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    Woodenhead Wines

    4.4 (71 reviews)
    ModerateWineries
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Woodenhead Wines Photos

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    a view of the mountains
    Koko M.

    Amazing little spot, tucked right on off the road. I was brought here by a friend who shared their 2016 Chardonnay with me... I'm not even a chardonnay drinker but literally love this creation!!!! We have since had 6 bottles over the last couple months. We planned a trip to Napa area and were lucky enough to get a spot on their patio for a tasting. It was a beautiful day in between the fires and we really got lucky on timing, air quality etc. We decided to do an entire tasting and the chardonnay is still hands down my favorite although they no longer had the 2016 version by this point. Definitely recommend calling for your reservation and make sure enough spacing is available due to the current climate. Allowed one at a time to use the restroom, don't forget to look a round amd shop the inside on your way through! Lots of wonderful little gems and local artist work as well.

    Woodenhead winery Is Magical!! Their wines are magnificent !! They have won hundreds of awards & the awards & trophies are on display!! The scenery is breath taking!! They will treat you like family. You are Not rushed through a trough, like cattle in feeding days! OK we were recently there for a breakfast for my son's 30th birthday. It was 10:30 in the morning and quite chilly. I'd prepared a breakfast charcuterie. I did not prepare for jackets and the precious women gave me their jacket!! and they made me keep it!! I'm not kidding more than 10 times, they said "keep it ! don't bring it back you keep it !!" how amazing is that! who does that anymore !! it was like we were family !!! The scenery is breathtaking!! Obviously, The customer service is out of this world and their wines are amazing they have hundreds of awards and if other wineries were winning awards, they would display them!WOODENHEAD WINERY gives you AWARD WINNING WINES & BREATH TAKING SCENERY!!Theres not a better combination!! We did a thorough research of Vineyard's that won awards and WOODENHEAD WINES were superior to even the Ward Winning Wines.

    08-15-2020 View from the patio
    Stephanie C.

    My fiancé and I stopped by on THE hottest weekend of 2020 (AND in the thick of COVID-19) but still had a wonderful time! Since social distancing is key right now, I knew I would have to make reservations for wine tasting. Woodenhead was able to fit us in with a call just one day in advance, which I really appreciated! Right when we arrived, they spritzed our hands with sanitizer and had us put our masks on whenever they approached our table. Their patio overlooking the vineyards is SUCH a hidden gem off a tiny road. There was room for nearly 6-8 tables on the patio, but they only sat 3 parties which allowed for adequate distancing. Service here is friendly and kind, no pretentiousness whatsoever. Tastings are priced at $20/pp, but they waive the fee with a bottle purchase of $40/pp or more. Our favorite of the day was their Anderson Valley Wiley Vineyard Pinot Noir so we walked away with a bottle of that, along with their 2015 Russian River Zinfandel. Their bottle prices are steeper than I'm accustomed to spending (I'm no stranger to 2-buck chuck) but we felt it was well-worth it when you accounted for the experience & atmosphere. We will probably be back, hopefully on a cooler weekend next time!

    a glass of wine and a bottle of wine
    Prapa C.

    My boyfriend told me about this place where he came here 5 years ago . We had wine testing but what we bought was Zinfandel. It was great and the service was so nice. The ambiance was great too .

    99 points
    Mendy B.

    Total hidden gem! The woman who works here is super friendly and the wine was delicious. Full Of Flavor. I highly recommend stopping by and enjoying their 99 point pinot. Not to be disappointed!

    Wine list August 2022- wines with a mark to the left are those that were included in the tasting.
    Jenny I.

    Nice winery with two cute little patios, specializing in the wines the Russian River valley is known for. Good place to compare Pinot Noirs from various areas and years, as well as Zins. There was a $25 tasting fee, waived with a bottle purchase. Very friendly crew.

    Almost there
    Ben B.

    Woodedhead has a great tasting room that looks out over the vines. They have an outdoor deck which can make a wonderful place to have lunch. There is various wooded bowls and mask to look at. And of course their wines are very nice to taste.

    Enjoying the terrace at Woodenhead Winery.
    Michel A.

