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nis y. said: "Anyone tasting through Anderson Valley should definitely make a stop at Phillips Hill. The pinots are distinctive, with a lot of personality. If you're into burgundy, I think you'll like them. The tasting room also has the laid-back…" read more »
45 reviews for Husch Vineyards Winery
45 reviews in English
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Review from Jewel N.
San Mateo, CA
8/15/2011
I love you Husch.
Can't wait to get my next shipment in the mail.
Can't wait to stop by your tasting room on the next trip up North.
You are a very special place, with a great family history, with very special wine. And, as I now say, especially since attending your member picnic, once a PRP (Priority Release Program) member, always a member! Thanks Husch, for producing such great wine, and making us members feel so much like family! -
Review from Jenn C.
2/5/2012
Funky, dark & small tasting room covered with news clippings and information, up-ended wine barrel tables and amazing dessert wine. I can't remember any of the other wines I had but fell in love with the sweet white wine and brought some home. I shall return!
The End. -
Review from Candace E.
Sacramento, CA
8/14/2011
Gorgeous winery!
The tasting room was very unique and welcoming with pink flowers adorning the entrance.
The wines were all great as well - our favorites were their chardonnays and the Grand Oz. The Cabernet was also delicious.
Highly recommended! -
Review from Chris C.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 6/9/2011
Went to the annual picnic for wine club members and it was raining and windy -- but that was actually a good thing -- they opened the winery and we got to go inside and do tastings straight from the barrels!
The band was brave and great harmonies -- and everyone was super friendly -- had a very interesting conversation with Raul the winery foreman about how much love and craftsmanship goes in to every vintage.
This place is the best and a super great value they sell their La Blanc table wine at $9 (before winery club discount of 20%) and you cannot possibly buy a white wine of quality for that amount period!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/20/2009
We got a bottle of the 2004 Chenin Blanc as a complimentary gift at the Elk Cove Inn and then also a… Read more »
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Review from Sarah D.
11/8/2010
Husch is literally my favorite winery to visit as well as my favorite "value" wine, to the point that when friends are coming over for dinner, they stop and pick up a bottle of Husch to give to me. They know how I feel!
The tasting room really exemplifies what I love best about Anderson Valley: good value, free tastings, and friendly unpretentious people. It goes without saying that the wine is excellent - I have yet to have wine in the Valley that isn't, truthfully. But the prices! I'd long been enjoying glasses of their Chenin Blanc at River's End in Jenner, but I figured a bottle would be at least $20. Imagine my surprise to find the winery selling it for $11! At that price I had to pick up two. Their reserve Chardonnay is fantastic, and their regular Chards and Sav Blanc are great and priced perfect for a weeknight dinner or giving to friends.
What really makes the winery special, apart from the utterly amazing setting, is the free vineyard tour with a very knowledgeable guide who answered every question we had. Husch, you know how to show a girl a good time! -
Review from Erin D.
San Diego, CA
7/13/2010
Husch is my new favorite winery in the region! My boyfriend (Dave P, below) and I were wine tasting through the Anderson Valley on our way down to Napa, and he insisted we had to stop at Husch, saying he'd had an awesome tasting experience there a few years ago. I'm so glad we stopped!
First- the tasting room experience: Nothing but good things to say! Two words: free tastings! Can't be that. The tasting room is in an old barn, and is very cute and quaint (and also air conditioned, thank god). The staff (3 women) were very knowledgeable, described the wines well, and easily answered questions asked by myself and the few other people in the tasting room. More importantly, they weren't pretentious or standoffish in the slightest- one of the things I despite the most in a winery. They made small talk with everyone in the tasting room and seemed genuinely nice.
A funny thing happened while we were in the tasting room; a wayward bat flew in and got stuck! It was a tiny little bat, but he sure cleared out the tasting room fast. All us women (and one dude who knocked his wife out of the way- gonna be a long car ride home for that guy) ran outside, while my boyfriend and another guy stayed inside to take pictures and attempt to shoo the bat outside (was a no-go!). One of the tasting room staff eventually grabbed the bat with an apron (how brave!) and got it out. The whole thing was hilarious and not your usual wine-tasting experience....but was fun nevertheless.
