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Lynmar Estate Winery
Rating Details »
Categories: Wineries, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
3909 Frei RoadSebastopol, CA 95473
(707) 829-3374
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
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"I have not been SOOO excited about a winery find, like ever!! For those that know me, let me put it all in perspective for you: This place…" read more »
30 reviews for Lynmar Estate Winery
One of the best wineries I have been to ever!
Delicious wine, food pairing option, garden, tables to picnic, customer service from Bill. Everything was amazing.
Our party of 9 used our Visa signature cards to get receive the discount on the tastings and enjoyed the bite size food pairings.
We wandered around the garden and property and ate our picnic lunch down in the grove. Lynmar requires a group of 4 eating on the property to purchase 1 bottle, our group bought 3.
After lunch we bought more of the Hawk Hill to bring home and received the case discount for buying so much.
Pompous, poor management. If your business is deserted for the day, try to be somewhat flexible for the few customers in there. Our party of nine was not allowed to picnic at any of the 30 empty tables outside, and told to go off yonder to far wet picnic tables, "policy" we were told as she placed our glasses for tasting, sorry, can't be pompous and get our business. We were the only nine in there. Good management knows when to adapt.
Classic example of the negative aspects of outsourcing your management
This place is worth it, if just for the awesome tasting experience. You actually get to sit down in their amazing garden and they bring the wine out to you. Beautiful.
We have been members for about 4 years. Great Pinot and Chardonnay and an all around great tasting experience. Very relaxed environment with comfortable outdoor seating as well as floor to ceiling glass windows that just make for a relaxing, nice time. We only make it up about twice a year, but they hold on to our shipments so we don't have to pay for shipping.
I have absolutely loved Lynmar Pinots since I discovered them back in 2001 or 2002. Two years ago, on a trip to the Russian River, we asked one of the tasting room guys for some recommendations of places to stop by and he said Lynmar. To which I responded, "but they're not open to the public." That's when I found out that they had just built a beautiful tasting room.
Really, this place is great. Beautifully decorated and appointed with a fireplace for the rainy days and comfortable outside couches with beautiful views and immaculate landscaping for the sunny days.
Yes, it's new, yes it's geared towards tourists, but it's really enjoyable. If you want to do an old-school tasting in a converted single car garage, cruise over to Porter Creek.
And I too have big problems with beautiful tourist oriented facilities pouring mediocre wines, but IMO a facility like this is necessary to do the wines justice. The reserve tasting runs $25, but they'll knock $10 off if you choose to skip the nibbles they offer (we had just eaten minutes before so took advantage of this). So at $15 for the reserve you're definitely getting your money's worth.
The one thing that shocked me a little was the increase in prices...something I noted at most of the wineries this trip. While Lynmar has never been a "value" producer, my favorite all time California Pinot has been their 5 Sisters. The current release is going for $100 per bottle! I think 2 years ago, the last time I picked some up it was like $65.
Bottom line though, Lynmar is an absolute must visit if you're heading up to RRV.
Bambie's favorite pinot noir winery in Sonoma County. Elegant vintages. Smooooth...
In the summertime the tasting patio is one of the loveliest views in the county.
Open your wallet for the premier level tasting flight, it's well worth the time and price.
I came here again recently. And, I have to say ... to sit at a private table in their garden and enjoy your wine tasting flight unhurriedly is a truly heavenly experience.
I love this place! Pricey but worth every penny!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/30/2007
This is definitely one of the most civilized tasting rooms I have ever visited. Other wineries… Read more »
Way cool place with wines that actually have a sense of place, and don't taste like a barrel and winemakers ego in a glass. The exception being the high-end Pinot which was too toasty for my preference. The syrah was also a big miss. Very vegetal, need to do a better with that one in the vineyard.
Overall a 'must visit' on a wine tour.
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Everything growing is flawless and abundant. The staff was friendly and down to earth. The weather was perfection. The wines very good. Yes, it's expensive, but worth it. I love that you can do your tasting outside, though the inside was sleek, natural and sexy as well. I'm totally coming back to do the food & wine pairing, though next time I'll remember to keep my elbows off the table. I was pulling splinters out for a day.
Been to Lynmar twice, and I agree with some comments on both sides of the fence.
The main reason I love Sonoma, and especially Russian River, are the down to earth wineries, wine makers and lack of limos full of cackling clueless peeps.
I swoon when I find a small winery that the winemaker or spouse is often present, and pouring , has a quality product, the tasting room is small, sometimes in the warehouse, and their dog plays with mine.
When I first walked into Lynmar I did a bit of a double take - its a bit more pretentious than I care for. But they weren't snooty, the place is well done, the grounds are gorgeous, and the wines are high quality, I have bought both times. Its a great place to end or start a wine tasting day on. Yes $10 is expensive, but I hold firm I'd rather pay at 3-4 wineries and drink quality product. You'll pay that for a so so Shiraz at your happy hour hipster hangout. :p
Beautiful grounds, informative staff and the best Pinot's in area. The 5 Sisters is pricey but worth it. Pizza and Pinot events are fun. The garden area outback provides a very calm setting for you and guests while tasting-
The fine wines here teeter between Chards and Pinots. The wines are bold and vibrant, like Grace Jones riding a chariot to Kermit's ribbit rhythm; and unfortunately, with the absurd Strange' price tag.
