Pine Mountain – Sonoma’s Hidden Gem

Access Alexander Valley Wine Week Excursion: A Day on Pine Mountain

This exclusive, day-long Wine Week experience will surprise even the most seasoned Sonoma wine lover. On Pine Mountain—one of Sonoma’s northernmost peaks, where Alexander Valley meets its edge—you’ll discover wines and vineyards that are anything but flat or easy to reach, but absolutely unforgettable. (In fact, this rugged terrain has its very own AVA.)

Your journey begins just off Hwy 101, where up to nine participants will be welcomed by two growers and a winemaker for a private drive up to the Tellez Family Vineyard. With a glass of sparkling wine in hand, you’ll set out on a 45-minute vineyard walk as Steve and Kirsten Tellez share their story of leaving behind careers in LA’s entertainment industry to embrace the good life on the mountain.

Next, enjoy a scenic drive up to Pine Mountain Winery to explore Alexander Valley wines in production—including the 2024 Rains Creek Cabernet and Spicy Vines’ Carignan. Guests will taste barrel samples from these lots and compare them with higher-altitude Pine Mountain AVA wines, offering a rare look at how terroir expresses itself from vineyard to vineyard.

By early afternoon, the excursion continues down to the BioDynamic-certified Rains Creek Vineyard. Here, a spectacular lunch will be paired with a vertical tasting of Rains Creek Cabernets (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2022), plus a surprise “ringer” or two. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into what it takes to transition from conventional to BioDynamic farming.

After coffee—and perhaps a leisurely stroll through the vines—guests will be driven back to their cars, just 10 minutes away, filled with memories of a truly rare Wine Week adventure.

Book Now

This is a joint event by Rains Creek Vineyard, Tellez Family Vineyard, and Spicy Vines.
Additional contacts: crystalyn@spicyvines.com; sctellez@gmail.com; doug@spicyvines.com