We did the Observations tasting experience with Daniel, who was an incredible wine educator & tour guide. We toured the wine processing plant, learned quite a lot & saw workers actually working lol to create the fabulous wine we sipped here. After the tour, we sat down in this gorgeous peaceful room & sipped and discussed what we were tasting. It was an incredible experience, highly recommend. And yes, we came home with 6 bottles of wine. read more

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We had the opportunity to visit Kosta Browne for a private tasting recently. It was such a special treat. We were invited to tag along with a family member whose brother-in-law works here. We got a behind the scenes look at where the magic happens. Kosta Browne is a very exclusive winery with limited, small production of their wines. We sampled the observation series and I ended spending way more than I should have to add some bottles to my collection! Tasting reservations are available through Tock, but one must be on KB's mailing list before being able to make the reservation. read more

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Summary: Very good, hard-to-get, premium-priced Pinot Noirs While KB isn't as rare as it was a few years ago, it's still relatively unknown (no marketing) and hard to find. There's a multi-year wait to become a member and you have to re-apply every year. As all the reviews say, the wait is worth it. We were lucky enough to go with friends who had recently become members but hadn't visited yet. KB is a little hard to find. The address isn't even on the Web site because they don't allow drop-ins. Even with the detailed directions they gave us, we drove around the block twice until we found the U-shaped parking lot. Rachel was our host and, even though she had only been on board for a few months, was very knowledgeable and very welcoming. We tasted a Chardonnay while we took a tour and learned about the background of the winery. Apparently, Dan Kosta and Michael Browne started their wine business by saving their tip money from serving at a restaurant. KB ages in oak, steel, and concrete -- I had never seen a concrete egg that large. In the wine lab, we saw a machine that I think we were told costs $500K. But the highlight of the night was the Observation Room, so-called because it overlooks the production floor. We should all be so lucky to drink wine in a room like that. Speaking of which, we got to taste the little-known Observation Series. Of the three, my favorite was the Free James Pinot Noir. It comes from a cold patch in Freestone by the ocean and is the last KB site to be picked. The KB wines are really good but might not be for everyone as they are premium priced. If you can splurge, you should try one -- but they are small production winery and you probably won't find it at your local wine shop. read more

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So years after my first review, Kosta Browne is still making fantastic pinot's While it no longer as rare as it was years back, they still are somewhat hard to find. The vast majority of the wine produced goes to restaurants. The rest goes to members of its wine list. If you see it at a wine shop they purchased it from someone who has an allotment. Unlike many wine lists, you may have to wait till you receive an allotment. I had to wait several before I was allotted 6 bottles for my first allotment in 2010 and it was another 4 year until I started getting a trickle of single vineyards. Since then mine has grown steadily and now I can buy way more than I can consume. I believe that the list is much much shorter these days and the allocation ramps us pretty quickly. You start out with your entry level pinots, mainly the Sonoma Coast and Russian River. Time and yes the amount you purchase dictates if you will be moved up to the single vineyard wines. As before the allotment you receive is based a few factors. Wines ship 2 times a year divided into first the Appellation Wines (entry level) then the single vineyards later. 1) Time time time. How long have you been on the list 2) How much you purchase. Do you buy your full allocation or just a few bottles. 3) Production. If its a banner year, you may get more of a particular vineyard etc. If its a low production year, you may not even get an allotment of that particular vineyard. There are a few I have yet to receive like the 4 Barrel. We stated getting Magnums the last few years as well of the Appellation series. If you haven't sampled the wine or are lucky to have had a friend with a few, its easy to join and get a few bottles yourself with a bit of waiting. read more

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I visited during COVID-19, so felt very lucky to have an opportunity to get to the tasting room once they finally opened it. The tasting room and experience was what you would expect from Kosta Brown. The wines were wonderful, our guide was extremely knowledgeable, and conversation was free-flowing. Would go back the next chance I have. read more

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Outstanding Pinot Noir made from vineyards in Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley and the Santa Lucia Highlands. While I had a feeling from the very beginning that the several year wait to get on the mailing list would be worthwhile, this wasn't fully realized until I tasted some of the gems from the expansive portfolio here. Lauryn was such a gracious and welcoming host to me and my friends earlier this month for our first ever visit to the winery. We all had an excellent time learning the story behind Kosta Browne, all the while sipping on some hugely promising barrel tastes. We concluded at the dining table with a couple of previous appellation vintages that left a lasting impression. Already stoked for my next allocation and another visit in the near future! read more

