This was our first time here, and it was exceptional! My husband and I did the food & wine pairing and chef Holly prepared & plates the perfect small bites! This winery is so beautiful, the ocean is off in the distance, and the outside balcony patio is lovely! Tammy was our tasting server, she was so much fun, knowledgeable, and attentive, we will be back next time we are in town! read more

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Gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and the redwoods They offer lots of Pinots a great chenin blanc and various chardonnay's. It's a trek to get up here they offer Beautiful vistas and nice grounds They have space for private tastings. You can hold private events or fundraisers up to 100 guests. And stay nearby at timber cove. They also offer great food pairings. Tammy was super nice as our hostess read more

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While staying in Timber Cove scheduled a wine tasting here. They offer cool climate wine (which I'm a fan of) Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. There is indoor & outdoor patio seating. We sat out on the patio overlooking the gardens. There is a forest like feel with all the tall trees surrounding. It was foggy on the day of our visit so we were unable to see the ocean or Farallon Island. The wine host was very knowledgeable about the wines and the area. They had a really great pricing deal when multiples of certain wines were purchased, I ended up leaving with 6 bottles. They do offer food pairings which looked amazing, but we didn't book that experience. This is a nice spot to visit if you're in the area. The winery is kid and dog friendly. read more

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This is a beautiful setting above the ocean in a wooded forest setting with spectacular vistas. We went for a local vineyard experience but were gifted more than what we could have imagined. The view, views, and food was a respite from ordinary days which we most graciously accepted. We can hardly wait to return to see what we'll discover with the next tasting menu. Sadly, we both began eating before we thought to take photos. But here's a few that tell a story. The food was extraordinary as was the wine (though I don't drink, we were able to taste and use the spit toons on the table). Can hardly wait to return soon to experience winter at this elevation in these panoramic vineyards. They have their own raised bed gardens where they harvest their produce. read more

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I was driving up 1 and I saw the sign so I decided to drive in. The trip on the side road felt a lot longer than the advertised 2 miles but I wasn't in a hurry. I got there and saw a sign that said "Appointments Required" which almost turned me away but I decided to drive down the dirt road since the gates were open anyways. I arrived at the tasting room which was quite nice looking. After walking up to the counter the staffmember I talked to apologized for not having their private chef there but gave me the rundown of their offerings. The tasting price was unexpected but I guess I'm just used to how things were in the early 2000s when tastings in Sonoma were a lot more casual. I decided to just dive in and got two bottles to go. I think this place is more of a destination than I expected, which is cool, it was very much a nice spot to visit. I'll probably come back in the summer to get the full experience. read more

Lovely tasting room with outdoor patio with gorgeous view. Friendly staff. Tasty Chenin Blanc.

Choice location for wine tasting with gorgeous ocean views from their patio seating. Tasting menu comes with bite sized appetizers but I'd say it's not really worth the combined cost of $55 per person. The vineyard specialized on pinot noir: the bottles were decent albeit pricey (starting at $50 per bottle) but we were able to get a $30 discount by buying two bottles special. One thing to note: if you come during a warm day, dress in layers as you'll bake under the sun. They have umbrellas for shade but those don't cover much. read more

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Such a hidden gem tucked away on the hillside overlooking the ocean a little outside Jenner. We were staying in Sea Ranch and decided to take a day trip to Fort Ross Vineyard. We called to make reservations and they were able to get us in during the Fourth of July holiday weekend the next day. It only took us 45 minutes to drive. The estate is gated and you have to call at the gate to be buzzed in (they have a phone at the gate to call). The estate is gorgeous and has stunning views. We were greeted with a welcome splash of wine before being seated for our tasting. The tastings are food paired and very well done. They have both whites and reds and we were impressed with each one. They told us they change the menu about once a month so it can be different each time you visit. We would definitely recommend and visit again! read more

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We came here for the views and were not disappointed. The setting for this winery is truly beautiful. From the winery's perch high up on the hillside, you'll have sweeping views of the Jenner coastline. The tasting though was just average and I thought the wines were just okay. To be fair though, I'm not the biggest Pinot fan. The wines were just a bit thin and lacked the depth I typically look for in my favorite wines. The food pairing was a really nice touch, though I wish they had suggested which items on our plate would go best with each pour. read more

