This winery has a free 20 min self guided tour through their vineyard area. No reservations required for their wine tasting room but it can become extremely packed with people. I felt very claustrophobic in the room even though I'm generally not a hater of small spaces. As a group of 3 we were wanting to have a comfortable experience at our own leisure. However the wine servers didn't really have time for questions and we felt rushed to gulp down our samples before the next one was poured to us. Definitely would not return or recommend to future visitors. read more

Incredible and knowledgeable service. Giant pours, waived fees for buying bottles, and great wine. Their Chardonnay is one of the best I've ever tasted. They brought Italian wine to U.S., and are the reason Pinot Noir is so popular now. They are small, but that adds to their charm. Our server was the young grandson of the founder. read more

I can't express enough how great our experience was here. The wines were all divine - especially the Chardonnay! The service was exceptional - very knowledgeable about the varietals and the charming family history. The tasting room was small but not crowded when we were there, and there was an inviting outside patio. The views of the vineyard are gorgeous. We didn't participate in the free tour but will next time. I will definitely be back on my next trip to Sonoma because Schug is a gem! read more

This is not your normal wine tasting experience but Schug fit nicely into the overall day on the vine in Sonoma as a cheaper, intimate tasting experience. The property itself is off the beaten track and less scenic and artsy than the larger names on the map. I did appreciate the little pond with the duck house - though the ducks were absent on our recent trip and instead it looked sorta sad. The tasting room itself was teeny but luckily the counter cleared out fast and we were able to go in for the kill on the complimentary Reserve Wine tasting that we scored free of charge just for checking in on Yelp (go deals!). The offer was actually the thing that lured us over from nearby Gloria Ferrer bubbly and we definitely would not have ended up here if not for that bait. And while the normal tasting is quite reasonable at $5 a head, it was a nice treat to save $15 on reserves. The wines themselves were good, if on the cheaper and more simple side of the wine country coin. It was really the friendly ladies behind the counter that made the experience a 4 star instead of a 3 star experience. They threw in some free tastings and also gave us some great advice about where to go and what to ask for at the different vineyards in the area. Keep in mind that the place is tiny, parties of 6+ need reservations and expect to pay $15/head to drink in the cellar - a completely affordable and pretty fun option when traveling in a group. read more

After we left Gloria Ferrer we came here to continue our wine tasting adventures. The tasting room is pretty small so if you plan on rolling in with a big group you should probably call ahead and let them know. There were 5 of us and we almost took over the tasting room. From the moment we walked in until the moment we left we had the best service. Our guide walked us through all of the choices and explained all the nuances that make their wines so great. I also loved it here because they have such a great variety of wines. They have some great chardonnays, pinots, and cabs along with a cabernet franc that was crazy good. Also, their approach to wine is not bougie. Their wine is good for people with respectable palates as well as wine intermediaries. I don't know how newbies would like it. Might be a bit much for them. I'm definitely happy we stopped here. I might even be tempted to join their wine club. Yep, it's like that. read more

Ive been in love with the French style of Pinot Noir. I had heard that some of the Sonoma estates were doing things in the old ways. I randomly picked the Schug and it was surprisingly different than any Pinot I've had. THough it was a bit tame for my taste. To each his own they say read more

This was a very "iffy" experience. Definitely the low-point of our weekend of wine tasting. The tasting room just isn't set up for, well, tasting. It's like slugging wine at the check-out counter...totally crowded and rushed because there are usually groups of people waiting for their turn, crammed up against the wall behind you. The property is so-so. There are way better wineries for scenery in the area, so if you're trying to spend your time wisely and get the most bang for your tasting buck, skip Schug. Not much to see, not much to taste. I know it sounds harsh, but the tasting was a major let down. First of all, the staff was rude and seemed really annoyed that people were actually showing up to taste wine! God forbid! Schug is known for their Pinot Noir and they only had one Pinot on the tasting menu...I can imagine Pinot fanatics making the pilgrimage to Schug to sample the whole menu of their pinots only to get DE-NIED. I really wanted to like this place, but it just wasn't possible. Gloria Ferrer is right down the street, and I hear their Pinots are pretty rockin'.... read more

