Mietz Cellars

We have been wine club members here for a couple years since we stumbled upon the place during a barrel tasting event. We bring all our friends here when we have the opportunity and everyone has bought wine. It is a combination of utterly delightful people who are passionate about their wine, quality product at reasonable prices and enjoying the opportunity to connect a couple times a year. We are looking forward to picking up our next club shipment, doing some tasting and yes, probably buying a few bottles more.

FIVE STARS — YES!
I’m here to write a rebuttal to the one star entries of 10/​29/​2012, and also inform you of a fine Healdsburg winery.
If you — the reader — care about quality wine, quality people and the genuine article that is Sonoma County wine, then keep reading. If you’re just cruising through this Unilocal entry for the «wine experience» only, then visit Coppola’s place up Hwy. 101. They have the swimming pool and parking for your limo …
Personally, I enjoy a good glass of wine. I’ve lived in Santa Rosa for 29 years with my wife and family and have been privileged to enjoy a really good glass or two in those years. I’ve been drinking Mietz wine for over nine years now, maybe longer. I was referred to them by my very good friend of 33 years who is employed at Sebastiani in Sonoma and works alongside the winemaker there. He knows what he likes AND he knows wine.
Regarding Mietz Cellars, they ARE small, and a family-​owned winery on the road made famous by Limerick Lane Winery up the road, Christopher Creek and Acorn — all exceptional wineries in their own right. That Keith and Nancy made their home in a very old warehouse covered with old vines and looks like it belongs in an Italian country side, makes their product all the more enticing. It did for me.
Tasting Room? How’s this: I once called to see if they might be open for tasting as a son of ours was in town and I wanted to make an introduction. Our small party arrived, walked through the huge sliding door and are met by walls of barrels and a working storage space. The winemaker and artist responsible for the wine labels Keith greets us with Nancy, his wife. He brings out a couple of bottles, puts them on a barrel, grabs some glasses and we talk and drink and chat and talk some more and drink some more and we’re taken into the world of a bonafide winemaker. Here is a man who is unpretentious and thoroughly likable. There aren’t any chairs but there is plenty of space and more wine and friendly conversation.
His product? We love his pinot’s — 100% pinot noir. His clarets are REALLY wonderful and hold up over the years. We’ve saved them for Thanksgiving-​type affairs and they get fine reviews from guests. His latest sauvignon blanc will be out in October but is really nice right now. (If you stop in, ask for the 2012 vintage…) Their prices are competitive and even a bargain, based on what you drink right now.
Keith (and even Nancy, at times) gets dirty in the fields with their help, watches the grapes himself, is in touch with the entire process. That he refers to himself as «a farmer» is not so much self-​deprecating as the truth of what he does. He could be growing apples and making cider — it would be just as wonderful as what he does with growing grapes and making wine. He’s a craftsman and they love what they do.
Finally, regarding the one star reviews, it’s a disappointment that the «wine tour» business generally sees all wineries in the same light: get their client’s in and get them out to the next venue. That these particular reviewers happened by one hour AFTER the tasting had closed down for the day, and Nancy was extending herself to even consider allowing tasters is unfortunate. I have witnessed firsthand groups of 10 – 15 show up, get their glasses filled and have one or two bottles purchased. I have no idea what Nancy’s margin’s are, but these hardworking people deserve better.
So I challenge you: call the phone number and ask to come by. If you’re disappointed, then say so to them directly because they will hear you out. And then post it here. Their wine — and their character — are Really Fine!
Bill sez’ five stars — check ‘em out…

I was on a Terrific Tours wine tour, and our guide asked one of the employees if we could have a few tastings. She bluntly replied, «Are they going to buy a bottle or just suck wine down.»
You just lost a good sale.

«Are they going to buy a bottle or just suck down wine.»
That was the statement that one of the employees at this winery made to our Terrific Tours guide when he walked in to find out about tastings for our group of 8. I was on this tour with 3 other friends because it was part of my birthday weekend celebration.
I am not a cheapskate and I probably spend more money on wine than anything else. For someone to be this insulting to a group of people that they have never met is disgusting. If you hate your job, maybe you should let someone else who actually needs and who will treat their customers better than you take it.
To the owners of this place, unfortunately you lost 8 potential advocates/​customers for hiring someone this rude. Instead, you have gained 8 people who will tell all their friends and family to never step foot in your winery. I do not play nicely when it comes to bad customer service.

Mietz is generally not open to the public. But, they are during the quarterly «Fests» that they hold with some other neighboring wineries.
Mietz is a family affair and they are always warm and gracious and typically pour you a ton of wine at these events. At one, they told us to just help ourselves.
The wines are generally reasonably priced. On my most recent trip I really loved their ’02 Merlot and the ’06 Carmine’s Pinot Noir.

LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Keith, Nancy and Andrew are wonderful people with an awesome product. The Sangiovese as well as the Sauvignon Blanc are delicious and reasonably priced.