After first visiting Thomas George in 2014 I called my friend Kate and told her that I had discovered an incredible gem in the Russian River Valley. The tasting experience was awesome; in a cave and for a good price point, the Pinot Noir was delicious, and the staff was so friendly! How had we missed it in our many visits? I was gutted for all the trips I could have taken but didn’t. Four years later the Pinot Noir was still delicious, but the staff was rude and the hospitality of previous years and the tasting experience was forever ruined and gone, and I was again heart broken. In fact, the staff was so rude when I went to visit in 2018 after they had just changed their business model that I cancelled my wine club and decided that I had to forbade myself from buying any more of what is delectable Pinot Noir.
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Starr Ridge Vineyard -
Baker Ridge Vineyard – Dexter’s Blocl -
Baker Ridge Vineyard
Why the change? Well to paraphrase the staff it just wasn’t worth it to the owners to be pouring so much expensive Pinot Noir, and they decided to make their business model match that of the more high-end and exclusive wineries in the area. True or not, the result is that it is now harder to taste, you have to pay a large sum for a nice experience, and it is not at all as welcoming. Even if you’re a member! The now walk-up tasting includes their most low-level not so great wine that wine club members don’t really want to buy and you have to pay $25 a person – the Pinots you want to drink are only available for the expensive reserve pre-booked tastings. Where the walk-up wine tasting used to be in a beautiful, welcoming and dog-friendly cave, it is now by reservation only, no puppies and $50 per person! In fact, now you have to join their highest wine club (which I actually was), to even be able to taste in the cave without paying! I’ll pass.
Gracianna, which is just down the street is a MUCH better tasting experience. If you enjoy Pinot Noir, they have delicious ones, but find them in the store or order them online. Don’t waste your time visiting.
The Ratings
Ambiance – 🍷🍷
Friendliness of Staff – 🍷
Knowledge of Staff –
Quality of Wines – 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Cost of Tasting – 🍷
Overall Experience – 🍷
The Details
Types of Wines: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay
Average Cost of Wine: $45 – $110
Cost of Tasting: Free, but must be an active member of the allocation list
Reservations Required: Yes
Food Pairing or Food Available: No
Lord Indy Friendly: No
View: Yes. An absolutely beautiful view of the vines throughout the estate
Kid/Family Friendly: No
The Details
Types of Wines: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Sparkling, Grenache, Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Rose, Viognier
Average Cost of Wine: $65 – $110
Cost of Tasting: $25-$50
Reservations Required: Yes
Food Pairing or Food Available: No
Lord Indy Friendly: No
View: No
Kid/Family Friendly: No
