Welcome to the Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Spit Winery Resource! This community resource is the result of recommendations made by a variety of wine aficionados. It is intended to provide people in search of good wine tasting experiences with recommendations on various wineries and tasting rooms around the world. Entries are made by going to the Entry Page. The results shown can be sorted in various ways by using the “sort by” links below. You can also search by key words using the filter to select the entries of interest to you. We welcome your entries and your feedback. Of course, the opinions expressed are those of the people making the recommendations. Enjoy!
We also have our own list of wineries at our Wineries page.
Posted by Kathy Lee on 05 Feb 2009
beautiful
This winery is located in Napa, CA, USA
Posted by Edward Lo on 09 Feb 2009
Very interesting winery with strong Italian roots, producing a great tasting Nebbiolo and Super Tuscan. Had a delicious lunch as part of the GrapeLine tour. They have an outdoor area that can be setup for small weddings and their cask room can accommodate a small reception. The guide on our winery tour told us that on certain days, they will let you taste the wine straight from the fermenting vats. The wine club gives some decent discounts, especially if you buy in quantity.
This winery is located in Temecula, CA, USA
Posted by Leeann L. on 09 Feb 2009
Herman is a small rustic town with a lot of local shops. The winery itself had a beautiful quaint restaurant on site. They have several tasting rooms and they offer tours for next to nothing. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The wine is great. If you like sweet wine I recommend the Vinscatto.
This winery is located in Hermann, MO, USA
Posted by Diana Hayes on 09 Feb 2009
This is a small micro winery up in the mountains of New York. According to their website they are the highest elevation vineyard in the Northeast USA. I enjoyed their wine when we visited the town of Windham. They have a day in the fall when they invite the locals to come and help pick grapes. You pick the grapes, have a sumptious feast for lunch and then get to use certificates to pick out wine to bring home. I found it while visiting my sister, introduced her to their wines and she went for the picking. She then picked out the wine for the family Christmas dinner.
My sister brought the rose and chardonnay for dinner, but the maple syrup dessert wine is one of my favorites to pour over my ice cream.
This winery is located in Windham, NY, USA
Posted by Urvi on 09 Feb 2009
St. Supery is a great place to take guests who want to take in California sunshine and great wine. The grounds around the winery make for an amazing walk. There's a beautiful farm house on the property that gives you a nice view of what old Napa looked like. Inside, there's a self-guided tour where you learn more about what goes into the varietals and you can see St. Supery's casks as the staff works away in the warehouse.
There's a private room where you can set up tastings for large groups and at the end of the walking tour, you arrive at the tasting room, which is incredibly intimate and yet unpretentious. I thought the staff was incredibly helpful and well-informed about the surroundings, giving us a great lunch recommendation nearby (Rutherford Grill). I highly recommend the Sauvingnon Blanc, which is the best I've had in Napa.
This winery is located in Napa, CA, USA
Posted by Beverly on 10 Feb 2009
The winery was very laid back and relaxing. The staff was very attentive and interacted with us. All of the wine was great and we were offered full glass samples at no charge. They also have a great store that sells cheese, meats, etc. We bought some snacks and had a great picnic on the property.
This winery is located in Sonoma, CA, USA
Posted by William Limburg on 14 Feb 2009
The owner/winemaker creates some of the best wines in the Sierra Foothills and the tasting experience, with frequent barrel tastings, is always enjoyable. The winemaker, Robert, along with his father (during the half of the year when he visits from the Netherlands) engage visitors at a personal level, while also being highly knowledgeable about all aspects of winemaking & enjoyment.
This winery is located in Fairplay, CA, USA
Posted by Walt Spevak on 16 Feb 2009
J »
Great Vintage Brut. Also pinots, chardonnay, dessert wines and others...all in a spectacular setting with an outside terrace for basking in the warm sunshine. Stanford alums may enjoy knowing that owner, Judy Jordan, played on Stanford's 1981 NCAA championship tennis team.
This winery is located in Healdsburg, CA, USA
Posted by Scott on 17 Feb 2009
My wife, me, and some friends recently went wine tasting in the Sonoma Valley. While we had some very good experiences (and some great tales), I was particularly impressed with Ravenswood winery. This winery is known for its Zins and it did not disappoint. At the winery, there are two "tasting" areas--one for the reserves and one for the rest. Rather than forking over a higher tasting fee, and wanting to try a wine for the "masses," we tasted with "Uncle Bob" at the regular station. Here we tried some very subtle and wonderful Zins. With my interest peaked, Bob allowed us to sample some wines not on the "flight" including a 2000 and 2001 Monte Rosso Zinfindel. I was so impressed with the 2000, that I bought a magnum for later consumption. I also joined their wine club which I am really looking forward to sampling. Of course, when you do so, they offer discounts on purchases and waive the tasting fees. Overall, this was a great winery which lives up to its motto: "No Wimpy Wines" (No Vinos Sin Huevos). 'Nuf Said.
This winery is located in Sonoma, CA, USA
Posted by Kathy on 18 Feb 2009
This is a small winery specializing in fruit wines. I first found them when dining at a friend's cabin on a lake in the North Woods--blue sky, sun sparkling on the water, and sweet light cranberry wine. I love all their wines, which are very affordable to boot. The people at the winery couldn't be nicer; there's a retail shop and they give free tours throughout the day. Well worth a visit!
