Inside and Out…

Have always been a big fan of Rodney Strong’s chardonnays. Know it’s not fashionable nowadays to love butter, oak and alcohol, but combined the right way, which Rodney Strong’s chards inevitably are, I Iove having a few thru the summer and fall.  When the web gal and I were recently driving down Hwy 101 we realized we were close to the Rodney Strong winery and had a few minutes to spare before their 5 pm closing and drove down their driveway to their impressive tasting room main building.  

Evan & David

Normally you have to make an appointment for a tasting now, but their Lead Hospitality Host, Evan Baker, gave us a break and was happy to pour us a few as he was closing down their tasting room. It’s hard to get the web gal to sample when she’s driving, plus, she’s not a big drinker, but puts up with me, ha ha… I insisted she try Rodney Strong’s 2022 Rose of Pinot Noir. And I wasn’t wrong, as she loved it and purchased a bottle for herself and a bottle of Rodney Strong’s Cab Tier 2018 pour moi. I tell ya, the web gal treats me well.  

Besides their excellent wines, Rodney Strong has impressive tasting rooms in their main tasting building, plus very nice grounds for outdoor tastings when the sun is high. While I was sipping, the web gal was happy to tour the winery both inside and outside. Got Evan to do the NSI quiz while she was doing that. Cheers and enjoy!

What was last night’s dinner? I had some delicious ramen at my favorite pho place. 

Favorite music? Rock n’ roll, with a nod to heavier stuff like Slipknot. 

Favorite drink? A Hibiscus Tea margarita. 

Favorite Sonoma restaurant? Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar, great food and atmosphere. 

Favorite thing about living and working in Sonoma? Love the views at sunrise and sunset, great community as well. 

What makes a great wine tasting? Obviously, you better have nice wines to pour, but after that, find out what they like and try and match their taste. 

Any wine, restaurant or trip on your bucket list? I’d like to go to Vietnam. My roommate just got back from there, said it was fantastic, like to go for the food and people.  

Any brush with celebrity? Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs from the Discovery Channel came in for a tasting.  

Final thoughts? Just be happy if you have anything to do with wine.