4 Best Sights in Windsor, Napa and Sonoma

According to cofounders Mark and Beth Hanson, the French word bricoleur loosely translates to "flying by the seat of the pants," the feeling the two experienced when they purchased a 40-acre estate southwest of Windsor's town green and set about establishing a winery and lavish hospitality center. The Hansons enlisted several Wine Country veterans to develop wine-making and culinary programs, and—voilà! (well, almost)—a star was born. The Windsor property produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with vineyards in Alexander Valley (Zinfandel, Carignane) and Fountaingrove (Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Grenache for rosé) supplying additional varietals. By appointment, hosts pour these self-assured wines in a 10,000-square-foot barn, a courtyard shaded by London plane trees, an open-air pavilion, and other settings with vineyard, garden, or Russian River Valley views (sometimes all three). All tastings involve food pairings overseen by the winery's culinary advisor, chef Charlie Palmer. 

Wineries without production equipment of their own often make wine at communal "custom-crush" facilities. Most such places don't have tasting rooms open to the public, but by appointment at Grand Cru (walk-ins often possible on weekdays), you can reserve a Vintners' Selection of several wineries' offerings or book a private tasting with one label. If you go the latter route, Black Kite, Maritana, Bucher, and Bruliam for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (also Zinfandel for the last two) are worth seeking out, as is Edaphos for wines from rare white and red grapes. Vintners or winemakers often host their winery's tastings. Some visitors pair a stop here with beer tasting and lunch at Russian River Brewing Company, a block away.

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.

The high-profile brand's multistory tasting space occupies a restored early-1900s redwood barn used over the years for hops, hay storage, and as a stable. With its cool Russian River Valley maritime climate, the celebrated Saralee's Vineyard, named for a former owner, fits the preferred La Crema profile for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. By reservation (required, but walk-ins are accommodated when possible), you can sample wines on the patio or hop aboard a golf cart for a vineyard tour followed by a tasting.