All the wines are so amazing and tasting. I fell in love with the Cabernet 2021. Arman was such a great person with great personality and a great host. We tasted different wines in his beautiful winery. Highly recommended for wine lovers. read more

Starlite Vineyards - Wine - Wineries Near Me - Geyserville, California

Tried to go starlight twice today. First time we showed up the place was empty even though the door was open. We waited around for 30 minutes then left. Later that day we called and they confirmed they are open. We show up and we're waiting around for 30 minutes and wasn't given any wine. The person pouring told us "I didn't forget you" then proceeded to pour the people next to us who came in 20 minutes after us. After not getting anything we left because it seemed like he was purposely ignoring us for some weird reason. Maybe the wine is good I'll never know. read more

5 Star wines, 7 star host! Arman, one of top silicom valley attorneys owns this beautiful vinyard for more than 20 years. His wines are exquisite and beautifully crafted. read more

As we were winding down our trip to the PNW, we decided to check out the Alexander Valley for some wine appreciation. We pulled into this winery and it immediately made me feel comfortable as there are so many smaller and boutique style wineries in this area. I prefer smaller winemakers over big name. I love the intimate and personal approach from these smaller winemakers and the wine is always so tasty. Initially, no one was at the tasting room, so I tried calling to check their hours. As soon as I hung up, the owner Arman called me back to let me know they are open and Gary would be able to assist us. We had already left, so we turned around and went back. Gary welcomed us to the tasting room and provide some history of the vineyards. The winery is named for the breathtaking light that shines on the vineyards due to their crystal clear Sonoma County nights. Their winemaking is hand-crafted European style. Let me just say their wine is absolutely exquisite. Our tasting included a tasting of their 2019 Rosé, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and the extraordinary 2016 Red Zinfandel. I immediately fell in love with their Cabernet Sauvignon as it is made "Bordeaux style". Being a huge fan of French Bordeaux wines, that was all I needed to hear to know how much I was going to love their Cab. The Zinfandel made "Claret style" was pure genius. Loved the lush tannins in this wine and the explosive tastes of blackberries across the tongue. These two wines alone had me pulling out my credit card quickly. We ended up purchasing the 2016 Zinfandel and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (only 125 cases produced). It was a hefty price for just these two bottles but so totally worth it. Now that I am home I wished I would have bought more. Just a great reason to return. Here is a tip: Be sure to check in on Yelp as they offer a free tasting otherwise it is $50.00 to taste. The good news is that the $50.00 is deducted from any wine purchase. I am so glad I discovered these phenomenal wines and I highly recommend a stop here to get your grape on! read more

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I've had a house in Healdsburg for five years now and have tried many of the local wineries, and Starlite is a true gem! Totally my type of wines- bolder reds with European style winemaking. Never had a "Ribera del Duero" style wine in Sonoma until now and blown away! Great wine, great people, great price. read more

Starlite Vineyards - The man himself- Arman! - Wineries Near Me - Geyserville, California

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This place has really poor service. Honestly people who came in after us (both white) got service before we did. And we waited for about 20 minutes. I understand it's busy but it feels pretty racist to serve the white people first. read more

We first visited Starlite Vineyards in 2012 and have enjoyed their Zinfadels for more than a decade, especially the 2016 and 2021. Always smooth, perfect with a variety of meals or appetizers. Great for all occasions. We've gotten our friends hooked on it as well. Consistently 'yummy' and always in good taste. Bill P and Peg D - Lenox MA read more

Great wines. I really liked the wines and the environment is very good and the staff are very friendly. The owner, Arman was a great guy. He introduced us variety wines. read more

I cannot say enough great things about Starlite! We were staying at the Montage which was very close by and asked the concierge if she could get us a reservation at a winery was that was different and somewhere small. We wanted to go somewhere that produces less than 1,000 cases or so a year and something that was more intimate. And oh she delivered! She booked us a reservation at Starlite Vineyards and I couldn't have been happier. We actually were the only ones at the tasting and we we blessed to be hosted by the tasting room manager! The location was super quaint and they had the vines right there in property. The tasting room was very clean and upscale. it only had about 2 tables. We sampled all of their wines produced and even got a bonus of the 2016 Cabernet, which we both ended up ordering! Amazing!!! The Zinfandel was also delicious, which I also ordered. The tasting was perfect and the manager guided us though all the notes, etc. Got some small snacks with it as well. The winery only does produce about 1,000 cases a year, so I highly recommend to come to Starlite for something different and away from all the mainstream vineyards. Something more low keys and slower pace, without the crowds! Maybe the best Cabernet and Zinfandel in the valley! read more

