10200 Sonoma Hwy. 12, 707-833-5213. Daily 10:30-4:30.
Entry to the small Deerfield Ranch Winery is through gates and past 14 acres of wetlands known as the Kenwood Marsh. The marsh is home to the endangered Kenwood Marsh Checkerbloom flower, which is found only here in all the world. The marsh also displays a trio of metal giraffe sculptures. After walking through the production facility crush pad and by the fermenting tanks, you enter the winery through a Roman-arch portal with massive redwood doors.
The main hall is lined with wine barrels, and on the walk down into the wine-glass-shaped cave to the tasting room you’ll see hundreds more barrels in off-shoot halls--there are 2,500-plus in all. Set back deep inside a hill, in a 23,000 square-foot manmade cave that was bored out by a mining company and is composed of compressed volcanic ash, the tasting room provides seating on comfortable overstuffed couches and chairs in a choice of several areas. A 60-degree temperature is maintained year-round, making it a perfect destination on a warm day. Art hangs on the walls, and most of it is for sale. We were intrigued by some interesting Star Wars pieces.
Winery owner Robert Rex has a past that includes being trained as a chemist at Cal, then going into the tobacco business, and finally becoming a winemaker after mastering a hobby wine-making kit received as a gift from his wife. Rex says you’ll be tasting “clean wine made with happy yeast.” The organic wines are crafted with low histamine and sulfite levels, which prevents headaches and allergies, and are available for sale only at the winery. My favorites include an unusual grapefruitty 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, a delicious 2012 Syrah Cuvee from the estate vineyards out front, and also a pretty, pink, and dry 2018 Naked ladies Sparkling Rose that comes in a lovely bottle decorated with the pink Amaryllis flowers it is named for.
More things to do in Kenwood.
More things to do in the Wine Country.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
 |
| entrance to Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, California |
Entry to the small Deerfield Ranch Winery is through gates and past 14 acres of wetlands known as the Kenwood Marsh. The marsh is home to the endangered Kenwood Marsh Checkerbloom flower, which is found only here in all the world. The marsh also displays a trio of metal giraffe sculptures. After walking through the production facility crush pad and by the fermenting tanks, you enter the winery through a Roman-arch portal with massive redwood doors.
 |
| metal giraffe sculptures at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, California |
 |
| cave entrance at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, California |
The main hall is lined with wine barrels, and on the walk down into the wine-glass-shaped cave to the tasting room you’ll see hundreds more barrels in off-shoot halls--there are 2,500-plus in all. Set back deep inside a hill, in a 23,000 square-foot manmade cave that was bored out by a mining company and is composed of compressed volcanic ash, the tasting room provides seating on comfortable overstuffed couches and chairs in a choice of several areas. A 60-degree temperature is maintained year-round, making it a perfect destination on a warm day. Art hangs on the walls, and most of it is for sale. We were intrigued by some interesting Star Wars pieces.
 |
| cave hallway at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, California |
 |
| cave tasting room at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, California |
 |
| "Star Wars" art for sale in cave tasting room at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, California |
Winery owner Robert Rex has a past that includes being trained as a chemist at Cal, then going into the tobacco business, and finally becoming a winemaker after mastering a hobby wine-making kit received as a gift from his wife. Rex says you’ll be tasting “clean wine made with happy yeast.” The organic wines are crafted with low histamine and sulfite levels, which prevents headaches and allergies, and are available for sale only at the winery. My favorites include an unusual grapefruitty 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, a delicious 2012 Syrah Cuvee from the estate vineyards out front, and also a pretty, pink, and dry 2018 Naked ladies Sparkling Rose that comes in a lovely bottle decorated with the pink Amaryllis flowers it is named for.
 |
| winery owner Robert Rex holding a glass of 2012 Syrah Cuvee in cave tasting room at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, California |
More things to do in Kenwood.
More things to do in the Wine Country.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Wow, this is a unique winery...in a cave! We, my husband most especially, would love to visit it. And I would love to see the checkerbloom flower. Googled it, in fact.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! We have had the pleasure of visiting a distillery in a cave, but not a winery. I really liked the Star Wars artwork that they have for sale.
ReplyDelete