USA TODAY 10Best
Readers vote Corner 103 America's best tasting room
Best Tasting Room (2020)
The quality of a tasting room can make or break a wine tasting. A comfortable, elegant tasting room with a knowledgeable staff can elevate the entire experience.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Tasting Room are as follows:
- Rava Wines - Paso Robles, Calif.
- Smith Story Wine Cellars - Philo, Calif.
- Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery - Healdsburg, Calif.
- Stoller Family Estate - Dayton, Ore.
- Charles Krug Winery - St. Helena, Calif.
- Louis M. Martini Winery - St. Helena, Calif.
- Long Shadows Vintners - Walla Walla, Wash.
- Davis Family Vineyards - Healdsburg, Calif.
- Castello di Amorosa - Calistoga, Calif.
- Corner 103 - Sonoma, Calif.
No. 10:
Rava Wines is known for their sparkling wines, which visitors can sample in the contemporary tasting room and sprawling patio just 15 minutes outside downtown Paso Robles.
Photo courtesy of Smith Story Wine Cellars
No. 9:
At the Smith Story Wine Cellars tasting room in Anderson Valley, wine lovers enjoy private tastings hosted by founders Eric and Ali Story. The space also includes a small boutique, Smith Story Sundries, selling home decor and wine accessories.
Photo courtesy of Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
No. 8:
This Russian River Valley winery welcomes guests with an inviting tasting room outfitted in earth tones and stunning artwork. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of natural light.
Photo courtesy of Mike Haverkate / Stoller Family Estate
No. 7:
The eco-friendly tasting room at Stoller Family Estate has something for everyone — excellent Oregon wines, an expansive lawn for picnicking, Adirondack chairs, Frisbee golf and even a tire swing for the little ones. The views from the tasting room rank among the best in the Pacific Northwest, if not the country.
Photo courtesy of Charles Krug Winery
No. 6:
The wine estate now known as Charles Krug became California’s very first tasting room when it opened in 1881. These days, the tasting room doubles as a spacious hospitality center, where visitors can sample some of the winery’s small-production offerings.
Photo courtesy of Louis M. Martini Winery
No. 5:
The gem of the newly restored Louis M. Martini Winery is the Crown Bar, a tasting room featuring warm wood tones and a glass wall with views into the barrel cellar. Visitors can also taste outdoors in Martini Park or in the Heritage Lounge, designed for tasting small-lot wines.
Photo courtesy of Long Shadows Vintners
No. 4:
Allen Shoup, the founder of Long Shadows Vintners, struck up a friendship with Dale Chihuly in the 1980s. Today, the Chihuly Tasting Room features work by the famous glass artist, including a custom chandelier and a custom-designed installation inspired by the fields of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Juanmonino
No. 3:
The Tasting Room and Organic Garden Lounge at Davis Family Vineyards is just steps from the scenic Russian River in Healdsburg. Visitors can sample current releases, sit down for a cheese pairing or play a game of bocce ball in the garden between sips.
Photo courtesy of Castello di Amorosa
No. 2:
Wine tasting at Castello di Amorosa transports you to a European-style castle, where visitors sample wines at the main tasting bar, underground Knight’s Hall, Grand Barrel Room or the Royal Apartment tasting salon.
No. 1:
Lloyd Davis, founder of Corner 103, created this Sonoma tasting room for all those people out there who might feel a little intimidated by the wine world. The staff insure an educational and comfortable tasting experience that includes wines from Corner 103 and the rest of the Sonoma County American Viticulture Areas.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning wineries!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has... Read More
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Jill Barth
Jill Barth is a contributor for Forbes digital and... Read More
Jill Barth is a contributor for Forbes digital and USA Today 10Best. She’s also a Provence Wine Master Level through the Wine Scholar Guild, a Symposium for Professional Wine Writers Fellow and the founder and author of the award-winning blog, L'Occasion.
Jill Barth
Jill Barth is a contributor for Forbes digital and USA Today 10Best. She’s also a Provence Wine Master Level through the Wine Scholar Guild, a Symposium for Professional Wine Writers Fellow and the founder and author of the award-winning blog, L'Occasion.
Shana Clarke
Shana Clarke is wine, sake, and travel writer and... Read More
Shana Clarke is wine, sake, and travel writer and author. Her work has appeared in Saveur, Fortune, CNN Travel, NPR, Wine Enthusiast, Hemispheres, and Fast Company. She was shortlisted for the Louis Roederer 2020 International Wine Writers’ Awards and ranked one of the “Top 20 U.S. Wine Writers That Wineries Can Work With” by Beverage Trade Network in 2021. She holds a Level 3-Advanced Certificate from Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Sake Sommelier. In addition, she is author of 150 Vineyards You Need To Visit Before You Die and the contributing author to the North America section of The Wine Lover’s Bucket List. Follow her on Instagram on @shanaspeakswine or view her work www.shanaspeakswine.com
Shana Clarke
Shana Clarke is wine, sake, and travel writer and author. Her work has appeared in Saveur, Fortune, CNN Travel, NPR, Wine Enthusiast, Hemispheres, and Fast Company. She was shortlisted for the Louis Roederer 2020 International Wine Writers’ Awards and ranked one of the “Top 20 U.S. Wine Writers That Wineries Can Work With” by Beverage Trade Network in 2021. She holds a Level 3-Advanced Certificate from Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Sake Sommelier. In addition, she is author of 150 Vineyards You Need To Visit Before You Die and the contributing author to the North America section of The Wine Lover’s Bucket List. Follow her on Instagram on @shanaspeakswine or view her work www.shanaspeakswine.com
Tahiirah Habibi
In 2012 Tahiirah opened St.Regis, Bal Harbour. She... Read More
In 2012 Tahiirah opened St.Regis, Bal Harbour. She later moved on to leadership positions at Micheal’s Genuine. Frustrated with the lack of diversity in the industry she believed her skills could bridge the intersection of wine and culture, thus she started creating space for the Black community in the wine industry. In 2017, she launched Hue Society as a safe space for the community to learn, commune and find resources in one place. Tahiirah has been featured in Ocean Drive as one of the top 5 female sommeliers, VinePair, Wine Enthusiast, Upscale Magazine and Imbibe Magazine to name a few. Her work is rooted in enhancing and empowering the community for both consumers and business owners. Tahiirah is passionate about making an indelible impact in the wine industry.
Tahiirah Habibi
In 2012 Tahiirah opened St.Regis, Bal Harbour. She later moved on to leadership positions at Micheal’s Genuine. Frustrated with the lack of diversity in the industry she believed her skills could bridge the intersection of wine and culture, thus she started creating space for the Black community in the wine industry. In 2017, she launched Hue Society as a safe space for the community to learn, commune and find resources in one place. Tahiirah has been featured in Ocean Drive as one of the top 5 female sommeliers, VinePair, Wine Enthusiast, Upscale Magazine and Imbibe Magazine to name a few. Her work is rooted in enhancing and empowering the community for both consumers and business owners. Tahiirah is passionate about making an indelible impact in the wine industry.
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy... Read More
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
