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 Esmeralda on 03 May 2009
The winery is dog friendly, with a picnic area and gardens. They practice sustainable farming and are located on a beautiful piece of property. Napa Valley is just gorgeous and easily accessible from San Francisco. The staff here was very friendly and took the time to introduce us to their wines. It was fun to sample the wines and then be able to sit outside in the picnic area and enjoy a picnic on a beautiful summer day.
This winery is located in St. Helena, CA, USA
Posted by Michael R. on 10 May 2009
Beautiful subterranean storage caves. Powerful Central California reds. About a mile east of US 101. We stopped by on the way from SoCal to NorCal. Pleasant reception in their tasting room. Within the man-made caves, they have carved out a banquet room for special occasions. It's an anti-L.A. experience!
This winery is located in Paso Robles, CA , USA
Posted by Susan Flint on 16 May 2009
We bought this wine at our local grocery store strictly because of the name since it is the same as ours and we thought maybe we could pass it off as our personal label. Well the '04 pinot noir turned out to be delicious so we went to the winery and bought 6 cases of it. Scott Flint, the owner and vintner was previously the winemaker at Calera Winery. He also makes a Syrah and a Zinfandel which are also quite wonderful. This winery is very small and tasting is by reservation only but Scott is always glad to show off his wine.
This winery is located in Hollister, CA, USA
Posted by Dottie on 31 May 2009
Twomey Cellars has two tasting rooms, one in Calistoga and one in Healdsburg. I've only been to the one in Healdsburg. It is absolutely stunning. The tasting room is spacious and modern. You stand at the tasting bar and look out through a huge bay window onto the vineyards and parts of the Russian River Valley. The staff is friendly and the wines are tremendous. I especially love their Pinot Noirs. Surrounded by the amazing view, the stunning tasting room and nice people, enjoying some fantastic wine. What could be better than that?
This winery is located in Healdsburg, CA, USA
Posted by Beth Bright on 12 Jun 2009
Great setting - great fun! Little Swan Winery is located in Northwest Iowa outside the skirts of the small town of Superior, Iowa tucked back along a small lake. The winery offers all sorts of wines to please the plallets of many. They also offer several varities of cheeses and their speciality is Buffalo meat raised right there on the farm. You can offen go to have a fresh grilled buffalo burger or buffalo lasagna. Chicks, Flicks and Wine is an event attended by many women once a month. A guest speaker opens the evening and a good flick is shown following. Wine and munchies of course are consumed my many.
This winery is located in Superior, IA, USA
Posted by Diana on 14 Jun 2009
It's not a vineyard, but a way to experience Virginia wines. The park invites different vineyards (one at a time) to have a wine tasting at either Skyland or Big Meadiows Lodge. There is a small gathering of people, wine, cheese and crackers. The servers refresh your glasses throughout while the vineyard representative pours your wine and describes it for you. Barboursville Vineyard was there when I went. While I can't tell you about my visit to the vineyard or winery, I can tell you that the wines were very good and the presenter did a wonderful job. My husband and I enjoyed this visit to the park for the wine tasting, for a vineyard that we knew we wouldn't have time to visit because it was further than we were going to travel for a short visit. I recommend visiting SNP for the wine tasting if you are in the area.
This winery is located in Luray, VA, USA
Posted by Craig L. on 02 Jul 2009
Noted for their great pinot noirs (4 pinots ranging from $30-$75 per bottle) but also have pinot blanc and gris (both $18 per bottle). Family run 110 acre estate winery by the parents and four daughters (the four graces) and one son. Gorgeous winery; have 3 wine dogs (2 golden retrievers and one Irish setter).
This winery is located in Dundee, OR, USA
Posted by Bettie Infante on 04 Aug 2009
Earlier this week we visited several wineries in Paso Robles and the San Luis Obispo area of California to celebrate our anniversary. Along Highway 46 on the east side of 101 you will find a dozen or so wineries with diverse wine tastings. Two that stood out for us were Opolo and Eberle. Opolo has a very friendly, complimentary wine tasting room. It is off the main road down a country road and has a "down to earth" feel. By the way, Opolo means fun! It is one of the newer wineries. 1999 marked the first commercial crush under the Opolo label. On the other hand, Eberle is one of the more established wineries. At Eberle you can enjoy complimentary wine tasting, explore more than 16,000 square feet of underground caves, or enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch on the deck overlooking the Estate vineyard. 2009 marked 30 years of fine winemaking at Eberle! Our tour of the underground caves was fascinating. This area has grown so much that there are currently over 200 wineries in the Central California region. Who needs to go to Napa? Cheers!
This winery is located in Paso Robles, CA, USA
Posted by Bettie on 30 Sep 2009
We prefer the wineries in the Central Coast of California but often find ourselves down in the Temecula wine country because of it's close proximity to our home. One winery that stood out on our last visit was Ponte Winery. In the tasting room you can taste 6 different wines for and keep the glass. The tasting room has high beam ceilings and plenty of counter space for tasting. Their wine is only sold in the tasting room. You can also dine among the vineyards or shop in their marketplace. Ponte Winery is a friendly family owned winery. Enjoy!