Now more importantly- the wine: The wine is great! I think I tried all of the wines there, and there wasn't a single wine that I wouldn't drink. My favorites were the Muscat (phenomenally smooth with the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity), the Gewertz and the Pinot Noir. I bought all 3 :-) Also exceptionally delish was the Juice. Yup, that's right, just grape juice. It looks just like white wine and comes in a wine bottle, but it's just grape juice. So tasty. I've never really considered joining a wine club, but this winery has made me reconsider- I just may join.
If you're in the area, definitely stop in! It's well worth the stop. -
Review from Amy R.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2008
They probably don't get many visitors who study rangeland ecology and ping them with questions. If they did, they probably wouldn't have a certificate on the wall that says they're fish friendly. Well, it seems that the manager of the winery (since 1973?) has been actively involved in watershed protection (particularly the river that runs right past them). It means they don't use a bunch of nasty chemicals that run off into the river and that they incorporate strategies to reduce soil erosion. Since I'm well aware of what a big fightin' issue water is in them thar parts...I really appreciate the willingness to discuss it.
It's cute and small and I love it for that. To me, the whole point of going to a winery to taste wine is to find these kinds of places. I loved that they actually had dessert wines so there was something that my husband would like. I also bought a blend (that was available in limited quantity and not available for tasting). I'll try to remember to update this after I've opened it.
They also had juice which they were out of, but they reserved a few bottles for the kids. I thought that was cool as wineries are often not exciting places for children.Listed in: Anderson Valley
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Review from Jessica B.
Martinez, CA
11/14/2010
Cute grounds, quaint little tasting room, delicious dessert wine. What more could one ask for??
My husband and I were on our way home from Mendocino and stopped here to buy a gift for a friend (after not being too impressed with the service at Roederer). Great choice. We were the only ones in the tasting room (granted they had left the closed sign up,lol) and had wonderful service from the woman serving us. I would highly recommended Husch to anyone looking for an adorable and delicious stop. -
Review from Joe B.
9/26/2008
Husch was our second stop - huzzah for wineries that open at 10am! I get up early, even on vacation days, and I'm ready to get out and get going before 10 on a long vacation day. We had a lot of ground to cover and Husch was open early enough so we could pace ourselves.
The late harvest Gewurtz was outstanding. You can truly taste the beeswax, honeysuckle, and lychee. At 12% residual sugar, it was a little overly sweet, but that's what you expect from a late harvest of an already-sweet varietal. Perfect over a vanilla ice cream/apricot or apple pie a la mode dessert.
The Pinot and cab were just fine, and I even liked the chardonnay here. We already have an unused late harvest Viognier so I couldn't justify buying the Gewurtz, but otherwise I would have tucked that bad boy away for a sweet dessert, maybe even a Thanksgiving dessert.Listed in: Mendo Wineaux Tour!, Anderson Valley - A little…
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Review from Cheri L.
San Francisco, CA
9/6/2007
The tasting room is in a cute and tiny wooden cottage. I knew about Husch wines from one of my brother's company events, and when we passed by the sign on Highway 128, I drove onto the grounds.
It was a hot afternoon, with a slight breeze, and the winery was gorgeous. The two women pouring the wine were friendly, and the wines we sampled were all pretty good -- I ended up buying a couple bottles of Pinot Noir. -
Review from Katie T.
1/4/2009
Their tasting room isn't so much a room as it is an adorable little cottage. Covered in roses and such. It's adorable and apparently it used to hold ponies, which makes it even cuter. It was empty when we were there, but I'd imagine that since it's small it can get pretty packed inside.
The staff working that particular day included two women. The woman helping us was very personable--bouncing all over the place, suggesting food pairings for the wine, generally providing great service. The other woman...well let's just say that if we'd had her Husch wouldn't have received four stars. I overheard the couple that she was helping ask for a food pairing suggestion. Her response? "I'm a vegan." I mean, I know that vegans can't eat anything good, but they must eat something with their wine or have some idea of what to suggest. Actually, her not eating would explain why she seemed so pissy and malnourished.
