We love this winery. It's an absolutely beautiful room with delicious wines. You need an appointment to taste, and it isn't inexpensive but the fees are waived if you are a member. We joined on our first visit, so our subsequent visits have been free. Last visit, we made an appointment to pick up a wine allocation and didn't realize we hadn't signed up for a tasting. They had no appointments available, but offered us a few tastes at the bar. That turned out to be perfect and so much fun! We didn't need a formal tasting, as we know their wines. It was much more fun trying a few of their wines and chatting. We ended up buying a few more bottles than were in our allotment, of course! Make sure to take a look at the photos on the walls and on the bottles. They are done by the father of the winemaker, and they make a very good pair! read more

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Architecture and the meaning behind it was pretty phenomenal! Had the chance to venture out into the fields to taste some grapes And they were amazing! Came back in to taste and wasn't disappointed. Thank you! read more

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Everyone (including me) talks about the architecture, the landscape, and the vineyards, but after our last visit, I felt compelled to update my last review from almost 1.5 years ago. To preface, we are members of the wine club but definitely do not visit frequently enough. With that, here is a snapshot of our visit on Nov 7. For starters, I tried to get a last minute appointment for around 3:00 on that day. I emailed hospitality. The person was super nice in getting back to me, but the only availability they had was 10:00, which did not work. Later that evening, I check email and see a reservation from Aperture via Tock for 3:00 that day. Seconds later, I receive a reply to my email prior from Lauryn Mitrovich ( I believe she is the director of hospitality, but more formally, runs the show there) letting me know she "intercepted" the email and found a way to squeeze our party of two in. Seriously, what other business does that? Again, I can't even consider my wife and me "regulars" since we don't go as often as we should. So when we arrive, we are slowly walking up, enjoying the sun, all of the grasses planted around as well as a couple of western fence lizards enjoying an early November sunny day, and Lauryn happened to be by the door and very warmly greeted us. What a way to start. She then walks in with us and "apologizes" to us that Phil (who is awesome), who usually takes care of us was out, so Skylar - who I believe is the hospitality manager and more - would be hosting us that day. Yeah, not a bad deal! Lauryn walked us over to the spot outside at the end of the center of the patio up against the vineyard - tasting table set with an umbrella overhead. The leaves were well into changing, so we were enjoying a lot before the wine even showed up. During that time, Skylar, also very warmly greeted us, and we all sat down, and then the wine started coming. OK, maybe she went off script a little. First of all, Skylar is really engaging, interesting, and just fun/warm, so that enhanced the experience a lot. She began to pour a different assortment of wines. One thing that was so apparent was, not only how well these wines age, but seriously, a wine that starts out great, and gets so much greater (Is that a word?) is just not always the norm. We had a sip of the 2019 SJ Ranch cab for example - one of many specular wines, and at that moment, blew me away and I felt I would put that Sonoma grown wine against any cab in Napa Valley, and, if blind tasting, believe it would come out on top. Such great wine. After we had been tasting for a bit, and just loving that moment, looking around the vineyard, the sun getting ready to begin to set, and Winemaker/Owner Jesse Katz pops over just as Skylar stepped away and fills her seat. Obviously, Jesse - and it seems like I received an email yesterday that he just achieved winemaker of the year by wine enthusiast - is darn well accomplished and definitely spread very thin - is hanging out and mot just stopping by, but sitting down and truly engaging with guests. We all know, that is very rare. Jesse seems truly humble, down to earth, appreciative of his guests who are enjoying his wines, and most of all just not rushed. Although our first visit was in 2021, and we did not become club members until last year, you look around and see the same people working there as back then - truly enjoying what they are doing, and also, are at the top of their game - personally and professionally. In this revolving door industry, there is a reason for the cohesiveness. I laughed with my wife as we were heading out that this experience is how we wished our family would treat us. Thank you Skylar, and Lauryn for your incredibly warm hospitality and being so great to us every time and see you soon. read more