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I had the pleasure of staying at Starlite, and the overnight accommodation came with a complimentary tasting. I'd never heard of them so I didn't expect much. I seriously underestimated the situation!!! This very small winemaker is making some of the best wines I've ever had. They don't distribute commercially, but don't be put off by them not being a known name. The wine tasting is the best tasting experience I've had in Sonoma and their wines are off the charts amazing. read more

We had an extraordinary experience at Starlite. Gary took very good care of us. And we unexpectedly got to meet the owners as well. We hung out for over two hours chit chatting and enjoying the whole experience. I would highly recommend a visit. read more

Starlite Vineyards - Starlite wine and other food items. - Wineries Near Me - Geyserville, California

Exquisite wines, start us off with the Zinfandel and it's devine, claret style, intricate phenolics of ripe raspberry and strawberry, with notes of bramble, stewed blackberries pie filling, a hint of leather, and soft lush tannins. Then he gives us the Viognier which hangs on the vine longer for a higher brix (sugar) concentrated fruit this one shows the classic stone fruit of white peach, nectarine and ripe apricots, some grassy flavors and honey blossom. Then to the rose' which is derived from all of the grapes on the property. Bigger style with plenty of gusto for the 'only red' drinkers, then we taste 2 vintages of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2019 and the 2015. Both of them deserve high points in ratings - a 98 and 97. The first one is classic blackberry, blueberry, richness, bittersweet chocolate, cedar and eucalyptus in all of the right places, the 2nd one, the 2015 stands out for some Tempranillo in the wine, about 15%. Truly excellent wine tasting! read more

Starlite Vineyards - Stunning Zinfandel - Wineries Near Me - Geyserville, California

We had come here for the Sonoma County Wine trail. We arrived around 11:15 AM and there was no one here. We decided to go to a different winery and called back to check their hours and they confirmed they will be there. We arrived and were told to find any open spot. There were no open spaces in the front and we asked if we can sit in the back, and he said feel free. We sat in the back for 15 minutes with no service. After we noticed a group had left, we moved back to front and the guys said "Oh don't worry, I didn't forget about you." We continued standing at the table by the window as the guy was just kept chatting with the people sitting at the bar. A white couple arrived about 5 mins after we moved the front and found an open space. They were served promptly with wine. Still no service for the 3 of us who have been there for 20 minutes. We waited another 10 minutes before we left. There was no attempt to serve us, nor any sort of apologies when we walked out. This type of blatant racism is unacceptable. read more

Starlite wines are by far the best wines I have had. They are so elegant. The tasting room is beautiful and resembles an art gallery. It is definitely a must see for anyone visiting Healdsburg. read more

The only wine we serve at our parties! The best! Zin and Cab are my personal favorites. F A read more

Amazing everything! Must stop for anyone to taste beautiful wines and experience. The owner, Arman, is beyond personable and very funny! Gary is one of a kind...perfect hidden gem. A must see. read more

I purchased the 2016 Zinfandel and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon; I fell in love with both from the first taste. They are beautiful wines that could be priced higher and would be worth it. They are probably the best kept secret in plain sight. read more

Starlite wines are incredible (shout out to the Viognier and Zinfandel...). They are some of my favorite go-to wines, which I enjoy sharing over a meal with family and friends, and gifting to others. The vineyards and tasting room are beautiful and artistic, and provide for a lovely in person experience. read more

We had the best time visiting Starlite vineyards. The service and staff were amazing, friendly and knowledgeable. The tasting was amazing, through the progression each wine got better! Not your run of the mill, it is a boutique winery with a special collection of varietals. I 100% recommend and absolutely will be back with friends! read more

Starlite was highly recommended to us on our last visit to the area by close wine friends of mine. We all walked away utterly disappointed. All wines poured were undrinkable. Over priced and underwhelming. Walked out of there feeling ripped off. Perhaps it was this vintage. Who knows. read more

Despite the 94 points sign they have prominently displayed above their entrance sign I really was not impressed by any of their wine. They did have a little pairing of food with each wine (4 wines in all) but still not worth the stop. On one pairing I actually wanted the food more than the wine - some sort of grilled onion tapenade. I was also shocked by the prices of their bottles - between $48 -$55 The guy working there when I went was a little awkward and immediately made me feel unwelcome when he #1 tried to not honor my free tasting pass and #2 shockingly looked with sadness when I said I was tasting by myself. read more

I signed up a for a membership @ Starlite during my tasting visit. That's a mighty fine endorsement from me. Because: 1. I'm a moderate wine snob. My preference is for smooth fruit forward wines that have a clean mouth feel. My favorite varietal is pinot noir, a notoriously difficult grape for winemakers. 2. I'm a cheapskate. I look for and mostly drink wines that win competition prizes and cost less than $15. Starlite is a price tier above my usual level, but I decided to commit to a membership because these wines are so good. Small tasting room. Open only Thursday thru Sunday. During the tasting routine you'll be served small bites of cheese, crackers, pates, salamis, & whatever food compliments the wines. Of course the industry standard patter of wine facts, figures and accolades are proclaimed by the server. Time wise, a visit takes about a hour. If you love pinot noir, Starlite is a must visit. Update Nov 2015. Dropped my club membership after two pick-ups. Wine is still wonderful. Price point for me (a fixed income senior citizen) is too high to justify on my budget. read more

