If Hawkes Wine didn't already exist, it would need to be invented. It's too good a story - and too great a wine - not to. Any visitor to Alexander Valley who doesn't stop on for an appointment only private reserve tasting doesn't know what they're missing. As Audriana, our gracious wine guide, explained it (with my own embellishments, naturally) the Hawkes left the stridency & turbulence of Vietnam War era intellectual city life in Berkeley behind to live out a farming idyll in Sonoma County. They found land. They planted grapes. There were stones there. They called it the Stone Vineyard. They built a house there. Raised a family. Acquired more land to grow more grapes to sell to local wineries. Pyramid Vineyard. And Red Winery Vineyard. Cabernet Sauvignon above all else but also a bit of Merlot & Chardonnay, too. One year, when a man named George W. was President and was leading America into another long & contentious war, some of the local wineries stopped buying so many grapes from the Hawkes. So, they started making some wine themselves with the help of a well traveled & worldly son. And they put a simple red hawk on the labels & began to pour it to the public. And so, the legend of Hawkes Wine was born. Today, when news of war is again dominating news feeds, there is an idyll of kindness just outside Healdsburg on the road to Knights Valley. Pull in next to the chickens. Admire the open vineyard views. Check in for your reserve tasting. Prepare for some special wines that speak of soil, time, temperature, & tenacity. Wines with back stories rather than bold headlines (although they do attract the attention of wine critics). It's simpler than that for a Yelp Elite like me. I enjoy great wine, but I like meeting people even more & sharing stories & having a fun time. Sure. It helps when I can leave with a few choice wines for my cellar when the tasting is done. But the truth is that I love telling you all about it even more. Hawkes. Easy name to remember. And hard wines to forget. read more

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Really enjoyed our experience at Hawkes. Their wine was fantastic, we especially enjoyed their reds. They have a huge outdoor area with plenty of shade. They are dog friendly. We got our tasting fee waived since we purchased bottles which we appreciated. read more

What an amazing experience! The atmosphere was so beautiful and the wines are lovely. Cheryl was incredible. She has a wealth of knowledge of the area and was super attentive and easy to talk with. I would highly recommend visiting. Just be prepared to spend an entire afternoon sipping wine with great company! read more

Hawkes Wine - Wineries Near Me - Healdsburg, California

Hawkes winery has some really great wine, but they're not cheap! Wine tasting is $35 per person for a splash of 5 different types of wine. For our visit, we sampled the Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, PYR, and RW. Of the 5, the Chardonnay was our favorite, so we purchased 2 bottles for $40 each. The tasting fee was waived with purchase. Cheryl was very knowledgeable and pleasant, and we enjoyed our visit. To the side of the wine room, there is a large picnic area with lots of tables and chairs. We were told there are occasional events with live music and food. Definitely check out their website if you're interested! They also have a nice vegetable garden in the back that's worth checking out. If you're hoping to take pictures with the grape vines, you won't find them here. The actual Hawkes vineyard is miles away. This is just their tasting room. They have cheese, crackers, etc. for purchase if you prefer something to nibble on with your wine. read more

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I was the guest of a member. Erica scheduled a tasting for our party of six in May on the patio. We had a nice intimate tasting. The front patio has four large tables for tastings. Hawkes is currently creating more seating behind the tasting room and parking lot. More room with a fabulous view. Our tasting included- 2019 Chardonnay $35 2018 Alexander Valley Merlot $50 2016 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $80 It was a nice leisure tasting on a beautiful spring day. read more

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Hawkes is a fantastic family business. Jake really creates great wines. I highly recommend visiting for a tasting! As a member of the all cabs club my wife and I have never been disappointed! Sarah at the tasting room is fantastic as well. Don't sleep on Jake's Chardonnay! We also love his news letters. Great place. read more

Wonderful wine tasting experience. Carl, our wine pourer was great, and the setting out in their wisteria covered patio, was just beautiful. The wines are all excellent, too. We got a bottle of the Chardonnay (delicious; lots of citrus; not buttery or oaky), the merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which were all excellent. We bought one of each. We also loved the Cab from the Stone vineyard, but it was available for wine club members only. We came with a local, who used to be a wine club member here, and told us a story about how they brought a bottle of Hawkes to a restaurant in Seattle. They had been indulging, they brought a bottle of Hawkes, drank it, forgot they drank it, and kept telling the waiter "Open the Hawkes!" And we repeated that phrase many times tonight. And we did! read more

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Excellent wines. Very friendly ambiance. The woman who helped us was friendly and knowledgeable. All the wines are very well made. Merlot particularly showing well today. read more