    Spent a very pleasant time on the terrace at Woodenhead Winery on a warm, sunny, fall afternoon. The wines were great, enhanced by the hospitality of Zinz Bowers and Erin. We especially enjoyed the 2017 Zinfandel, Leras Ranches, Russian River Valley and the 2016 Pinot Noir, Kent Berry, Santa Cruz Mountains. Highly recommend.

    The tasting deck at Woodenhead Wines in Santa Rosa.
    Jason F.

    Woodenhead Wines proves you don't have to have a huge vineyard to be a major player in the Russian River Valley. Nestled among all the huge wineries such as Le Crema and Martinelli lies the Woodenhead Wines tasting room right off of the River Road exit off of Interstate 101, Woodenhead is definitely a back roads discovery, of which the only reason I was here was that my friend became a member last year, after doing research into the most unique wines and wineries of the Russian River Valley where he happened to be camping out in. We came late on a Sunday afternoon in the fall and it wasn't too busy at all. The tasting room is a remodeled house that's got a comfortable, yet intimate home vibe with a beautiful pet-friendly deck overlooking the Russian River Valley's Laguna de Santa Rosa area. A long serving bar in the main tasting room allows for several groups to share the experience without overcrowding. Erin was our tasting room associate and since I came with a member, she served us a wide variety of their latest creations. Woodenhead has been around since 1999 and in this tasting room since 2007. They have a small but mighty team that runs the show, with only nine employees on staff they do the crush, bottling and even the labeling together. Owner Nikolai Stez doesn't grow anything on site, but gathers his grapes from all over the region, including Mendocino County, his wine is so meticulous that there are times when he won't bottle a wine, at a loss mind you, because things don't taste just right and wine of course is expensive to bottle. At Woodenhead, they emphasize that they sell by the case with 3,500 cases in their entire stock of varietals, they specialize in Pinot Noirs with a good balance that are easy to swallow. They consider themselves a house of reds, but there are definitely a few light and sweet treats that would rev up any palate that comes through the front door. We started our tasting with the 2014 Halfshell White Russian River Valley (RRV) French Colombard ($22 a bottle), which was discovered an old French Colombard vineyard down the road, across from Martinelli Winery. It's considered an old-fashioned variety, but can remind mindful drinkers of a old Chardonnay, as it was dry and fresh, with just a hint of green apple. From there we had the 2013 "Wet Kiss" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir RRV ($52 a bottle) which is considered a more plush Pinot, but thankfully it wasn't too bold. We followed up with their 2012 Pinot Noir RRV as well as a sampling of their latest creation the 2015 Pinot Noir Rosato RRV but were smooth and light-bodied. Finally we tried out their boldest creation on their tasting menu, the 2013 Syrah RRV from Dolinsek Ranch ($40 a bottle). A flight of five wines for only 10 dollars is a deal in this region and it was waived since my friend was already a member we didn't spend a dime. We stood at the counter talking to Erin about the history of Woodenhead and it gave us an appreciation of the work and passion that their team puts into their product. The more I drink the more I learn about the art of wine making and the best thing one person can do is to spend a little time with varietal at a time and really see the importance of place has in growing the grapes that contribute to making it. I was surprised at how soil, climate, and vineyard site manage to alter the flavors so differently, especially when it comes to Pinot Noirs, and at Woodenhead they pay particular attention to this. They don't mess around here and that is how expert winemaking is supposed to be carried out.

    Emily S.

    One of the best wineries we've been to. Amazing view and deck, amazing Pinots and Zins (I loooooved their North Star blend and French Colombard as well), cute cozy and up to date tasting room, amazing pourers...! The list goes on and on! A must stop!!!!! It's $10 for 4 Pinot Noir tastings or $10 for three Zin tastings. My husband and I got both and shared. Verrrrry generous pours! Makes us want to sit and stay and that our money's appreciated. You can waive each tasting w a bottle purchased (you can't combine tastings towards a bottle). Still just amazing!!

    Gorgeous view from the deck

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    Quaint. Family operation. Heritage linked to William's Selyem (famous Pinot noir). Above average wines. A worthy stop

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    Really nice visit and had a great time with a local friend. Great winds and great vibe and fun rain or shine.

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    Sweet! Thank you!

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    Zina B.

    We've released our Halfshell White, perfect with oysters!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Woodenhead Wines

    Wondering if this beautiful tasting room is dog friensly?

