(C) 2017 The Rambling Wino
One of my favorite wine producers in the Russian River is Joseph Swan Vineyards. Joseph Swan is the OG of Pinot Noir In fact, this year the winery is celebrating their 50th anniversary of wine making (His first vintage was in 1973). In fact many refer to Joseph Swan as the Godfather of California Pinot Noir. Joseph Swan passed away in 1989, but his legacy truly lives on in his amazing wines and relaxed and incredibly low-key boutique feeling tasting room. No bus tours or groups trying to look the ‘I taste in Napa’ wine part are taking selfies here. Rod Berglund (Joe is his father-in-law) is the current owner and wine maker and both times I’ve stopped in he’s been working in muddy boots and given a friendly “hi”.
Last, but not least, is Joseph Sean’s legacy of the Swan Clone of Pinot Noir. An heirloom clone it produces small clusters berries of various sizes that don’t have much color, but intense aromas of violet, raspberry, and strawberry with what some claim is a distinctive spiciness.
Tasting Evaluation
Ambiance: 🍷🍷🍷
Friendliness of Staff: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Knowledge of Staff: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Quality of Wines: 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Cost vs the Value of the Tasting Experience: 🍷🍷🍷
Overall Experience: 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Other Notes and Details:
Types of Wines:
Red: Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel
White: Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Gewurztraminer
Cost of Tasting: $10 per tasting per person (as of June 2019), fee waived with purchase
Cost of Wines: $25-$75
Reservations Required: No
Food Pairing or Food Available: No
Lord Indy Friendly: Yes. Paws up on this one!
View: No, but the tasting room is their barrel room so that is a nice atmosphere
Kid/Family Friendly: It’s not kid unfriendly, but as mentioned above the tasting room is their barrel room and it is small. I would not bring kids to this winery.
Note: No limos, busses or really large groups.