I'm "particular" which is how they label their Collector club. To be honest I did some homework since my time was limited and I've drank more than my share of wines from around the world. So when I found Hawkes, and had not heard of it, and when I read their descriptions and some hysterical anecdotes that just simply spoke to me, I had to visit. Glad I did. Wine was fantastic. Sarah, my server, was so generous and fun. It was quiet when I went, which is how I like it, and she confirmed what my homework had told me, that this Cab-centric winery was for the discerning, "particular" audience who like their cabs bold and their wines with a story. If you're looking for sweeping views, bells and whistles, or your feet rubbed, mayyyybe go down the street. Or better yet come here after that and taste some damn fine wine and enjoy the other side of the business. I had a good... no, great time. Not pretentious, not overblown, just what I was looking for- a laid back tasting room with clean lines and clean wines. Thanks, Hawkes. read more

Delicious wines. Friendly dog and staff. Beautiful grounds. Next to Jimtown store, so a quick walk after lunch. I liked the wines, and did buy a bottle, but it is pricey. I'm not a huge Cab fan, and this is Hawkes specialty. It is worth a gander to taste, only $10/per person if no wine is purchased. read more

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Great location and the wines are delicious. I'm not a huge fan of chardonnay's but I'm down to drink theirs any day or time...and the reds, Merlot or Cabernet's, are perfectly balanced and delicious by themselves or paired with food. Stop by and taste them all and you will leave with something along with a smile for stopping by to taste them. Go! read more

This Hawkes tasting room is great! I can't emphasize enough that you should come here and skip the tasting room in Sonoma. The day we were here, the weather could not have been more gorgeous. In the adorable front garden, a small band was playing blue grass-y music. Inside the wine tasting room, the windows were open to the gorgeous weather and the room was busy but not too crowded. In addition to the delicious wines, we tried the amazing non-alcoholic fresh strawberry lemonade. At this point in our tasting day, it could not have been more perfect. After we'd tasted to our hearts' content, we went and sat out/napped on the benches overlooking the winery. Talk about a perfect scene for a perfect day, I can't wait to go back! read more

Had called ahead to set up a private tasting for the four of us. I was able to enjoy one of their single vineyard cabs at a family event and wanted to try their other wines. Matt (our guide) welcomed us with a taste of their 2014 Chardonnay. It had nice structure, lots of fruit, and not too much oak. We then went into their private area for the reserve tasting and some nice charcuterie, cheese, olives, and crackers. All of the wines were very good and the standout for me was their 2005 Stone Cabernet. (100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in barrel for 30 months, 50 percent new French oak. Only 150 cases produced) Blackberries and bing cherry on the nose. Ripe fruit, plum, licorice, vanilla, and a little earthiness on the taste. Keep getting better as it opens up. Super long finish. Matt was excellent in taking us through the wines, the history of the winery, and explaining about their wine club. (He did such a great job I ended up joining their Single-Vineyard Club) If you get a chance book a private tasting and enjoy some magnificent wine. read more

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The BEST thing about this place was not the wine --which was great-- it was Capone! The Hawkes wine dog! He just chills while you do a tasting and he loves pets but makes you come to him. He was described as more of a cat than a dog. Anyway, I know this should be about the wine and experience but I think the wine was great but Capone sitting next to me made it taste much better! Capoooooooooone! read more

Hawkes Wine - Capone the Hawkes puppy! - Wineries Near Me - Healdsburg, California

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I hate to give a tasting room 2 stars, but we were all super unimpressed. The 5 wines they were pouring were very lacking in my opinion. We came in as a group of 6 and felt that the two employees pouring were judging us and thinking we were annoying. They weren't super friendly and the girl behind the counter actually made a pretty rude comment about us using one of our friends for her "industry discount". It was totally inappropriate and untrue. Especially rude since she said it when our friend went to the bathroom. I won't be back to Hawkes, and I also won't be recommending it to any of our out of town guests. I guess it's good to learn the ones to avoid and we all thought this tasting room was pretty lackluster. read more

Lame. Super lame. Wine is mediocre and the vibe was low. Neither women working engaged us about the wine, no education, very flat experience. $20 pp is whatever but for four ok wines and little to no service, u can do better. Drive on by this one. Not cool read more

Fri, June 21 2019 -- DISAPPOINTING. First time at winery. 1. The tasting room does NOT post tasting fees nor do they tell you how much a tasting cost, not even on the tasting menu. 2. $20 per person to taste 4 wines? Really? Ridiculous for this area. 3. Wines are mediocre at best and extremely overpriced compared to otheR and better wines nearby. 4. Purchased 1 bottle thinking tasting fee would be waived as is the common practice, but before I could question she ran off to the cash register. 5. Considered becoming a member, but not after witnessing their poor business practices. Try other wineries like Alexander Valley vineyards (excellent), Hannah or even Silver Oak-- all within 4 miles of Hawkes. The Cabs are much better at these places!! read more

Disappointing visit when we brought guests from out of town here last weekend. We work locally in the industry so know proper service. We had to wait standing in the hot sun 15 minutes past our scheduled reservation time. Hostess shared very little about either the wines or the winery, which I understand is difficult through a mask, but a little can to a long way under the circumstances. 4 ok wines for $20 with poor service; not worth it. read more

Great wine and service. We really appreciated the hospitality. I would highly recommend it to anyone in the area.

