Historic Buena Vista Winery

Plan on a pleasant stroll when you visit historic Buena Vista Winery. The parking lot is outside the entrance gates and a paved concourse curves under the trees beside the creek to the central courtyard. Here you will find an ornate fountain and a chain of historical broadsides describing the viticultural history of the flamboyant Count Agostin Haraszthy, hailed as the father of the commercial wine industry.

The two stone buildings date back to the days of Count Haraszthy, and the Press House – where finishing and aging of the wines took place more than 100 years ago – now holds one of the most interesting tasting rooms in the area. On the mezzanine is a well-lighted art gallery where a local artist is in-residence the first weekend of every month.

Sharing the mezzanine level with the art display is a comfortable tasting area, where older vintages may be sampled in flights of three wines. The fees for the flights range from $7.00 to $10.00. Current vintages are open for tasting at the hospitable long-bar on the main floor. Several of the wines listed on the tasting sheet are sold exclusively through the tasting room. Among these are the Carneros Estate Chardonnay, the Carneros Estate Pinot Noir, Carneros Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and the “World Famous” Cream Sherry. You can check on all the news, new releases and even consider membership in the Count’s Wine Club by clicking onto www.buenavistawinery.com.

A highly diverse and mouth-watering selection of foodstuffs is always featured in the tasting room, and each weekend, samples are set out for visitors to try before they buy. Hours at the tasting room are 10 am to 5 pm daily, at 18000 Old Winery Rd., Sonoma. For information, to place an order, or enquire about renting the facilities call 800-325-2764.