Author Archives: Cathy Gartley

Williams Selyem

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Williams Selyem

Williams Selyem

7227 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Website: http://www.williamsselyem.com/

Williams Selyem has become a favorite stop for my husband and me over the past few years. As a fan of Pinot Noir, I think their wines are outstanding! This winery, however, is not officially opened to the public. They provide tastings and tours for mailing list members only. What first drew me to this winery is all of the accolades I read over and over again in Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator magazine. Since I visit Sonoma every year, I went online to find out more about the winery and learned that you need to be on a mailing list to get their wines. There is no cost or obligation to be on the list, so I put my name on the waiting list. Not too long later I was notified that I was added to the list. Being a mailing list member entitles me to a select allocation of their acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay twice a year and the opportunity to visit the winery with up to 6 guests. There is no obligation to buy, but I heard that the more purchases I make the better allocation I get over time. I might have lucked out on the timing of getting onto the waiting list. It seemed almost too easy, and it was well worth the short wait.

The name Williams Selyem is a combination of the two friends Ed Selyem and Burt Williams who came together to start making wine out of their garage on weekends as a hobby in the 1970s. They officially started the winery in 1981 and named it Hacienda del Rio. The first wine released with the Williams Selyem label was in 1984. Soon after that with the 1985 vintage from the Rochioli vineyard, Williams Selyem started winning awards for the top rated Pinot Noir and quickly became known worldwide. In 1998, Burt and Ed sold the winery to the current owner John Dyson and his wife Kathe. They also own Millbrook Winery in Hudson Valley, NY. John’s mantra since he took over ownership has been to continue with the hand-crafted approach of the original owners. He has maintained partnerships with some of the best grape growers in the region like Rochioli, Precious Mountain, and Bacigalupi. In 2007, Williams Selyem received the highest acclaim for the Litton Estate Pinot Noir from Wine Enthusiast rating the wine 100 points, making it the first Pinot Noir in North America to receive the highest score from a major wine publication. Between 2006 and 2010 the Dyson’s built the new state-of-the art winery. Then in 2011, their winemaker Bob Cabral was named winemaker of the year. He has now turned over the reins to winemaker Jeff Mangahas who continues to carry on the style the winery is known for.

Williams Selyem Tasting Room

Williams Selyem Tasting Room

This winery is now on my must stop in list each time I visit Sonoma. The winery is located on Westside Road amongst other well-known Pinot Noir pioneers like Gary Farrell and J. Rochioli. My favorite part of visiting the winery is the private tasting experience that includes some of their library wines. The first time I visited I sampled a 1999 Chardonnay that was such a surprise. Considering most California Chardonnays are meant to be drunk within a year or two, it was amazing to try this Chardonnay that was still very drinkable. It demonstrated nutty, popcorn characteristics that are expected in an aged white. The Pinot Noirs are also meant to be aged, even though they are quite drinkable young. They will only get better with time.   They also have great, deeply fruity Zinfandel. On each occasion that I visited, a staff member greeted us at the door and brought us to a designated table set up just for my husband and me. Our guides have been incredibly knowledgeable about the wines and were able to tailor our tasting to the type of wine we are interested in. Then they took us through a short tour of the bottling area and vineyard. The experience is pretty low key but so memorable at the same time because the staff does such a good job of expressing all of the heart and soul that goes into the wines.

I definitely recommend seeking out these wines if you are a Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, or Chardonnay fan. Don’t be afraid to go onto the website and sign up for the mailing list. I think you’ll be glad you joined!

The vineyards at Williams Selyem

The vineyards at Williams Selyem

Flora Springs

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Entrance to The Room at Flora Springs in St. Helena

677 St Helena Hwy, St Helena, CA 94574

Website: https://www.florasprings.com/

Located on busy Highway 29 in St. Helena, it’s hard to believe that Flora Springs’ tasting room is part of a historic ghost winery that has existed since before Prohibition. The modern exterior is so architecturally unique that it is difficult to explain. The tasting room which the winery simply calls “The Room” sits inside the wavy, irregular shaped stucco structure painted with tan stripes. There is an archway in the center that looks like an opening to a cave with glass doors leading into the tasting room. There is a painting of a woman (whom I thought looked like a Greek goddess or muse) reaching for grapes on each side of the entryway. The image is meant to represent owner Flora Komes.  This same iconic figure is on the winery sign inviting visitors passing along Highway 29 and the wine label. The interior of the tasting room is bright and fun. To the left of the room is a long, curvy wine bar with dangling red lights overhead and wine bottles encased in lit-up boxes behind the bar. In the center of the room to the right is a separate hallway-like area with a long table that is set with chairs and wine glasses for private tastings. At the end of the wine bar, opposite from the entrance, are some stools and a couple of computers. The space reminded me of a mini-internet café. The fun continues outdoors to the Vineyard Courtyard picnic area and Rooftop Lounge where guests can sit and take in the surrounding vineyards.