Hawkes is great. The make Cabernet, Chardonnay and Merlot. It's a father and son winemaking team which is cool, Jake is even in the tasting room which is unlike a winemaker and thats awesome. Their production is small and the wines are priced well. I love their cab, though they make three single vineyard cabs as well, I just really dig the basic one. The place is inviting and Jake and Jeremy are super cute and very nice. It's a "home-y" tasting room, very chill and simple. The Hawkes crew seem to go above and beyond to just be real "Farmers" who make good wine because thats what they love and they're seemingly leaning on being in the category of "Cult". That's what its about-Good Job guys! The best of luck!! read more

Hawkes just oozes friendly, welcoming family-run business. Father and son and son's high-school friend who works in the cellar were doing the barrel tastings. They were all charming and knowledgeable and great teachers. The "high-school friend" who was too self-conscious about his pronunciation to use the word 'terroir' did an excellent job of explaining the concept and how it applied to the wines they were tasting that day. Wines were quite good, but it was more about noticing and appreciating the differences between the different vineyard locations. Fun, diverse collection of teapots (yes, teapots!) in the main tasting room. Beautiful small tasting room, with a wall of glass doors for that inside-outside feel. I'll be back. read more

Particularly with wine, what floats your boat is very personal and dependent on a variety of environmental details. For me, this wine grabs me and I dig the style of these people, their tasting room, and their events. Think personal, down to earth, relaxed, respect, quality, and enjoyment. Since me suggesting whether or not their wine is good is ridiculous, I offer that for you to consider visiting. I enjoyed their wines for about a year, visited in person, shipped some wine, and joined their club. read more

Our server Jeremy was a blast. And although I try not to let the personality behind the bar reflect in my star rating, this time I did. He was extremely knowledgeable, and cool. He gave us some good recommendations....ummmm Unti. And Preston...Jeremy it is funky! The place is clean, with a crisp retro feel. The wines aren't breathtaking, but they aren't less than a good average. I liked the earthiness of the merlot, and I recommend it to old world wine lovers. Go see Jeremy at Hawkes, have some good wine, and ask him about a funky syrah that he knows about. read more

We were recommended to visit Hawkes, as a source of "big Reds" from another wine tasting. It was an excellent recommendation. The dog was there, there were 2 folks pouring, Dan and Laura Hawkes. They were great, conversational, informative and pleasant. Because we made purchases we were not charged for a tasting and not pressured to join a "club." This is a wonderful Winery and tasting room. read more

Hawkes Wine - This is where we parked our trailer while tasting wine. - Wineries Near Me - Healdsburg, California

Absolutely stellar Cabs. Located just off the beaten path- close to downtown Healdsburg without all the food traffic. Do yourself a favor: grab a BBQ brisket sandwich from Jimtown (located right next door) sit down and grab one of their cabernets (the Pyramid is amazing, a little pricey for lunch though) and enjoy life. read more

Amazing... That is all I can say. Great staff, incredible wine, cool owners.... Oh, and say hi to Capone. A must stop location. Tip: wine club members get to try their single vineyard stuff, which they are known for. Just do it! read more

We have passed by Hawkes a half dozen times on our way through Alexander Valley and EVERY time I thought it was just a sandwich shop on the side of the road. While tasting at another winery the guy behind the tasting counter recommended Hawkes based on some of the things at their winery that we were turned-on to. GOOD CALL! The tasting room itself is reasonably sized and accommodated a surprising number of guests. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable about their wine as well as the history of the valley. The wine was also pretty darn good. They seemed to do a great job with Bordeaux varietals and blends and we couldn't stop ourselves from bringing home a Cab that we were REALLY impressed with. My only gripe with this place was the price. I understand that you're not going to find many wineries in Alexander Valley who will give you a bargain, but I felt like their price points were a bit out of line with the quality/class of the wine they make. read more