The wines are mostly very affordable and there are a lot of them. We did side by side pairings of most of what they had and were surprised by a few thing we really liked including the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Renegade and the 2005 Cab. Their table wine (Mojo) is a great deal at only $11 a bottle.Listed in: Anderson Valley Wine +
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Review from Rene C.
5/22/2009
I can be bought.
Well not exactly, but buy me alcohol and I can be swayed into being a believer.
A few years back while dining in a Ukiah restaurant with my brother, we ordered a bottle of Husch Cabernet. As we sat eating our dinner and enjoying our wine and discussing the winery itself we noticed a couple sitting a few tables behind us giving us the "eye". Were we being offensive? did I smell?
Finally when the evening was over our waiter came over with the check and says to us "the couple behind you has bought your wine for you". I paid and walked over to thank them. It turns out they were part of the Oswald family (not of the book depository fame...I think) owners of Husch Winery. They were both very nice and pleasant and thanked us for supporting their winery. I had already been a member of their wine club and will never forget the generosity they extended.
I am a lifelong fan.Listed in: Hey Big Spender
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Review from Buzz F.
Palo Cedro, CA
1/4/2009
I've always thought that Husch bottles the best Gewurtz in California, and their Cab is also very good.
Here's what one of the woman who was serving wine snooted when asked (by another party) what foods would pair with that Gewurtz: "I'm a strict vegan, so you'll have to ask (the other woman who was serving wine that day)."
WTF? You can't just say, "Asian" or "Thai" or "spicy food," like everyone else? Or how about: "Oh, just about anything you'd eat during a summer picnic." Or even: "Well, I'm a vegan, and I think it pairs nicely with Soylent Green, which is a dense cake-like loaf made out of soybeans, algae, sawdust, and other stuff. Yummy."
You have to declare that because you're vegan, you can't provide any useful advice regarding food pairings?
Because here's how you came across: "Meat is murder, and I'm sure you want to know how this wine pairs with the flesh of slaughtered sentient beings, so I'm not going to help you because it would mean that I'm an accomplice to your act of selfish, depraved, disgusting, Gaia-humping carnivory."
Go work somewhere else, lady, and I'll gladly give Husch the four stars that they deserve.Listed in: Out of the Comfort Zone
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Review from A to the C.
San Francisco, CA
2/24/2007
Best value for the buck in Anderson Valley. Such a great everyday wine we left with a case and a wine club membership. The winery is picturesque, the staff is friendly, and the wine is great. Not sure what else you could ask for.
The tasting bar is small. I could see it getting crowded on a busy weekend.Listed in: Mendocino Musts
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Review from don d.
San Francisco, CA
5/31/2010
The Pinot Noirs here help define Anderson Valley and I'm definitely a fan of both their reserve and their 2007 Anderson Valley Pinot.
The vibe in the tasting room is different than most wineries because it's small and inside a little-cabin surrounded by roses. Not at all like a full-scale Napa production. -
Review from Jessica P.
Emeryville, CA
9/26/2008
Husch Husch...isn't that a Paula Abdul song...or was that lush lush...no, it was rush rush, riiiiight.
Hurray for Husch for the early morning lush in me. I've been on a late harvest kick lately and seem to fall in love with every syrupy sweet viscous harbinger of grapes that keep me in their wrath.
It's a friendly winery, where knowledgeable folk roam and traveling folk foam at the mouth for special reserves. I've never been tasting in the Anderson Valley, and these guys were a nice introduction. Reasonable in price and wonderful descriptions.Listed in: Feeling like (Gillian)…
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Review from Sean B.
3/22/2009
My friend and I went to 5 wineries in the Anderson Valley yesterday. This was BY FAR the worst. Why?
1. The 2 employees in the tasting room. The room was quite crowded, but my friend and I were able to find some space by one of the wine barrels. A couple by the bar left, but it was still jammed packed. Lady that had served us: "Hey, there is some space here. Would you like come over here?"
"No thanks, we have a nice spot right here."
"Well it would be much easier for me to serve you if you came over"
Eh ok... So we went over and she didn't serve us, but passed us on to the other dude. He was quite snobbish and made the assumption that we were just there for the free tasting. Which leads me to #2.