Private tasting area at Flora Springs' Tasting Room

Private tasting area at Flora Springs’ Tasting Room

There are a couple of reasons why I am a fan of this winery. First, I feel it has a good story to tell. The property was purchased by Jerry and Flora Komes in 1977. Jerry was in the construction business in San Francisco and Flora was a nurse. After many years of traveling all around the U.S. and overseas as part of Jerry’s work, the two of them were looking for a place to “kick off their boots”. They came upon this neglected ghost winery that was built before Prohibition by a couple of Scottish brothers. Flora had a love for gardening and fell in love with the property from the first time she saw it. When they purchased the property they had no intentions of starting a winery, and Flora claims she rarely drank wine. Their children saw the potential for making wine and convinced their parents to start a winery. The winery is now run by Jerry and Flora’s children and grandchildren. The name comes from owner Flora and for the natural springs on the winery property.

The second reason I really like this winery is because I think it has a fun atmosphere. The modern artistry makes it feel upbeat and the staff was very friendly. When our server saw I was taking notes on the wines and I mentioned I keep a journal on all the wineries I’ve been to he gave me some labels to take home with me. The outdoor area really made me feel very at ease. Besides the typical tasting, The Room offers food and wine pairings, box lunches or picnics in the courtyard, and private VIP tastings in the Lounge Cave Room. Guests could also venture a little ways down the road to The Estate and get a tour of the historic ghost winery and have lunch in the caves. Overall, I enjoyed the wines and was very pleased by the winery.

Outdoor patio behind Flora Springs Tasting Room

Outdoor patio behind Flora Springs Tasting Room

Nicholson Ranch Winery

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Nicholson Ranch atop a hill in Carneros

Nicholson Ranch atop a hill in Carneros

4200 Napa Road, Sonoma, CA, 95476

Website: http://www.nicholsonranch.com/

My husband and I have driven by this winery over a dozen times traveling back and forth between Napa and Sonoma Valley.  Before we decided to visit I kept thinking to myself “I wonder what this place is all about?  Is it owned by someone famous like Jack Nicholson?”  Perhaps that sounds silly but there are lots of celebrities who are producing their own wine nowadays.  One of the benefits of this winery is that it is open until 6 p.m.  Most other wineries shut down around 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. For this reason we decided to stop into the winery for one last tasting of the day as we were driving back to our hotel in Napa.

Lakeside seating area at Nicholson Ranch

Lakeside seating area at Nicholson Ranch

From the outside, the term “ranch” was very suitable for this establishment.  The sun was beginning to set as we arrived making the view of the winery and the surrounding hills picturesque.  Off to the left we could see the vineyard leading to the hills in the background.  There were a few people sitting at a table under an umbrella sipping wine near the lake.  The lake is home to a number of birds and fish.  When the wind blew, we smelled the very fresh and almost overwhelming scent of goats.  Also adding to the “ranch” environment, the winery has a Redwood Terrace where visitors can sit and drink wine while absorbing the incredible views of the surrounding countryside.

Tasting room at Nicholson Ranch

Tasting room at Nicholson Ranch

After taking in the country atmosphere outside, I was surprised by the contemporary tasting room inside.  Immediately upon walking through the front doors, there is a rectangular shaped tasting bar with sleek counter tops that fills the center of the room.  The room is an open concept with an art gallery on the second floor.  Lights hang down from the high ceiling but the room is lit mostly by the natural light coming in through the huge windows that reach from floor to ceiling.  The staff was very welcoming and more than happy to serve us as they were nearing the end of the day.  Our server even offered to give us a brief tour of the art gallery upstairs that contains a rotating exhibit of works from local artists.

This place is worth a stop for people passing by.  If the weather is nice, I would suggest taking some time to relax outside by the lake and enjoy the scenery and some good wine.  Just try to avoid sitting down wind from the goats.