Kosta Browne Wines are exceptional! Wine production is very limited as Kosta Browne is focused on delivering the very best Pinots: flavorful, intense, and balanced. Three interesting notes about Kosta Browne: * Kosta Browne wines are carried in only the very best restaurants across the US, many of them Michelin starred establishments. * The winery is not open to the public. Only members are allowed private wine tastings, tours and wine allotments. * Wine membership is very unique. You don't just sign up and within a month start getting a shipment of selected wines on a quarterly basis. The Kosta Browne wine membership list has a 2-4 year waiting list! A group of friends and I did a private wine tour and tasting with Russell Batt in June 2014. Amazing experience! We tasted 3 bottles and also sampled a handful of wines directly from the barrels. The overall vibe was laid back and comfortable. It was as if we were just enjoying wine in Russell's very own house. It was perfect. We learned a quite a bit about Kosta Browne: 1. How Dan Kosta and Michael Browne humbly started their wine business by saving tip money! 2. The Kosta Browne wine making process 3. Kosta Browne's three appellation wines: Sonoma Coast, Russian River and Santa Lucia Highlands. As we concluded our private event, I just wanted to immediately buy a few bottles of wine! Again, Kosta Browne doesn't sell any wines at the wine tour. No gift shop, either. I left feeling helplessly craving more Kosta Browne wine. Grapes and terroir help distinguish good wine from great wines but I've always been a believer that it's also about the employees. Great employees like Joyelle Finn and Russell Batt combined with great wines create the Kosta Browne experience. Thank you for an amazing experience! Hope to meet Dan Kosta and Michael Browne in the near future or have an opportunity to invest in Kosta Browne! read more

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This is the ultimate wine tasting place to go. WE are members (a must membership). They have incredible Pinots, but to visit their tasting room is an experience! You get a personal open gate entrance so it's very private. You get to goo into the wine storage area and barrel taste. Plus the private room for tasting. Great hosts. read more

Just had a great tasting experience with Chris....really nice host with lots of info to share. The wines were all really great. We tasted 4 Pinots and a Chardonnay. My favorite was the Cerise. Beautiful facility and tasting area. You have to call for a reservation no walk-ins. read more

Skip Pax if you have time for one stop in The Barlow! This place is what I want every time I go tasting in wine country. The professionalism was superb! The wine was otherworldly. As with some other places in the Barlow, we didn't feel overwhelmed by extremely loud tasting room associates obsessed with themselves and there phones. We could have stayed all day abs will come back next time to do so. read more

Wanted to check this place out with my mom for her birthday. We were quickly turned away by a woman at the door. While we were asking for more information on how to make an appointment, she cut us off to say "I have guests" and walked past us. This encounter was very rude to say the least. My mother and I were both shocked. This was a very unfortunate encounter and we have no interest in returning based upon how we were treated at the front door. read more

Closed to the public. Only open to members for pickup. Get on the list; it is worth it. The best Pinots and a yummy Chardonnay

I must say their wines are excellent but the customer service is very poor. I bought a 3 bottles of Chardonney by accident and offered to drive up to their winery in Sebastopol from Marin to swap them for their Pinot or something else. They refused. Said any sales are final, now swaps or returns allowed......this is a very different policy than other wineries or stores. Terrible customer service. Would not recommend read more

KP has excellent Pinot Noir and I really like the Gap's Crown! I cannot wait to try the Spring Chardonnay in 2013! read more

Kosta Browne Winery - Delicious wines - Wineries Near Me - Sebastopol, California

We were more than overjoyed to be able to have a tasting scheduled at Kosta Browne, as it is one of our top Pinot Noir favorites. My husband has been a member since 2012, but had to wait 3 years to be on the list (the wine is worth the wait). We had a private tour/tasting for our one year wedding anniversary. Caitlin was very knowledgeable and personable during our tour. Not only did we get to view their unique facility, but the wines were fantastic. read more

I am often asked, are their wines really that good? Yeah people, they are! Now that they have moved to their new lovely barlow location, their twice yearly events for wine list members have become so awesome! They continue to raise the bar on both their wines and their limited events. Get on the list, be prepared to wait a few years, but oh so worth the wait! read more

My first love was Dehlinger, then I heard about KB from the person whom introduced me to Dehlinger. Luckily I caught KB just as they were getting their buzz and joined their waiting list. It took a year before I finally got a taste of it, but when I finally did it was mind blowing, as if I found what Pinot Noir was all about again. I met the winemaker, Michael Browne, and he was so down to earth, friendly, knowledgeable, and enjoyable. Now a few years on their mailing list I've met some of the staff and it's just like family. Everyone I've met thus far has reached out to help or teach me a little something about everything of the operation. I do have two loves, lets just say that I'm the child that loves two respectable producers....I might die (or born again) of excitement if Dehlinger and Kosta Browne made a special blend! read more

My wife, sister, brother-in-law and myself made our way out to KB and not only did we have an exceptional and personal experience, Lauryn M. went above and beyond her duties to provide us a wonderful and knowledgeable tour of KB, but she also engaged us as a friend and recommended several other wineries for us to try. We have been to several tastings appt. and this one created a lasting impression for us. Thank-you Lauryn. read more