Alexander Valley Vineyards

Temptation Zin can be fun, Redemption Zin feels good, and Sin Zin, well, reminds us that we are all human. At Alexander Valley Vineyards you can have all three, plus a whole lot more in this historic Sonoma Valley winery.

This vine-covered, stone- and wood-sided winery is tucked back in a canyon on the west side of Alexander Valley, surrounded by oak and redwood trees. The family-owned wine estate was once the original homestead of Cyrus Alexander, the namesake of this prominent viticulture appellation.

Seventy-five percent of their production is red wine. Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon constitute over one-third of their total production. Other varietals include Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Gewurztraminer, Syrah, Sangiovese, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc.

Outside the tasting room, you’ll see a set of huge double doors. They lead into the 14,000-square-foot caves where the wines are aged and fermented. Completed in 1998, they stretch deep into the hillside and hold 3,000 barrels. Winemaker Kevin Hall takes his barrels seriously. “The different toasts will affect the smoky or caramel flavors imparted to the wines,” he says. The actual forest in which the tree is grown will affect whether or not the wine acquires spicy notes. “For Syrah I like to choose barrels that have a caramel-type toast to them. For Zinfandel, I look to a wood source that has a lot of spice.”

Inside their tasting room are two oak-topped tasting counters, a small gift shop, a fireplace and art displayed on the walls. No food is available, but picnicking is encouraged in the gardens that overlook Alexander Valley.