The Heart and Soul of La Rochelle

The La Rochelle Experience – A Boutique Winery in Sonoma County California.

La Rochelle Winery (California’s oldest wine club) is located 10.3 miles South East of Santa Rosa California, in Kenwood, the heart and soul of Sonoma Valley, at 233 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood, CA. 95452. Do your palette a favor; input this address into your GPS and hit go!

 

 

My La Rochelle experience was a special day, as it was my parents 59th wedding anniversary. My sister, the general manager and sommelier at Kenwood’s newest restaurant Salt & Stone, had arranged a private tasting. None of us knew where we were going, as it was Krista’s secret anniversary present to our parents.

On arrival, the first thing one notices is the pleasant country ambience of the winery. Certainly not exclusive to Sonoma Valley, but a warm and inviting ambience befitting the regions quality vineyards.

La Rochelle is a small lot member exclusive winery with a great visitor experience; one we found perfectly suited to our special occasion.

 

La Rochelle’s Raison D’être (reason or justification for existence) is…

“To enhance the quality of life by offering wines that, when shared, add joy and create lasting memories.”

 

La Rochelle offers four ways to purchase their wine.

Membership, allocations, mailing list, and in person!

 

“One of the most daunting tasks of a small producer is to manage allocations of very small lot wines. We produce 200 cases or less of most of our wines,” says Chuck Easley, “in an attempt to reward our long time followers and to provide access to those that have just discovered us, with a few options to enjoy or wines and to purchase.”

 

Currently, La Rochelle offers three membership opportunities:

1. PNE – Pinot Noir Experience – Exclusively Pinot Noir!

2. LRE – La Rochelle Experience – Reserves & Sparkling!

3. CTB – “Chuck’s Totally Bitch’n Club” Build your own case and get free shipping!

All memberships offer direct shipping, with private tastings in their wonderfully oaken and naturally appealing tasting room.

 

Member experience is the heart and soul of La Rochelle.

Chuck Easley, winemaker and owner at La Rochelle winery, assumed the role of steward for La Rochelle Wines in 2015. For over three decades, Chuck has worked in every aspect of the wine industry. His core values were ingrained early on at the Historic Mirassou Winery, in San Jose. The Mirassou family ingrained in Chuck that Wine is an expression of the vintner’s vision; the winemaker’s artistic expression honed through years of experience; and most importantly, a catalyst for family and friends to create amazing, memorable experiences.

All of the efforts at La Rochelle are focused on providing members a unique wine experience.

Visitor experiences at La Rochelle include an Introductory Tasting Experience at $20 per person, Reserve Tasting Experience at $50 per person (complimentary for members), and the Polyphony Tasting Experience at $75 per person (complimentary for members).

“Whether you choose to become a member or just stop in for a visit to our winery, you will have the opportunity to experience an array of what is possible from the top appellations and vineyards California has to offer.”

For full details on the La Rochelle Experience visit their website here. La Rochelle tasting room is open daily from 11AM to 5PM.

 

If you’re a Pinot Noir, or Chardonnay, lover you owe it to yourself to visit, or join this select family winery in the heart of Sonoma Valley.

 

Call direct to make a reservation: (707) 302-8000. Or go online to book a tasting reservation.

My personal La Rochelle experience was great. Our private tasting included a series of varietal flights with a personal introduction from the winemakers perspective, exploring the diversity and complexities of the wines presented. La Rochelle is best known for its Ultimate Pinot Noir experience, but in our experience, my folks are Chardonnay lovers, as a group, we had a hard time deciding if the Ferrington Reserve vs. the Hays Estate vs. the Bacigalupi vs. the Black Night was the favorite. For me it was a clear choice, the Bacigalupi was exceptional.

So if your in the area visiting Sonoma Valley, or planning a wine country tour, don’t miss La Rochelle Winery. It is truly a ‘must stop’ to compliment any wine country tour in California.

Thank you for reading.

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