    I've seen dogs on the patio but never inside the tasting room. I'd give them a call to double check. :)

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Woodenhead Wines

    They have a large selection of Pinot on their tasting menu along with a large selection of Zinfandel to try.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Paradise Ridge Winery

    Paradise Ridge Winery

    4.4
    (342 reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$

    We had such a fantastic wine tasting experience at Paradise Ridge, and a huge part of that was…read morethanks to Kevin. He was warm, knowledgeable, and made the entire tasting feel relaxed and engaging without ever being overwhelming. He explained each wine and the regions they came from in a way that was easy to understand but still really interesting--perfect whether you're a casual sipper or more into the details. The standout for us was the 2019 Zinfandel--bold, smooth, and just really memorable. Definitely the one we're still talking about. Beyond the wine itself, wandering through the sculpture gardens added something really special to the visit. It's such a peaceful, beautiful setting and made the whole experience feel more like an afternoon escape than just a tasting. Honestly, Kevin made it. We'd come back again just to have another tasting with him. You are full of Aloha. Mahalo!!!

    Paradise Ridge is soooo dreamy. I attended a company dinner party here and was really impressed by…read morethe wine and views. The vibe is cozy, relaxing and just the right amount of fancy. I had way too much wine and took a million pictures because the scenery demanded it. The food was kind of underwhelming and not worth noting, but honestly, the wine and scenery more than made up for it. Also the staff were friendly, attentive and heavy on the pours making the whole night indulgent and fun. Overall 9/10. Good venue for a company gathering.

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    Sauvignon blanc
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    Matanzas Creek Winery

    Matanzas Creek Winery

    4.2
    (415 reviews)
    13.0 mi
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    One of the best small wineries in the area. Fabulous grounds with lavender fields (where we did…read moreyoga) and an antique wooden storage barn and fragrant products like soaps, honey etc. There is also a bocce court and a few special outdoor picnic tables you can reserve for groups. Their wines were delicious; the whites had a hint of elderflower scent and there was a nice, lighter Chardonnay, not too buttery. For reds, the Cab was full bodied and fruity. Their Malbec tastes authentic and showed off the winemaker's South American roots. Our very knowledgeable and cheerful guide Nicole, said the winemaker came from Chile. Her descriptions were helpful and she had a friendly, energetic enthusiasm which showed a true love of her job. The was a good full plate of cheeses and salamis available. They even gave us a "to go" cup to wander around the grounds, so overall it was a very generous pour to sample! Highly recommended to book in advance and allow time to explore the grounds.

    Absolutely stunning property with an outside seating area that overlooks rolling vineyards and the…read morehills of Bennett valley. We stumbled across this property on a recent visit with my dad who lives in the area and I'm so glad that we did. We didn't have reservations but we're still accommodated. Chris took us through our tasting for the day and was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and had a ton of great food recommendations for the area. The estate tasting consisted of 6 wines for $35. We were given a delicious pour of their non vintage brut rose as a welcome pour. I enjoyed all of the wine that we tasted through. Somehow during our visit I missed their lavender gardens but that just means I have to plan another visit.

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    Matanzas Creek Winery
    Matanzas Creek Winery
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    Balletto Vineyards

    Balletto Vineyards

    4.4
    (232 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    The first time I came here was around 2022, when Covid practices were still prevalent and these…read moreguys had a pleasant outdoor tasting area. I specifically came back here with my friends to enjoy some wine and a great outdoor experience with hopefully the same hospitality we got last time. We arrived and we were seated...it is still beautiful, but it seemed like the person who took care of our tastings just appeared to be very distracted and not so into the wine pours...we got small explanations of what we were getting and probably got the smallest tasting pours I have ever encountered anywhere...in which we got five. I thought the price tag of 30pp they would not be so stingy...and we did purchase a few bottles but there was no discount on the tastings even for that. I would highly encourage you to go elsewhere if you want to get a proper tasting. This place is just not the same as it was....what a pity.

