Region:

Los Carneros, Sonoma

707-933-1917

Winemaker:

Bob Iantosca

Large and Elegant

Days/Hours:

Daily, 10:00 to 5:00

Large

Event Facilities:

Event Facilities Available

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah

Numerous Sparkling Wines, Chardonnay

The Winery: This is a must see on any trip to the Sonoma side of Los Carneros. The winery and tasting room are nestled on the flanks of the looming Sonoma Mountains. The elegant Spanish style tasting facility, with its wonderful verandahs, large and airy tasting room and expansive patio with views to San Pablo Bay, make for a wonderful tasting experience. Tasting is offered at the inside tasting bar, seated at tables inside, or seated outside on the patio.  

The Vineyards: The 335 acres of vines consist of two distinct vineyards. Next to the winery is the 207 acre Home Ranch Estate Vineyard that ranges from 50 to 325 feet in elevation and is planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The 128 acre Circle Bar Ranch vineyard is further south and is planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah.

The Wines: The winery offers a wide variety of world class sparkling wines all made from estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Gloria Ferrer produces a number of still wines as well as sparkling. They offer two Pinots, from the same clone, one grown on the hillside near the winery, and the other on a flatter vineyard closer to the bay. The difference in flavor profiles and structure is a great lesson on what terroir does to wine. These were two very different wines; the Gravel-Knob Vineyard had a bigger, very luxurious body and a smoky character, while the Rust Rock Vineyard wine has more fruit on the nose and palate, with a wonderful silky mouthfeel.

The Winemaker: Bob Iantosca has been with Gloria Ferrer since 1984, and heads the winemaking team there. Prior to that he worked at Dry Creek Vineyard, Dehlinger, Stevenot and Mark West.