Aperture is a beautiful winery! I was recommend by someone in the wine business to make sure i stopped over for a visit. So first thing i did was make reservations for a tasting. Since i had a few visitors from Boston in town it made for a great day trip! The staff did an amazing job at keeping us entertained. They also provided us with a nice history lesson about Aperture. After the delicious tastings we walked around to enjoy the amazing views. This is a must if you are into wine and want to do something a little different than Napa. read more

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Came here for a Mother's Day/Birthday celebration last weekend and had an amazing experience! Grant was our server and he did an amazing job giving us a background of each wine we were tasting and explaining the meaning/history of the winery. The wines were delicious and the architecture and vibe of the winery was phenomenal. This winery was also super peaceful and gave us a nice escape from the busy city life in San Francisco, I would highly recommend and will definitely be back in the future! read more

Aperture Cellars - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Healdsburg, California

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I came here 8/2020 and was impressed with the style of the tasting room. Fortunately the wine was very good too so we bought. Fast forward to 8/2025. Wine still excellent with expanded options. Our group is collectors, we have barely touched the reds we bought in 20 but have polished off the v good Sauv Blanc we bought back then. Current wines necessitated more purchases. Unlike some wineries where we have an allocation their prices are still reasonable. Mackenzie provides a great tasting experience and Lauren runs a tight ship. Definitely worth going, tasting and buying, you can't do better but you can do worse for sure. read more

Stunning winery with solidly good Bordeaux style California wines. This is an experiential winery with good hospitality but as some other reviews have mentioned, it's a departure from the laid back Sonoma/Healdsburg vibe of other wineries and resembles more the glitz and glamour of Napa so if that's not what you're looking for, then this winery might be a disappointment. The modern architecture is beautiful and the perfect setting to display Andy Katz's photography. Visiting was like getting a mini photography exhibit with wine. The views from the tasting room of the vineyards are breathtaking. The wines were all quite expressive and layered. We did the soil series tasting and my favorite of the day was the Oliver Ranch. If you enjoy Bordeaux style grapes - sauv blanc, merlot, and cab sauv, etc you'll enjoy the wines at Aperture. read more

@aperturecellars is a beautiful setting with balanced wines. We were sat in a room with 3 walls of windows that looked out on the grounds and vines. We really liked the Chenin blanc and Del rio vineyard cab. read more

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Stunning location, excellent architecture, good wine and an extensive education experience. Booked several weeks out via Tock, for their $50 tasting. We had our own section of the winery to ourselves, and our own marketing and tasting professional who stayed with us throughout the one hour tasting experience. For some $50 is a lot for a Healdsburg tasting, but that is the direction things are headed, and now it seems to be more the norm, with experiential tasting where you are assured personalized attention and education. Note they won't waive any of the tasting fees even if you buy a couple of bottles. (This was the norm tasting in the Willamette Valley for years, but it seems now to becoming more the norm in Sonoma & Napa as well.) read more

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Another 5 star review for Aperture. We have been to Aperture 5 times now, each time has been amazing. This time we brought our daughter and her husband for a visit. We were so excited for them to see the winery, interact with the host and drink the wine. Definitely did not disappoint. Our host was amazing, the place is stunning, the charcuterie board was amazing and of course the wine was absolutely delicious. Such a great time, this is a MUST VISIT place in Healdsburg. read more

Just wanted to reconfirm my rating given the response from the winery. I want to clarify that we came in during off season and the place was empty. Your winery chose simply not to help us even though you could. By the time we got there, it wasn't raining and folks were sitting inside and outside. We also were not offered to come back so that is a complete lie. We were pushed out quickly and even asked to leave the winery while we waited for our Uber. I am a member at J winery because we walked in and they were so accommodating. I want to point out they were gracious and pleasant although they were completely packed. Please do not compare yourself to J as they are at a completely different level in terms of hospitality. Bottom line - your winery is not able to accommodate change and be courteous to those that decide to give your winery a try unexpectedly which is extremely common given people's plans change. Your staff has the ability to either make or ruin your customers day and you choose to do the later. More insulting is the fact that your response is smug, with no sense of remorse or acknowledgement of opportunities to change. There are so many wineries out there and what differentiates the good and bad is how they treat all their customers (not just those that have reservations). Good luck to you because I suspect you won't be around for long. read more

