hope you see here is that you can never decide which brand, grape, country, year, or (for Pete’s sake), which bottle to buy unless you’re a little familiar with the area. It is true what the Europeans say about their terroir or region their wine comes from.
California likes to boast about the climate and what happens above the hills that help produce great wine, but in the end, what makes a difference is the AVA (American Viticulture Area). This designated region came about in 1981, right around when California truly started becoming a destination for great wine.
It became California law that if a bottle was going to label itself from these areas of origin (AVA’s), it must have at least 85% of grapes from that particular region. This is similar to the designations that France and Italy have created for their wines for many, many….many years. These are called AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) for France and Vino da Tavola (VdT), Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT, Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) for Italy.
I choose a bottle that I’m relying on from a particular region like I’m picking up an item that is labeled organic (or gluten-free). I’m counting on the label that designates where the grapes are from to get what I’m looking for.
I’m no expert at wines, but the more we try different wines from different regions, we’re beginning to identify which regions are the culprits that get us to drink an entire bottle on a Tuesday night. Hence, this region becomes a good bet on our wine purchase.
I hope this helps to understand how we choose our wines in the store, like how I choose my Pinot Noir.
Choose a great wine when choosing one for the holidays. You’ll be thrilled you did as well as your party. It’s like that.
Cheers!