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Larson Family Winery
Rating Details »
Categories: Wineries, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
23355 Millerick RdSonoma, CA 95476
(707) 938-3031
Complimentary Chocolate Pairing
Print this page and bring it into our Tasting Room to receive one complimentary pairing of our dark chocolate and cabernet sauvignon.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Larson Family Winery
Larson Family Winery is pretty awesome. Let's recap:
-They have 3 labs; a chocolate, a black, and a yellow. We only saw the yellow and chocolate, but they were HUGE and ADORABLE.
-They play country music.
-The setting is totally country; beautiful views, very down-home and relaxed... a great Sonoma atmosphere.
-Pourers are awesome. The girl pouring for us was very chatty, knowledgeable, and helpful. She also told us about their wine club, but did not at all push us, which I appreciated.
-Wines are yummy! Minus a star because I think the wines are a little overpriced for how good they are. Still we left with 2 bottles. Try the Merlot. MMMM.
Off on a dirt road.. it's a barn. We parked on the side of the road. They have horses. They have wine. For April in Carneros, they had OYSTERS! (limit 1=() COOKIES! POPCORN!
Out back they had bocce ball, picnic tables, a bounce house, a dog, and a book on winery dogs with its face on the cover.
I was pretty wasted by this time but coming here didn't kill the buzz at all. Lots of fun.. They really put out for a festival.
Attention winos with littles, your happy place has arrived!!
I don't currently have any children that I know of... well, there was that one night in Bakersfield... anyhoo, I don't have spawn, but I do have friends with youngins and the one thing I've observed when it comes to keeping your adult friends near after having children is keeping the alcohol flowing. Do that and still eat out at restaurants and your adult friends will stay. Promise.
Which is why I was excited to get invited to a day of wine tasting with my pal Nish and his son. His son is just over a year old and really hasn't developed much of a palate yet, but hey, give it time, Auntie Stacks will get her way soon enough.
When we arrived, on what was truly a most perfect Sonoma day, I really liked the sign that proudly boasted FAMILY FUN HAD HERE. That is a good start with a mumbling baby in the backseat. When we parked I instantly spotted a chocolate lab sprawled out in the sun. I would like to say for the record that in my next life, I would like to be this dog, cuz man does he have it good. Chillin in the sun at a winery with tons of people stopping to pet him, hello, sign me up!
We then walked out back and saw the Bocce ball set and the horseshoe toss and it had all the makings of a fine afternoon. From there it was off to purchase a few bottles of Meritage and we spent the afternoon lolligagging through the day and it was definitely a delight.
What I loved most about this place is that they really don't rush you. I've never spent hours at a winery do absolutely nothing before. Yes, we were drinking, so I'm sure they were happy, but it was just a really nice feeling. It definitely feels like a little home away from home. That and the people working here were super personable. I would recommend this if you have kids or not, so check it out on your next wine run.
Beautiful scenery and lots of outdoor tables for a picnic. Our server seemed young but was pretty good and she gave us a discount at the end which we appreciated. The wines were fantastic and very reasonably priced. We loved that this place is not at all pretentious - very laid back atmosphere.
side note: clean restrooms and a little area for kids to play
Wifey was out of town, so it was a boys weekend for me and little Dash. Should I take him to the Academy of Sciences? Nah. The Zoo? Done that. Oh I know, how about wine country!
My friend Kevin J organized a small caravan to visit, and the trip started at Larson Family Winery, where he's a wine club member. Aside from the wines, which were actually really enjoyable (and a good deal at $15-20 a bottle, plus they sell jug wine!), the real draw was the laid back atmosphere.
It's a down home, family affair here, with picnic benches for bringing sandwiches, a full bocce court, horseshoes as well. Dash soaked up some sun, crawled all over the place, almost walked, threw a bocce ball or two, got dirty, petted some dogs (but didn't see the llama!), in general led the good life as far as a 15-month year old goes. We could have stayed for hours... oh wait, we did.
***My winery/tasting room reviews are rated based upon many factors. First is QPR or quality to price ratio of the wine. In other words, is the wine priced according to how good it is. The second factor is the tasting room experience. This involves the staff, grounds and anything unique about the winery.***
Date Visited: Late 2008
Tasting room fee: $5
Wine price range: $14-$35
We came here on a recommendation. Larson Family is more of a rustic tasting experience, just the way I like it. You pull down their dirt road and taste in their new tasting room in the barn. Very nice staff were on hand to pour.