2. The wines really weren't that good. Very disappointing in fact because my dad had hyped them up, and I have enjoyed Husch before. So we didn't buy any wine there because frankly there were no wines there worth buying. After the way we were treated however, I don't plan to ever go back there again thanks to the the ultra douchebag behavior of the staff.
And while i sincerely doubt anyone from Husch reads reviews on here, I'll say this just in case they do: you can thank your staff for losing a potential long-term customer. I come up here often due to family ties. I realize I don't have the full blown Marina yuppie look going on, but I do appreciate a good wine. But after being stereotyped (FYI, don't wear a t-shirt and flip flops if you go here) by people who lost their sense of style a couple decades ago (if they ever had it to begin with), I will not plan to buy your wine again. Yeah, I bear grudges.
2 stars because it is a cute cottage and the grounds are very nice as well. -
Review from David O.
Walnut Creek, CA
10/25/2006
I greatly enjoy Husch wines, which we discovered when we stopped at this winery on our way to Mendocino.
I'm pleased to see that they're definitely on an upswing, as well... You can find their Husch Chardonnay in more and more places now and, at $10 a bottle, it's a very nice entry-level dinner wine.Listed in: Beautiful California Wines
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Review from Lynn L.
6/20/2008
Husch is one of the absolute best values in Anderson Valley. As a result, we always taste here (Husch, Lazy Creek, and Roederer make a lovely trifecta!).
The tasting room is very charming - a flower-adorned little wood cabin. While it can get pretty darn hot and crowded in there, you won't really notice as you work your way through the enormous selection of wines - both white and red.
The Chenin Blanc is really fantastic, as is the Gerwurtz (both regular and late harvest). I really love their Old Vines Zinfandel (which they don't always have open for tasting), and their Reserve Cabernet. Certainly worth your time to stop by! -
Review from Madalina C.
Los Altos, CA
4/24/2011
Both my husband and I loved this winery! Their wine is good and the staff is very welcoming. We also loved the grounds...They take really good care of everything and it is worth a visit. The tasting is free as with most wineries in this area. It's worth a stop for sure!
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Review from Bill J.
Walnut Creek, CA
11/15/2006 1 photo
Husch Vineyards is a small, family owned and operated winery. It is said to be the oldest winery in the Anderson Valley appellation, located in Mendocino County. Need to watch for it as sign not large and it is hidden it is on the left side of the road.
With 6 free tastings what more can you ask for.
The Anderson Valley is one of California's most scenic areas. The drive through the hills is delightful if you do not get car sick. In the center of the valley is Boonville which once had its own language. Once noted for apples the valley is now becoming a must stop for wine lovers.
Husch states they produce 18 different wines. While this is no doubt true I found their Chardonnay , Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer ( this goes with spicy Asian foods in my opinion) where the wines I enjoyed. I have a two buck chuck palate so take this into consideration.
The hostesses in the tasting room were friendly and not pushy. Unlike Roederer they did not look down on the non winos but let you determine what you liked and did not discuss exotic flavors that only those with vivid imaginations can taste.
The tasting room is in and old looking wooden barn. Little tight when crowded but the grounds are nice. -
Review from Vlad K.
Cherry Hill, NJ
10/31/2009
We went to a few wineries on Rt 128 and Husch was one of the two we could've skipped.
The wines were okay, the tasting room is tiny and it felt a little pretentious to me... -
Review from Jenni D.
4/15/2010
Who wouldn't enjoy the tasting room that features a wine called "Renegade"?! The Sauvignon Blanc will capture your heart, and a little piece of your wallet. It seemed that they waived the tasting fee for a purchase, so you can leave with some wine and without a bad taste in your mouth.
The voigniers were very friendly, and they chatted without pretentiousness. It may appeal to the status quo, but I liked the smaller cottage-like feel of this family vineyard. The small space felt cozy and comfortable. -
Review from Florene K.