This winery is located in Three Lakes, WI, USA
Posted by Dave O‘Brien on 18 Feb 2009
Its the "friendlist" winery in Napa. Tasting is complimentary. Yes it is still free and if not too crowded you can spend hours just talking wine. The best feature of the tasting is that the entry room is for tasting their sparkling wines. Brut, Blanc de Noir, Rouge. If your tastes are to the fruity sweeter wine the rouge will be a treat. The middle room is for the whites and the back room is where my favorites are--the reds. They have small lot Zins, Cabs and their rising star is their Sangiovese. I purchased a case of the cab and Sangio. No regrets! Tasted as good at home as in the tasting room.
The tasting rooms have a number of Disney memorabilia, as Rich Frank is the past president of Walt Disney Studios. You will enjoy!
This winery is located in Calistoga, CA, USA
Posted by Beth Hoff on 19 Feb 2009
They have a wonderful selection of wines that will make your mouth water. For instance one of my favorites is the 2007 vintage it's their 4th ice wine! This very fine and concentrated sweet estate wine is in 375 ml bottles and is intended to be enjoyed for special occasions.
This winery is located in Prairie du Sac, WI, USA
Posted by Joanna Walters on 20 Feb 2009
Robert the winemaker, owner, and wooden-shoe afficianado is often found pouring his delicious reds at the tasting room. He prides himself on selling his wines only when they are ready to drink so you don't have to be patient to enjoy them. You can find the winery by looking for the driveway fence topped by yellow wooden clogs.
This winery is located in Fair Play, CA, USA
Posted by Jeffry Gordon on 21 Feb 2009
The design and access of the facilities at WVV are, to say the least, stellar. The vantage point from which you view the vineyards, and the proximity to the wine cellar brings the experience of tasting their wines to every sense you can imagine.
The 'tenders' are knowlegable and emblematic of the persona that is Oregon and this region of the wine world.
My tasting experience provided a unique opportunity to meet with Jim Bernau, the owner and CEO of WVV. His passions and drive to bring green and a distinctive communal business model to his vineyard and beloved Pinot are present in every word.
Next, Forrest Klaffke—the wine maker. Hard to find words to describe him—I would ask you to seek out his 2005 Cuvee which will give you pause as well. A master vintner, and gracious beautiful man. Our walk through the cellar was incredible—no more excited thief have I met… my favorite moment was the 'special' barrel of one of his 'babies'—a small cluster experiment that could be a Nuvo rage if ever they decided to jump in that direction.
All of this, and the vineyard access is thirty seconds off of I-5—the main north south freeway—just south of Salem…
If ever you happen through the cellar doors of this welcoming, hard to rival vineyard experience—hug a pinot for me!
Cheers!
This winery is located in Turner, OR, USA
Posted by Diana Hayes on 23 Feb 2009
Put in Bay is a party town on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. On the back of the Island - or is it the middle, is where the winery is located. You get around the island by renting a golf cart.
Their wine is pretty good. My favorite, since I like sweet wine is the white catabwa - that come from the white catabwa grapes grown on the island. They also have ice wines too.
The winery will even deliver the wine to the ferry for you so that you don't have to lug it around on the golf cart.
This winery is located in Put-in-Bay , OH, USA
Posted by Gerry Gollwitzer on 24 Feb 2009
Great Mardi Gras celebration. $15 included great gumbo, dessert, live entertainment, and tasting a full flight of their fine wines.
This winery is located in Mocksville, NC, USA
Posted by Scott on 24 Feb 2009
Orfila »
It‘s somewhat difficult to find a nice, quality winery in San Diego County when much more of the state is regarded for producing better wine. While this is largely true, we have a gem of a little winery here in San Diego in Orfila. Located in the San Pasqual valley in Escondido, the winery also has a tasting room near Julian. At the Escondido site, there is a huge tasting room with helpful, nice, and knowledgable staff. The wines made and served here are, by and large, pound for pound, quite good. My wife, who prefers sweeter wines, likes the Riesling, while I, who prefers reds, likes the Sangiovese (which was introduced to the area by the winery's last master vinter). The 2005 Sangiovese was terrific, but unfortunately, they don't have any more. Try instead the 2006 which is great too. Their Ambassador's Reserve Merlot is award-winning and very nice. At the winery, they have ALOT of spreads, breads, vinaigrettes (try the Pinot Noir--its great), jams, jellies, glasses, and other assorted nick-nacks. The view of the valley and vineyards is outstanding with open trellis features, benches, etc. Here you can get a glass of your favorite wine and relax the way God intended. Overall, if you want a nice, first-class experience in your backyard, go to Orfila. You may also want to check out buying a case of their futures Ambassadors Merlot which will entitle you to their Fall Dinner Party which is absolutely amazing, or join their Owl (Wine Lovers) Club.
This winery is located in Escondido, CA, USA
Posted by Jennifer Dong on 28 Feb 2009
My friend actually picked. I had only recently begun drinking wine and she wanted to broaden my experiences so she took me here one day. The wine was amazing.
This winery is located in Riverhead, New York, USA
Posted by Yachi on 28 Feb 2009
The reason I like this winery is because it is not so big and it is unique and the staff is very friendly and seems to have a lot of knowledge of wine. By the way, I got syrah and the taste was excellent.
This winery is located in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
Posted by Mary Gollwitzer on 02 Mar 2009
We stopped at Black Wolf at lunch time. We had a personalized tasting right at our table before ordering lunch. Our waitress was knowledgable about the wines, the winery, etc. The wines were reasonably priced and delicious, as was lunch.
This winery is located in Dobson, NC, USA
