Looking for more elegant Californian wines. Which are your favorite on this list?

by b1ackfyre

21 Comments

  1. While I understand what the map tries to convey. 14% and low alc (for wines) is abit of an oxymoron now isent it? Iam think more of 11.5 and below if actually talking lower abv stuff no?

  2. Corison is the only wine club I am a member of. I also like Hanzell quite a lot.

  3. Schramsberg and Reeve. Frog’s Leap is ok. Gloria Ferrar has a great view from its patio

  4. sid_loves_wine

    Arnot-Roberts reigns king for the elegant CA style imo. A few others I personally love: Pax, Failla, Lioco, Dunn.

    I would also call a few other producers very “elegant” even if their wines sometimes reach higher ABV- Hartford Family for example.

  5. neutral-barrels

    Arnot Roberts, Corison, Gloria Ferrer, Hanzell, Idlewild, Leo Steen, Matthiasson, Pax,Two Shepherds. Everyone on that list is legit though. Some producers are on there are more classical in style and others are more low intervention or natural. And you have producers doing Cab and Coastal Pinot Noir to others making Grenache, Trousseau, Carignan and Italian varietals, plus the sparkling producers, so it will come down to what your after in your wine.

  6. So many favorites!

    Arnot-Roberts

    Cobb (personal favorite pinot producer. Love his rice spivak and docs ranch vineyards in particular)

    Hirsch

    Idlewild (favorite Italian producer in Sonoma… maybe)

    Littorai (most respected producer by industry folks i spoke with in Willamette Valley)

  7. CrazyLoucrazy

    Arnot Roberts. Cobb. Pax. Corison. Hanzell. Leo Steen. Poe. Scribe. Ryme.

    They are all super solid. Have visited them all. As well as selling them

  8. Sad-Lecture6340

    Morgen Long makes a pretty balanced Chardonnay. Has some resemblance with Bourgogne style I’d say

  9. MorgenPOW

    You’re missing the top players on the West Sonoma Coast: Peay, Littorai, Radio Coteau, Occidental etc… These producers are arguably making the best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah in the whole state.