West Sacramento, CA
9/4/2006 3 photos
On our regular vacations to Mendo, we always drive Highway 128 and stop at Husch, Navarro and the Philo Apple Farm. I don't think our car would just drive past! We were introduced to Husch when we lived in Fort Bragg in the 80s. We have preferred wines, as do most people, and fortunately Husch is available outside the area. The tasting room is fun and VERY picturesque.
On one of our trips last year we even had a little "entertainment". A bottle of wine had broken and all of it spilled on the carpet behind the counter. We watched one of the staff cleaning it up with lots and lots of paper towels. I'm sure the wine aroma lasted quite a while. -
Review from Colleen B.
Oakland, CA
11/3/2009
Very nice winery!.
Anderson Valley wineries are so pleasant and relaxing to visit - no fighting crowds like you do in Napa! Husch's tasting room is small, cute and rustic and their staff is friendly and helpful.
I have been a fan of Husch since the late 90's. It all started with a perfect wine and food pairing, so I was looking forward to visiting their winery.
I left happy with an Old Vines Zinfandel and a bottle of Syrah.
I headed up the road to stay at the MacClellum House Inn and was happy to receive another bottle of Husch Chardonnay. Woot! -
Review from Dave P.
Carlsbad, CA
7/6/2010
Husch is what I consider the best among many small wineries locaed in the Anderson vallley.
What's awesome about the wineries in this region is that the wines are as good or better than those found in nearby Napa without the pretentiousness, insane prices, and horrible snootiness that has become so pervasive in Napa.
All their wines are goiod, but their muscat is particularily exceptional. -
Review from Lisa S.
Bay Area
4/3/2008 2 photos
Beautiful yet quaint grounds. Nice pinots. A deliciously sweet late harvest Gewztraminer that I almost brought home with me... A sweet muscat and Gewztraminer [non-alcoholic] juice that I did bring home with me...
This was a great stop - especially on your way East on 128. Just pull right over to the right. The people here were very friendly and could talk about wines all day.
The list of 13 wines is free to taste but they liberally limit you to 6 so that you don't get too toasty to navigate the ridiculously winding highway on your way either east or west. If you're tasting with a friend you can easily sample all 13 by sharing sips of each's 6 and maybe push for a 7th. ;) -
Review from Melinda B.
San Francisco, CA
4/23/2006
Super selection of estate bottled wines at fair prices, and with a great tasting room staff. At prices ranging from 20-40 we saw this as "every day" wine, very drinkable now, as our "long term storage" is full.
We also appreciated the selection of half bottles, since we often want "just a glass" at night or with a picnic. There was no tasting charge---very much appreciated. Lastly, this winery is smart and offers "tasting room only" wines, which add an air of "special souvenier" to our purchases. We don't like to buy wines we can get at Costco for less.
Tasting notes:
We enjoyed and purchased the following:
Our favorite:
2002 Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon: Not too "huge." Nice and mellow, lots of fruit, to enjoy on its own, which is our personal preference. We bought both bottles and half bottles of this.
2004 Mendocino Renegade Sauvignon Blanc: Wonderfully light and fruit forward, but with a fuller body in it, the way we like it.--due to their use of wild, or "renegade" yeast. We're fans of biodiversity, and in this case the yeast adds an unexpected and welcome complexity to a good quality grape. Competes well with Duckhorn SB, at about 75% of the cost.
2002 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Reserve. We loved its rich taste and drinkability. Also liked the half bottles.
We enjoyed several other wines, including their Zinfandel, which showed its Pepper on the finish, not the front. We also like the Single Vinyard Cabernet, but we had too many others like it on the shelf right now for the price.
all in all, a place we'd go back to. We are considering joining their wine club. -
Review from Scott A.
Windsor, CA
2/28/2011
Slighty overpriced good wine. The tasting room was like a shed. I did a courtesy purchase of the lesser of a couple of pinots I was considering.
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Review from Miriam W.
11/26/2005
Gorgeous vineyards flank the small cottage-like tasting room at this Anderson Valley vineyard. Said to be the oldest in the appellation, Husch does a great Sauvignon Blanc.
Recommended wines for purchase:
2004 Sauvignon Blanc, their 25th vintage of this wine! -
Review from Stacey E.