Schug Winery - Cute from the outside - Wineries Near Me - Sonoma, California

See all

Six of us visited 5 wineries including Schug, and we bought wine - about 6 CASES collectively, and two myself - from all the other 4 wineries. This was our second time visiting the Schug Winery after I was convinced to try them again. I was not impressed with their wines during our first visit two years ago; however, this review is not about Schug wine, but their tasting room service. We arrived about 4:15pm giving us 45 minutes to taste. The tasting room is very small, and a boisterous man - I believe his name is Ed - asked that we "stand back" until there was room at the tasting table. Please note, we weren't "welcomed" first, the first things I heard were his words, "please stand back and out of the way until there is room up closer." OK. At about 4:30, a group cleared out and we made our way closer. Since there were six of us, we were asked to stack "3 by 2" to keep room for others, then were told that "the tasting fee is $5" and "we can take care of money at the end" though we had a complimentary tasting certificate. We made our way through the wines without much issue besides Ed barking more of the same things as other people entered the tasting room. The final straw which was the catalyst for me to write this review was when a nicely-dressed Asian couple entered the tasting room at 4:55. Near verbatim, the same man told/asked the couple "Are you here to taste? Because we close in 5 minutes, and I'm not kidding." The woman in the party told him that they were expecting a third, and he responded, "you better get 'em in here now!" Are you serious? Is this the way to sell the winery? How about to ensure business and return customers? I had to bite my tongue and couldn't finish our tasting. The 6 of us left without purchasing any wine. I was relieved when we finished our day at Anaba just a short distance away, and we were welcomed not only with great wine, but with a fantastic and smiling staff. I highly suggest two things: 1) You avoid Schug Winery and 2) You visit Anaba Winery. read more

I have been coming to this tasting room for 2 years plus now. It is my "go to" winery for my out of town friends, all of whom have had positive experiences here. The pourers have always been friendly and accommodating to me and my crew. If they run out of room at the small tasting bar, they take you in the back with the barrels without hesitation. Or they tell me to "go on back and check it out" on my own. I prefer the Carneros Pinot (to the Sonoma Pinot) and the Merlot Reserve from a few years ago, but the whites are also great everyday white wines. If you didn't have a good experience here, maybe it wasn't the right combination of events: level of sobriety, weather/heat, vintage, company, etc. So if you have written it off, more wine for me I guess :) I think the price is right on as well for a smaller vineyard. read more

I followed yelp's suggestion and had very high expectations for a top 5 winery in Sonoma. Sadly this was disappointing in that it was small, very impersonal, very uninformative. The only history I learned about the winery was from the poster in the bathroom. If you're looking for cheap tasting, this was fine and fast, but I learned nothing and will probably forget the name of the winery when I leave Sonoma. This was the only winery that I have purchased a bottle from yet. I do however highly suggest Viansa, Gloria Ferrer, Larson, and Cline as they were all amazing properties with very in depth and attentive staff. read more

I loved this winery. We tasted outside and had a lovely experience chatting with the staff and meeting, Jameson, the dog. They have an indoor tasting room, but it was nice sitting in their garden area. I really enjoyed the chardonnay and multitude of red options. Give this place a go, it's a fun time. read more

A nice mix of very crisp wines. Wine tasting offered 6 different, yet similar boutique wines. The cab franc and cab s were great. The tasting room is a bit small, and does injustice to the beautiful landscapes and lakes that surround the estate as well, but the service is excellent and the wines are great for people who like the sharp, crispy flavors. I was a bit lost, even with GPS, as it only takes you to halfway down the drive. They need an additional sign to direct people to go completely down the road until it hits the dead end, where the entrance is. I worry they've lost a good amount of business without a sign here, as well as people's times and reviews. read more

Do you LOVE small, intimate tasting rooms without all the glitz and glamor? If so, then this is the winery for you. Located up the road from the 121, Schug has a variety of wines sure to tantalize your taste buds. For $5 you will sample several of their wines. My personal Schug fave: 2009 Sauvignon Blanc. read more

