August 2017

The Best of Wine Country Awards recognize the wine country community for its excellence in all things that make wine country so great — the creative, innovative, philanthropic, eco-friendly and unique components of wineries we know and love. Earlier this year, we invited you to check out the award categories and submit your entries. All nominees had to be located in Northern California from Lake County to Carmel.

On June 15th, 2017 The Best of Wine Country Awards Steering Committee voted on the final nominees and winners based on the nominations received online.

On August 23, 2017 all nominees plus guests of San Francisco magazine gathered at The Pearl SF for a celebration and awards gala announcing the winners.

We are incredibly grateful and proud to have been named ‘Best Winery in Sonoma’ and ‘Best Tasting Room in Napa and Sonoma’. Thank you to our extraordinary team, our partners and especially to our amazing guests.

View Award

92 Points, Wine Advocate
“The 2016 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay offers a great intensity of fresh, pure apple and white peach aromas with hints of baker’s yeast and allspice plus a waft of honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied and delivering mouth-filling stone fruit and spice flavors, it has a satiny texture and great length. Totally over-delivers at this price point! 18,227 cases produced.” —Lisa Perrotti-Brown, April 27, 2018

Editors’ Choice, 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide
“Full of melon and crème brûlée richness, this is a delightfully lush white from grapes grown across the appellation. It shows layered concentration and strong, lingering flavors of pineapple and caramel.” —Virginie Boone, November 13, 2018

90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
“This desirable appellation wine hails from several well-farmed vineyards, including the producer’s hillside Wildcat Mountain site in the Petaluma Gap. Apple blossom aromas lead to a taut body of ripe, balanced fruit—an exploration of pineapple and mango that’s food-friendly, with high-toned acidity.” —Virginie Boone, December 2017

90 Points, Wine Advocate
My personal go-to white at my local supermarket, the 2015 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is real Chardonnay class at a bargain price. It opens with notes of grapefruit, peaches and cream and honeyed toast with a touch of pineapple. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is purely fruited with a lovely suggestion of creaminess plus great intensity and length. With nearly 22,000 cases produced, I’m happy to report there should be loads of this to go around! —Lisa Perrotti-Brown, March 1, 2017

92 Points, Wine Review Online
This wine would surely win over even the anti-Chardonnay folks. Its savory dryness is balanced by fresh fruitiness, especially apple and citrusy elements, while the oak presence is more like a dash of spice than a heavy layer of flavor. The sublime duality of richness and delicacy, plus the wine’s palate embracing texture, is what truly sets MacRostie Chardonnay apart from the competition. – Marquerite Thomas, April 19, 2016

90 Points, Wine Spectator
“Presents a delicious core of vibrant grapefruit and lemon-laced tangerine and white peach notes. Those who value zesty acidity will love this, as the acidity keeps the flavors fresh and jumping. Drink now. 25,000 cases made.” – James Laube, January 2016

90 Points, The Tasting Panel
Fresh and smooth with ripe fruit and creamy texture; rich and balanced with a firm core of acidity; mellow and long. —Anthony Dias Blue, Feb. 1, 2016

3 1/2 Stars, The Press Democrat
“A bright pinot with notes of cherry, cedar, cocoa and mineral. Light and lively. Tasty.”
—Peg Melnik, August 24, 2016