We were given a recommendation from another winery to come here and we did get a discount on our tastings for doing so. However, not sure I would come back..... Pros: Gorgeous patio, (even though it's on a fairly busy street). It's decorated nicely, you can do a tasting outside, and the glasses at the place are so cute with their hawk on them. The resident doggy is adorable, and loved visiting with the guests. Oh, and their tasting menu is one of the coolest menus I've seen. It's a legal size that's folded 1/3 way up, and when you unfold it, they show you the map of their vineyards. On nice heavy cardstock too. Great marketing tool. Cons: Our server (can't remember his name) while polite, lacked personality. It took a while to get each pour, and while the wines overall were pretty good, they don't taste everything on the menu. They choose which one of the reds they are pouring, so we were a little disappointed we didn't get to try some of the ones on their menu that sounded pretty good. Our friends bought a couple bottles, but we just paid for the tasting. It's not good enough that I would go back. read more

Happenstance, serendipity...or both? While heading towards our accommodations, we got a little lost. However, I saw the Hawkes sign & remembered reading good reviews about them being a family owned and producing small batches of good wines. Thanks, Yelp. While we got our directions, my traveling pal also sampled four of their fine wines and he and the very knowledgeable and friendly sommelier enjoyed talking about vitaculture, regional topography and microclimates and how those determined what the vineyards grew. Even nicer? Maybe because it was during the week day & slow, no charge for the tasting. Although I'm not able to partake in wine, it was refreshing to meet friendly and down to earth people who work and live in wine country. Fine people and good libations. Cheers! read more

Super friendly and laidback place (and staff) that's not too crowded and located next to the Jimtown store where we had an excellent and much needed lunch after drinking a lot of wine. The wines themselves are very good. I particularly liked the cabs even though I am generally not a cab fan and drink more whites than reds. read more

I definitely prefer the Sonoma side of wine country, so when a friend is with me and says they like Cabs, I bring them to Hawke. It's small but friendly. The wines are great. They have a number of Cabs, and a couple of other varietals. If they get busy, you may get lost in the crowd. The tasting room is larger than the staff some days. However, it's definitely worth stopping! read more

Honestly, I'd never heard about this place. We asked someone who works at one of the ultra-fancy places in the Alexander Valley and he suggested we go here. Um ... so ... happy we discovered this place. Can't all tasting room staff be as cool, knowledgable and helpful as Alex? I don't know what other people are talking about price points and quality. The quality of the juice here is spot on and I actually thought the prices were veritable bargains. Very much enjoyed the nose, mouth feel and taste of everything. Cannot wait to come back. Don't forget to eat next door at Jim Towns. Both of these places absolutely kick ass. read more

Visited 10/17 and had a great tasting hosted by Dan. Got there close to closing as we stay at the JimTown House and he stayed and chatted for us past 5. Preferred the 2011 Alexander Valley Merlot to the cabs but all reds were tasty . Definitely a place to check out for better than average cabs and merlots. read more

Incredible winery! Incredible cabs! Great view! Right next to Jim Town's, which is a great place for lunch. Alex, along with the other people who work here, are friendly and informative. Don't miss this winery if you're in the beautiful Alexander Valley. read more

Hella weak. They stole my time. And my time is very valuable. Their red nose hella weak too just like their red wine.

where to begin.... tasty chard.. that is not oaky....and rich big cabs. the staff makes you feel at home....very cozy spot. And you sometimes get lucky to spy the sweet baby bea.... a must see for anyone who is tired of the BS you find at wineries sometimes... read more

Just returned from a weekend of barrel tasting in the Alexander Valley and there is no better place to stop for a tasting than Hawkes Winery!!! These folks are as good as it gets! Good times, lot's of fun, the company of awesome people and GREAT wine!!! We always go to visit with Corrine in the tasting room. She's the coolest and most down to earth person we know. Shout out to Mr. Hawkes, Jake, Laura, Beatrice and Jeremy too :-) Yeah Wine!!! read more

It was my first time visiting Hawkes and it won't be my last. The wines were delicious, priced well for the great quality and the women hosting my group were knowledgeable and friendly. The pit bull greeter was the icing on the top. Stop by next time you're in the area- you won't regret it! read more

Dan was great! Very knowledgable and fun! We loved the wines, hearing the story about Capone (Pony) the winery dog and learning about the various vineyards. Especially loved the 2010 stone vineyard cab! The atmosphere of the tasting room is simple and clean. I loved the looks of the outside areas to picnic and hang out. Definitely want to come back prepared for a picnic! read more

Hawkes rocks! I had my Sonoma County book release party here last year right around the time they opened the tasting room, and it was a total blast. Winemaker Jake, his wife Laura and pal Jeremy are all incredibly friendly and welcoming to whoever stops in to taste, and these guys' penchant for throwing parties is pretty impressive (my book party went LATE for a country affair). As someone who tastes a lot, I can say they're easily the front runner for funnest winery in the Alexander Valley. Plus, how can you NOT like people who wear uniforms by Dickies in the tasting room? read more