Fairfax, CA
8/26/2008
A pleasant place to taste wine. I left with the Special Reserve Chardonnay, the Muscat Canelli and the Renegade Sauvignon Blanc. I'm not a huge fan of their reds but I didn't get to taste some of the oldest reserves they had. I felt like the Cab and Pinot Noir in todays tasting could use some time.
Their staff were knowledgeable and and kept their cool even when a group of overly loud Texans gulped down their flights of free wine and then revealed they weren't planning on purchasing any wine while in wine country. (smacks forehead). -
Review from Denny B.
Vista, CA
4/6/2011
Enthusiastic people work here. Loved their handling of our questions and the presentation of their wines. The range of tastings was good and included dessert wine. Had to buy a late harvest. Delicious. The grounds are very inviting for a stop and outdoor meal. This is a MUST STOP along the valley.
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Review from michael c.
Albany, CA
2/12/2006
Their tasting room is pretty much a hut on a nice little picnic garden. They get extra props from me for having "personal spit cups" (read Dixie cups) freely available.
Overall, I was sortuva underwhelmed by Husch. They've become fairly famous for their whites which I found nice but nothing fantastic. Their 2003 Pinot Noir was a touch too spicy for me but it would be nice to see it with some age. The 2002 Reserve Pinot was right on the money but it was $31.
All told, nice little place, but not uniformly good. -
Review from Erin J.
Sparks, NV
7/6/2009
The 2007 Chenin Blanc that I got as a complimentary gift at the Elk Cove Inn brought me to this winery. I am not a fan of white wines (other than desert type wines - gwertz & rieslings), however, their Chenin Blanc is amazing (1.5% residual sugar gives it a sweet, refreshing kick).
My husband and I stopped here at 10am on our way home. We were the only people at the tasting room so we were treated great. I fell in love with their winery, not only because of their wine, but because of their great customer service. I have never joined a wine club before, but I will join theirs! -
Review from Charlie O.
Modesto, CA
7/27/2008
I am a club member and very happy to be one. Was first introduced to the Husch Cab in Mendocino at the Bay View Cafe. It was the 2003 vintage and fell in love with it. I now own 8 bottles of the cab. 2/2001, 3/2002 and 3/2003 and also keep at least 5 of the 04 on hand. Also the Pinot Noir is to die for. The desert wine is the best I have ever tasted, not to sweet, just right. Would give 10 stars if I had them.
Listed in: Best Tasting Rooms in Murphys
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Review from kevo m.
East Bay, CA
5/4/2007
On a trip back from Mendocino in 2001 we stopped at the Husch Vineyards. Since then, Husch has been on my top 3 Chardonnay list. I buy Husch first then Rabbit Ridge, then Kendall Jackson. They used to be hard to find. Now they're the new Kendall Jackson.
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Review from Megan H.
Healdsburg, CA
12/16/2007
Nothing blew me away. The tasting room staff was helpful - it's a small space, but we felt welcome. The wines just didn't show very well. All of the dessert (and/or other off-dry wines) were out of balance and some were pretty cloying. Won't be back for a few years.
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Review from Kelly I.
Dublin, CA
11/15/2007
Quaint little tasting hut right in the middle of the vineyard. We knew we were in Mendocino when one of the pourers came in talking about the organic wheat grass/antioxidant/digestive tract regulating juice blend and drinking it out of a mason jar. Ahh, coastal hippies. The wines are tasty and worth trying, however we weren't swayed enough by any of them to buy. We did purchase their Mojo Red table wine, which they didn't have open for tasting. Apparently we liked them enough to give this a shot.
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Review from Anne J.
Redwood City, CA
10/12/2006
Yummy Pinot and surpising good Cab produced here. The tasting room is adorable with a warm staff that truly appreciates good company. The reserves are also above average and you can tell that the wine maker definitely knows what they are doing. The price point of the wine also makes it quite attractive in that you would easily pay more for lesser quality. 3 1/2 stars easy.
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Review from Pete D.
San Francisco, CA
2/26/2009
I'm not much of a wine snob, but I think their Chenin Blancs are incredible. Very friendly staff, good wine. Worth a stop.