The wines were good, not earth shattering, but their price reflects this. These are everyday wines and I found a couple I really liked. They have gone to mostly screw caps, not my thing exactly but then again for everyday wines this is fine.
They have an assortment of animals here and looks like they offer horseback riding. This would be a welcome break if you stop in during the middle of a day of wine tasting.
I thought that a southern/Texas style winery would be a little quirky and odd, and truth be told I wasn't sure what to expect. Would they even know how to make wine, or should they turn their Californian efforts to inevitably failed barbeque? And the first thing that caught my eye were the funny signs and a random goat on a barrel (you read that correctly).
But truth be told, despite my trepidation, I found this place to be humble, homey, and have great wine. Although not all of them were my favorites, they had a long list of tasting wines for $5 (refundable if you purchase) and my favorites were the first Chardonnay and the Gerwurtz. The Chardonnay was perfectly balanced and the Gerwurtz made me think of sipping summer in a glass. The barnlike atmosphere and nice servers (albeit a bit busy and understaffed) made this one of my favorite places.
Like V. Sattui (one of my favorites over in Napa) you can't buy their wines from stores, which made it feel that much more special. SIX of their first Chardonnay or Gerwurtz were on special for $50, which comes out to less than $10 of solid, good wine. Crazy.
Go in with an open mind and just enjoy what they have.
This may very well be one of my favorite wineries in Carneros...
It reminds me of wineries I've been to in Mendocino county; no frills, kick back atmosphere, and incredibly friendly people. Wineries like this are hard to come by in Sonoma Valley, and impossible in Napa Valley. It's located in an old barn, and you have to drive down a dirt road to get there. Once you arrive, expect to see some dogs laying around and horses walking by (apparently they do private horseback rides through the vineyards there). The staff is great, and I have a feeling the guy that was pouring for us may have been pouring for himself as well. This is perfectly okay in my opinion; it makes it all the more fun.
The wine itself was pretty good too. Nothing fancy, but well balanced and flavorful; the whites are perfect summertime wines. Most were all reasonably priced too. The tastings are 5 dollars, but thanks to my industry discount, it was free for me:)
Next time you're in Carneros, do yourself a favor and visit Larson. It's a nice little escape from all the tourist traps in Sonoma and Napa Valleys.
A lone star for this totally odd, Texas-western-style winery complete with massive bullcows, odd covered wagons, and cowboy boots. I was totally entertained by the wild decor and rodeo grounds, but the wine definitely did not entice me. The flavors were young, explosive, and unrefined. It's good if you're looking for strong wines - which was definitely NOT what we wanted. And they were a bit more expensive ($20 - $30) per bottle.
I felt totally out of place except for the fact that I was wearing jeans. But I appeared to be missing the prerequisite cowboy boots, spurs, chaps, lasso, horse, cowboy hat, and gun.
The service was not very good, either; the girl at the counter did not offer any explanation behind the wines, but was very knowledgeable about the New Year's parties in SF.
So, my lone star is for uniqueness. And... 4 deducted for just about everything else.
Here's my thinking: Napa sucks. I've found a total of three Napa wines I enjoy.
Sonoma, on the other hand, rules beyond all belief. I've found so many great wines in Sonoma that I'm seldom worried about trying a new something.
The last time I was in Sonoma, I got a taste at Larson and was pretty impressed. I like my wine sweet, and most of the stuff they poured had at least hints of sweetness that made me happy. The Late Harvest Chardonnay was pricey, but worth every penny. I mean, that stuff is just boss beyond all comprehension. It's made it's way into my Top Ten Wines.
I think I spent thirty minutes petting the ponies in the little pen by the parking lot. Goats too. When I finally was pulled away from the animals outside we headed into the barn for some tasting. Unfortunately I found the wines rather disappointing. Not quite what this lil lady thirsts for. The three overheated and lazy dogs sprawled around the tasting room were a better focus for my attention. I'd come back with others and let them do the tasting while I got in some quality animal time....but if it was a day where I was serious about my wine, I don't think this would be where I would choose to stop.
