If you are living in San Francisco or visiting, a trip to the wine country should be on your itinerary. Napa Valley and Sonoma are the most popular destinations and attract lots of visitors. Even if you don’t have a lot of time, you can fit a lunch and a wine tasting by choosing a winery close to San Francisco: Ram’s Gate is a new addition and just 35 minutes from the Golden Gate bridge at the entrance to Sonoma!
The Ram’s Gate winery is just past the Sonoma Raceway on CA121, just past the CA37 turn-off. The huge gate on the right side is hard to miss and the road leads up the hill to the winery and tasting room. From the road, the winery looks like a large, wooden barn, but that impression changes when you enter the beautiful tasting room. It’s held in wood with dramatic, high ceilings and a glass back wall looking over the wine country. The elegant furniture makes for a comfortable, almost luxurious setting, compared to the often utilitarian, market-style tasting rooms you find in many places in Napa. You have a choice of two tasting flights, one with their regular wines (at $45) and one with the premium wines (at $60). You can order some charcuterie and cheese to go with it.
Ram’s Gate leads with their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but also offer the California favorite Cabernet Sauvignon and other varietals. They focus on small lots and premium wines and the tasting proves that out! You can read more about their wine here. We had one of each tasting, shared it along the way and our host was great in providing background information to what we are tasting. We really enjoyed their Cabernet and Chardonnay and ended up buying some to take home (average price approx. $50/bottle, it also waived the steep tasting fee). Our friends were so impressed, they joined the wine club. In addition to the wine shipments, it gives access to a full menu in the tasting room, making Ram’s Gate an even better destination close to the city: You can swing by for lunch and a wine tasting in a beautiful setting only 35 minutes from the City, one more reason added to a long list why San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the world!