I can't believe this place is closed!!! I had an amazing time here tasting such great wines! Staff were amazingly kind and knowledgeable. read more

Galatea Effect - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Sonoma, California

Did the sampling. Exceptional wines. Love the idea of the different wines. Tried a flight of the 6. The start was a delicious Grenache Blanc. Loved it. Some oak. Balanced it out well The viognier was delicious. Some more acidity but also rounded with oak. Two pinots. Same blend with one pressed and one free flow. Both delicious with solid red fruit. The latter was even more fruity. Two Sarah's. Both Rhône blend style. Great age and delicious. The second was more intense with dark red fruit. Loved them both. I highly recommend this place. read more

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WHY WE WENT HERE: - 5th and final stop of the Gourmet Food & Wine Tour (booked through Eventbrite) THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - tucked down a little alleyway down E Napa St THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - modern - clean - cozy - loved the corner window seating (the cushions felt memory foamy) and the little duraflame portable fireplace to make it toasty for us was a nice touch THE MENU: * we didn't see the menu; our guide, Arlene and the Galatea Effect worker, Gigi ordered/set up what we were to taste WHAT WE ORDERED: - 2014 Conoscenti Pinot Noir - 2012 Conoscenti Syrah with dark cacao THE LOOK/TASTE: - love the different wine glasses - the taste of the wines and the cacao to go with the Syrah were great CUSTOMER SERVICE: - warm and welcoming - great conversation and history lesson read more

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A small but charming tasting room, I had the pleasure of meeting the owner Joel and wine maker, he has a vision of his Galatea Effect. That his wine is to be unique and well balanced, with bold in flavors, he even likened it to the jolly ranchers candies, not that his wine is sweet, but was bold flavors and I found them to be absolutely delicious! I learned a lot about his thought process from vines to bottles, including the design of the labels. The tasting room was modern and the wine was delicious, staff was welcoming and warm. I'm definitely coming back with some friends and family as soon as possible. Cheers my friends SYOY read more

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The Galatea Effect was beyond effective in hospitality and delicious quality wines served to our exclusive group in its wonderful boutique setting on Sonoma Square. Welcomed by Joel the visionary, pilot and wine maker and his lovely outstanding staff Mav & Charlotte, Joel explained in detail the origins of the label, his wines and their journey from vineyard to bottle. We began with a 2015 Rosé, a very low production vintage with just 45 cases produced, is nearly sold out; understandibly so, as it was quite memorable. We next enjoyed a 2014 Viognier, only 90 cases produced, it was complex and quite good. The Conoscenti Pinot Noir 2014, was a delicious unfiltered delight, and I enjoyed a 2nd pour :) Again a boutique style production with only 210 cases produced. The second Pinot Noir, Laminar Flow, also a 2014 was fantastic, and is expected to lay down for up to 10 years! (If you can wait that long) The final pour was the 2011 Genception of the Giants Super Syrah, Incredible complexity and flavor, its no wonder it received a Wine Advocate score of 95 points, but be prepared for a hefty $ in accordance to the care and quality of these fine not rushed wines. Thank you so much Joel, Mav & Charlotte for hosting our group, was a wonderful Sunday on the Square! read more

Galatea Effect - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Sonoma, California

We found Galatea Effect tucked away in an alley across from Sonoma Square and upon entrance, I was immediately struck with how vibrant and colorful the bottles were. By definition, Galatea Effect is the a phenomenon where people's own opinions about their ability and self-worth influence their performance. "Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right!" It's with that passion and drive these wines were created. What a treat to meet and interact with the owner, Joel, and his fabulous team Mav and Charlotte. He's clearly passionate and knowledgeable but more than that, his explanations behind the wines were relatable and understandable. Each pour brought history behind the wine as well as reason for vineyard and barrel choice. My favorites of the day were the 2012 Conoscenti Viognier, a full-bodied white, and not surprisingly, the 2011 Genception of Giants Super Syrah. Gosh it was so smooth, complex and flavorful ...and pricey so it better be! Quite an enjoyable wine tasting experience. Highly recommend! read more

