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 Leah on 22 May 2008
We discovered Summerland winery about 4 years ago on a visit to Santa Barbara. We were renting a house and upon our arrival found a bottle of their chardonnay (and a tray of freshly baked brownies) waiting for us in the kitchen. It turned out that there was no winery to visit, but they had a tasting room just down the hill in a new, little shopping center. It was kind of like visiting a shop in the Hamptons (what else would you expect of a beach town named after a beach season?). I half expected Ina Garten or Martha Stewart to walk in looking for supplies. The little wine bar (about 2 persons big) offered samples of some of the food items they were sellling alongside their wine and various apparel items. The woman who was in charge of the shop was very pleasant and knowledgeable and kept opening various Santa Barbara food products for us to try along with the wine (we're still hooked on the flavored pistachio nuts). We've since found Summerland in attendance at many local wine events and festivals (Los Angeles/Santa Barbara area). I'm happy to see that they're still growing and producing wines that are still enjoyable.
This winery is located in Summerland, CA, USA
Posted by Leah on 22 May 2008
I liked not only the wines (especially the whites), but also the atmosphere of Gainey Vineyard. Even though a large, private function was in progress out on their patio while we were there, the tasting room didn't miss a beat. They also have a great shop that sells many wine country food items and other things you feel the need to buy! I loved the pepper trees that flanked the road on the drive into the winery. I highly recommend a visit to this winery!
This winery is located in Santa Ynez, 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 Len Eisenstein on 15 Jun 2009
Domaine Ferrando »
Recently, on a "business trip" to Paris my colleagues and I tasted an excellent bottle of Rhone wine. It was called Colombis Chateauneuf du Pape, 2006 from Domaine Ferrando. It smelled of strawberries and rasberry aromas. The taste was silky, smooth and very fruit foward.
This winery is located in Rhone, France
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
Posted by Matt Tompkins on 22 Apr 2009
Paolo Bea is a small, family run organic winery in Umbria. Giampiero, one of the sons, gives a lovely tour—as long as you'd like. Only want to taste? No problem, into the tasting room we go. Want to feel the earth between your toes where the vines grow? Let's walk out back. They'll tell you all about their wines and how it's made without technology, over 2 wonderful hours of tasting. All grapes and olives are harvested by hand and their creative labels are individually numbered. The sagrantino grape is deep in color and the wine bursts with flavor in your mouth.
We communicated directly with Giampiero by email and 6 of us visited in June 2006, during the World Cup. I asked him what he would drink to celebrate, if Italy won (which they did), and he proceeded to let us taste a wine, poured by his mother, that had been fermenting for years, which they weren't selling at the time. Very personal.
This winery is located in Montefalco, Umbria, Italy
Posted by Meg & Dave on 30 Aug 2008
We love Thornton Winery! They're known mostly for their champagnes, but also make red and white wines. The best thing about the winery to us is their Champagne Jazz concerts that they have during the summer months. They have them out on their fountain terrace, which we heard is also a good place for wedding receptions. We just saw Dave Koz and it was fantastic! You're practically sitting on the stage you're so close, and you get to meet the artists after the concert. We also got the dinner (made by their Cafe Champagne) and it was pretty tasty. If you like jazz, you must go to a concert here! They get some pretty big names and you can't beat the setting. We got some great photos, too (no need for zoom lenses here!).
This winery is located in Temecula, 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 Philip Sunseri on 22 Mar 2009
Unique history, great wine.
This winery is located in Vina, CA, USA
Posted by Rich on 23 May 2008
Chateau Montelena is a gem located at the Calistoga end of Napa Valley wine country. The old stone Chateau is a beautiful setting. The wines are delicious (after all, Montelena's '73 Chardonnay was the winner of the infamous 1976 Paris tasting that put them on the map internationally). The tour is an interesting one, so consider taking it if you have the time.
This winery is located in Calistoga, CA, USA
