Sheldon Wines was born from the passion and fearlessness of a young couple that borders on delusional. Their story began when Dylan Sheldon returned to the United States after Western Australia’s 2000 harvest to help launch Cepage Wine Bar in Carmel. He met geologist and frequent customer Tobe Weatherly there in 2001, and five weeks after their first kiss, they were engaged. They sold what little they owned and traveled the world together making wine.
When Dylan and Tobe returned to the States, they leased an empty winery borrowed an old basket press, and rolled up their sleeves and the legs of their jeans. After burning an unimaginable number of calories stomping grapes, they were the proud producers of 420 cases of wine in 2003.
Special Notes
Owner/winemaker on site, Sippy Lounge, bocce court, good-pet friendly, barrel tastings.
By the 2005 vintage, they broke the 1,000 case mark, and that’s all the growing they intend to do. Sheldon Wines is a micro-winery that crafts single vineyard designate wines of excellence. The wines are sustainably farmed, hand-harvested, foot-stomped, and basket-pressed. The winery produces limited productions of Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Graciano, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. A few special vineyards yield only enough for a single barrel—just 25 cases.
In 2010, the winery and tasting room moved to Santa Rosa Vintners Square, an Urban Winery Village located in downtown Santa Rosa. There, visitors can watch wine being made while relaxing in the Sippy lounge or take a glass out on the patio for a picnic and a game of bocce. Tobe or Dylan—or both—are on hand, along with one of the winery hounds. Sometimes they have the BBQ fired up and get a taste of Dylan’s famous smoked ribs and Magic Green Sauce. Guests are always treated like long lost friends and leave a little happier.