Vineyard lined drive to Hartford Family Estate. Photo by Andrew Collins.
Among Sonoma County’s least-known but increasingly most talked-about wine-producing regions, Green Valley is also one of the closest to the gay-popular resorts of Guerneville and Monte Rio. In fact, this cool and breezy sub-AVA (American Viticultural Area) that’s part of the larger Russian River Valley and is similarly known for temperate-weather varietals like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Other good matches for this somewhat narrow swatch of fertile vineyards that’s centered on the village of Graton and extends from Forestville south nearly to Sebastopol are Gewürstraminer, Zinfandel, and increasingly Syrah.
One of the most appealing wineries, not only for its stellar wines but also for its beautiful tasting room, is Hartford Family Winery. Occupying a rather imposing manor house in Forestville, the operation’s tasting area opens to an expansive landscaped terrace overlooking rows of nearly century-old Zinfandel grapes. Try the sensuous 2008 Fanucchi-Wood Road Zinfandel to get an idea of what these talented winemakers are capable of.
Other noteworthy wineries in Green Valley include Dutton Goldfield, Lynmar Winery (which offers a $25 “Lynmar Experience featuring four wines paired with appetizers), and Martinelli. The tasting room at the latter occupies a wonderful old “hop barn” that dates to the early 20th century.
You should come try our Pinots!
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