Alexander Valley - Geyserville Wine Trail

The Alexander Valley is a beautiful stretch of wine country in the Russian River wine region of Sonoma County. It is the ideal growing area for almost all of the classic wine varietals plus the lesser-known varietals of Syrah and Sangiovese. This route takes wine country travelers through the upper Alexander Valley and then to the eastern fringes of the Dry Creek Vallery. Each winery will provide the traveler with the taste and charm of the wineries in the Geyserville area.

Winery Descriptions, Driving directions, Tasting Room Hours

Simi Winery
Take the Dry Creek Exit from HWY 101 east and then left at Healdsburg Avenue. Simi is one of the oldest wineries in California, founded by two brothers, Giuseppe and Pietro Simi. The winery began operation in 1881. Guiseppe’s daughter Isabelle ran the winery from Prohibtion until she sold the winery in 1970 at the age of 84. She was a fixture in the old tasting room, which was then a large wooden wine barrel resting on its side. This is one of the few wineries in the area that offers daily tours (11am and 2 pm). The tour leads you into the historic winery and gives a very informative look at winemaking. Simi owns prime acreage in the Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley and is able to produce a very nice array of wines. Simi's Pizza Café is open Fridays 2 to 6pm and Saturdays 11am to 4pm.

Tasting room open daily 10 am to 5:00 pm, (800) 746-4880.
e-mail: info@simiwinery.com.Simi Winery

Francis Ford Coppola Winery
From Simi, you can head north along Healdsburg Avenue and then left on Lytton Springs. Here you can get back on the freeway and take Independence Lane exit or pick up the beautiful Geyserville Avenue. Cross under Highway 101 on Independence Lane to the entrance of the Francis Ford Coppola winery, 300 Via Archimedes. Francis Ford Coppola purchased this winery in 2007 and has completely renovated the winery. Besides making wine, the winery has a huge swimming pool, cabanas, and Bocce courts. In addition there is the Rustic restaurant that has one of the most beautiful views in wine country. There is also a ton of Hollywood memorabilia to enjoy. The place is amazing!

Tasting room open daily 11am to 6 pm
(707)857-1400, Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Trentadue Winery
Backtrack to Dry Creek Road and take the freeway north. Exit at Independence Lane, turn right and then left on Geyserville Avenue to Trentadue Winery. This unique and small winery is owned and operated by Leo and Evelyn Trentadue. They purchased the land in 1959. They produce a variety of red wines but two are unique and definitely worth a try. Trentadue produces a Sangiovese, which is the main grape grown in the Chianti region of Italy. The Sangiovese grape does very well in this region and several wineries are taking the lead from Trentadue and planting Sangiovese vineyards. Trentadue bottled the first Sangiovese back in 1984. The second wine is Carignane, a grape which is often used as a filler. Rarely do you find Carignane bottled as a wine. A new tasting room was opened in early 2003 and is very comfortable and attractive.

Tasting room open daily 11am to 4:30 pm
(888) 332-3032, E-mail: customerservice@trentadue.com, Trentadue

Trione Winery
From Trentadue continue north on Geyserville Avenue. The landmark Old Stone Building was once the Nervo Winery. Today the Trione Family owns the winery and the family has built a beautiful tasting room and winemaking facility. For many years this family has been farming vineyards in the area and with the purchase of the Nervo Winery they now can make wine under the family name. The family has restored the inside of the Old Stone Building to its former glory. The picnic deck affords fabulous views of the Alexander Valley.

Tasting room open Thursday - Sunday from 10am -5 pm..
(707) 814-8100, E-mail:service@pedroncelli.com, Trione Winery

Pedroncelli Winery
This is one of the oldest wineries in the area with a starting date of 1927. To get there from Trione, pass through the town of Geyserville, cross under the freeway and take Canyon Road to the west. Here you take the leap from the Alexander Valley to the Dry Creek Valley. The winery will be on the right, about a one-mile drive from Geyserville Avenue. You will find some of the best and most reasonably-priced wines around. The Mother Clone Zinfandel is a great value wine.

Tasting room open daily 10am to 4:30 pm
(707) 857-3531, E-mail: service@pedroncelli.com, Pedroncelli

Frick Winery
From Pedroncelli, head along Walling Road for one mile. If nothing else, you must drive this road just for the breathtaking views. This is fabulous wine country. Winemaker Bill Frick has some unusual varietals to try, like Carignane, Cinsaut and Counoise. These are Rhone wines that are under the radar. You will also enjoy some of the more standard Rhone wines produced by Frick, like the delicious Syrah and Grenache wines.

Tasting room is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12-4:30 pm in the summer months and Saturday, Sunday 12-4:30 pm the rest of the year or by appointment.
(707) 857-1980, frick@frickwinery.com, Frick Winery