V Madrone

Of all the smaller wineries we visited this past week, This was the one I’d say don’t miss if you have the opportunity to go here. A very small producing local vineyard with Chis the owner handling the tastings himself. By appointment only its located in a well over 100 year old plus home converted to a tasting home /​office.
Chris sits with you and pours his best with some really incredible cheeses to accompany each bottle. His price points on his wine are not not cheap and he only distributes to a handful of restaurants so if you see one of his bottle jump on it.
What really stood out here was his 2006 Cabernet reserve which was outstanding. and in a couple more years will be absolutely killer.
SHOCKER FOR ME… when I say I really am not a big white wine fan except for an occasional crisp Pinot grigio and I really dislike Chardonnay … Well Chris changed my thinking here. His 2012 Chardonnay was absolutely the most unbelievable white wine I’ve ever tasted.. if you are A chardonnay fan buy this. if you don’t like it send me the bill. That;s how good it was.
Bottom line for the smaller private vineyards DON’T miss this one.

Words can’t express how special this place is. Fantastic wine. Fan-fu$cking-tastic!
On top of that it’s a family opp… Chris & his daughter know how to make great wine and treat you right.
Dog friendly.
Simply the best.

One of the best unknown secrets in the area. Chris is an excellent story teller weaving a story about the land and the wine. There were six of us for the tasting and the wines ranging in $ 60-​$ 125 per bottle are definitely something to write home about. The cheese pairings are well thought out and the wines were developed to pair with food. His Irish wife is a doll and you can tell they live and breathe the winery. Off the beaten path, you really are missing out if you don’t check it out.

My husband and I stopped here for a tasting — he knew Chris through one of his professional connections. Very personal setting, with quite excellent wines and excellent cheese pairing. Nothing like the big wineries, the wine there has a story, a place, different notes… Would highly recommend calling ahead and getting an appointment as the wine is not sold in retail and really worth it.

This place was AMAZING!!! This recommendation came from our limo driver Tom (thanks again Tom!!). He made an appointment for us (an appointment is needed) while we were at another vineyard earlier in the day. V Madrone was our last stop of the day for wine tasting and let me say we definitely saved the best for last. We got at V Madrone and it is a small but cozy place… very quaint. No one was there so we walked around the area taking pictures & just site seeing while Tom called to find out what was going on and about 5 minutes later a man pulls up in his vehicle. Tom introduces us to Chris Tilley. One of the owners & winemakers of V Madrone. Very nice man. Another car pulls up & a couple gets out and Chris leads us into the tasting room where we sat around a big table with cheese & walnuts for us to munch on while tasting. I would have to say this was the best experience due to the fact that:
A) Chris seemed like such a down to earth warm person that loves what he does and you can definitely tell by the product he produces,
B) the experience was so personal. We actually got to sit down with Chris & talk with him on the history of the land and how him & his wife’s went about getting the vineyard started.
and
C) The most important thing the WINE!!! It was AMAZING!!! I was such in a happy place. There were 5 tastings I believe and after every one the next got even better. My favorites were the Old Vines Zin & the Cab 2007… BEAUTIFUL!!!
V Madrone should definitely be a place to visit when coming to the area. You will not be disappointed… the only thing that will disappoint you is that you can only buy at their cellar (well you could phone order too) & only selected restaurants carry their amazingly good wines.