Loved this winery! It was perfect for even a rainy day. Has a very beautiful, modern interior. Friendly & personable staff. We were not shoved a winery membership down our throats which was much appreciated. Great mix of whites & reds in our tasting. We loved the Oliver Ranch cab. They even had comfy blankets if you were cold. Would definitely recommend it to anyone! read more

Aperture Cellars - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Healdsburg, California

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We had great weather and a lovely and generous tasting at Apperature Cellars. We scheduled a private tasting but asked to take it to their pretty outdoor area. We very much enjoyed the time, the wine and the experience. read more

We hosted a private event and curated dinner and wine experience for clients. The architecture is astounding, the grounds are pristine, the wine was out of this world, and the service was impeccable. It was such a great evening. Thanks to Jesse and the Aperture team for their hospitality. Look forward to visiting again the next time I'm in Healdsburg. read more

Aperture Cellars - Golden hour at Aperture. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Healdsburg, California

Thank you to Thor for this Aperture wine event with the amazing Jesse Katz founder of Aperture wines .Jesse's wine journey began when he was 12 traveling all around the world with his father who was taking professional photos of vineyards and meeting the most famous winemakers .As the 1st winemaker by Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2014 and knowing he is a consulting winemaker to Justin Timberlake and Tony Hawk made me want to try his wines.Jesse was able to walk through a few of his selected wines and describe in great detail the complexity of the blends .The richness, creaminess and depth of each wine is factored in by the choice of soil, climate and aging characteristics.He described his 2019 Aperture Barrel Sauvinon Blanc with barrel fermentation and aging to create richness balanced with natural acidity from cooler sites with fresh peaches, honey and crisp long finish .The Aperture Bordeaux Red Blend made in clay soil with early ripening lengthen growing season to achieve full phenolic ripeness while keeping freshness in fruit. Jesse's attention to detail was evident .If you want to do a full north Sonoma tour contact @aperturecellars on IG or www.aperture-cellars.com You will learn much about wine,enjoy spectacular views and have a new appreciation for wine blends . read more

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Beautiful location and wines are lovely. The architecture of the buildings is impressive, too. It's hard to get a reservation so book early. Came here for the $50 tasting. The wines are really good and service is great as well but the pricing point of $50 is steep. Additionally, they will not waive any of the tasting fees even if you buy a couple of bottles. read more

I've been wanting to try this winery since I read a local article about them. Beautiful spot with very good wine. Our host was also very nice and we enjoyed talking to him about the history of the place and the wine. Reservations were hard to come by and they had 2 options, a $50 tasting and a $75 dollar tasting. For some reason the online reservation would only let me book the $75 version, which gets charged right away. I originally reserved for 4, but unfortunately one of our friends had a death in the family, so I had to cancel 1. When I asked about a refund of the $75, I was told that normally within 48 hours they don't refund, but they'd make an exception. Seriously? I had to get an exception from a winery because of a death in her family? What if we called and said we had been exposed to COVID? They need to rethink this refund policy. My group bought 7 bottles of wine, yet the $75/person tasting fee was not waived. Most other wineries waive this if you buy a certain number of bottles. Again, they need to rethink this policy, it's not like the tasting included a food pairing or even crackers. In conclusion, beautiful spot and nice people, but with the hundreds of wineries with amazing wine out there that don't cost this much, I won't be going back. The wine was good, but not worth that. read more

