Barrel tasting is a tradition in many wine areas and a great deal of fun in the Russian River area. No – you do not taste the barrel but you taste the wine that is still in the barrel! This is a great time to try new vintages before they are bottled and you can get them at reduced prices which are referred to as “futures”.
This year I passed on the daytime tasting to go to a private barrel tasting at Dutton Estates which is at the corner of Hwy 116 and Green Valley Road – between Sebastopol and Forestville. This was for wine club members only and is much less crowded. Plus we were able to taste from the barrel and do a vertical tasting of the last couple of years. Yes, each vintage is different but to experience the maturation of a wine with time in the bottle is always fun.
This is not a food pairing or themed event. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE WINE! And it is happening all over again next weekend, March 14 and 15. Check out the website and see if your favorite winery is participating and learn about some new ones. http://www.wineroad.com/events/barrel_tasting/11
Tasting from the Barrel
Pouring from the Bottle
My Wine Country Village 
Love it!