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Fort Ross' Sea Slopes pinot noir captured my heart a few years back when it was served at a luncheon I attended. So much so that I decided to sign-up as an Explorer club member. I received six bottles of wine three times a year. When the pandemic hit, I wasn't able to visit the winery or participate in any club member events. A close friend and I were finally able to make it up there when restrictions loosened. The drive from SF took about two hours and was windy in some parts. We had the sample tasting menu that included small bites. Service, food and wine were all fabulous. The vineyard is beautiful. We had an awesome time. Sadly, I canceled my membership shortly after our trip, but through no fault of Fort Ross. The decision was due to the fact that I have a couple of other club memberships in Napa and the drive from Jenner where Fort Ross Vineyard is located took another 1.5 hours to get to Napa. I just wasn't able to take advantage of all the benefits the club membership had to offer. I do plan to visit again one day as I had a wonderful experience! read more

Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room - Wine Tasting - Wine Tours Near Me - Jenner, California

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Had a lovely wine tasting here. The balcony is quite sunny with gorgeous views of the gardens and ocean. Excellent food and wine pairing. Would be happy to return again! read more

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We love drinking Sonoma coast wines but the tasting rooms are always in the valleys. The location here is gorgeous, up in the hills just off the coast. Close to Jenner and Timber Cove. The tasting was on the priced side but the wines were lovely and it came with a pairing of food, which is really nice as many places only have snacks. The food was excellent, really delicious and nicely done. The chef's take on dumplings was fantastic. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area. read more

Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room - Wine Tours Near Me - Jenner, California

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Beautiful experience, incredible staff, stellar Pinot Noir and food pairings. Thanks so much Jeff for your knowledge and hospitality. We can't wait to come back. read more

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We had a lovely and memorable experience here. We were looking for a tasting with pairing and were absolutely pleased with the results at Ft. Ross. Setting,service, food,and wine were perfect. I cannot recommend highly enough. read more

An amazing experience from start to finish! Me and the hubby were planning a mini-road trip along the Sonoma coastline to get some time outside. We were feeling so cooped up in quarantine. We booked a reservation online for a tasting + charcuterie in advance and really appreciated that we did not have to pay in advance in case our plans change. A day or two beforehand the vineyard confirmed the outdoor dining accommodations and that dogs were allowed. The drive up was gorgeous, with sweeping views of the ocean, fog, and lush hills. We entered a security gate and were amazed at the size and seclusion of the property. We were immediately greeted and guided downstairs to an outdoor patio l, enclosed with drapery to reduce the wind/rain and heat lamps to keep warm. Sparkling wine was pre-poured and a menu provided with our names outlined - a very sweet personal touch. The tasting was informative, lighthearted and not aggressive by any means. We had full intentions to buy several bottles to take home but it is a pet peeve of mine when tastings become haggling or sales pitchy. I'm not a wine expert but I'm here to enjoy myself and experience new places and Fort Ross delivered a perfect balance. Extra plus for the tasting ending with a complimentary meatball and white bean braised in their pinotage. Yummy! Relaxing to the sound of rain drizzling down while we sipped wine was a beautiful way to celebrate my birthday. We will be back! read more

Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room - Sparkling wine and charcuterie. A+ - Wine Tours Near Me - Jenner, California

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Pro tip: put this hecking address into your GPS when on wifi, cuz there is no cell service in this area and we had to take quite an adventure to find this place! Now, the wine is okay, but very expensive tasting ($25 for 5 very small pours) and the service is AWFUL! They do have a charcuterie board (they run out of them by about 2-3pm, so go earlier if you want one) which we ordered. The cheese and meats they put on ours (prosciutto, brie, gouda, salami, almonds, etc) was excellent, but the server didn't even tell us what meats/cheeses were on there, where they came from, what to pair with what, or anything. They basically brought us our charcuterie and our first pour and abandoned us. I had to go find the guy every time we wanted a pour, and when I tried to talk to him about the wines, he was very short with me and didn't engage. Sad, because the setting is absolutely gorgeous and they are the only public tasting room in Jenner despite there being 15 wineries in the area. Also, fun fact, they sell a half bottle of the 2011 Pinot for $27 at the winery. Our hotel had the same bottle for $25 in our room. Lol! Tasting is comped with purchase of 2 bottles of wine. Bottles average $50-90. Would not go back. read more

Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room - View from the deck - Wine Tours Near Me - Jenner, California

