Elizabeth Spencer Winery

What it's like

Elizabeth Spencer is a small, personal stop. The tasting room is a historic brick building that once served as the Rutherford post office, and tastings are seated in the courtyard and flower garden. It feels more like visiting someone's place than a big hospitality complex.

Three main seated tastings are offered. The Winemaker's Selection Tasting is an introduction to the wines in a relaxed setting. The Artisanal Experience is a more handcrafted tasting of the winery's finest wines in the gardens. Creme & Blanc is a pairing of white wines with macarons in the flower garden. The winery also runs Spritzer Sundays on the first and third Sunday of each month, plus seasonal movie nights.

Who it's best for

Couples, small groups and anyone who prefers a quiet, human-scale tasting to a large estate. The white wine and macaron pairing is a nice option if you do not want an all-red afternoon. It is a good choice for repeat visitors who have already done the big-name estates.

What to book

Reserve through their Tock page, or call 707.963.6067 (ext. 1). Hours on the winery's homepage are Thursday through Monday, 11 AM to 4 PM. Per-person prices change by experience and are shown when you book, so check the reservation page for current rates and times before you go. Plan for the usual rule that guests be of legal drinking age to taste.

Arrange a designated driver, rideshare or tour before you head out.

How it fits into a day

The tasting room is on Rutherford Road, near Honig, Round Pond and Alpha Omega. Its smaller scale makes it a good mid-day stop between larger visits, and the garden is a nice place to slow down before lunch in St. Helena.