A Tasting Room at Last

By Michael Busselen

We have great news for fans of Woodhawk Vineyards.  In about a year we will have a fabulous tasting space and delicious wine to taste!

Woodhawk Vineyards has finally achieved something we have been working towards for the last five years.  After a nearly 3 hour presentation and discussion in front of the Sonoma County Planning Commission, the County of Sonoma has finally granted us our permit to construct our on-site tasting room, barrel room and wine production facility.  

This has been a real journey.  Hundreds of hours of meetings, hundreds of pages of documents and reports from external consultants.  A water runoff report.  A native plant and endangered species report.  An indigenous peoples report.  A toxic chemicals report.  A wastewater treatment proposal.  A sound study.  A grading proposal.  A fire mitigation proposal.  A traffic mitigation proposal.  And finally a report summarizing all the reports (revised several times).

Before we bought Woodhawk Vineyards five years ago, we had a vision for what we wanted to build: a small luxury winery.  We wanted to provide amazing wines experienced in an extension of our home.  We knew we would do appointment-only intimate owner-led tastings where each visitor would experience the warm hospitality of Woodhawk Vineyards infused into a memorable tour and tasting experience.  

We love tasting wine and exploring wine country.  Larger tasting rooms where dozens or more taste all day are the critical backbone of Sonoma.  But we are looking to do something different – something that today is rare to find in Sonoma or Napa.  A family-owned winery where the owners lead the tastings and the tours.  Where wine is tasted with new friends and memories are created that will last for years.  We also are going to offer an educational component to those who are interested, especially the young adults who are just getting introduced to wine. Wine doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating; wine is for everyone. 

So what is next?  We need to get the plans finalized and start construction in a couple of months and hopefully finish by the end of 2026, which is when we think the 2023 Cabernet will be ready for its debut.

Kara and Michael outlining the tasting room footprint

When we release the 2023 Cabernet, we will simultaneously be releasing our 2025 Woodhawk Vineyards Albarino!  With premium grapes we acquired in the Russian River this year, we are excited to share our first unusual white.  For those of you not familiar with Albarino, it’s Sauvignon Blanc’s sexy Spanish cousin. Bright and crisp with strong acidity and layers of citrus fruit and minerality. This will serve as a refreshing appetizer before digging into our luscious Cabernets.

 

Finally, an update on our Woodhawk Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon program. In 2023 we made our first commercial vintage of our Cabernet Sauvignon.  We benefited from access to commercial production equipment and the final product is very good – and a meaningful improvement over the 2022 we made in our barn in a plastic bin (our proof-of-concept wine).  We made 150 cases of this lovely, complex 2023 Cabernet which features an ambrosia of red and black fruit balanced with refined acidity and subtle notes for French oak. We’ll release it in late 26/early 27 (no wine before it’s time).  We are going to offer preference to folks who have signed up for our interest list, so if you haven’t already done so, do it now! This release will sell out.

But wait, there’s more. Our 2024 Cabernet vintage is even more outstanding! Because of a wet winter and very hot summer, plus some upgrades to the vineyard infrastructure, we think this vintage shows up even more luscious. Even in the fermentation tank we knew we had something truly special. Working together with Rob Davis, our celebrity winemaker, we got the winemaking dialed in.  Tasting from the barrel, we can tell this vintage is going to be remarkable– something that will put Woodhawk Vineyards on the map among the very best of Alexander Valley Cabernets.  We only made 200 cases, with a target release in late 2027/early 2028.  

We are excited that the 2025 Woodhawk Vineyards Cabernet is shaping up to be just as good as the 2024.  And this time we made 280 cases, so there will be plenty for everyone.  Rich and full-bodied, this remarkable vintage opens with bold aromas of blackberry, cranberry, black cherry, and hints of toasted oak. On the palate, layers of ripe plum, cacao, and subtle spice unfold, supported by firm tannins and a long, smooth finish.  This is going to be one to put away in the cellar and enjoy for years!

As you can tell, we are very excited that our passion project is literally coming to fruition. We are so grateful for all the people that are supporting us along the way. Sonoma has been truly welcoming and it has been a joy meeting other wine folks who all have bits of wisdom to offer. We can’t wait to invite you all to the grand opening of the Woodhawk Vineyards tasting room!