What a beautiful experience I had at Starlite Vineyard! The host showed myself and friends around on property. We were all spoiled with a delicious wine tasting! We will definitely be coming back!! read more

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The experience was amazing and the owners were the sweetest ever. Learned a f*** ton about wine, got to really connect w the hosts, and tasted some of the best wines of my life! If you want an intimate vineyard experience where you get to learn about the wine, the vineyard process and the beautiful story of a down to earth business -- COME HERE! The wine was seriously amazing, I'll never be able to drink Sutter Homes again read more

We randomly found this winery by luck over the weekend and decided to stop and thank goodness we did! This was a hidden gem! The owner was very hospitable, they had a very nice and comfortable tasting room, and fantastic wine. The best Viognier I've ever had, an awesome Zin, and their 2014 Cab was perfection! If you go, you won't be disappointed! Jared P. read more

Amazing winery, awesome wine to say the least and great food pairings. Owners are great, feel like you are visiting friends at their home instead of a business but so hospitable. Highly recommend, one of my best experiences in the area and now order their wine too read more

This winery tasting experience is very similar to the sit down "private" reservations only tastings I have done at Caymus, Schramsberg, and others. But rezeez are not required here, as we just stumbled upon this place by chance. Their Zins are the stars here, but they also have an excellent Cab, which it should be at $120. The hosts on the day of our visit (October 19, 2013) were extremely knowledgeable yet still engaging. We really had a fun time with them, and not what we expected when we first walked into this nicely appointed quiet tasting room. The gentleman took his time as he meticulously prepared each of us a plate of small bites to pair with each taste. Nice touch! Yelp check-in deal states 1 free tasting per person, and in the small print "Whisper "yelp" to the tasting room attendant. Otherwise, you will get charged. Don't shout it out!" How cool is that? It was even cooler when we were cashing out, as I assumed only one tasting would be gratis, but was more than pleasantly surprised when they comped all four of us. Maybe because we purchased a couple of bottles? Well the Zins were $60 each, but it was still very cool of them since per another review the tastes are $25 each. Our hosts also said their wines are seldom found at retail outlets, pretty much only sold to restaurants. So for a less raucous environment, and some hard to find excellent wines, this is a highly recommended stop on your winery tour. read more

Best Cab I've ever tasted. You'd pay about $600 a bottle for this in a fine restaurant. So the price direct from Starlite is a good deal. We bought more for special occasions. Eloquent service at the vineyard as well. One of our favorite wine stops, will definitely return and will buy again. read more

Had such a lovely time at Starlite Vineyards this past weekend. The tasting room is quite small which allows for a very intimate tasting experience. They provide some small bites with the tasting which was a very nice addition. The wines themselves are pricey but delicious. I am a big fan of a really nice Viognier and what they make here at Starlite is exceptional. We were honestly sad that we left without purchasing any bottles (which means we will be back). read more

Starlite is a very small production winery, with a very intimate tasting setting. In fact, when we arrived to do our tasting, we were informed that at 5 pm, we were the first people to taste there all day. Seems unreal for Sonoma wine country where every winery has lots of foot traffic every day. Although the wines are quite wonderful at Starlite, I imagine people are staying away because of the prices! Starlite hosts a seated food and wine pairing tasting - there is no other no other option. You get four little bites (small pieces of cheese and an onion jam which was quite memorable) with four wines. Sitting at the large marble table, we tasted 2 zins, 1 cab, and 1 viongier. We tasted the viognier right in the middle - which I thought was incredibly strange because you always taste whites at the beginning and finish with reds (if you like white wine that is!). Every wine tasted wonderful...the viognier was outstanding. But here's the catch...that's the least expensive wine...at $50. And it only gets steeper from there. The cab tops the charts at $125. Holy moly. The pourer explained all of the wines, but Starlite just isn't a habit I have deep enough pockets to keep. I believe the tasting was also $25...just something else I can't get on board with. I just can't knock off more than one star because the wines are great, but it's simply too expensive to give 5 stars to. read more

We discovered Starlite Vineyards a year ago when we were headed to the area to pick up some of our wine club wines. We had started the day with a very clear directive: No more wine clubs! We simply already had too much wine. Our front room looks like a wine shop. That decision held true until we got to Starlite. The wines are delicious and incredibly drinkable for all palates. The tasting room is tasteful and very refined. This is the perfect place to go to when you want to talk to others who also really appreciate wine and food. This is not the place you want to go to if you're falling off a drunk bus, though if you have just fallen off one, they'll be very nice and still give you great wine with a lite food pairing. Just don't expect a commercialized wine experience with giant gift shop. Come here if you just appreciate great wine. read more