    They had some snacks menu the prices were absolutely great. I couldn't believe how reasonable they…read morewere. We totally lucked out. The weather was perfect, our server was great, Victoria was our server and we had so many laughs and good conversations Victoria was wonderful, We had a great tasting. The Reds were lovely, and the price was extremely reasonable, which seems a rarity nowadays. Sit outside under the pergola and enjoy the view. There is enough space between each other and feel like your conversation is still private. It was relaxing and delicious, excellent visit Cheers, my friends and SYOY 09/30/25

    Photos
    Russian River Valley Pinot Noir by Balletto Vineyards
    Russian River Valley Pinot Noir by Balletto Vineyards
    BCD Vineyard Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Designate bottle wine at tasting room in Santa Rosa
    BCD Vineyard Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Designate bottle wine at tasting room in Santa Rosa
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    St Francis Winery & Vineyards

    St Francis Winery & Vineyards

    4.3
    (568 reviews)
    14.8 mi
    $$

    I have been a member at St. Francis for six years and am finally posting a review for their amazing…read morewine and food pairings. I have enjoyed this offering at St Francis at least once a year and it never disappoints. The food is fresh, unique and delicious, the flavors accentuated by the wines. On this visit, the potato and Gruyère soup was a standout, as was the beet gnudi that was deeply flavorful with the mushroom sauce reduction that had great depth and heft. The service was attentive and friendly as always, with a lot of knowledge about the food, wines and region shared through the meal. Set in a beautiful room with a view of their vineyards, it's a lovely few hours. I highly recommend if you're looking for an experience in wine country.

    I came here with a large group for a birthday wine trip (13 people). We had a reservation and were…read moreseated outdoors. We had a 4 wine tastings, 2 whites and 2 reds. The reds were a pinot noir and zinfandel, but neither really stuck to me. For the whites, it was a sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. The chardonnay was okay but the sauvignon blanc was my favorite out of all 4. Not only does it smell sweet and fruity, but it also tastes like it! I ended up buying a bottle of it to bring home ($35 if you're not a member). Our wine was paired with 12 spreads. All of them were delicious and some were even quite unique, like the sweet pea one! My favorites were the brie, carrot, and rhubarb spreads. Not really sure if I concluded on which spread paired the best with which wine, but they were nice snacks to munch on. If you're seated outdoors, you get a nice view of the vineyard as well as some mountains. There also looked to be some pedal powered trolley, which we saw a group doing but didn't do it ourselves.

    Photos
    Grilled Asparagus with Sauvignon Blanc
    Grilled Asparagus with Sauvignon Blanc
    Interior of their tasting room at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa.
    Interior of their tasting room at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa.
    Rose wine

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    Rose wine
    La Crema Estate at Saralee's Vineyard

    La Crema Estate at Saralee's Vineyard

    4.5
    (213 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Absolutely wonderful! A world-class honored tasting room at Saralee's Vineyard, terrific wines,…read moreand customer service that goes beyond excellent. Even after moving from the Bay Area to the Central Coast, we continue to visit and stock premium La Crema wines. Our favorites are clearly the "Nine Barrel" Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Kelli Ann Vineyard Chardonnay is right up there with our all-time favorites, year after year! If you're looking for a wine club (and we've been in dozens and dozens of them over the years), La Crema is the place to start. A special shout out to Madi for setting the bar high for wine club customer service!

    I was invited to join my friends to taste wine at La Crema Estates at Saralee vineyards, as they…read moreare wine members. When we arrived I was amazed at how beautiful the estate is and the vineyards are well kept and breathtaking. As we entered the estate we were greeted my the host as my friends had reservations and since it was a hot day we did our tasting inside with a wonderful window view of the vineyards. We were each giving a glass of the Pinot Noir Rose which was absolutely refreshing and delicious this was actually my favorite wine. We had wine tasting of both Red and White wines. I am more of a Pinot Noir drinker than Chardonnay. Every tasting we had was really good, but no of them topped that fantastic Rose. Ursula, I believe was her name was our wine host is she was amazing and explained the different wines and the vineyards and where their grapes are grown. After out tasting we had a really nice picnic outside and enjoyed each others company. I would definitely come back without a doubt.

    Photos
    La Crema Estate in the heart of the Russian River Valley
    La Crema Estate in the heart of the Russian River Valley
    La Crema Estate in the heart of the Russian River Valley
    La Crema Estate in the heart of the Russian River Valley
    Walk the vineayrds around La Crema's Estate.

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    Walk the vineayrds around La Crema's Estate.

    Woodenhead Wines - wineries - Updated June 2026

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