Carlisle Winery and Vineyards
I have been trying to get a reservation for tasting at Carlisle Winery and Vineyards for YEARS. They’re only open on Fridays and when I’ve called in the past to come in when we decide to take a long weekend, they were always booked. Until this weekend! Wahahahaha!
Carlisle is located the in the Russian River Valley. We drove through a bit of Windsor on our way to the production facility where they host their tastings.
If you’re looking for something fancy and insta-worthy, this isn’t the place for you, I’ve found that you usually get great wine or great décor, but rarely both—and I’m here for the wine.
The sign at the entrance to the driveway for Carlisle Winery and Vineyards in Russian River Valley.
What we tasted that day at Carlisle Winery and Vineyards.
By the time we started tasting, I honestly couldn’t tell you how I “first heard” of Carlisle or why we were there. Was it:
a) my fascination for weird varietals grown in California like their GrĂĽner Veltliner,
b) their old vine Zinfandel, or
c) the field-blend style of their Carlisle Vineyard Zin with 14% mixed blacks?
They’re all good reasons and that’s probably why we walked away with bottles of all three.
Note: our Apple Maps actually took us in the back way. If you’re lucky enough to get a reservation here, don’t go up the unmarked driveway. Go up the one with the signage!