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This is the perfect spot for wine tasting while staying T Timber Cove. The tasting was $25 for 5 pours. I was a big fan of 4/5 of them. The drive up the hill was absolutely stunning. It was honestly worth coming to the winery for the views alone. I will say that the wine is overpriced in my opinion as they range from $55-$95 for the ones we tasted. The wine tasted more like a $45-65 price point. 5 stars because of the view service, and wine (regardless of it being overpriced). read more

Had a pleasant experience at Fort Ross Vineyard this weekend while staying in the area. The server was friendly and very knowledgable about the wines and the property. The vegetarian charcuterie was more impressive than I was expecting - the chef here knows what they're doing! It was a bummer that they weren't offering wine by the glass. We wanted to enjoy more wine but didn't want to purchase a bottle since there was a time limit on the table. We ended up buying a few bottles to go, which I can't wait to try. If you plan on being in the area, I suggest making a reservation - it's definitely worth a visit! read more

We had an ok experience here. I am not a fan of red wine, but reserved here to surprise my husband who is a huge fan of Pinot. They were kind and sweet and very knowledgeable about their wines! I loved the atmosphere and the view! The winery is really well hid in the mountains and amongst trees, so it takes a while to get there. I appreciated the tranquility of the place until a couple of noisy parties came in...Obviously not the fault of the winery, but I feel that they could have done more to moderate them. We will probably make it back at some point, but we did not purchase any wine there this time. read more

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We read a number of recommendations that said not to miss this but, when we got there, after a long drive off the beaten path, the one person on staff said the only thing available was a food and wine pairing, at $85 per person, that was starting a little later. We had just eaten and would have been interested in a wine tasting only but found out that is only offered on Mondays and Tuesdays. Never been to a wine tasting room like that. Disappointing. read more

I haven't been so impressed with a selection of wines during a tasting in....ever? We had veggie plates paired with a tasting and they were kind enough to let us bring our dog. Also, exceptional service and presentation, really felt educated about the region and the wines without any pretension. Awesome location too, really enjoyed the drive up and entering the winery and driving along the grounds and through the vineyards. Also had a lovely little walk after the tasting. Highly recommend, thanks for having us! read more

Great place to relax among ideal views. The drive is also fabulous. We love the Pinotage and truly appreciate the owners making this wine. Granted they are from South Africa but still very much appreciated. It feels like I am back in Franschhoek. Highly recommended the winery. read more

Headed to Sonoma Coast / County? You should definitely stop by this little winery. It's hidden and very secluded but surprisingly very popular! I'm not sure where the visitors are coming in from since it seems a little far away from proper Sonoma. We were on the coast so it was only a fifteen minute drive from our Lodge. What you can expect: Friendly service, clean open space, gorgeous view of the ocean and mountains, and delicious wines! We had a coupon for two complimentary tastings from our Lodge. We ended up buying a bottle of their Fort Ross Bicentennial Pinot Noir. Tips: Leave your pup at home, they had signs saying no dogs allowed. Bring your camera, the property is beautiful. Take your time, everyone around us was drinking bottles of wine, we were the few tasting the wine, apparently we missed the memo. read more

STUNNING!! Do not miss!!! Amazing views and scenic drive to get there, I was blown away by the scenery here. The wine was nice also. It wasn't crowded at all when we went, but I could easily see this spot filling up fast. Very friendly service, the wine is a bit pricey but to be expected for the area honestly. For sure a must see for the views and photo taking read more

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Wow. Spectacular chardonnay. Pinot noir too. Views, grounds and friendly service. Drive by and you missed a very special place. Awesome read more

This was an absolutely stunning vineyard along the coast just off of Highway 1. We had the tasting, which is $25 for 4 pours (1 chardonnay and 3 pinot noirs) and they gave us an extra, special pour of their unique pinotage. All of the wines were great and we purchased 2 bottles, which made 1 of our tastings free. The wine is on the expensive side and we were told this is because they only make about 4,000 cases per year. We were one of two, two person parties there and are taking 1 star off due to the variance in service. The woman helping the other table was very informative and thoroughly explained the growing process, origination of the grapes, food pairings, etc. where the man helping us poured the drinks with minimal explanation and seemed as though he didn't want to be at work. If you dislike pinot noirs, you may prefer a different vineyard as there is limited diversity in grapes. read more

