The beautiful winery that is Matanzas Creek
The beautiful winery that is Matanzas Creek.
by Haydn Adams | Beyond Napa Valley Blog
Deep inside the heart of Sonoma lies the town of Glen Elen. Comprised of more stop signs than stop lights, it’s a town that a tourist would probably just brush off as a mere inconvenience in order to get to some of the larger wineries. But one winery does call Glen Elen home. While it is not within the immediate city limits, it is still one of the only wineries that 1) picks grapes out of that area and 2) is located as close to the main stop sign as possible. The winery I’m referring to is Matanzas Creek.
There are two plants which Matanzas Creek is known for—wine and lavender. No, they don’t mix the two together (hmmm, wonder what that would taste like?). But they do boast a considerably large square footage of lavender. During the late spring and summer, a sea of purple overwhelms all other colors along the drive up. The smell surrounds the senses and feels you with a great sense of joy. It’s as if the winery literally “springs” to life during the two seasons.
Mantazas Creek’s winery feels almost like a rustic house that has been re-modled upon first glance. A balcony that wraps around two sides allows for beautiful vistas of the surrounding vineyards. The best part about looking out on the balcony is that all you hear is very light car noise and the sound of a fountain off to the side. Large trees act as a canopy over your head, providing a good deal of shade. The ambiance outside is tranquil. The plants are well-manicured and the sculptures along the steps up to the winery feels a bit out of place, but still in the same sentence feels right at home in a way.
Inside, you’re hit with a traditional winery tasting room. The house is much bigger inside than you would assume judging by just the front. I haven’t explored all of the square feet, but I’d venture a guess that back rooms are reserved for private events and offices.
Ira, the person pouring, was extremely friendly and courteous. He kindly bragged about various wines and explained not just about their makeup, but also the reason why he was serving wines at different temperatures.
One way he showcased was a Chardonnay, but he had brought it out very close to a red-wine temperature (red wines should be served at wine-cave-temperature, not “room-temperature” which are entirely two different things). The wine did show different characteristics, with a bit of acidity and a light about about of oak. The Chardonnay has to be one of a handful of that varietal that I actually enjoyed the quantity of oak on the wine. Kudos to the winemaker for adding the correct amount.
The merlot also showed very nicely, with a few deeper berries coming out on it. It was fruit forward, as you would expect a Merlot to be, but more boysenberry and blackberry. Other wines to give thumbs up to were the Syrah, Rosé (dry, not sweet) and the Meritage (rhymes with heritage).
Overall, the winery’s location help seal the deal. The extra 10-minute route you have to take to get here is very fulfilling when you set foot onto the property. The casual atmosphere of Matanzas creek make it a must for future tourists that want to dive a little deeper into the heart of Sonoma.
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Haydn is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems of the region. He also writes for vinvillage.com. When he is not teaching, or working in his office, you can find Haydn somewhere in Sonoma spitting out wines (that’s a good thing for the record).