This is a great little winery a bit off the beaten path in Carneros. Tasting is 5$ for their regular wines, and 10$ for reserves. If you are a member of one of their clubs -- there are 3-4 different ones to choose from, I believe -- tasting is free. The tasting room itself is rather small, but if there is overflow they'll serve out in another part of the building where the wine is actually made. (at least, that has been my experience) They even appear to be dog-friendly, allowing my little guy to accompany me into the tasting room and make friends with the pourers and other tasters. The Sav Blanc here is not to be missed. The rest of their wines are also very good; not cheap but not very expensive either. A great place to start or finish your day of tasting! read more

I was really disappointed to arrive only to find that they are no longer allowing people to enjoy their tastings outside on the patio. Their tasting room is very, very small and quickly got over crowded. I personally really don't like being rushed through a tasting while standing in a crowded room. It made it hard to enjoy the wine. The sommeliers are all very friendly here, which makes up for a little bit. The actual grounds are very beautiful and we took the self-guided walking tour which was wonderful and relaxing. read more

I had not been to Schug in 5 years, and was glad I came back. This winery's pride is Pinots, although I like several of their varietals. The wine room is the way I like it...decently appointed, but simple. If I wanted a Buddhist Shrine, I'd go back to Thailand. I am here to taste wine. The people attending to you for tasting, is a big part of the experience, and the two gentlemen pouring that morning were awesome. Down to earth, knowledgeable, appreciative of their product, sarcastic and as funny as hell. I re-joined Schugs Red only club, and look forward to many of their future fun events. They do charge a small $5 tasting fee, waived with a bottle. Frankly these days, I'd prefer to pay; (1) it means sometimes served the better quality bottlings (2) I don't feel guilty if I don't buy. If I enjoy the wines and/or service, as a courtesy I usually buy one bottle anyway, makes remembering the trip later fun. Really glad I discovered Schug again, and I highly encourage you stopping in if driving by....or even go out of your way a bit :) read more

Small little vineyard off the main road. Very personable staff, very well informed about their wines. Great conversation, friendly staff. Delicious pours with very good selection of wines. The grounds are nice And there is a little patio just above the main tasting room that offers a nice little retreat for an afternoon picnic. Great hill views from the patio and picnic area. If you walk up a little behind the main structure there is a vast field that also offers serene views of the area. There appears to be an underground cave of some sort and possibly an event space. Not sure if this area is open for tours. We went on the off season so there were not a lot of ppl there which made for a more personable experience for us. Definitely off the main road of Sonoma vineyards but if you have time I would definitely recommend this place for their excellent wines and amazing staff! read more

Came here for a bday celebration. Minimal outside seating, minimal selection of wines and we weren't even allowed to open a bottle that we purchased to sit there and drink. We went to Gun Bun after and received much better service. read more

Kate gave us the insider tour that took us into the storage caves and private tastings in the elegant tasting room. We also were taken outside to the top of the caves to point out the Petaluma Gap. The gap in the mountains that lets cool foggy air into the valley that makes Napa and Sonoma Valleys possible. SCHUG is not a particularly large winery but it is right sized and allows for the quality management of its products. SCHUG is one of our primary staple wines when we want to impress. read more

Small, friendly and personable, this is the kind of place where you go to get away from the touristy spots. The tasting room is small, so small that they asked us to kindly step outside after we had purchased our wine. They've got a nice deck on the upper level if you want to take your time and enjoy some wine. Update: I take it back, not so friendly on subsequent visits and the wine was kind of boring. It also literally smells like shit everywhere except for the tasting room, so not sure how much use that deck would get... read more

I absolutely love Schug's Chardonnay. Yes, it's in the middle of nowhere. Katie is awesome, so I only go here when she's around. I have attended a wine event here in the cave which was a blast. I must say there is some eerie about being in a cave in California though. :-) The wines here overall get a positive rating from me since I understand their winemaking technique. Since I had had their wines previously off site I was rather surprised with the tasting room. The other staff here can sometimes be off putting, this they will need to work on. For the common lay person it can be a deal breaker. Great price points for the value of what you get. Their wines have laydown potential and what is best the only improve with time. I have never been here when it wasn't freaking windy as hell. They must be in a wind trap. I love the scenery from the top of the winery. You can overlook the entire valley. read more