How could this place not have five stars across the board??? I've been recommending this place as a Certified Tourism Ambassador in Sonoma County for several years now. The drive to the vineyard is phenomenal, and the premise itself is pure magic. I joined the wine club this year and am so very pleased to get my collection going. It will take willpower not to enjoy the wines right away but I'm committed to building a collection and proud to have Fort Ross as my first and only wine club membership. Their Pinots are smooth, rich, and so enjoyable. I've only just begun to enjoy Chardonnay, and the ones I've tried from Fort Ross do not disappoint. This is one of my favorite gems to share with visitors to Sonoma County when I'm tour guiding friends and family. I will continue to recommend and visit on a regular basis. Thank you Fort Ross! read more

What a beautiful place. It's not the easiest to get to since it's right off the 1, and then a few miles inland from there, and it's easy to miss with not much signage on Hwy 1, but it's well worth the trip if you're already in the area. The ambience there is absolutely gorgeous, very different from a lot of the typical wineries you find in Napa/Sonoma. On a clear day you can see the ocean in the far distance, while overlooking this beautiful greenery. Probably a fantastic place for events/weddings. They've got a beautiful little garden you can walk around on the way into the tasting room as well. All in all, the wines are good, the view is better, and all in all, totally worth the time and effort if you're a winery lover. read more

Lovely views and fabulous wines! A must-go visit if you are visiting the ocean. A bit of a drive inland but worth the time/effort. Friendly tasting room staff, nice tables on the deck, great views. read more

I had a tasting with my friend and daughter. The scenic drive to the winery was spectacular. The staff was very nice and knowledgeable. The wine was good - smooth with complex tastes. The wine was expensive. in fact, I found the same wine in Jenner, CA for a much better price. If you want to spend a great deal of money for good wine, you should have a tasting and maybe buy some bottles. If you want good wine at a better price, do not bother. read more

This winery is located in a beautiful location and produces very good wine. While I am no wine connoisseur, all of the wines I tasted were very good. So good in fact, that I became a member of their wine club, something I almost never do. My personal favorite is their late harvest Chardonnay desert wine. Of course, now I need to come up with a good desert to serve along side. You should be aware that their wines are pricy, running $40.00 to $60.00 a bottle. They also charge $15 per tasting. I personally dislike charging for tasting since the idea of the tasting is to get you to buy the wine. That being said, they will waive the one tasting fee for each two bottles purchased, and I would be surprised if you left without taking a few bottles with you. Also, tasting is free to wine club members. (It is also free to join the wine club.) They also have free wi-fi on site, so if you absolutely must check your email you can do it here. You should know that this winery is a bit off the beaten path. Our car's navi system said we "reached our destination" a few hundred feet before the entry to the winery. Not a problem, we are seasoned "we will just go a bit further up the road" travelers. read more

I work in the wine industry (at a "destination" winery near downtown Sonoma), and I discovered Ft Ross wines at a "Napa vs Sonoma Showdown" where I was pouring wine for one of the "competing" wineries at the event that night. On one of the few breaks I had, I decided to go into the "Sonoma" room to check out some wines. Luckily I stopped in at the Ft Ross table, and tried several of their pinot noirs. Two (out of 4) blew me away. Ever since then I've been telling people about their pinot. Once I heard that they had a new tasting room, with views all the way to the ocean, yet above the fogline, with vineyards nearby, no-brainer! I HAD to go. I finally did and met Damian, who poured all the available wines they had for me and was extremely attentive. The locale is GORGEOUS, both inside and out, the surrounding nature is picturesque Northern California coastal woods. I think their wine is of high quality, I wasn't a fan of every single pinot there but that's normal, it's rare that you're going to be a fan of every wine on a particular tasting menu, as wine preference completely depends on one's palate, and every person's palate is individual and subjective. Just because you don't like a wine, doesn't necessarily mean it's "bad" or "just ok". I discovered this at my current job. If you're not a pinot/chardonnay fan, you might not have a great time there, and you should probably go somewhere else. But if you are a pinot/chardonnay fan, and you enjoy stunningly beautiful scenic coastal drives through wine country and along the coast and up into the coastal mountains and Redwoods, this winery/vineyard combines all of that. It's extremely rare to be able to visit a winery that offers quality wine, and lets you see the ocean all in one shot. Fort Ross does that. I'd give them 5 stars if they had more varietals. And I'm not a white wine fan either (regardless of the winery, I just don't drink whites), and I'm still developing a taste for pinotage which is definitely interesting but I've gotta try some more. I realize their location (so close to the coast) doesn't exactly allow for growing an extensive varietal collection, maybe it's not fair to "dock" them one star for that, but hey, who said quarterback wine critics are fair? So 4 stars for me. I will definitely be taking pinot fans back there in the future. read more