We decided to splurge on a private salon tasting with charcuterie, and we were so glad we did. Sean, our host, was wonderful and very knowledgeable about food and cuisine. The winery is really one of the most stylish examples I have seen of luxurious, understated, California cool. Excellent wines, we enjoyed them all. A must if you love Cabernet, photography, and architecture. read more

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Amazing red wines...which we love. Beautiful setting, wonderful young man with great local history conversation. Beautiful art work. Looking forward to another visit read more

Had a very nice tasting but got chased out of the vineyard for taking a pic. Such paranoia is hardly welcoming.and we won't be back. Such behavior goes to the top and my reaction naturally is never again! read more

Aperture Cellars - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Healdsburg, California

A great way to spend a reasonable amount of money to sample $100+ wines. Madelyn was so great -- it was like sitting on couches and talking with a friend. We travel to Healdsburg every year (minus the last two) for Passport to Dry Creek Valley and like to explore outside of that realm a little bit. What a find, and what an education! The design is modern and sleek as is, we learned, their wine-making process. Madelyn was super knowledgeable about the process, the history of the winemaker and the techniques they use their that make their wines special. We got the tasting that included mostly reds, our favorite, and it was money well spent for the 90 minutes of great conversation with Madelyn and great wines to try. read more

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What a great spot for a wine tasting! Aperture Cellars has a modern feel and the private tasting room was perfect our group of college friends. Our host was Grant. He gave us the personal touch with education on the wine, the beautiful wine labels, and the winemaker. Aperture was the group favorite for wine. I look forward to enjoying my case of Aperture Cellars wine! read more

Aperture Cellars - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Healdsburg, California

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Among the array of wineries within Sonoma, Aperture stands out as a clear winner. The location, the aesthetic, and most importantly, the wine were all fabulous--particularly the chenin blanc and cab sauv from the soil series. All the wines in the tasting flight were huge hits among our party, and paired perfectly with the charcuterie board we were given. Our guide through the tasting, Hannah, was particularly knowledgable about the wines and the winemaking process. Moreover, she was so kind and really helped make my mom's birthday special. I can't wait until they begin distributing more widely--until then, Aperture will be at the top of my hit list next time i'm in the Bay area! read more

We visited yesterday. This is a beautiful winery. Architecture is sleek, modern and clever. Not a "belly up to the bar" winery (which is ok, btw) but elegant and comfy. And the wine! Oooo, yummy. Really delicious. Uniquely crafted. So dimensional. Zach our was terrific. He was full of information, humor, and kindness. We had a terrific experience. read more

We had the most incredible wine tasting experience with Sean Quan. We brought our 3 young twenties kids to Healdsburg to learn about wines and Aperture was our first stop. It was absolutely perfect. We had a gorgeous private room and Sean was an excellent guide into wines for our family. He taught us so much.... answered all our questions and was knowledgeable and made it such a fun experience. I would definitely recommend this lovely winery and Sean as your guide! read more

We really enjoyed our experience here. The architecture is stunning and it's a really intimate nearly one-on-one experience. Our hostess was incredibly knowledgable and friend and the wine was superb. Highly recommend and will gladly revisit with friends. read more

The wine, the views, the staff, everything is AMAZING! It doesn't get better than this. You MUST come, it will put a smile on your face which will last for days. read more

From the moment we stepped off our bus, we were blown away by this winery. It is absolutely stunning, gorgeous, beautiful, amazing, etc. Our wine host, Zach, was awesome from the moment he greeted us. He was so knowledgeable & was so patient with all our questions & requests for pictures. The wines were delicious & we all were very happy to try different varietals. I highly recommend visiting. You won't be disappointed! read more

Visited this winery for a friend's birthday. One of the best winery in Napa/Sonoma area. Wines are really good and the whole team is great. Bianca and Sean were super nice and full of knowledge. We also met Jesse, the owner and he is very impressive. He represents the new generation of wine maker that will go far. Highly recommend to visit. read more