A pretty cool tasting room experience. The tasting comes with a food pairing. There's only one guy who works in the tasting room and he's really friendly and informative about the wines and the area (he grew up in Sonoma County). I would suggest checking in on Yelp, if you do, they offer a free tasting. Otherwise, tasting fee is $25. Wines are a bit pricey but really good to taste. read more

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Our group of four enjoyed the tasting at this vineyard, which included a small pairing. The tasting with pairing is $25.00, which is waived with purchase of a bottle. We shared tastings with no problem. The owner, Arman, was very generous with his pours, and we had fun talking with him and the other man working with him, whose name I cannot recall. The room for tasting is small and modern, and was an ideal place to chat while tasting the wines. We especially enjoyed the Zinfandel. This is a small, relatively new vineyard, and we look forward to seeing how they progress in the upcoming years. read more

What a lovely tasting experience. We went on a Saturday mid day and we were the only ones in this intimate tasting room. Their wines are paired with small bites of cheeses and salami. Each wine is explained fully and they all were quite good. You are seated at a marble top table and relaxed. A very enjoyable experience with lovely wines to taste and buy. Highly recommended! read more

The first thing that struck me about Starlite was how the owner, Arman, warmly introduced himself and his family. This was our fourth stop of the day and I was glad to find a personable place, as opposed to larger tasting rooms where employees recite wine descriptions, barely spend any time with you, and offer no sense of the character of the vineyard. Starlite really is a boutique vineyard. The tasting room is intimately sized and manned by just the owner himself. Arman took us to walk the grounds and explained basics about viticulture and the business of winemaking (whereas we had to pay extra for a grounds tour at other places). We learned so much from just talking to him, and he was the first who actually took an interest in who we were. He also remembered our inn keepers, which impressed on me that he will remember his other visitors as well. The quality of the wine is exceptional. I'm new to wine tasting, but I've liked the wines from Starlite the best out of all the places I tried in Alexander Valley, as well as from San Benito County and Central Coast. We bought the viognier but also liked the cabernet sauvignon. We were very impressed with the food pairing, which featured mustard, melon, and roast duck, and helped to bring out the flavor of the red wines. Arman's passion for the arts really shows through. The tasting room is decorated with beautiful large art pieces. They also host music and dinner events that feature string quartets. It's a shame we won't be in the area for that! Thanks Starlite for being the highlight of our weekend stay in Alexander Valley! Also, I found this helpful article: http://sf.blockshopper.com/news/story/264174-Starlite_Vineyards_presents_their_2010_Viognier_wine_and_celebrates_California_Wine_Month_, read more

I highly recommend Starlite Vineyards. I enjoyed every single wine that I tasted, which is highly unusual for me, and I go wine tasting pretty frequently. Also, I'm generally not a fan of white wine, but their Viognier was fantastic. Arman and his family made us feel very welcome in the tasting room. They were very knowledgeable about the wines and seemed passionate about it. My husband and I had a lot of fun speaking with the hosts as well as the guests. We enjoyed it so much that we signed up for their wine club without hesitation. Looking forward to my next visit. read more

Starlite was a nice stop - one of the few wineries that offer a food pairing with the tasting. The tasting room is small and feels like a kitchen that you would entertain in. It had a very casual feel. The ones were fine and we enjoyed using a yelp offer for a free tasting. read more

We've been to Starlite Vineyards several times, and Armand poured tastings until today., Reyne (sp?) served the tastings. She waived the $15 tasting fee since we hadn't had to pay it in the past with Armand. She is a bit overwhelming. Way too much talk about how elite she is. Beyond that, we got some great Zinfandel. The cabernet sauvignon was a whopping $94./bottle, and I think I laughed out loud when she told me. (I didn't buy). If not for really great prior experiences at Starlite and if not for their great Zin, I would give three stars. read more

I stayed at the guest house for the weekend with 2 other couples. Cool old house and lovely front and back yards. Our stay included the wine tasting with paired food. The wines are excellent, but pricey at $60ish. read more

We stopped here on a day in the neighborhood yesterday, because of Yelp reviews and a great tasting deal. Best decision of the afternoon! The gentleman hosting the tasting we did was fantastic. Taught us a lot and really took the time to answer our questions as well as tell us all about the wine they make. We were shown the owners art colections and given a nice little tour of the vineyard after getting a VIP tasting of an out-of-this-world '84 Bordeaux . Both guys were very hospitable and we had such a great time. Fantastic wines, beautiful tasting room/experience, lovely property and people ... can't wait to return! Cheers :) read more