Fodor's Expert Review Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards

The estate's name means "our view," and you'll likely deem the perspective magnificent wherever you taste. The Russian River Valley sprawls below the Block 23 Terrace tasting area; egrets and otters cavort in the Lakeshore Pavilion, where private experiences unfold; and Mt. St. Helena looms eastward at The Summit, the 710-acre property's highest point. Chardonnay and Rhône-style reds are two strengths, and there's a vibrant Pinot Noir. The best of the Rhônes, the G-S-M (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre), comes from the slice of Notre Vue in the Chalk Hill AVA (the rest is Russian River Valley). Visits are by appointment. The owners encourage hiking on the estate's trails; with the rise in elevation from 200 to 1,200 feet, a stroll here can range from easy to strenuous.