What to Buy
’07 Sonoma Red Currant, bright fruit, spice, vanilla, toasted oak, Bing cherry, chocolate (1 liter) $19.99
’08 Carneros Chardonnay Citrus, grapefruit, apple, tropical fruit $19.99
’06 Sonoma Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon Spice, vanilla, currant, dark cherry, vanilla, chocolate $40
Getting There
Located on the corner of Hwy 12 and Adobe Canyon Rd in the town of Kenwood. |
The vineyards of Larson Family Winery speak of a colorful history, but what matters most to Tom and Becky Larson is their commitment to family and making world-class wines.
In 1899, Tom’s great-grandfather, Michael Millerick, bought 101 acres of land that had once been the last landing point of Sonoma Creek. Millerick Ranch saw many rodeos, racehorses, and polo ponies—but not a single grapevine until 1977, when Tom and his father, Bob, decided to plant Chardonnay. The 40-acre block provided the family with wine for their own consumption. “When we made more wine than we could drink ourselves,” Tom recalls, “we got serious.” He went to UC Davis, founded the winery, and released the first wine in 1989.
Today, Larson Family Winery covers 120 acres, planted mostly to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tom and Becky have developed a portfolio that reflects the heritage of their land and the quality and diversity of Sonoma viticulture.
The Larsons have a saying: “We drink what we can and sell the rest.” Their wines are not available in stores, so a visit to the winery is a real treat. It’s located at the end of a country road in a big redwood barn that Tom helped build. There’s a long mural behind the tasting bar that has been thoughtfully rendered to depict the history of the land and the Larson family. Parents appreciate the fun activities provided for families, including tables for coloring, three friendly labs, barnyard animals, and a Bocce ball court. This allows them a chance to taste from the Larsons’ long list of flavorful wines. With a family budget in mind, the Larsons make two 1 liter jug wines, Sonoma Red and Wingo White, which Circle M Club members can buy for just $10 each. Circle M Club offers six shipments per year, plenty of discounts, and events. Guests can also stay on for awhile in A Captain’s House, an original Civil War–era farmhouse completely renovated with modern amenities. |
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