Guides from our family
Where to taste, what to drink, and how to give wine well — practical guides to wine country, written by the family that makes the wine.
Latest
MembershipWine Club Memberships, Explained: How They Work and Whether to Join OneHow wine club memberships actually work, what they cost, how to choose one, and how our own club runs.
Good to KnowHow to Open, Cork & Re-Cork a Wine BottleOpen a bottle with any corkscrew or none at all, free a broken cork, open sparkling wine safely, and re-cork what you don't finish so it keeps.
Good to KnowHow to Get Red Wine Out of Clothes (and Carpet)Blot, don't rub, and stay cold — how to get red wine out of clothes, carpet, upholstery, stone, and wood, fresh or dried.
The Region
Where we are, and how to taste the Russian River Valley.
The RegionBest Wineries in Sonoma County (2026): Small Producers Worth the DriveSmall, family and independent Sonoma County wineries worth a reservation in 2026, grouped by area, with which area suits the wine you like.
The RegionBest Russian River Valley Wineries to Visit in 2026Fourteen small, independent Russian River Valley wineries worth a visit in 2026, grouped by area so you can route a tasting day.
The RegionBest Wineries in Healdsburg (2026): Where to TasteTwelve small producers in and around Healdsburg, grouped by area — in town, Westside Road, Dry Creek Valley, and Windsor — updated for 2026.
The RegionWineries in Windsor, CA (2026): A Local's Guide to Tasting Near HealdsburgWhich wineries you can visit in Windsor, which are minutes away on Westside Road, and how to use the town as a base.
The RegionHealdsburg Wine Tasting: A Complete GuideHow to plan a day of wine tasting around Healdsburg — the three regions, reservations, costs, getting around, and how to pace the day.
The RegionWineries in Sonoma County: A Region-by-Region GuideSonoma isn't one place but many — a region-by-region guide to the county's 19 AVAs, where to stay, and how to choose where to taste.
The RegionGoing Wine Tasting for the First Time: What to ExpectA calm first-timer's guide to wine tasting — what happens, what to wear, how much you drink, how to taste, and the etiquette that matters.
The Wines
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, from the ground up.
The WinesRussian River Valley Pinot Noir: What Makes It DifferentWhy the fog gives Russian River Valley Pinot Noir its perfume, freshness, and age-worthiness — plus clones, winemaking, and how to serve and pair it.
The WinesBest California Chardonnay: Styles, Regions & How to ChooseOaked vs. unoaked explained, what each California region tends toward, the clones and old vines that matter, and how to choose the best bottle for your taste.
Gifting
Giving and shipping wine, the right way.
GiftingHow to Ship Wine as a Gift (States, Rules & How It Works)Which states allow wine shipping, the 21+ signature rule, why no P.O. boxes, transit times, weather holds, and how to send a bottle the right way.
GiftingWhat's a Good Wine to Give as a Gift?How to choose a bottle that fits the person and the occasion — price bands, formats, labels and scores, and dependable picks for when you're not sure.
Holidays & Corporate
Seasonal and business gifting from the estate.
HolidaysHoliday Wine Gift Guide 2026What makes a good wine gift, what to give the people on your list, and when to order so it arrives before Christmas.
CorporateCorporate Wine Gifts & Employee Holiday GiftingWhy wine works as a business gift, what to give employees versus clients, and how to send to many addresses within the rules.
Good to Know
The small things that make wine easier to enjoy.
Good to KnowHow to Get Red Wine Out of Clothes (and Carpet)Blot, don't rub, and stay cold — how to get red wine out of clothes, carpet, upholstery, stone, and wood, fresh or dried.
Good to KnowHow to Open, Cork & Re-Cork a Wine BottleOpen a bottle with any corkscrew or none at all, free a broken cork, open sparkling wine safely, and re-cork what you don't finish so it keeps.
Common questions
- What is the Russian River Valley known for?
- Cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It's an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County, California, where nightly Pacific fog keeps the region cool, giving wines that are fresh, aromatic, and age-worthy.
- Do you need a reservation for wine tasting in Sonoma County?
- Many smaller, family-run wineries — including ours — host seated tastings by reservation rather than walk-in, so it's best to book a day or two ahead. Larger wineries more often take walk-ins.
- Can you ship wine as a gift?
- Yes, to most U.S. states, through a licensed shipper that handles compliance. An adult 21 or older must sign for delivery, and wine can't be shipped to a P.O. box. Shipping availability is state-limited.
- What wine does Domaine de la Rivière make?
- Limited-production, single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, plus a dry Rosé of Pinot Noir, all grown in the Middle Reach of the Russian River Valley. The estate is family-owned, and tastings are by reservation in Windsor.