Galatea Effect - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Sonoma, California

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The wines here are truly a labor of love and are AMAZING! I was fortunate to be part of a large group tasting here today. I have been to no less than 100 tasting rooms/wineries in the 5 years I have lived in the area and this one is TOP tier for sure. It was apparent that the owner/wine maker Joel was 1000% committed to making the most glorious wines. Most of his wines are aged longer and then kept in the bottle much longer than most wineries will do. For example, today we were tasting newly released wines that were 2011 and 2014 vintages. It really makes a difference in the depth and taste for sure! I liked everything though my favorites were the Rose of Syrah, the 2014 Conoscenti Pinot Noir and the favorite was their flagship wine Laminar Flow Pinot Noir - it's pricey but I can see why. ($100). They also make an amazing Conception of Giants Super Syrah - 95 points from The Wine Advocate - might need to get a bottle next time I go. Joel also explained his thoughts and creativity that goes into the labels for each wine - the whole package is so important to him. So - go here - great experience and amazing wines. You will not be disappointed. read more

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Damn great wines! This place is The Hidden Gem of all of Sonoma! Shhhh, don't tell too many people about it... we want this wine to last! You will not find a better Petite Sirah on planet earth. And the Syrah "Conception of Giants," their flagship wine is equally amazing. I love their Cabernet as well. The story of Galatea Effect is amazing and how they make their wines is different than anybody else. Go here, meet Charlotte the Tasting Room manager and hear their story - but definitely do not leave Sonoma without tasting their wines... all of them! And if the owner Joel is there, the guy is a HOOT! He's around and he makes the experience a lot of fun too. read more

Galatea Effect - Some of the best wines in the world! And my son, Trevor on his first wine tasting experience. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Sonoma, California

New tasting room located in Downtown Sonoma. We were in the area for dinner and a nice lady greeted us and asked if we were interested in a tasting. We weren't really planning on it, but I'm a sucker for both good customer service and wine so... PROS (+) (+) Friendly People! Our server was funny and approachable. Additionally, the owner was walking around introducing himself to people.. unfortunately not to us... lol..but I could tell he was an amiable person. (+) Tasting room was elegantly decorated and had plenty of space for people to enjoy their wine comfortably! (+) Wine was pretty good! If you like reds, they give many different options. (+) Heavy handed pours! They provide MANY tastes. This was our first tasting stop, and thank god, because I left tipsyyy and probably would've KO'd if I had drank something before! CONS (-) (-) They do not provide tasting fees! This was a big con for me, and seems somewhat deceiving as the fees are not cheap ($30pp). This would've been completely acceptable if they had it on the menu or if the waiter had disclosed this information to us beforehand! They served both me and my boyfriend... so that was $60 without consulting us. Kind of a lawsuit waiting to happen. We ended up buying two bottles to offset the price ($65 each, total of $130). But I would strongly caution unsuspecting tourists to beware of this practice, as by the time the bill comes you will probably be too tipsy too care/notice. Overall: Pleasant tasting, but beware of hidden tasting fees! read more

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The Galatea Effect was so powerful and their wines so good tasting - the rain disappeared, and the sun came out! For real! What a place to excite tastebuds! Yelp Elites were 1st served 2015 Rosé Grenache. I never knew Grenache could be in Rosé. A true treasure. $40/bottle. Next, was 2014 Viognier, a beautiful fruit taste and mouth feel. Delicious, dear. $65/bottle. Pinot Noir 2014, $65/ bottle was in our glasses next. My nose enjoyed the seductive smelling & mouth was filled with cherry & black raspberry & was aged 19 months. Our next was wonderful pour 2011 Syrah. What a delightful taste & complex aroma! Joel is the proprietor, designer, vintner & entrepreneur of Galatea Effect. He shared his dreams, mastery & passion for his wines. With him today on staff were Mav & Charlotte. All were so helpful to answer our questions & embellish on wine making. Very educational and fun. It's evident Joel really cares about bringing his wines to their best flavor & loves his business. We were treated to an amazing array of cheeses, grilled vegetables, grapes & olives, crusty bread, nuts & crackers. Very generous assortment & a pleasure to eat the many textures w/flavors of Galatea Effect Wines! Thank You Joel, Mav & Charlotte for first-rate hospitality shown to us today!! 2014 Laminar Flow Flagship Pinot Noir came out. Our mouths were already watering! We knew it would be good. And so it was. Bright bouquet with complex tones of cedar, red fruit & forest floor. $100 per bottle. Lastly and certainly not least was the (drumroll please) 2011 Genception of Giants CA Super Syrah, $150/bottle. A dark romantic cassis kiss on the lips, with aromatic floral design and outstanding solid finish that lingers on your palate. Beautiful & Best. Expensive & Elegance. I was impressed how much flavor & taste was inside each beautiful bottle. Kevin B., C.M. arranged this fantastic Yelp Event for his Squad. We are a lucky bunch of Yelpers!! Thank You Kevin, for giving us the best of the best in Sonoma today!! read more

