Scharffenberger Cellars/Philo California/The Tasting Room

The day is warm already and I'm up early and heading toward the beautiful Anderson Valley.As I pass in and out of the huge town of Boonville,The cool of the morning has turned into a summer feel to the day.I'm turning into Scharffenberger Cellars,and greeted by winemaker Tex Sawyer Born into an Air Force family in San Antonio, Texas (hence the name), Tex Sawyer moved around quite a lot in his youth. His family touched down in diverse corners of the U.S., not to mention brief stints in Thailand and Japan. Like many in his field, he never imagined that he would eventually earn his living from a grapevine. However, while studying biochemistry at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he became fascinated with winemaking, and eventually earned an M.S. in food science from UC Davis, with a specialization in enology. The history of Scharffenberger Cellars begins in 1981 in the heart of California's Anderson Valley. Situated only miles from the coastal influences of the Pacific Ocean, Scharffenberger Cellars also enjoys the deep soils and sunshine within the protected valley. Originally founded by John Scharffenberger, the company has gone through many transitions, including a name change when it was formally known as Pacific Echo from 1998 until July 2004. Today, the name and quality of the wine have been restored back to Scharffenberger Cellars under the new management of Maisons Marques & Domaines. Today we will feature the two wines you can only get at the tasting room.A Chardonnay and a Pinot Located just outside the tiny town of Philo, 125 miles north of San Francisco near the rugged Mendocino Coast, Scharffenberger Cellars is nestled in the gentle hills rising from the Anderson Valley. Scharffenbergers tasting room has a charming and relaxed feel, with a welcoming ambiance. The tasting room regularly features new artists, so visitors can taste the Scharffenberger sparkling wine while perusing the latest display of local artwork. Or, enjoy a glass of wine and a picnic in the gardens or on the porch! Call the Tasting Room 48 hours in advance to order a Boontberry Picnic for Two - $25! Let's sit down and enjoy some food and our two feature wines.And listen to our feature with Tex Sawyer Cheers! Click here and join the feast we are enjoying.