Ferrari-Carano

Mom, Dad and Jim Outside Ferrari-Carano Winery

As you approached the Ferrari-Carano property, you could instantly tell that you were entering a different type of winery. This was big money, a show, ostentatious, beautiful and the image-is-everything side of the spectrum. It was no surprise then to learn that the owners had made their money from gambling enterprises in Reno.

The mansion and the grounds were unarguably gorgeous. It was like the Hearst Castle displaced to Sonoma, complete with reflecting pool and fountains and pillars, etc. But here's the rub -- you could not walk on much of the property and picnicking was not allowed anywhere on the grounds. This is the first winery I had ever visited where you could not eat even a small picnic lunch. Laurie was immediately put off and refused to taste another drop of their wines. I was put off too, but having shelled out money for the tastings, I plowed through. The wines were mostly mediocre to me although we did sample a couple better than decent Cabs.

Jim, Dad and I made a quick visit to the downstairs tasting room (to taste the reserve wines down here, you had to pay $15 each!!). As expected the gated tasting area was stylish and opulent. Just take a look at this storage area below.

Money, money, money.

And so it was that we decided to meet at Yoakim Bridge Winery just down the road for a late, much-needed lunch. And boy was this the antithesis of Ferrari-Carano! The 60 square-foot tasting room was at the back end of a modest house and there were two rickety, rusted tables to picnic on with a bulldog sticking his nose into our laps as we enjoyed the late feast. But for my money, this was PERFECT! (even with Bowser or UGA added to the mix)

Jim had picked up some great sandwiches and a sun-dried tomato spread that was in high demand throughout lunch. With apples, cheese, crackers, olive spread, and Hershey's chocolate bars, how could lunch get any better? Well, I'll tell you. With a fantastic Yoakim Bridge Zinfandel, that's how!! Wow! And a funny looking pooch with dental issues to spice things up...

For the most part, this area of northern Sonoma County is more like this low key winery than like Ferrari-Carano. F-C is more typical of Napa Valley. Give me Yoakim Bridge and Mazzocco any day over a place like F-C or Mondavi.