P.S. Apparently they trained Sea Biscuit here!
This is a very cute winery where the tasting room is a converted barn as this winery used to be home to a rodeo. The reds are very reasonably priced and extremely smooth. The people behind the the tasting room will greet you with a smile and make you feel extremely comfortable. Look out for the three labs on the property they are friendly and you'll want to bring them home to accompany your great bottles of wine you purchase.
Nice little winery in an old barn off the main road in Sonoma. The staff was friendly. I enjoyed their extra virgin olive oil more than any of the wines I tried.
This winery had a llama out by the parking lot. Need I say more? Unlike other wineries in the area, this one has the potential to be family friendly, as they plan to design a petting zoo next to the barn.
The wine is pretty good too, and the bottles are affordable.
We spent a friend's birthday afternoon here. Their tasting is very generous and the people who work there are super helpful. They have bocce ball, and horsehoes on sight as well! It is a fun place to spend a wine country afternoon with some friends and a good bottle of wine.
If I could give this place ten stars, I would. My friends and I, all recently turning 21, are essentially clueless when it comes to the fine art of wine tasting. I previously assumed it was a snobby activity that I'd dislike, but after chatting with the employees here and receiving a crash course in the 5 S's of wine tasting, my opinion has completely changed.
The staff here is beyond helpful, and the atmosphere feels completely authentic (the fact that their tasting room is a modified barn helps). Also, I got to have a visit with Dolly the llama and Spongy the sheep out front. The Larson Family has a bocce ball court and picnic area behind the tasting room that can be used free of charge - gorgeous views, and a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.
I'm still a bit perplexed about all of the rave reviews for Larsons. My sister (a vintner) suggested visiting. So I did. It is definitely as described by other posters: family, rustic... etc. On a funny note, where they have the sign that says "Watch for kamakaze squirrels - " squirrels actually appeared in the road. Hmph!
I was really under impressed by the wines. Either red or white, everything tasted sweet. That's not kosher.
I really loved my experience here. Very friendly down to earth people are running this joint! Years ago, it was my very first wine tasting
Plus- they introduced us to Robledo's Family Winery which we would have never found on our own!
Granted we visited this family winery after Jacuzzi Family Winery (to die for), we were unimpressed from start to finish. The winery is located in what used to be the site of a rodeo, and you can feel it. While the people are extremely kind and I usually enjoy a casual atmosphere, I felt like I should be wearing chaps and spurs and learning to lasso rather than sipping artisan wines. The tasting flight was full of extremely light wines that may serve well with a meal were quite uninteresting on their own. We found ourselves wishing the flight would end. We wanted to like this place because the people were so wonderful, but we left with no desire to return any time soon. If you're looking for a fun, casual place to taste, and have a picnic, this will do, but for the price they charge per bottle (about $20 or more), you're better off at some of the other wineries.
A great family winery with a great sense of humour. When driving in and out of their long dirt driveway, make sure to read the signs hanging from the trees.
Many of the Sonoma wineries did not impress me because they put to much effort into marketing and were filled with the snooty, pretentious people that you stereotypically think go wine tasting.
Larson was small, quiet, beautiful, friendly and had good wine. The people there were friendly and I'm not talking only about the staff. The other patrons were also really nice and my boyfriend and i actually joined a group for a game of lawn bowling out back.
Above all else, the wine was great. I thought that some of the bottles were a bit expensive and weren't quite worth the price. If you are charging $40 for a bottle of wine, it better be one of the best wines I have ever tasted. True, it was good, but not THAT good. Still, all in all, I thought the wine at Larson was the best I had in Sonoma. (Wouldn't pay $40 for it though... but don't worry, there are cheaper things to get that are very good as well.)
Note: if you go to the visitors center and get a "I love Sonoma" sticker and wear it, you will get a 2 for 1 tasting here.
