Gundlach-Bundschu Winery
2000 Denmark Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 938-5277
info@gunbun.com
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Open daily 11 to 4:30 pm
Tasting fee $5 and $15 for reserve wines
10% off case, 15% off 2 or more cases
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Tours:
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Tours by Appointment
Tours by Appointment during week, on the hour weekends
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Amenities:
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Wine Caves
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Price Range:
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$20 to $75 per bottle
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Established:
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1958
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Vineyards:
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320 acres
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Production:
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50,000 cases
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Description
Hard to pronounce, easy to drink, a pleasure to visit, this sixth-generation winemaking enterprise knows how to treat visitors, make wine and have a good time.
In 1857, Bavarian-born Jacob Gundlach purchased a 400-acre parcel of land in Sonoma, naming it Rhine-Farm. Charles Bundschu, from Mannheim, Germany, joined the business in 1868 and later married into the family. Today, Jim and Jeff Bundschu run the operation, with Linda Trotta as winemaker.
As you enter the property you pass a huge, brightly painted mural of a grape harvest emblazoned on a winery wall. Then head down a pathway to the tasting room and enter the original stone winery building. The atmosphere is cool, relaxed and fun. The tasting crew guides you through their current releases or the reserve offerings with style, wit and aplomb. There are wine accessories, light snacks and some neat gift items for sale.
Outside there is a beautiful olive grove, and a patio overlooking the winery pond with tables and chairs for lounging. Across the way is a trail up the wooded hillside, where rustic picnic tables are scattered about under the oaks. Up by the parking area is an amphitheater, where an active spring/summer program of movies, music and events are staged. Nearby you can’t miss the entrance to their 10,000 square feet of wine caves, where over 1,800 barrels are stored.
The best-known wines here are their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each wine has a specific barrel program, but in general the Pinot, Chardonnay and Vintage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon see French oak only; Zinfandels see American oak only; and the rest of the red wines follow a mix of approximately 75 percent French and 25 percent American oak.
Approximately 70 percent of the estate is planted to Bordeaux or Burgundian varietals, with 30 percent planted to other special limited-production varietals such as Zinfandel, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. They also produce an estate Tempranillo.
Wines and Awards
2004 Pinot Noir, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Wine Enthusiast Best of the Year
Rating: 90 points
2004 Pinot Noir, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
The Wine News
Rating: 90 points
2004 Pinot Noir, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
The Midwest Wine Connection
Rating: 91 points
2004 Merlot, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Wine Enthusiast
Rating: 87 points
2004 Pinot Noir, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Wine Enthusiast Best of the Year
Rating: 90 points
2004 Merlot, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine Rating: 87 points, 1 star
2005 Gewürztraminer, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Wine, Food & Friends - a cookbook by Karen MacNeil
2005 Gewürztraminer, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Decanter's California 2006 Magazine
Rating: 4 stars
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhinefarm Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
L.A. County Fair Wine Competition
Rating: Best of Class
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhinefarm Vineyard
93 points - Anthony Dias Blue, Patterson’s Beverage Journal, April 2005
91 points, Exceptional - Tastings.com
89 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 1, 2005
One puff, Outstanding - Connoisseurs' Guide, April 2005
Three Stars, Recommended - Decanter Magazine, January 2006
2002 Chardonnay, Rhinefarm Vineyard
89 points, Highly Recommended - Tastings.com
88 points, Highly Recommended - Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2004
2004 Gewürztraminer, Rhinefarm Vineyard
Double Gold, 98 points - 2005 California State Fair Wine Competition
Double Gold, Best of Class - 2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal - 2005 San Francisco International Wine Competition
Gold Medal - 2005 San Diego International Wine Competition
Gold Medal - 2005 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition
Four Stars - Santa Rosa Pres Democrat, November 2005
88 points - Wine & Spirits Magazine, August 2005
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