Mounts Family Winery

What a lovely, peaceful family winery. So glad that we stumbled upon Mounts after being refused at another winery because they were too busy. Lana, the owner, was such a joy to chat with, and I loved hearing about her family stories as we tried her wonderful wines. The Carignan stole the show for all of us. We all literally said «wow» after taking our first sip of Carignan. I took home a few bottles, and recommend you do too when you visit. The winery itself is small and quaint. It’s got a great view of Dry Creek Valley and it’s nice to sit there, sipping wine and gazing out among all the vineyards. Paired with mules on the property that let you know they are there every so often, and this cute old dog that was drooling on everything, we had great time at Mounts. Oh, and Lana has this massive fig tree on the property, and she makes a fig bourban jam that is incredible. I took a jar home and we’re already almost out a few days later because it’s just so yummy. If you like figs, the jam is a must have. Can’t wait to visit again soon.

Fantastic experience. Rustic barn surrounded by old school farm machinery will make you feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. The wine delicious and the scenery will add a backdrop for you to enjoy. This place is what Sonoma is all about.

Another amazing experience at Mounts! Fantastic wines with matching service! A beautiful property makes the ideal setting for an afternoon wine tasting! David Mounts was the perfect host! Offering insight on the wines being poured made this a unique and personal experience! I can’t wait to come back!

I love Mounts Winery. Both times we have been there the people are so nice and friendly. Granted we are going during Passport weekend and things can get hectic at times. You still have time to chat with the folks there and learn about the wines and how they produce them. The atmosphere is always fun and upbeat. I always look forward to our stop at Mounts.
Heck, I liked it so much I became a member of their wine club.
It’s a definite must visit if you’re in the Dry Creek area.
Cheers!

Horrible experience. The guy was holding a fund raiser for his daughters cheer leading team and basically told us to get lost. By far one of the most arrogant person that I have encountered on our trip so far.

Mounts winery is what Sonoma and Dry Crekk are all about. Small family owned winery. 3 generations of family grape farmers and first generation winemakers. Great people, great views and fantastic wines.

Had a tour of the winery from the owner last week. Family owned and operated winery, really cares about their wine and the quality of it, and they do things old school and in a very thoughtful manner. Whatever they’re doing, keep doing it… I really respect them and their wine!

As has been said by many others, down to earth and wonderful wine. The 2009 Petite Sirah is outstanding!

Worth a stop on your day of tasting. h

Mounts is a great wine. Passport weekend was a great event.
This is a real family winery. If you are up in Healdsburg and like wine, stop by. You won’t be sorry you did.

No pretentious anything here. This is what you get when a wine maker wants you to concentrate on wine and have people enjoy the tasty in a little more rustic setting. Sitting at top of the dry creek valley, and a barn of combination barrel and tasting room, enjoy these delicious wines.
The views alone are worth coming here. Sit back, relax and swirl an old vine zin.
Life really doesn’t get any better than this. All reasonably priced too.

Authentic, small family winery well off the beaten path. Expect some great wines without hype or commercialism of the larger spots. If you are looking for something authentic and relish meeting the folks who own the land and make the product, then you’ll want to visit Mounts Family Winery.

Great place and awesome people. A tasting room that is really more of a covered patio overlooking miles of vineyard. It epitomizes «hidden gem». It also doesn’t hurt that they produce some amazing wines.
Their Zins (07 & 08– barrel tastings were great) are some of my favorites and the Cab Franc is excellent as well. And if it’s a hot day, try the Rose– cool, crisp and refreshing. If you can find this place, you’ll be in for a treat. There is nothing snooty about this winery. Just quality vino with super nice people pouring it.

This is what Sonoma wine tasting and barrel tasting is supposed to be!
No fancy tasting room. Not even a garage. Just a shed with an open air covered concrete slab. Several barrels to taste, plus a folding table with bottled wines to taste.
The antithesis of pretention!
And good wine!
I’ll go back!