This is my second time visiting. The first time, I would give 6 stars if it were possible! We had such a great time. The wines and atmosphere were unbelievably stunning! There is nothing like sitting in the garden on a warm, fall afternoon sipping wine and playing with the friendly dog. We just had lunch, so we came just for the wine and the ambience.
On our second visit, we also tasted the syrah...loved it so much we each bought a bottle! I was a little disappointed that we couldn't break out the cheese we brought...and unless you pony up for the pairings menu ($25 per person), there is no other food available, and definitely no picnicking allowed. I'm a bit of a light weight, so drinking wine on an empty stomach definitely had me schnockered. Good thing I had my designated drivers with me and they weren't taken a back by being kicked off the patio couches.
I am definitely a fan and will visit again...but I will make sure to eat before coming.
Loved this place enough on one go that I became a member instantly. Why you ask?
First, it is a small, boutique winery with top-flight wines (some of the New World's best chard and pinot, done in more of a Burgundy than California style--my preference, and yours, if you go here), characterful architecture/interior and grounds. The bathroom has mosaic-like blue tiles, for instance. The internal wine library is a room within a room with clear glass walls so guests can peer inside it. That's visible from the tasting room. There are also great outdoor spots to lounge and drink from. Probably the most chic, yet chill and relaxing wine room I've been to since Domaine Chandon.
Second, it has a garden outside where one can wander and nibble on the likes of alpine strawberries (the most tasty fruit on the friggin' earth, it melts in your mouth after an initial tangy attack of acid and crunchy seeds), cherry tomatoes (i don't know which variety, but am-AZING), chocolate basil, and other unique herbs and vegetables for your palate to orgasm on.
Third, its owners and staff are professional yet friendly, and very ambitious. They're looking to elevate Lynmar, already an excellent winery w/ a great rep, to an even more prominent level. Join 'em for the ride.
Fourth, yeah, the ambiance can strike the easily intimidated as snooty, but they serve their wine in Riedel Burgundy glasses, and you can sit at large, round tables to partake. Awesome deal after a long day of fighting for space at a tasting room bar like a horse in an overcrowded stable. Snoot or stable? Your choice. (And not really snoot, if you TALK to the allegedly snooty snoots. They treated me totally seriously and chatted pleasantly about the wines, what my friend was planning to cook me for dinner, and the awesome supermarket in my 'hood that one of them knew about. I'm almost 30 but I look 18, acc. to many friends and colleagues frank enough to tell me.)
Last, I'm waiting still to get onto exclusive WS lists that shan't be named. It takes time. For now and hopefully forever, Lynmar, I love you
Nice new, modern, spacious room. The other visitors were a little more of the polos, loafers, and pinky rings crowd than we are, which might contribute to the snooty feeling that some people have referenced. We really enjoyed sitting down at a large table in a nice chair to do some wine tasting. It's not hard to settle in and relax here. The hostess brings the wines and pours at the table.
We did the $10 estate tasting; 2 chards, 2 pinots. Both chards, 2005, were excellent. The Russian River Valley was a little fruitier. The Quail Hill was creamier with a rounder mouth feel. I am not a huge fan of pinots but the Quail Hill was well balanced and had big flavor.
Visited late on a Saturday. We did get tasting notes and they were more than happy to discuss the wines with us. Be sure to visit the garden. We went home with a bottle of chard and will definitely go back again.
My boyfriend and I did the $25 tasting of one chard and three pinots yesterday. The location is amazingly beautiful--you do your tasting in a lovely garden. They serve delicious food pairings with the wine. All wonderful. The '07 La Sereinite Chard was delicious--truly. But at $70 a bottle, a bit out of price range. We were underwhelmed by the Pinots, though. Worth a stop--if not for the scenery alone.
What a phenomenal winery. Very modern main building... reminded me of places I visited in Australian wine country, which tends to be more modern since it is newer. A refreshing change from all the others which can begin to seem cookie cutter.
The tasting setup is very luxurious... tables, couches and outdoor seating, including picnic tables as well. The area is surrounded by a heavenly garden composed of both edibles and flowers. They have a commercial kitchen which does food and wine pairings for $45 Wed - Sun. I'd love to go back and try it out sometime.
These weren't the best wines I had on my visit to the area, but it was the best setting/experience so I would still highly recommend a trip to Lynmar.
Very nice, reasonably priced rose! Lovely gardens / picnic area.
I love tasting in the Russian River area because it feels more like the Sonoma of 10 years ago. Dark damp tasting rooms lined with wine barrels, and the winemaker himself is there to hang out with you and tell you about his wine philosophy. Wine tasting is free and everybody is there to celebrate the joy that is good wine. Lynmar is NOT that.