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The skinny: Unbelievable view. Seriously, check out some of the pictures, they don't remotely do it justice. You can see from Pt. Reyes to Santa Rosa to Japan. Just kidding about Japan. But it sure feels like it! Now, I grew up in Fort Ross - and let me tell you, it is OUT there. You think Bodega Bay and Jenner are far from civilization? BUT Sometimes, that's exactly what you need. And when you make the trip, it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. The drive is awesome, the sea is incredible, the view at the top of that ridge is utterly breathtaking. The winery itself is breathtaking, a true rustic wonderland. This is especially apparent from the beautiful 2nd story deck that overlooks the place. Good service, some very good wines, and some wonderful conversations. It's never crowded (big plus) and they're always friendly. Worth the trip. Spend a day up in the woods! Check this place out, Fort Ross State Park, and the Timber Cove inn. Come at the right time of year and there's no better place for fresh-caught seafood! read more

There are few places in the world that make me feel alive again, and driving out to Fort Ross is one of them. The Pinots and Chards on the tasting menu are lovely and the views from the balcony are breath-taking! If I ever were to have a special occasion at which I wanted to take my guests on a journey, out to Fort Ross Vineyard would be the journey I would take them on! read more

Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room - The view from the balcony! Breath-taking! - Wine Tours Near Me - Jenner, California

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A must-go family-run winery on the most beautiful spot of land imaginable.. Enjoy the wine in a friendly, relaxed, and welcoming tasting room. When we walked in, they welcomed us like family. There is no pretense here, just great wine served in a beautiful place. Enjoy the fantastic views from their tranquil balcony with sweeping views from the coast. If it's foggy on Highway 1, chances are, it's sunny up the hill at the winery. Come out of the fog and bask in the sun on their deck. read more

As we drove through Sonoma, my husband and I decided to try a Sunday afternoon wine tasting and had a lovely time. Brett walked is through some of the various Chardonnay and Pinot Noir selections and was very charming. As a self-confessed wine heathen, I was grateful that he didn't look down on my lack of knowledge. It was a magnificent way to while away a lazy weekend. read more

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What a lovely find. Owner of another winery near by recommended that we stop here and we were so glad we did. The setting is lovely, far views of the ocean, sophisticated tasting room, lovely deck. And the wines are REALLY good - rich in flavor and robust and smooth. We had a darling young lady serving us, Kristin. She brought us our tastes on the deck while we unpacked some cheese and crackers we had brought. She was most knowledgeable and lovely. It was a great day, a great find and suggest you go a bit out of your way to stop by! read more

Great Wine, amazing location. They have a nice balcony to do tastings and we also brought a few sandwiches they let us bring in. Must stop by on your drive through, very good estate pinot grown as close to the coast as you can get.. read more

Spectacular view and totally worth the drive up the coast and hillside!!! Rarely do you get both great view with truly delicious wines... Fort Ross has it! You will be glad your wine country visit includes this stop and tasting. The wines might be a tad pricey for some, but will not disappoint. (Tasting fee is very reasonable and waived with 2 bottle purchase.) The tasting room attendant explains it far better, but the grapes react differently with the fog line at their altitude and often are above it so they get more full sun. Less oak is required and the taste is a bit different than others at lower altitude. The Chardonnay is particularly different and quite a treat. Enjoy the drive, views, and wines!!! Cheers read more

I was recently introduced to a Fort Ross Pinot, it was quite nice. So when we had out of town guest who wanted to go wine tasting it was a perfect opportunity to visit the tasting room. Yes, the drive was longer than we thought it was going to be. We did however find the drive to be lovely and we discovered that Fort Ross Vineyard was more than worthy of being considered a destination. The tasting was a great experience, hosted by Don Holm who was knowledge and approachable. We all had our favorites but decided to share a bottle of the 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve with our picnic lunch and brought a bottle of the Rosé home to enjoy on one of the last dog days of summer. Besides... they are the only ones I know of in Somona County doing a Pinotage. That in and of itself is worth the drive. read more