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We had the honor and pleasure of meeting the Owner/Wine Maker Joel and his outstanding staff consisting of Mav and Charlotte. Joel shared with us his passion at becoming an entrepreneur and starting his own winery in 2011 and how he envisioned winemaking and sharing his style of winemaking that differs from the "norm". We next had a pour of a 2014 Conoscenti Viognier, a darker Rose wine, which was full-bodied in its taste. The process at which these wines were made and aged was truly fascinating and intriguing. We treated to so many additional bridles of Galatea Effect's wines that it was truly a fantastic experience, the wines were paired with various cheeses and meats to enhance the flavor of the wine. The presentation of the wine bottles and the design of the labels really set the wines here apart from the traditional designs of many wines. The bold design and creativity that went into the labels were truly beautiful, I like the was covering of the top of the bottle. read more

An upscale wine tasting in Sonoma on a drizzly day in January marked my first wine tasting of the year. Galata Effect meaning: People's own opinions and expectations of themselves and their ability influences their performance. A fancy phrase for "self confidence"? We should talk this over with a glass of Syrah. There is a trend in giving wine labels interesting names which match the complexity of the wine. Other names include Poetry, Pangloss, Fulcrum, Imagery and the like. Each portend a conversation, message and/or expectation. One expects a much different experience at Galatea Effect than say, "Highway 12". The consumer might expect that the proprietor has more depth than just making wine with a name like Galatea Effect. My tip-off was to sit at a wobbly table and have the wine maker and one of his staff notice the small disorder and quickly arrive with a shim to correct the anomaly. (This event reminded me of an account of an interviewee who tripped, fell on his face and scattered his portfolio all over the floor of the prospective employers office. He later got the job because he not only gave a good interview but came off as "human". Odd huh?) Attention to detail, awareness and humility. Attributes of the Galata Effect? We began our flights with a rose. I've never enjoyed rose. This is probably because I drank an entire bottle of cheap pink champagne paired with a bag of barbecued potato chips. This was about 1965. That's the kind of stuff I did back then. I sick for three days. I wouldn't want to bore you with details of that experience, but let me just say that I saw a lot of the color "pink" in those three days that was in a very unpleasant form. The color pink still traumatized me, but I must say that I enjoyed the rose. I believe I would even stock it in my refrigerator if it wasn't pink. Each glass was successively better. Successively better. That was the theme of the flights. Joe Clapick the winemaker discussed his winemaking techniques. I attempted to make wine before, so I thought this was interesting. I remember my partner purchasing an expensive brix gauge. "So you squash the grape in here like this Steve! Then you look through this hole and see the brix number!" That was a very awesome tool. I had to have one! (I never got one, our wine was terrible and the money invested in the brix gauge would have better been invested in a good bottle of wine.) Joe's method is to walk around the vineyard eating grapes. If he likes what he tastes, he is ready to harvest. This technique seems very sensible. The other sensible technique is to siphon off a portion of the grape juice to give the crush a higher concentration of skins that will add body to the remaining juice. A good story is no substitute for a good product. Fortunately, Galatea Effect has good wine. Very good wines! I enjoyed the Viognier and the two Syrahs the most. The Pinot was as good as any high end Pinot, but the Viognier and Syrahs were the two wines which give Galatea Effect it's competitive edge. Those two wines are why one would want to visit Galatea Effect. The tastings are $30 and most all of the wines are $65 each. Free single tasting if you purchase two bottles of wine. Me? I purchased a bottle of the Syrah. Having lamb tonight. read more

