Part of Wine By Appointment Chardonnay Winery Series
What's Their Story:
"They Call The Wind Mariah"… you'll find yourself humming the song as you read about the origins of this winery. The founder and owner of the winery, John Sweazey, was so enamored by the anabatic (a warm wind that blows up a steep slope or mountainside) winds that flow through the vineyards he named the winery after them. The wind is also useful for producing crisp wines. Anaba was the first northern California winery to install a 45-foot wind turbine to generate electricity in 2009.
Like so many before him, Mr. Sweazey became inspired by trips to France in the 1970s and strived to recreate the Rhone and Burgundian wines that he grew to love. Hence, Anaba Wines came into being in 2006, and that's not just a bunch of hot air.
Why The Winery Made The Grade:
Anaba's Chardonnay is very appealing. The winery has managed to hit that middle-of-the-road space between super oaky, super buttery Chardonnays and high, high acid, astringent Chardonnays. Anaba wines have enjoyed high ratings from the prestigious Wine Spectator magazine.
I know these blogs are all about Chardonnay, but if you enjoy white wine, you owe it to yourself to try the Rhone White blend.
Ambiance:
In 2019, Anaba transformed its tasting room into a magnificent salon with wine-inspired touches. The tasting salon is roomy and airy, with plenty of comfortable seating, and conveys a modern, upscale vibe. The salon's many windows provide views of the surrounding vineyard and bocce ball courts. And an amazing outdoor patio for those who enjoy a little sunshine with their wine.
Which Winery Visitor Type Would Love It :
Because this winery puts such emphasis on fun,
Casual Wine Drinkers would find it appealing, given the great tasting room and wine
Oenophiles because of the quality of the wine.
We really enjoyed it because of the wine, the ambiance, and the food offerings. We sampled their Vegan Platter, which was quite tasty and complimented the wine well.
Details:
Address: 62 Bonneau Road Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 707-996-4188
Website: www.anabawines.com
Hours: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM Daily
Tours/Tastings Offered: Anaba offers several different types of tastings: currently, a Legacy or Elements tasting; a Pinot Noir, Bocci Ball, and Pizza tasting; Sips and Sweets tasting featuring chocolate and their port dessert wines.
Cost: $45.00 to $125.00, depending on the type of tasting.
Read the next Chardonnay winery blog, Arista Winery
Or read all of the Chardonnay blogs in our new guide, Chardonnay Wineries of Sonoma and Napa.