One of our favorite ways to celebrate birthdays in the Bay Area is wine tasting, and one of my favorite wine regions for tasting is the Russian River Valley. Recently I went to Dutton Estate with a group of friends to celebrate my BFF Christine’s birthday — and it was wonderful!

Dutton Estate in Sebastopol is family-owned — six generations of West Sonoma County farmers — and super cute. Family is so important in their business that the owners Joe and Tracy Dutton named three wines after their three daughters:

• Kyndall’s Reserve Chardonnay
• Kylie’s Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc
• Karmen Isabella Pinot Noir

“Each bottle of Dutton Estate wine is our way of sharing our love for this revelatory landscape, our commitment to sustainable farming, and our deep familial bonds.”

Dutton Estate has tons of accolades for their wines — which makes sense because the wine was delectable.

The great wine and the delightful hospitality (they brought our party tiny cones of Screamin’ Mimi’s wine sorbet — made with Dutton Estate wine — for free!) actually convinced me to join the wine club! Can’t wait to pick up my next shipment in October (and of course, visit again before then.)

If you want to go with a group larger than five, be sure to call ahead to make a reservation. On a nice day, they’ll seat you outside in the cutest little garden area right next to rows of grapevines. They also offer a food and wine pairing that changes seasonally — be sure to check that out.

Cheers!

 

“Wine is just a conversation waiting to happen.” 
― Jessica Altieri