MacRostie Winery

When I asked Sonni for her recommendations of favorite wineries in Heldsburg, I knew that I wanted to get out of my normal picks. I wanted something new and interesting with a fantastic view. Sonni suggested a few top picks. and from that, MacRostie Winery stood out.

So, I made a reservation and my day was set.

Arriving after a short stop for lunch at Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop in San Rafael at and a business meeting in San Rafael, I found myself at MacRostie Winery.

With it’s sweeping vista of the valley below, the winery was absolutely beautiful.

I was offered a welcome glass of 2024 Rosé of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast before being lead to my seat.

In short order, my tasting host for my time – Season – introduced herself. She was charming and fun. Between the Signature Tasting and the Exclusively Red, I chose the Exclusively Red. It included:

2022 Day Ranch Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

2022 Manzana Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2022 Nightwing Vineyard Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

2022 Clockwise Vivio Vineyard Syrah Bennett Valley

2022 Clockwise Monte Rosso Zinfandel Sonoma Valley

I asked Season for her suggestions for local wineries. I had a few unhurried hours before check-in at AutoCamp Sonoma, and I wanted to fill them with something wonderful.  She suggested Twomey Wines, Lambert Bridge Winery and Moshin Winery. 

With delightful conversation amid gorgeous surroundings, I felt at home with Season’s hospitality. She supplemented my flight with pours of 2022 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir (Petaluma Gap) and 2021 Nightwing Vineyard First Flight Pinot Noir (Petaluma Gap).

For my tastes, the standout selection was the 2022 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir (Petaluma Gap).

She also suggested her favorite wine education item: The Wine Folly Brand’s Wine Aroma Wheel.

When Season asked if there was one that I wanted to revisit, I instead turned the question back to her. “What is one wine that you’d want to leave me with that says: “This is MacRostie Winery.”

She paused thoughtfully, then returned with the 2021 Clockwise Napa Valley Red Wine Blend. This was it.  It felt lush, full bodied, and sexy in my mouth. Each sip was exactly what I wanted. If I’d intended to purchase a bottle of wine – this would have been it.

As she poured, she smiled and thanked me for “letting her play with me.” That, I realized, is the true beauty of wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma – it isn’t about pretense or perfection. It’s about curiosity, connection, and finding what brings you joy.

Wine isn’t meant to be dictated by someone else’s taste. It’s meant to be discovered, by the person doing the tasting. It’s a personal expression of one’s taste. Earlier in the year, I did the Opus One Winery Tour & Tasting. I also did. Pliny the Younger 2025: Guided Tour & Tasting at Russian River Brewing. To add – I did A Tasting of 4 Van Winkle Bourbon Whiskeys and followed that up later in the year with Buffalo Trace Distillery: The Trace Tour.

To some people, these mean nothing. And that’s fine. To others that do. That’s fine as well. Because like wine tasting – none of this matters.

None of it.

What matters is the pleasure that life gives you, in the moments that you find yourself sipping wine overlooking a vineyard. It’s not supposed to be serious or pretentious. Kick that 80s “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” bullshit out.  Wine tasting and living a life you love is about finding what speaks to you. Not what someone with their pinky in the air says you should like.

Pay for your pleasure.

Drink what makes you happy.

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