Foppiano Winery and Tasting Room
12707 Old Redwood Hwy, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Website: http://www.foppiano.com/
Foppiano Vineyards is one of the oldest, continuously operated family owned wineries in Sonoma Valley. It was founded by Giovanni Foppiano in 1896 and survived the Prohibition years. Since 1896, there have been six generations of Foppianos who have grown grapes and made wine here. This history is the reason why I decided to stop into the winery.
A Northwestern Pacific caboose at Foppiano Vineyards
The winery is located off the Old Redwood Highway in the Russian River Valley. Pulling into the winery felt like I was arriving at a farm house. The parking area was only big enough for a few cars. Off to one side was a red shed with a pick-up truck parked beneath the attached car port. On the opposite side was an old Northwest Pacific train car. Beyond the train car is a wide open field of vines with mountains forming a beautiful backdrop to the vineyard.
As one might expect, the inside of the tasting room is simple. Straight ahead of the entrance is a basic wooden bar with a few wine bottles on display behind it. There are some family pictures and other memorabilia on the walls of the tasting room. They also had some maps of the Sonoma Wine Trail and a pamphlet for a self-guided walk through the vineyard. I paid a $10 tasting fee to try 4-5 wines that is refundable with a $25 wine purchase. They have other offerings like a wine a cheese pairing, boxed picnic lunches, and tours of the vineyard. Foppiano is widely recognized for their Petite Sirah that has been planted on the property for over 100 years and they had a few different vintages on the tasting menu. I also sampled a Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, and Pinot Noir. This place was a nice, quick stop on the way to the wineries further north, and I can now say I experienced a piece of Sonoma County history.
The view at Foppiano Vineyards