Disclosure: A year ago I was invited out on a tour of The Barlow, then this past December, I was invited out again. This is my experience between a year ago.
The Barlow, a location within Sebastopol that hosts winemakers, food producers, and local artisans all within a community space location opened up a little over a year and a half ago.
My first time visiting the Barlow was December 2013, and right away, I fell in love with the community space, and the possibilities of what it would become. So, when I was invited back a year later this past December, I couldn’t wait to see the results.
When I wrote this article a little over a year ago, there were still a lot of spots to be filled at The Barlow, this time around, the future Barlow Hotel was in construction, more food producers have come into the spaces, along with new winemakers and artisans filling up nearly all the spaces at the Barlow making it for a great place to spend a day wine tasting, looking at local art, and ending with a nice meal at one of the food spots (Zazu Kitchen + Farm, Woodfour Brewing Company, Vignette Pizza, Ultra Crepes, Village Bakery).
If you’re wanting a little more retail space there’s always grocery shopping at The Community Market, which also hosts a lot of local makers within the Sonoma County community along with retail shops such as Boutique Retailer: Tamarind. A contemporary clothing boutique store that is characterized by stylish and eco-friendly clothes from around the world, selected to complement the finest local designers and independent American labels. Their vision is to connect individuals who appreciate the beauty of handcrafted designs, eclectic style and contemporary fashion. ~Tamarind.
Another place worth checking out, if you’re in shopping mode, is The Passdoor. Bringing together art and design into one space that offers an uniquely curated selection of functional products and artworks for your home space, your workspace, your lifestyle and life’s special occasions. They’re also a lot of fun to follow on instagram.
However, the thing I love the most about The Barlow are the tasting rooms. Spend an afternoon tasting wine within the lounges (4) found along the Barlow, then try your hand at tasting at Spirit Works Distillery, or if beer is more your style, stop in for a flight at Woodfour Brewing Co, or Warped Brewing.
Wine Tasting Room Spotlight: Macphail Tasting Lounge
The newest wine tasting room at The Barlow is Macphail Tasting Lounge, and WOW, it’s such a beautiful tasting room (designed by Richard Von Saal). Upon first entrance you will instantly be drawn to this statue, and soon be wondering, how it came to be.
But have no fear, the employees of the lounge will be able to tell you the story behind the Statue (Von Saal’s version of Red Wine being poured down), and as you continue to look around the room, you will notice how Radio Flyers have been incorporated into every part of the tasting room which was inspired by a photo of James Macphail with his small children, and since then, has been incorporated into every part of the Macphail brand including the Wine Labels:
Between a beautifully decked out tasting room, and great tasting wines, the tasting lounge also offers Terroir and wine Pairings within his Terroir Wall Tasting area:
Terroir Tasting
Starting February 1, 2015
Winemaker James MacPhail created a Soil Wall in our Tasting Lounge showing 8’ cross sections of 4 vineyards—Toulouse, Pratt, Sundawg, and Mardikian, under glass in our Soil Room. In the “Soil Room” we discuss the 4 key components to James’ wines—Soil, Clonal Selection, Vintage, and Winemaking Style. This is one of the most unique tastings in all of wine country.
Our fee is $30 per person, with one fee waived for every 3 bottles purchased.
After tasting at Macphail Tasting Lounge be sure to stop by La Follette Wines, Wind Gap Winery and Miramar Estate.
6770 McKinley Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Michael David Winery. Once inside, my jaw drop when I realized the wines that they made. My bad for not realizing who the true owner of these wines were. Does “The 7 Deadly Zins,” ring a bell, by chance? But I was also drawn to their adorable cafe right inside their tasting room, a perfect place to stop in for breakfast and a wine tasting before beginning your weekend in Lodi. Also, a great place to pick up some locally produced fruit and vegetables. Other Wineries I visited over the weekend that left an impression included:
They were in the midst of their Grand Opening Weekend, and let me tell you, upon arriving, this winery truly took my breath away. Every detail was built with such care. And, it was really hard leaving. From sitting inside next to the fireplace or outdoors where live entertainment was taking place as they served pizza. A definite must stop when visiting Lodi. 
You can truly enjoy this winery indoors or out. That’s for sure.
A winery that truly left an impression on me was none other than Lucas Winery. Upon your tasting, they will take you on a complete experience from out in the vineyards where you can either taste a grape, or even trim a vine depending on the season to the barrel room where they will let you taste right from the barrel. It’s all in the details, and if you’re lucky, David Lucas, just may around during your tasting.
The fun of visiting Viaggio is not knowing what you may run across from Trolleys to Swings to Old Trucks, there’s a little bit of everything at Viaggio. Along with being a great wedding venue within the Lodi area. A great place to taste wine inside or a place to walk around with a glass in hand.
I’m drawn to new, modern things. So when I first saw pictures of m2 Wines, I knew I had to stop in there. When I drove up, I couldn’t stop taking photos. To me, it stood out amongst a field of newly planted vineyards. The winery, in their new facility off Peltier road just opened up a year ago. M2 Wines continues to stand out with the wines they make, which stays true to the Lodi appellation. Blending both old and modern techniques to their mixtures of wines.
The backyard. Don’t you just see yourself sitting out back with a group of friends sipping wine, playing bocce ball, and letting all your worries slip away? Especially when it says, “It’s All Good” right on the fence. Truly Awesome!
When you first drive up to Jessie’s Grove, you may end up a bit confused. An old barn appears to your right, a long drive way is in front of you along with a small building, but yes, you’re exactly in the right place. Jessie’s Grove, known for having the oldest vine zinfandel’s all around Lodi. And their land has a lot of history on it from the depression, prohibition, droughts, disease, and more, and it’s still standing, and they’re still creating amazing wine straight from those old vines. This is such a small slice of what Lodi Wine has to offer. I haven’t even talked about the Downtown Business District (that’s a post for next week!) But, from the time I spent in Lodi, it left an impression and I can’t wait to head back and explore more of what this region has to offer. A region that is known for their Zinfandel wines, and trust me, I could truly taste why they excel there.