Galatea Effect - Enjoy this chocolate with your Syrah. - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Sonoma, California

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I hate to throw a fellow wine company under the bus, but these wines are garbage and the tasting room a tourist trap. I happened upon this place on accident and happened to sit down to taste a few wines. The tasting room person was very nice but failed to notify us of a $30 per person tasting charge (it was on the front page of the tasting menu, which we did not receive until after the first wines were poured). She poured 2017 rose, 2016 grenache blanc, 2014 pinot, 2013 syrah. All over-extracted, hot, tired and ponderous wines. The fact they are trying to sell over-the-hill 10 year-old wines is indicative of the low quality winemaking. My advice is to avoid this place unless you're on the fifth stop of your tour bus and need to accentuate your buzz. Also, I am extremely suspicious of the other reviews on this yelp page. I should add that most of these wines are from the central coast. read more

Such a great experience! In Sonoma last Sunday, came across this cute little place. The beautiful wine bottles caught my eye, moreover the tasting room host Haley was so bubbly & welcoming - we decided to go in. Best decision! The ambiance was modern, cute & comfy. Seated on a couch, we enjoyed delicious tastings of wine & Haley shared vast knowledge about the history and food pairings of each wine during our tasting. The experience quickly became the highlight of our time in Sonoma. If you're looking for the best tasting wine, ambiance and a enthusiastic, knowledgeable, welcoming host- you must visit Galatea Effect. read more

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New winery tasting room in the spot formerly occupied by Bryter wines. Six different wines available for tasting as of March 2017. Tasting fee is $30. Bottle prices range from $40 to $150. The super syrah is quite outstanding in flavor and body, if you have deep pockets you will enjoy it. See my photos for the wine menu and a letter from the owner. read more

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Had a fabulous tasting today at the Galatea effect (gal-a-sha). Got some really great input from the owner/winemaker. Very knowledgeable in the wines and processes A truly memorable experience. Joel is very down to earth and interesting to listen to. Highly recommend checking them out for a tasting, fabulous wines from sirah to pinots, and the art work on the labels are awesome. Love the little boutique wine tasting room, will definitely be back. read more

We happened upon this tasting room while walking around before our dinner rez. I believe it was getting near closing time and a couple tasting rooms we passed by were quiet. Christi (sp?) welcomed us as we peeked inside, and her friendliness drew us in! She guided us through our tastings and her engagement seemed to increase as we asked questions, and I loved this! The owner also came over to interact with us, even though he was busy with another group. We enjoyed all six wines we tasted, from the rose to the pricier Super Syrah and Flagship Pinot. In the end, we purchased a voignier, Conoscenti Pinot, and Conoscenti Syrah. With our four bottle purchase they waved two of our three tastings. Then they ended up comping our third tasting! I'm not sure what another person commented about regarding no disclosure of the fees. They were printed on the tasting menu covers and explained by Christi. If you taste here, you will thoroughly enjoy your experience! read more

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The name Galatea greatly describes their unique differences when it comes to the entire process. from selection of grape sources, appropriate time to harvest based on taste more then anything and formulations. What we experienced was a very high level of passion, science, wine intuition and a deep belief in their mission. We got to receive tastings from both menu and off menu with a history of how each came to be. Clear they have no intention of being run of the mill but exceptional and tastes that have a reason to be remembered read more

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Excellent afternoon of wine tasting at Galaeta Effect in downtown Sonoma. You will find them tucked into this lovely little alley of treasures on the south side of the square called Vine Alley. The tasting room is very comfortable with seating at the pouring bar, table seating, and a great area by the window with a laid back sofa like seating that lends itself wonderfully to conversation with friends. My favorite tasting of the day was the Rose' of Syrah....absolutely amazing. Ive always thought of Rose' as a light wine, but I was very impressed with this particular Rose'. It has just enough weight to it that I believe it would pair perfectly with heavier foods, like steak. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff, and they are pet friendly! read more