Been wine club members here for a few years, and made a tasting appointment when we were in the area. Tasting attendants were polite and professional. The Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines here are always good, but some of the Pinots recently have been unpleasantly quirky. The winery is now producing more Bordeaux Varietals, but we've been disappointed because they haven't been up to the standard of the Pinots of the past. Debating whether to continue our wine club membership in the face of what we see as a small but noticeable downturn in quality. read more

I love, love, LOVE it here! Maybe I've just gotten really lucky both times I've been, but the staff absolutely spoiled us. Like the kind of attention and excess pouring that makes you feel like everywhere else you go is kind of cold and stingy. It's a bit off the main road so it doesn't seem to get the crushing tourist traffic we encountered elsewhere, despite that they don't charge to taste some really quality wine. I'd purchased a Cabernet here a few years ago during another full day outing, and when friends and I cracked it open later we all commented how DELICIOUS it was, so I was inspired to include Schug on the latest round of tasting. We were impressed with every single wine we tasted this time, so much so we ended up buying a mixed case. Of course, it helped that the pourers were chatting us up about each wine, pouring "comparison" samples from secret bottles they had stashed behind the bar, and it was overall just a laid-back friendly place. Good vibes inspire the taste buds, right? read more

This was probably the best little find around. Very cute and small and the guy who helped us was cute and knowledgeable and really fun. They were cool with us having our friends kids with us (they even had crayons and stuff for them) These guys are tucked away in the vineyard so the surroundings are really pretty. They even had a little pond and some ducks so that was fun. This was the only place we actually bought wine from and brought home so that says a lot. Their reds were awesome and so different. I would definitely come back here. read more

I recently visited Schug for the first time this past week. It's a German style winery with a cute little tasting room. I visited on a weekday so it wasn't terribly crowded, since the tasting room is so small I am sure it's packed on weekends. Alyssa helped us and was very friendly and knowledgeable, we didn't feel rushed at all. They have some tasty wines, worth a visit! read more

Schug Winery - On our way to do a tasting - Wineries Near Me - Sonoma, California

See all

Outstanding wines and great staff. They let you bring your four legged friends in too! Their Rouge de Noirs is an outstanding special occasion wine. No Thanksgiving is complete in my family without a few bottles of this to toast to. a MUST try. Off the beaten path location with a great view. The only complaints i have is that the tasting room is rather small, and their location tends to be a bit windy. YEsterday we were lucky and it was gorgeous. One last thing i have to add: Their club discount is spectacular. My aunt sent me in here to purchase a few cases for her. When i asked if i signed up, they would discount her wine, they said yes. even though we were shipping to AZ and it was being billed on her card. That day i signed up and i have been a fan ever since. read more

We met Tom and David who were just wonderful. VERY SMALL TASTING ROOM that could use some music and maybe some stools? We enjoyed the 2013 and 2015 Pinot Noir most. We even got a little tour of the barrels and wine fermentation process. What a lovely place! Would love to go back when it's nicer weather to enjoy the patio in the pictures. read more

Despite its small size, this winery still strives for the commercial feeling that I find so gaudy. The two employees were mostly engaged with themselves, and we felt far from welcomed. The tastings were free. They get a couple of stars for having a non malolatic chardonnay, but they lose points for switching it with the malolatic and accusing me of an inability to differentiate between acidity and buttery. In the end, none of the wines were worth purchasing, and we were all quite ready to leave. read more

Honestly, I am not a big pinot noir fan, nor had I heard of Schug. I am a diehard Napa fan, and the hospitality of Schug staff towards my friends and I, and the loyalty they had towards other boutique wineries in the Sonoma area really resonated with me. They are a smaller operation (cozy tasting room environment) but their service was top-notch. Not only did they give us a private tour of their cellar (we had a new wine taster amongst our group), and waive our tasting fees, they recommended other area wineries that they had relationships with, and took a few moments to highlight on the Sonoma map of places we "should" go, based on our preferences in their shop. They had coupons that made the day more affordable. The duck pond is really scenic - makes for a great Kodak moment. read more

We had an AMAZING time here. The six of us did a wine tasting ($20) here in the morning. The weather was absolutely wonderful right before noon too. The wines were all delicious and I sort of regret not taking a bottle home with me. The man who talked us through the wines and sat with us was also a delight that we would have spent more time with if we didn't have lunch reservations. read more

