Chalk Hill Winery

10300 Chalk Hill Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Website: https://www.chalkhill.com/

Chalk Hill winery gets its name from the AVA in which it is located.  It is one of the 13 Sonoma AVAs sandwiched between the cooler Russian River Valley and warmer Alexander Valley.  Situated within an amphitheater surrounded by hills, the AVA was so named because of the chalk-covered layer of volcanic ash beneath the topsoil.  The distinctive location as well as the variation in soil and climate allow for the production of both white and red varietals. Chalk Hill Winery stands out for the stunning views surrounded by hills.  The original owner Fred Furth was a class action attorney who discovered the property in 1972 while flying over it. He saw the potential for a work-class winery. Fred was able to build up a premium brand.  In 2010 at the age of 78 he sold to Bill Foley, current proprietor. The winery is now part of Foley Family Wine Estates who own more than a dozen wineries up and down the west coast. The family’s portfolio includes Foley Johnson and Kuleto in Napa; Lancaster, Roth, and the historic Sebastiani in Sonoma; and other well-known names including Chalone, Firestone, and Acrobat.

This winery is somewhat secluded on the 1,300 acres of property.  The drive to the winery winds around the vineyards. The winery stands out atop a double flight of stone steps.  There is an equestrian theme to the property. The exterior of the tasting room and pavilion complex reminded of the fancy paddocks you see at the Kentucky Derby.  In front is a large patio with tables and umbrellas for outdoor tastings. At the entrance is an impressive set of glass doors that are at least 12 feet tall.

A private tasting room at Chalk Hill Winery

There is a an immediate sense of elegance upon walking inside.  Beyond the glass doors was a lobby that was arranged like a sitting room with high vaulted ceilings. There was a rustic chandelier, a couple of small couches with starburst gold mirrors on the walls, and a round wood table in the center with some wine gifts.  To the right of that space were glass doors leading to a private room. It looked like someone’s dining room with a dark wood table and chairs, a couch in the corner, and a chandelier hanging from the center that looked like a sphere with candles in the middle.  The atmosphere to me felt like an upper-class southern home.

Chalk Hill Tasting Room

The tasting room was located to the left of the lobby.  It reminded me of a library. There were stone tile floors, tall white shelves all around, a dark wood round table and chairs in center, and a couple more sphere shaped chandeliers.  The entire room had earth tones. To add to the homey feel, there were a few lamps, a couch, and a dark wood round table with chairs in the center. The tasting bar was located in the back of the room.  It blended in with the rest of the room. The tasting bar itself was cozy, comfortably accommodating a couple small groups at a time. Our host was friendly, but I felt like she was pushing the wines a little too much.

My husband and I did the typical Estate tasting inside the tasting room.  The price was reasonable considering their offering of premium wines. Guests can also make reservations for tours of the estate or culinary pairings.  They offer luncheons or dinners for groups created by the onsite chef. Chalk Hill is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Those were my favorite wines of the tasting.  I also got to try a Pinot Noir and Malbec. Beyond that, the winery produces Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and a couple other varietals. Many of the wines have received over 90 points from wine magazines.  I did find the wines to be a bit pricey. The lowest priced is Sauvignon Blanc at around $30. The rest of wines are above $40 with reds mostly in the $80-90 range.

This property is pretty stunning.  One of the most stunning features is the pavilion made almost entirely of glass from the exterior.  Large private events are hosted in the pavilion. The rest of the 1,300 acres make up the vineyards, winery, culinary garden, stables, equestrian pavilion, fishing and swimming ponds, sport fields, guest houses, and residence.  The winery clearly has a lot to offer. The views from the front of the winery were my favorite part. I appreciated the wines, but the overall atmosphere didn’t totally click for me. I felt it was a little “stuffy”. Although, I do wonder if I would have had a better experience if we chose to do the tasting outside.