We came in about 5 minutes before closing but the guy behnd the counter was accomodating . The tasting fee was $5 for about 4 wines. Since the bf and I were getting hungry, we asked if they knew any good places to eat around there. They gave us pretty good suggestions and directions back to downtown Sonoma. As a dessert wine enthusiast, I tried the late harvest chardonnay, it tasted deluxe, and the price was deluxe too ($50/350 mlbottle). I think I'll wait until I finish Nursing School to buy a bottle.
stop #2 was one of the better stops of the day. the person pouring (i think her name was molly) was both friendly and helpful, answering questions and giving us a little of their history.
when asked about her personal favorite, molly mentioned the cab. even though it wasn't planned to be included in our tasting, she offered us a try and paired it with the chocolate they also have for sale. it was tasty.
mmm, chocolate.
out back they have horseshoes and bocce ball, as well as a few very cute dogs roaming around.
oh and they have olive oil. looking back i'd say this was definitely my favorite stop of the day. we even talked about yelp!!
This was my second visit here and I couldn't suggest it more highly! The wines are very solid and the prices are totally reasonable. I will no doubt be back. The service, to top it all off - is exceptional.
We loved it here. Most laid back vineyard that we went too....cute dogs running around. They also had a great deal that the tasting was free with a purchase of a bottle. Non-pretentious and good wine!
This is a wonderful, down-to-earth tasting room, in a beautiful setting. Bring a picnic lunch and play some bocci ball after your tasting. They have great picnic tables out back. I can't even tell you how many wines we tried, but I definitely brought home my favorites (the cab franc, the petit sirah, the pinot grigio and the meritage). I love their jug wines as well, for everyday white or red table wines. More than anything, the friendly atmosphere made me a fan. The tastings are free, and the wines are very reasonably priced. I will certainly be back.
Great wine and great staff. Small winery in scale to the others. Beautiful view, felt like I was on a farm. Great deals on select wine in bulk.
friendly, attentive staff...
comfortable setting...
above average wines at gr8 prices...
always make this a stop when I have "out of town" visitors that insist on visiting Napa... (they never insist on Napa again...)
The Larson Family Winery is found off the beaten path of Sonoma only about 30 minutes outside of San Francisco. You may even miss their signs at first but, if you go down the dirt road you'll meet friendly staff who are very knowledgable about their craft, delicious wines that you'll not be able to get enough of, fine chocolate to compliment your tasting, the dali llama, and a super cute dog mascot! Their red and white wines are both smooth and flavorfull and they have a handsome jug of wine that is perfect for anytime! Although this is a small operation, they host wine barrel tasting and harvest festivals as well as some great local wine you'll want to support!
I love this winery. It's rustic and real. Its very much off the beaten path which I love. The back is really pretty with a great stretch of vineyard. The wines were great, especially the port. This winery is the reason you come to Sonoma versus Napa.
I love the atmosphere of this winery. Its easy to miss..down an old country road, but worth it to find it! They have a number of dogs running around the property and even some goats. The tasting room is bright, airy, totally laid back and made for tasting.
This place was suggested by the ever so entertaining and down to earth Schug pourer. We asked him to suggest a good "family winery" in the area. He didn't hesitate to tell us to visit Larson. Great suggestion!!! As we headed down the small country road towards the winery we could see all the funny and creative signs indicating the proximity of the winery itself. We could already sense that these people had a great sense of humor and were down to earth. Once we approached the barn, we noticed the llama and the goats - super cool. Llamas at a winery - I'm sold! We walked into the barn tasting room and I was struck by the view into the vineyards. Absolutely beautiful! After hearing the story of the winery (always more interesting when there are family stories involved), we got into the tasting. While the tasting fee said $5 and had a list of available tastes, the pourer said to ignore that and that he was "just going to pour us the best wines". Loved the place already. We tasted a total of about 6 wines and the tasting fee was waived! All the wines were great but the stand out was their reserve Cabernet. Oh so nice and luscious! I always buy a bottle when leaving a winery I like and that I know is not trying to rip you off with a bottle of wine that is expensive just by the virtue of the name. So I got the Cab - we had it later that night - still damn good! This is truly a family winery and you get the family treatment. This place is the anti-Napa, completely unpretentious and truly family style. This place rocks!
Great place to go with your family. They have the wine club which gives its members finger food and wine. Once you pass the wine tasting area, there is a small grassy area. On the weekend, there is a bouncy house for kids from 12pm-3pm. There is about 6 picnic tables overlooking the vineyard. Nice winery, very good for the family. I went with my boyfriend and I think it would have been more romantic going to a different winery for a couples gettaway. But overall, Larson Family winery was very nice and cozy. I would definitely go back!