Lynmar is new-school fancy wine tasting and seemed a little pretentious to me. If your idea of a perfect wine tasting day involves a limousine picking you up from your loft in the Marina, this is the place your driver should take you and you'll have a lovely time. The garden is stunningly magnificently beautiful, and you'll be happy and comfortable sipping from elegant Reidel glasses. It was all very classy, but it felt too formal. $10 per person bought us 4 tastes: two chardonnays, a pinot noir, and a syrah. They brought us our wine and left us alone. There weren't any tasting notes, the woman that poured the wine was friendly enough, but only stayed long enough to pour and didn't tell us anything about the wine. It was just the two of us sitting on the lovely patio drinking wine and enjoying the view.
It's clear that there are lots of folks that enjoy this kind of wine tasting, and if you're the right type, this winery will please you to no end. It's just not my style. It all felt too sterile, too manufactured, and definitely too formal. I would not recommend this place to most of my friends.
If you do visit, bring some cheese and bread with you and make this your picnic spot. The garden really is gorgeous.
Not that I'm the most experienced wine-taster, but I loved this place and was very impressed with their wine. The garden is gorgeous, complete with strawberries and raspberries to pick while you taste.
The La Serenite Chardonnay blew all of our minds, as did the Five Sisters Pinot.
Next time though, I hope to see their newly constructed cave, which I have heard is amazing, but unfortunately couldn't get in to see.
I can't say enough about this winery. Amazing wines. Amazing staff. Amazing views. Wonderful gardens. All of their wines are ...lucious and elegant. They specialize in Chardonnay and Pinot and for good reason. We have belonged to many wine clubs over the years and end up cancelling many, but i would never consider cancelling Lynmar. They are not dog friendly but you can sit out at one of the picnic tables with them...and they are more than happy to serve you out there. They also do food pairing if you call 2 days in advance. Worth the trip!
Cool winery in the Russian River area -
Quite fond of thier architecture and gardens - thier wines are just so - so.
Bring a picnic basket order thier wine tasting flight for 10 bux - you wont be dissappointed.
What a find!!! A beautiful spot to picnic! I especially liked that we were given the option to pick fruits and veggies from their garden to add to our lunch! Our group was large and on a time crunch, so we missed out on getting to really take in the grounds. I will definitely be back to enjoy the garden and delicious chardonnay again. I'm not typically a chard person (I could do without that California oakey/buttery/smuttery business), but Lynmar's was crisp, clean and lovely. Almost as lovely as the staff. Thanks for the great experience!
This was my favorite winery of our Sonoma day. The wines were very good and the winery provides you with a nice explanation of each. They also brought out a sixth complementary wine to taste as we enjoyed leisurely conversation at a table on their patio outside. The staff were appropriately attentive and the winery itself was lovely, inside and out.
Stopped in on a Saturday afternoon for a wine tasting, and had a great experience. The atmosphere is amazing. The tasting room is light and airy, with big doors opening to the outside. There are numerous little areas to sit and taste with friends - some tables in the garden, some tables on the patio, a little porch-like setting with couches, a living room like area inside - lots to choose from depending on what type of ambiance you want. We sat in the garden, which was warm and sunny and really nice. They have a tasting flight for $10, which buys 4 tastes. It was laid back and the people there were really nice. I'd highly recommend it for a relaxed tasting experience.
What I like about Lynmar is that you pick out a spot to sit in their garden or patio and then they serve you a flight of wine (4 types of wine). So basically you get almost 2 glasses of wine for the $10 tasting fee. And I like that they hand you the tasting notes, talk to you a bit then leave you alone. You can then just stare at their vineyards and soak in the sun and relax. I think it is great. Their wines are pricey and they typically only have Chard and Pinot Noir. If you are a wineclub member then you can call 24 hrs in advance and book a wine/food pairing appt for you and a guest. The food is great and they have their own chef onsite. Definitely an upscale winery but worth the cost in my opinion. And they don't chintz on the glasses - serve their wine straight up in reidel.
this is my favorite winery in california...so that probably means the world. my wife and i have been a part of their club for a few years and we LOVE to go there. the tasting room is super nice and cozy...lots of wood and leather furniture -- ultra classy. the grounds are riduculously awesome - sweet gardens, terrific views.
they kill it every time.
Beautiful tasting room, gardens, views and wines. Staff was friendly, welcoming, very knowledgeable and witty.
Four of us did a food and wine paring that was spot on. It's just a few bites of interesting combinations paired to each wine to good effect.
Our favorite wines were the Quail Hill Chardonnay 2005 and the Lynmar Syrah 2005.
The wines are excellent, but what really makes this place cool is the atmosphere. They have an outside seating area, and will serve you the tasting out there, a nice break from standing at counters. It is very pleasant, with comfortable wicker couches with cushions on the porch, looking out onto their hillside vineyard, as well as some tables.
Also, they serve you all of the wines in the tasting simultaneously, in separate glasses, so that you can compare them side by side. And the extensive tasting notes, a full page for each wine with a description of the growing season etc. etc., are fun to geek out on.
All and all, a contender for the most enjoyable wine-tasting experience I've had anywhere.
this has become one of my favorite wineries to visit in the russian river valley area. it's just beautiful. you sit outside (overlooking the view of their vineyard) and talk among your friends while enjoying good wine (pinor noir is pretty good there). make sure to include this one in your itinerary for wine tasting in the russian river valley. :)