This past Sunday, my husband and I had the opportunity to attend an event at the Galatea Effect in downtown Sonoma. You walk through these beautiful arches that are covered in greenery and there are cute little boutiques along the way. At the end is the Galatea Effect. I called ahead to make sure my little Pug, Madison, would be allowed. Not only was she allowed, but she was made to be very welcome! She was greeted with a cookie and a bowl of water, so that made her feel special. :) The tasting room is really nice. I loved the artwork on the wall and the huge ceiling fan was a nice touch. The labels on the wine were all designed by the proprietor, Joel, and they look like an explosion of color. I enjoyed how animated and passionate Joel was when he described each wine and the story behind it. I loved that a lot of the grapes were from Santa Barbara, too. My favorite wine out of 6 we got to taste was the 2015 Conoscenti Rose' of Grenache from Santa Barbara. I always end up loving my first taste for some reason. I bought 2 bottles to take home with me. Maeve and Charlotte, the tasting room associates, were so wonderful and took great care of us. They paid attention to every detail and nothing went unnoticed. I very much appreciate their hospitality and we will be back very soon to try their 2011 Genception of Giants -a California Super Syrah that I'm excited about. When in Sonoma, be sure to seek out the Galatea Effect. You will enjoy every minute. My husband, myself and Madison sure did! read more

Had an amazing time at Galatea Effect !! Haley really knew her stuff, I love when people love what they do and you can tell she does by the way she refers to the wines! The wines were wonderful and the atmosphere was just as awesome, can't recommend it enough! I will be coming back for sure! read more

If you are in Sonoma, you have to visit this tasting room! Amazing wine, and amazing service! My husband and I were served by the owner, who gracious, friendly, and knowledgeable! Delicious wine, and fantastic service! We loved every wine that we tried, and bought several bottles to take home! read more

Me and my girlfriemd were walking past all the tasting rooms and this cute bubbly girl waved to us which prompted us to go in for a tasting. It was 30$ for a six wine tasting. Very fair price for sonoma. The place was small, but modern and cute. Hayley was awesome, she hasn't been there long but her knowledge, passion and character really shined. LETS TALK ABOUT THE WINE! We were tasting all weekend and this place stuck out the most. We had two whites, two pinots, and two syrahs. The whites were spectacular. The pinots were different, but very tasty. And im not much of a pinot drinker. The was star was their 150$ super syrah that was a part of the tasting. I had to get a bottle. Make this a part of your trip to sonoma! And thank you Haley for being so awesome! read more

Had such a lovely time here -- the wine and Joel (the owner) totally made our day! Loved that Joel took the time out to explain to us the thought that went behind crafting every wine and answered all our questions. Left learning not only a little more about wine, but the Galatea Effect, which is a very interesting theory. I'm not a white wine person at all! But their Viognier is a must. I think it's THE white wine for red wine lovers. It's one of those wines where smell and taste continue to surprise you. Don't think twice!! Just go -- and enjoy :)) read more

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We were able to stumble upon his spot thru wine alley at Sonoma Plaza. Christine was awesome and very knowledgeable of the wines. They have some really good quality wine so must have a try. If you are buying a lot of bottles and thinking of a way to get it home, they have a wine traveler $80 that's holds a case a wine inside and can check as luggage. Way cheaper then anything we have seen in Napa that is around $275-$350 and is on wheels. read more

Galatea Effect - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Sonoma, California

Happened upon this tasting room today and had the best time! Charlotte was amazing and the wine was wonderful! We had a blast hanging out and chatting with Charlotte and the other guests. I knew it was the place to be when my dog was immediately welcomed with a biscuit! We loved every wine we tried and felt very welcome! Thank you, Charlotte, for making our experience so fantastic! read more

This place is the best! Their wines are top notch, and their staff knows what they're doing. Charlotte and Gigi set a great vibe, and were so happy to answer any question. Super impressed with the viognier and the rosé syrah! read more

