Valley of the Moon

The Valley of the Moon tasting room in located at 777 Madrone Rd. in Glen Ellen, close to the Sonoma Highway (Hwy. 12). Follow this link to view a map View Map. 

During my first visits to the winery a few years ago, I was impressed by the consistently high quality of their wines.  Everything I tasted I liked.  Favorites include the Cuvee de la Luna, which is 80 percent Cab, with 15 percent Merlot and five percent Malbec and retails at the winery for $30, the Rosato de Sangiovese that sells for $16, and the unoaked Chardonnay which sells for $17.  Those who prefer a buttery Chardonnay might like the Sonoma Coast Chard that sells for $17, too.  The Pinot Noir is a decent wine for the price ($19).

My favorite wine, though, is the Old Vine Zin.  The vineyard where they grow the fruit is over 70 years old.  The wine is very nice for the price ($25).  The winery occasionally has sales on their wines and I recently bought a case of this wine for $15 a bottle.  I did the same last year.  Every time I a share a bottle with my sweetie she has the same reaction..."Um, this is good. What is it?"  Every time.

Here is what the winery's website has to say about the Old Vine Zin:

"Classic Zinfandel aromas of ripe and briary blackberries and black plums are enhanced with notes of bay leaf and red pepper flakes. Concentrated and rich flavors of berry, plum and cherry/vanilla, with cinnamon and cayenne spice notes, are supported by balanced acidity and soft dusty tannins. 

Winemaker Notes

In the shadow of Sonoma's Mayacamas Mountains, and at the foot of Sonoma Mountain, lies the Valley of the Moon Estate Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard.  These vines were planted in the 1940's in the traditional head trained method without trellising. Flavors are naturally concentrated with distinctive character due to these large vines producing lower yields with age.  This blend is assembled from hand selected barrels of the wine made exclusively from this 70 year old vineyard. The 2009 vintage includes 4% Petite Sirah from the estate vineyard for added fruit depth and structure."

This is a wine that I can unconditionally recommend to Zin and red wine lovers.

Valley of the Moon's website can be found at http://www.valleyofthemoonwinery.com/.  The wine club, "Club Luna", ships two bottles four-times a year.  They sponsor regular pick-up parties, offer 25 percent off all wine and merchandise purchases, and allow members and their guests free tastings.  Benefits are also offered at other Heck Estates family wineries, including Kenwood and Lake Sonoma (Lake Sonoma is available in the Valley of the Moon tasting room).