Wonderful new wine tasting room and outdoor seating area which captures the essence of this winery's name. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable and create a truly high class tasting experience. Ask for Christian or Lauren. Consistent excellence across vintages, grapes and red blends. This winery and Lancaster produce the best cabs grown in the Alexander Valley. Not surprising as the owner of Aperture started his "lead winemaker" career at Lancaster. Partial to these cabs because our HDB place is right next to the Del Rio and SJ vineyards where (IMHO) some of their best grapes are grown. Oh and they also will send lovely wine gift presentation boxes on your behalf for those that can't make the trip with you to wine country! read more

Had a great tasting here with Bianca as our guide. World class Cabernet and Bordeaux varietals. The tasting facility is beautiful with indoor and outdoor seating. We did the soil series tasting which included 2 whites and 3 reds. I bought 1200.00 worth of wine and Jesse Katz should be very proud of the facility, staff and most of a all the high quality elegant wines made here. I'll definitely return with more guests. read more

We had been to this winery before and loved their wine so we made a point to make sure came back this year. The new tasting room was spectacular and had one of the best views in the valley. Bianca was our host and was wonderful. She and Brandon were very helpful and knowledgeable about the wine, history of the winery and Sonoma Valley. Great experience and even better slate of white and red wines. The Cab was outstanding. Highly recommend stoping by for a tasting. read more

First off, WORLD-class wines. Some of the best wines being made anywhere. The architecture and vibe is amazing. Great host. A destination spot in wine country. read more

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What an amazing and special place. The ambiance of the vineyard is only surpassed by the the quality of the wine. An incredible to place to relax, taste, experience, and enjoy. Thank you Jesse Katz for taking the time to tell us about your passion. read more

I love tasting around Healdsburg, but this place is my absolute favorite. The whole experience is breathtaking and inviting. The facility, the food, and the staff are all top notch, but the wines are truly spectacular. Can't recommend Aperture Cellars highly enough, it's a must see. read more

Enjoyed an extraordinary tasting on the recommendation of an experienced wine industry associate. Estate host Christian was welcoming and wonderfully knowledgeable about everything from vineyard to bottle. We were lucky to savor two new releases including a rare and delicate Chenin Blanc, the perfect pairing for a private party that night. The venue, view, wine and warm hospitality were all beautiful. Cheers! read more

Had a great time at Aperture Cellars, as Bianca was an excellent host. Great wines and very good COVID-19 safety protocol. Will definitely go back again. read more

Some of the best wine I've ever had! The views are spectacular. Must visit when in wine country.

Visited on 08/07 to celebrate my birthday. I was torn on whether to rate this 3 or 4 stars. Place and winemaker has the potential to be 5* but It didn't live up to all the hype. Hit on several areas and missed on many others. Chenin Blanc 4*, Cabernet Blend 4*, in my opinion the single vineyard Cabernet I tried was over priced @ $150. I think the industry has gone overboard on the single vineyard designation and taken away from the winemakers blending artistry in order to just charge higher prices. Purchased 4 CB, 4 Cabernet blends and a magnum of the Cabernet blend which was $550 before tax and as advertised tasting fees are not waived. Received wine in a flimsy white box with a label slapped on the side. Imagine is part of the package and if you are going to charge higher end prices, packaging should match including carrying apparatuses as well as bottle weight. Most new wineries need to get their name out there so provide bags/boxes that prominently display the name of the winery. Kudos for taking a chance to add diversity to the staff but putting inexperienced staff out to handle wine collecting consumers is a big risk. Person was very personable and eager to learn which is great and eventually I believe he will get there. Place seemed understaffed and Lauryn jumped in to help our host. Lauryn is a gem and I know her from KB and I know if she hosted my party I'd have had a different experience. Also, I think it might benefit if the winemaker made an appearance but based on other reviews it sounds like he does from time to time. read more