This winery is not the best, but the staff are incredibly friendly. The tasting is in a small area that includes the gift shop; it is really nice for a small group ( less than 8), but if there are more people in there, it will be tight. The duck house is a neat little attraction and there was one duck parading around during our visit. The view in the late afternoon is nice with a large range of vines visible. For the price and staff, this is a winery worth the visit. read more

Schug Winery - The friendly staff - Wineries Near Me - Sonoma, California

We took a trip to Sonoma on Sunday with a group of frends...from all the wineries that we stopped by Including ram's gate, I can say without doubt this was the best one. I tasted 5 wines which all of them were good but 2013 Pinot was excellent. Glen was our host, what a delightful person he is, very knowledgeable and attentive. Definitely coming back and highly recommend this winery! Oh our tasting was free because the check in on yelp. They have a patio area where we have a pic nick with our own snacks while having some wine by glass. Good prices. read more

My family recently came here because they offer a free self guided tour of the winery and we thought that would be something the kids would enjoy. We definitely weren't disappointed. The views were great, the walk wasn't too strenuous, and they've spent a lot of time having information at each recommended stopping point that really gives you a good understanding of how the grapes are grown and the transition to wine. The tasting was also a pleasant experience and they were very helpful in teaching us a little more about wine since we're newbies. Will definitely come back. read more

Schug provided us a great Sonoma tasting experience! The tasting room was a tad small but cozy. The staff was personable, attentive, and generally friendly and laid back. I agree with some of the other reviews, this felt like a quaint, family run winery, not a giant conglomerate that herded wave after wave of tourists. In addition, they had some really great wine as well. We really enjoyed their current release Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon; it was difficult to decide - not on which one to buy, but how much of each! All in all a great winery tucked away in Sonoma County. Thanks! read more

A must when traveling to Napa! Excellent wines ~ excellent customer service and did I say excellent wines!!! Family owned with lots of great history! Be sure to tour the winery while tasting the amazing vino! One of our favorites!! read more

A tiy little tasting room in the corner, you could almost miss it. No customer there, just two guys working through the mail orders...they were glad to see us and talked to us all about the wine - which is spectacular. A couple of tastes, we bought a couple of bottles, and we are off to the next spot.... read more

Wonderful Carneros Pinot Noir. Two tasting options: one free and the other for reserves was $10. I opt for the por gratis selections. I tell them that I'm a Pinot lover and they offer me the reserves for free! Smart move bc I liked and bought the Reserve Pinot and the sparkling. Small tasting room. Despite the funky smell outside, I like this winery. read more

Cute little winery tucked back off the main road but totally worth stopping in for. Their wines are very good and Kate and Harrison made our tasting fun. It's a small tasting room so be prepared to be friendly with the other visitors. In fact, some of the other visitors were among the highlights of our visit. The Sauvignon Blanc, Pinots and Chardonnays were all awesome and you should definitely try the 2014 Riesling, as I predict they will be hard to come by. :-) Be sure to stop at their lake and say hi to the ducks before you go. And hey, if you are a forty something single male Leo, be sure to ask for Kate. Bonus points if you show up on your bicycle. :-) read more

My girlfriend and I LOVED Shug. Another winery we randomly drove up to not knowing what to expect. The tasting room is tiny, and there are no pretensions. The guy behind the counter was extremely knowledgeable but didn't sit there and wax on about honeysuckle, peach, and various flavors like many others. "Light, fresh, and fruity" was his first description and he was spot on. They are generous with their tastings and have no problem opening up bottles that you are interested in, or letting you taste bottles they've opened for others and no additional charge. As an added bonus, they comp the tasting if you purchase something. We walked out with a 2005 Cab Sav and and a Chardonnay...the only white wine we loved during our trip. read more

This is one of those places everyone in the area seemed to recommend, including people at other wineries so I had to stop by. It looks like a quaint little farmhouse from the outside, but don't be fooled by the smell of horses as you walk up inside the AC was pumping and much appreciated on this hot June day! Schug has a big selection of wines available for tasting, depending on what it is you are into. They specialize in Pinot Noir and for a good reason, they really were some of the best I would taste all day, plus pretty affordable. I ended up leaving with a bottle of the Carneros pinot and a sauvignon blanc. They also appear to have great specials on cases! read more