Welcome to this week’s list of U.S. wineries experiencing the most love (or at least page views) from AWG wine lovers. Mark and Sonja Gudgel’s review of Volker Eisele Family Estate earned it the top spot for the second week in a row. The Napa free tasting trio of Buehler Vineyards, Heitz Wine Cellars, and Smith-Madrone Vineyards came in at #2, #4, and #5, and Arizona’s ever-popular Caduceus Cellars came in at #3. Napa Valley’s Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Failla Wines and Oregon’s Domain Drouhin all return to the list after a multiple-week hiatus. Making their first appearance on the top 10 list this week are New Jersey’s Willow Creek Winery and Maryland’s Great Frogs Winery. Not only is the first time on the list for Willow Creek and Great Frogs, but it’s also the first time any New Jersey or Maryland winery has ever made the list!
1. Volker Eisele Family Estate (Napa Valley, CA)
Reviewed by Mark and Sonja Gudgel
2. Buehler Vineyards (Napa Valley, CA)
Reviewed by Martin Redmond
3. Caduceus Cellars (AZ)
Reviewed by Diane Williamson
4. Heitz Cellars (St. Helena, CA)
Reviewed by Martin Redmond
5. Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery (Spring Mountain District, CA)
Reviewed by Martin Redmond
6. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Stags Leap District, CA)
Reviewed by Tom Riley
7. Domaine Drouhin (Dundee Hills, OR)
Reviewed by Rob Boss
8. Failla Wines (St. Helena, CA)
Reviewed by Tom Riley
9. Willow Creek Winery (Outer Coastal Plain, NJ)
Reviewed by Charlie Toms
10. Great Frogs (MD)
Reviewed by Jim Finley