The entrance to Joseph Swan Vineyards

2916 Laguna Rd, Forestville, CA 95436

Website: http://www.swanwinery.com/

Joseph Swan Vineyards is a small family owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Joseph Swan was known as a pioneer of Pinot Noir, although he had no affiliation with wine during his early career. He started his career as a pilot and trained other military pilots during World War II. He then went on to become a commercial airline pilot in the 1950s. That was the time when he began experimenting with wine in his home. He and his wife loved wine and began farming a 10-acre vineyard in Sonoma County in 1967. The winery was founded in 1969. Swan focused on using the European style to produce wine and introduced some techniques for producing Pinot Noir and Zinfandel that were not well-known in California back then but have since become commonplace. Unfortunately Joe grew ill from cancer in 1988 and passed away in 1989 at the age of 74. Today the winery is run by Lynn Swan Berglund, daughter of Joseph Swan, and her husband Rod Berglund. Rod worked with Joe before his passing.

This winery is truly an example of a small family run business. They have kept their production small throughout the years and are not widely distributed outside the winery and its wine club. To give a sense for the atmosphere, at the entrance to the winery is a small sign made from a piece of wood with “Joseph Swan Vineyards” carved into it hanging from a wooden post. The parking lot fits a few cars with the vineyard immediately to the right. Walking into the tasting room felt like walking into someone’s garage or a warehouse. Outside the entrance are some fermentation tanks.

Joseph Swan Tasting Room

The tasting area is filled with barrels and boxes of wine. There is a small tasting area on the left side that fits about 4 people standing side-by-side. Our server was very friendly and took his time explaining each wine. This winery focuses on Pinot Noir and old vine Zinfandel, but they also produce a myriad of other wines, including several Chardonnays, Pinot Gris, a dry Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and a Tannat (the first I have ever seen in Sonoma). I have seen many accolades for their wines in Wine Enthusiast.

Give this winery a try if you want to experience a real, small family run winery. This is what really draws me to Sonoma. I would definitely recommend trying the Pinot Noirs and Zinfandel because that is what they are known for. If you have a partner with you, it would be worth sharing two tastings to sample the entire selection. The one thing to keep in mind with this tasting room is that their hours are limited to Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment on Mondays, so plan ahead for your visit.