Nicholson Ranch LLC — Attraction in Sonoma

I will avoid this winery in the future. I am Bay Area resident and go wine tasting a couple times a year for special occasions. Usually you pay a nominal fee $10 - 20 for a tasting of 5+ wines and there are a few bottles not on the list that are open and the winery would like to share. The staff or wine maker are excited to tell you about the character of the wine based on where it was grown, the weather that year, etc. Tasting fees are often waived with purchase of a bottle --- NOT at this place!

This place felt like a tourist trap. The tasting was $30 for six wines. My wife and I shared one and decided we'd get a bottle if we liked what we tried and see of they would waive the fee. The server was not knowledgable about the wines and smarmy. He seemed to bragging about his scholastic achievement (it was not that impressive). He actually looked at my wife and said "can I teach you something young lady" and told her that she shouldn't drink water between tastings. She had asked for a oyster cracker or something to clear her pallet and they had none - water was the next best thing. We were trying to decide between the two Pinot Noirs on the list. The server had mixed them up at one point and we were trying to decide which bottle to take. She was annoyed.

We bought the bottle of the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir the fee was not waived. I was hoping for a nice romantic treat after visiting an old family friend in Sonoma, instead I left feeling insulted...

We were trying to stop for wine tasting on a whim as we were in the area visiting a friend. The winery was a little routy but it was later in the day and often tour busses take over on the weekends. The offending group was moving on, so we decided to stay for a tasting. We got situated and were carded.

Handing my card back to me and the server said "thank you young lady." I'm 33, young, but older than him and most of people in the room. I have seen waiters try to charm my grandmother by calling her young lady. I shook off this pale attempt at humor. It would not be notable but he persisted in calling be young lady until the end of the tasting saying it no fewer than 15 times. He then tried to school me about diluting my pallet with water. He said do it between glasses but not sips. I was actually switching wines as we were revisiting Pinots to decide which I would like to purchase. When he continued to go on about the water, like insisted, I explained this and he reacted "we are here to teach, young lady."

The server was a tool, but the wine - the wine was good. The tastings were over priced, the atmosphere was similar to a frat house. Unless that is what you are going for, I'd skip it. Or maybe make a reservation and avoid the self-important former wrestling scholarship holding, Econ major who graduated from Cal. We never exchanged names but he did share a bit about himself with...

I’ve visited Nicholson Ranch twice (once in 2011 and once in 2019) and had a great experience both times. Friendly staff and delicious Old World style wines. We showed up just as they were closing this time, unfortunately, but they were kind enough to give us a free pour of their 2013 Pinot Noir and let us wander around the grounds. Thanks!

1h 10min from SoMa (45 mi) No Reservations Needed Open Daily, 10am-6pm

$20 / person tasting for 4 Estate wines in Tasting Room $40 / person tasting for 6 Estate and Reserve wins in the Courtyard $40 / person cave tour and 6 tastings (Reservation Required) $30 / person Lakeside tasting of four Estate wines with vineyard tour (Reso req’d)

Pros: Convenient location right off Highway 12 Open later than most wineries (closes at 6pm) The wines are very good, Old World-style wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Very friendly and knowledgeable servers Beautiful views of the surrounding Carneros region Picnic tables and a nice lake, perfect for packing a lunch and buying a bottle Nice hike up to a chapel on a hill Many tasting and tour options, including a cave tour

Cons: Prices have more than doubled since my last visit The surrounding area was sadly damaged during the 2018 wildfires Tasting room is a bit lackluster, but outside is nice Convenient location also means views of...