Fort Ross Vineyard Tasting Room - Jenner, California

VT A.

Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery is a small producer located in a remote area a few miles from the coast in the southernmost part of the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. We happen to love Sonoma Coast wines, so we were really looking forward to going to the only tasting room in this area. The tasting room itself is relatively small, but stylish and comfortable - think Restoration Hardware. Even though it was mid-April, it was still pretty cold (50F) when we arrived for our 10 AM tasting, so it was thoughtful of them to have the fireplace going.

Wine tastings are by appointment only, so be aware of that before you go. We opted for the food and wine pairing tasting for $75 pp instead of the wine only tasting for $50 pp. The extra $25 was absolutely worth it. When we arrived, we were offered some 2022 Chenin Blanc which was a welcoming touch. For the tasting itself, we were served four wines - the 2019 Bicentennial Chard, the 2019 Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot, the 2018 Top of Land Pinot, and the 2018 Pinotage (the owners are South African and brought over some vines) - we were also served a tasting of the 2019 The Terraces Pinot as a bonus. Each of the four wines were paired with small bites to eat.

Bicentennial Chard with “Fennel and Apple Salad, Herbed Mascarpone, Cardamom Crostini”
Fort Ross Vineyard Pinot with “Maitake Yakitori, Cherry Teriyaki Sauce, Napa Cabbage Slaw, Macadamia Nuts”
Top of Land Pinot with “Forbidden Rice Risotto, Oyster Mushroom, Roasted Cauliflower, Valley Ford Estero Gold Cheese”
Pinotage with “Coffee and Ancho Seared Flank Steak, Broccoli Rabe, Cheesy Grits, Pinotage Glaze” (They have a vegetarian option for this one if you ask)

The food was delicious on its own, but more importantly, each one paired very well with the matched wine. The entire tasting showcased the food-friendliness and versatility of Sonoma Coast wines. Really well done.

Unfortunately, the day was overcast, so the view was limited, but the grounds are beautiful. Overall, it was a great, memorable experience.

If you arrive in the area early, you can pass some time by walking the Vista Trail that is located near the intersection of Meyers Grade Road and Route 1. It has beautiful views of the coastline, it’s entirely paved, mostly flat, and takes maybe 15-20 minutes to do the entire loop.

Lastly, there is no cell phone reception (at least for T-Mobile) in the area. None. Not even a hint of a bar. So take that into consideration by making sure you have downloaded maps onto your GPS so you can use it offline.

Millie K.

We were very excited about tasting Fort Ross wines based on the reviews that I read. The drive was fairly long and arduous but absolutely worth it as the setting is stunning. The tasting room is very nice with an excellent deck. We enjoyed the wines especially the pinotage, but overall the quality was not as high as I expected. Overall enjoyable and worth a trip to visit the Sonoma Coast, but not likely to visit again.

Pamela A.

This winery is a hidden gem! It’s nestled in the forest, but worth the trek! They are very accommodating with dietary restrictions. The food sampler was interesting and tasty!! Great vibes overall. Quiet and private, with beautiful views on the patio. Would definitely go back!

Rich M.

Fort Ross Vineyard is not to be missed!
The wines are terrific, their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are as great as the view from the deck. John, our Estate Host, was outstanding, and fun to hang out with, as we may have overstayed a bit.
Robert was taking care of other guests, but took the time to give us many suggestions on where to visit.
And the chef’s food pairings were sublime.
Thank you to all for giving us such a great experience!

Adam C.

You won't just stumble upon Fort Ross Vineyard, it's remote, but totally worth it! The drive is spectacular with beautiful vistas around every turn! Reservations are required. The drive ends at the beautiful tasting room. This winery produces mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Equal to the quality of the wine was the tasting plate; the flavors stood on their own and complimented the wines so well. Wonderfully kind guide was very knowledgeable and helpful!

David K.

Had a lovely wine tasting here. The balcony is quite sunny with gorgeous views of the gardens and ocean. Excellent food and wine pairing. Would be happy to return again!

Alicia B.

If you’re asking yourself whether the drive is worth it, the answer is yes. We made a reservation for the food and wine pairing, which was an absolute steal at $55 a person. We had fried oysters, a mushroom flatbread, salmon, steak, and dessert, all paired with several vintages of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. John was a fantastic host, even going so far as to give us an extra pour for our photo shoot on the deck. Truly a hidden gem.

Jan K.

Happened upon this place on a whim and they were able to accommodate us, which we were grateful for. Our host John was delightful. The wine and food pairing was delicious. A very lovely, sunny afternoon on the deck. Quite memorable!