Very annoyed one of my last updates is gone… will be writing a full featured article on this great family and winery soon in my new blog.
David and Lana are hard at work right now making the 09 Zin (two this year), Syrah, Petite Syrah, Cab and Cab Franc… David’s attention to detail and quality, in making big wines that are stunning in color, aroma, flavor, and drink now, but can be laid down for years, is impressive.
The 2007 Syrah just won a gold medal in Harvest Fair… and their 07 Zin a silver… I don’t think there is a bad one in the bunch. New release and pickup party mid Oct — drop in.

I tasted Mounts for the first time yesterday. They were pouring at a tasting in Oakland’s Franklin Square Wine Bar — $ 5 for 5 tastes or a dollar a taste. My daughter and I walked there from our house and I tasted all five: 2008 Two Creeks Rose, 2007 Estate Zin, 2007 Estate Syrah, 2007 Estate Cabernet Franc, and 2007 Estate Petite Sirah. They were all pretty young and it was hard for me to tell which ones would age well. I think I liked the Petite Sirah the best but the Cab Franc was pretty good too.
Maybe next time I am in Healdsburg, I will stop by to see their beautiful property.

My Doctor recommended this vineyard to me!
Really nice owner; we were an HOUR early for our tasting and he nicely accomodated us anyway.
Free tasting if you buy a bottle
The Cab was pretty good, but the Cab Franc was much better
Cute, low-​key tasting area (outside area)

My hubby G already reviewed these guys, but I feel like I have to add in my two cents as well.
As far as wineries go, this one is a must visit. The Mounts family is as down to earth and real as it gets– Lana will take excellent care of you tasting while you rest at the benches just outside of the barrel room overlooking their vines and the gorgeous Dry Creek valley.
As for the wines– I haven’t had one yet that I don’t like. Don’t miss the rose (perfect for a hot Dry Creek day), the Zin (so good, we bought futures!), the syrah (especially delicious), the petite syrah (so good its sinful) and being released in 2010, the grenache (early tastings tell me its well worth the wait!).
This down to earth winery is always on our Healdsburg agenda!

We stumbled on Mounts purely by accident, as we drunkenly invaded the local Dry Creek wineries back in October. As we meandered down Dry Creek Road we saw a hand painted sign that said «Tasting Today». Didn’t have to tell us twice.
As we trucked along a dirt road through fields of vines, it felt like we were suddenly in Tuscanny. We rolled into the parking lot, parking next to Oso the Snakebit Dog, and walked to the tasting room. The Mounts family are some of the nicest folks you could possibly meet, and are far removed from the typically snobbish Sonoma or worse, Napa vineyards. Welcoming and friendly, we sampled their wines.
Now, picturesque settings, wonderful people, and Oso the Snakebit Dog Don’t Pet Him Or He’ll Chew Your Face Off aside, a winery is only as good as their sauce. And ho-​lee bejesus, their stuff is tasty. The Syrah was excellent. Their Petite Syrah was tremendous. But their Zin… oooh, their Zin was sampled right out of the barrel and it was phee-​nom-​i-​nal. So much so, we slapped down the credit card immediately and snagged a case. On the return trip to pick up the futures, I contemplated suicide at missing out on the cab, but brightened up when I was told my first wine club shipment would have a few bottles of Cab Franc and «maybe a surprise just for me.»
Oh how I love them.
Get thee to Mounts, and get there quick, before their very limited run sells out. Just don’t pet the dog. He’s snakebit I tell ya!

To get to the Mounts Family Winery tasting area, follow the signs (it’s on the way to Michel-​Schlumberger) and find yourself driving down a dirt path straight through the middle of the vineyard. The natural wonderment continues as you overlook the vineyard and lush greenery expanse from the parking area (see local picture I posted). According to the Mounts, the vineyard is very old, but the family just opened up their winery this past November — our outdated 2006 – 2007 Russian River map did not even have them on it! The Mounts were extremely warm and hospitable, providing us with plenty of updated maps to take with us and chatting about their wines (interesting Petite Sirah. what a cute freakin’ name!) and the new business. And DUDE, they had BBQ sausages and snacks for visitors — I know all you fellow cheapasses who aren’t willing to pay the $ 5 tasting fee at other wineries (it’s just SO unnecessary and usually a harbinger of a crappy, commerical vibe) will appreciate that if you catch it.
Good people who make decent wine deserve visitors and customers! Support family-​owned businesses! Yay!