This winery is located in Temecula, California, USA
Posted by Tori Correll on 09 Nov 2009
Ravenswood Winery was our third stop during our first trip to Northern California wine country. We still weren't sure what we were doing and were really searching for a welcoming atmosphere that offered education and excellent wines. We found both at Ravenswood plus excellent customer service. Our server allowed to sample a number of wines (beyond what we paid for), offered education beyond what he was required to give us for the price, and excellent wines.
This winery is located in Sonoma, CA, USA
Posted by Jennifer Endicott on 21 Nov 2009
This winery is off the beaten path and the tasting room has a cute, homey feel. We were camping in the area and I saw a sign on the side of the road for it. It is basically set in the middle of no where and you drive up a one-lane gravel drive surrounded by grape vines. I had my one-year old with me since we were on a family vacation and they were so attentive to him in the tasting room--they gave him all the pretzels he could eat. They have a great Merlot! Sandhill cranes (the birds) are very prominent in that area--hence the name. We saw a bunch of them driving the back roads.
This winery is located in Jackson, MI, USA
Posted by Bettie@wineablegifts on 03 Feb 2010
Justin Winery is a little out of the way, but well worth the drive. To get to the winery you have to drive down an old country road canopied with oak trees. This time of year the drive is green and beautiful. We tasted six of their wines and loved them all. Loved them so much we joined their wine society club. The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Justin winery is family owned and operated. Besides the winery there is a gourmet restaurant (Deborah's Room) and a Bed & breakfast called Just Inn. You will not be disappointed. A must visit!
This winery is located in Paso Robles, California, USA
Posted by Tim Nagel on 26 Jan 2010
This small winery north of Jackson Michigan is located on a private grass landing strip. So if you have a small private plane, you can fly in to visit the tasting room. Directions by air are given on the winery's website. The tasting room is new and the owner is there to discuss his wines. He produces his wines in his airplane hangar next to his private plane. The winery is open weekends for tastings.
This winery is located in Jackson, MI, USA
Posted by Robert Haas on 10 Mar 2010
Small family-run winery off the beaten path making excellent organically grown Rhone varietals.
This winery is located in Paso Robles, CA, USA
Dierberg's winery is also home to their Star Lane Vineyards label. Dierberg produces cooler climate Burgundian wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) with grapes mostly from Santa Maria Valley (and from Happy Canyon for their Syrah). Star Lane produces warmer climate Bordeaux varietals (Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet) from their Happy Canyon vineyards. Their beautiful tasting room is set on a vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills on Drum Canyon Road, just off Hwy 246 that connects Lompoc to Solvang. The setting is relaxing and the wine is delightful. Don't miss a chance to visit them.
This winery is located in Lompoc, CA, USA
Star Lane Vineyards is related to Dierbert Estate Winery. Star Lane produces warmer climate Bordeaux varietals (Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet) from their Happy Canyon vineyards. Dierberg produces cooler climate Burgundian wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) with grapes mostly from Santa Maria Valley (and from Happy Canyon for their Syrah). Their beautiful tasting room is set on a vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills on Drum Canyon Road, just off Hwy 246 that connects Lompoc to Solvang. The setting is relaxing and the wine is delightful. Don't miss a chance to visit them.
This winery is located in Lompoc, CA, USA
Kaena's tasting room is on San Marcos Avenue in Los Olivos. Mikael Sigouin, the winemaker/proprietor (who has also been a winemaker at Fess Parker and is now also head winemaker at the iconic Beckmen), is often on hand to pour his wines as he also pours out his winemaking expertise and information about his wines (and those of others in the area if you ask). Kaena has a Hawaiian theme (Mikael was born and raised in Honolulu). He has a focus on Grenache, and he also produces a wide range of other delicious wines. The tasting room is often busy, but no matter--he's ready to engage with everyone.
This winery is located in Los Olivos, CA, USA
Excellent wine and very impressive location.
This winery is located in Sonoma, CA, USA
Great wine, and they have some estate rentals where you can escape in privacy while visiting wine country.
This winery is located in Calistoga, CA, USA
Posted by Carla on 22 Apr 2009
This winery is a complete experience. From their website, to their handcrafted fine cheeses, to their exquisite wines the whole experience leaves you wanting more. I have been looking in the Seattle area for a Tannat wine, as they are very hard to fine. Only today did I bring my prize home; the only disappointment, it is not from Narbona. I have yet to see a winery equal to Narbona. I challenge you to head south to Uruguay and taste for yourself.
[Ed Note: See also www.fincaygranjanarbona.com]
[Ed Note: See also www.fincaygranjanarbona.com]
This winery is located in Puerto Carmelo, Uruguay