Had a great experience right from the start! The owner, Joel greeted my friend and I at the door. He even sat us at our table and explained the whole meaning behind the Galatea Effect. Joel was the one doing our wine tasting and would give us every detail about every wine. You could tell he was very knowledgable and passionate about his wines. Online hours are 12pm-6 pm, but Joel was happily inviting customers in past this time. Great atmosphere, very inviting and comfortable! Glad we got to experience this with the owner/winemaker himself since he does not live in the area. I would love to go back if I am ever in Sonoma again! Thanks Joel! read more

Blown. Away. The wines here are only matched by the stellar hospitality of all of the staff. Tasting room manager Christina and wine maker / owner / jack of all trades Joel will make you feel right at home. They were able to answer all of our questions and did so while pouring AMAZING wine. If you like wine at all, then you will find something you love. We were surprised and delighted by how breathtaking and distinct each and every wine was. You will not regret stopping in here. It's become a staple of our regular trips read more

Galatea Effect - Wine Tasting Room Near Me - Sonoma, California

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Booked a tasting for my husbands bday and it was an amazing experience! Haley was awesome and was so informative! Left with an awesome bottle of Syrah! Would definitely recommend this spot and can't wait to come back! read more

Great tasting room located in courtyard. Charlotte the manager was very knowledgeable and friendly. Small but very much quality producer.

Charlotte is such a great host. Naturally talkative, but not too much. Open, welcoming, (dog friendly !) and good juice. We we're waking by and she asked if she cod give our dog a treat, and we went in for a tasting. Good wine, slightly pricey but worth it to be honest. Great Viognier. :) read more

Charlotte was so welcoming and knew so much about wine. She taught us so much and was crazy knowledgeable! The wines themselves that we tasted were all delicious and Charlotte did a great job of explaining how they differed and how each were made. This has been my favorite wine tasting experience to date! read more

What an experience! We had an awesome time. So refreshing, informative and just fun. Learned so much. Answered questions I wouldn't have even thought of asking! And the wine was exquisite. Something for everyone. Try it, you'll LOVE it! read more

Wines were amazing! Thank you Charlotte for pouring and being a great host! It was wonderful discovering your wines we will certainly be back. read more

Love the passion the owner has for his wine. He explained everything well and I feel like I learned s lot. The wine was very good. It was unclear the cost of the tasting and felt like it was a strategic tactic to rope us in because it ended up being expensive (30). We bought two bottles to wipe out that cost. read more

Came in here as our first stop in Sonoma, and we're very impressed! Modern design and so many delicious wines. We tried out the flight and were introduced to six astounding wines. Gained so much knowledge as well from our host Dylan, who really made this experience 5 stars. Thank you so much, we'll be back! read more

Just finished a tasting at Galatea and had a great time. Our guide was Mark and he was funny, knowledgeable, and true wine lover. Definitely hit this modern style tasting room in Sonoma. read more

We were walking through wine alley in Sonoma and looking for a tasting room with a quiet, calm vibe, Galatea Effect drew us in. Charlotte served us a wonderful tasting of wines and fantastic stories. She was sweet, knowledgeable and entertained us with stories about growing up in the area, while providing a wonderful tasting with every wine question one could ask, answered. When we were finished she gave us wonderful recommendations and started a story that continued with each stop. Each winery we visited that day was connected in some way and it made for a wonderful adventure of great wine and good people, which never would have happened if we did not start in this little spot. As far as the wine goes, it was a bit hit or miss for us. We drink primarily reds, which they did have a great deal of. Overall, I would say we liked one or two of the wines out of the five we tasted, but everyone has different tastes. Regardless, the wonderful experience is worth the stop if you are in the area! read more

My friend and I stumbled upon this little gem. We tried 5 of their wines. Dylan was amazing and super knowledgeable. It was obvious that he has done his research to understand the science, enthrallment, and essence of wine. We also got to meet the winemaker. This place was the most unique tasting room that I went to. Had a blast & will hopefully be coming back someday! read more