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Russian River Vineyards

📍 5700 Hwy 116 N · Carneros, Sonoma Valley
🐾 Dog Friendly 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Friendly 🌄 Scenic Views 🧺 Picnic Grounds 🍽 Food Pairing 🥂 Estate Wines ✅ Walk-ins Welcome
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Location
5700 Hwy 116 N, Forestville, CA 95436
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About Russian River Vineyards

Russian River Vineyards is one of the most enchanting and genuinely rustic winery experiences in the Russian River Valley. Time Out San Francisco described it as a place where 'visitors are put under a spell' — from the fairy tale-like 1890s farmhouse surrounded by vineyards to the live music performed every weekend.

Winemaker Giovanni Balistreri produces small-production Merlot, Pinot Noir, and unique varietals from their Forestville estate, while farmer Kayta Brady's backyard garden provides ingredients for the on-site restaurant. The menu — chai-spiced beets, cream of mushroom soup, Kayta's Hand Salad — pairs perfectly with the estate wines and is the kind of genuinely farm-to-table cooking that the Sonoma food movement aspires to.

The tasting flight is just $15 (waived with any bottle purchase), no appointment necessary, and the hours run until 8pm Thursday through Tuesday — making Russian River Vineyards one of the most accessible and genuinely magical evening winery experiences in Sonoma County. Farm dog Riley roams the grounds for guests who need a friendly furry companion.

At its Forestville, Sonoma County location, Russian River Vineyards presents a featured lineup that includes Estate Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Unique Varietals. Together, these bottles provide a focused introduction to the varieties, vineyard sources, and style that define the winery's current portfolio.

"A fairy-tale 1890s farmhouse in Forestville with a restaurant, live weekend music, farm dog Riley, and a $15 tasting waived with purchase. Time Out ca"
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Russian River Vineyards
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Featured Wines

Merlot
Estate Merlot
The Russian River Vineyards signature — small-production estate Merlot from their Forestville property. Giovanni Balistreri's careful attention to the 1890s estate produces wines of genuine personality.
★★★★☆
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Estate RRV Pinot Noir from the farmhouse property — cool-climate, elegant, and reflecting the charm of the enchanting Forestville setting.
★★★★☆
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Crisp estate Chardonnay — the ideal pairing for the restaurant's farm-fresh menu on the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyards.
★★★★★
Various
Unique Varietals
Time Out noted Giovanni Balistreri's 'unique varietals' — rotating small-lot expressions that reflect the experimental spirit of this distinctive Forestville estate.
★★★★☆
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Walk-In Tasting & Restaurant
$15
No appointment needed — walk in any day through Tuesday for a $15 tasting flight (waived with purchase) and stay for lunch or dinner at the farm-to-table restaurant. Farm dog Riley in attendance. Live music weekends.
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Weekend Live Music Tasting
$15
Saturday and Sunday live music performances on the magical 1890s farmhouse grounds — the most enchanting weekend afternoon in Forestville. Farm-to-table food available alongside the wines.

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