Winery Sixteen 600: Great Vibes, Vinyl, and Vino
If you find yourself in the quaint town of Sonoma, it behooves you to make a trip to the Tasting House of Winery Sixteen 600. Just a few blocks off the Square stands a 120 year old farmhouse – unassuming in its presence, but impactful in its place. The same could be said about Winery Sixteen 600’s proprietor, Phil Coturri, a name you may not know, but a legend you’ve more than likely come across – in your wine glass, anyway. Having planted and farmed well over 800 acres of vineyards in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Phil is the first person that other wineries call when they want to make the move to biodynamic and organic farming. His keen ability to be so in tune with the land is also made manifest in the wines being poured at the Tasting House.
Though the farmhouse is 120 years old, you’d swear you walked into the 1970’s – in all of the best ways. If the label, designed by legendary artist Stanley Mouse, doesn’t give it away, there’s a distinct connection to rock ‘n’ roll – namely The Grateful Dead – with these wines and this place. Speaking of the wines, everything rocks. The reservation only Sixteen 600 is driven by a comparative tasting of at least seven wines. Each wine delivers its own terroir story and they are true reflections of Coturri’s ability to grow vines that yield incredible fruit.
An emphasis on Rhône varietals like Syrah, Viognier, and Grenache, you’ll also find Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sonoma staple – Zinfandel. For us, the 2014 Val Rossi Homage (a Rhône blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre) was the real “Sugar Magnolia,” but the side-by-side tastings of Syrah and Grenache (2014 Dos Limones and 2014 Steel Plow) and two Zinfandels (2014 Sonoma Mountain and 2014 Estate Moon Mountain) really drive home the exceptional quality of the fruit that Phil’s vineyard sites produce. The wines are the siren song here, it’s almost as if you can hear them say “Let Me Sing Your Blues Away” when they pour into your glass. You’d be riding a “Ship of Fools” to not stop into this “American Beauty” when you’re in Sonoma.
Location: 589 First St. West, Sonoma – walking distance from the Sonoma Square.
Highlights: Intimate, comparative tasting; vintage/retro setting playing ALL the hits on vinyl; exceptional hospitality team – huge shout out to our host and to Sam Coturri (@grapeswithaview on IG) for accommodating us; the wines.
Must try Wines: 2014 Steel Plow Grenache, 2014 Val Rossi Homage, 2014 Estate Zinfandel, really – everything.
Visit: Open by appointment only. Tastings at $35 per person.
