Kunde Family Estate Sonoma County | Kenwood, CA

Kunde Family Estate Wine Tasting Notes

This joint has beautiful grounds with landscaped pathways, a big water feature with fountain, sloped vineyards, a cool wine cave, and a eco-tour with sweeping views of the valley.

There are about a dozen picnic tables just outside the large tasting room facility that are perfect for a mid-day bite, (as you can see in the photo). In fact, Lady Jess and I picked up some hummus and a nice loaf of olive bread at the market in the small town of Glenn Elenn and munched down at a table next to the fountain after the tasting.

Kunde offers some nice wines that are all 100% estate grown, meaning they grow all the grapes for all their wines on their property there in Sonoma. For $10 you get to taste six wines, usually three whites and three reds. Our server, a nice young fellow, offered a couple extra tastes of wines only available at the winery, as well.

While the outside looks like your typical tasting room building, inside the tasting room is big and wide, with a tall ceilings, like a modern lodge. The bar runs along the far wall with room for dozens of people to belly up, so it'd work well if you're with a larger group. There's a good-sized sitting area with couches and chairs at the one end, and a gift shop area and register at the other. Overall, a comfortable feel for such a big space.

The tasting went smoothly, with our host giving us the lowdown on each wine, even though it was quite busy at the bar. He remember what we had tried last, and moved us along at a comfortable pace, never leaving us waiting. We really enjoyed the Viognier for whites, and the Sangiovese of the reds. The Sangiovese was nicely balanced with wonderful spice and smoke and black cherry.

Don't be afraid to try the Grenach Rose, either. I liked the weight and texture, and flavors were nice and tangy. t's a perfect warm weather wine to pair with chillin' on the front porch on a warm summer morning. Rose has been making a great comeback these last few years. This is NOT the rose or "white zinfandel" you buy at the corner store for $5 a jug!

The wines are generally reasonably priced. You can get a nice Sauvignon Blanc or Viognier for your picnic for under $15 each. Most of the reds are under $30, with a nice selection falling in the $18 - $25 range.

Besides the great Mountain Top Tasting they do on the weekends ($25), there are also a few special hikes and eco-tours they do periodically. Call the winery for the most up-to-date info and dates.

Kunde Family Estate Wines

Pick	Rating	Vintage	Type	Varietal	Name
	90	2007	White	Viognier	Viognier
	89	2006	Red	Sangiovese	Sangiovese
	88	2005	Red	Cabernet Sauvignon	Cabernet Sauvignon Drummond Vineyard
	88	2007	Red	Barbera	Barbera
	88	2009	Rose	Grenache	Grenache Rose
	85	2009	White	Sauvignon Blanc	Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc
	84	2008	White	Chardonnay	Chardonnay Wildwood Vineyard