Mayo Winery
Sonoma Valley California

On a sunny day in July 2004, we found ourselves in Sonoma late in the evening past when all of the other wineries had closed. When we saw that Mayo was still open, we were curious - were they a low-quality winery just hoping to take advantage of the wine drinkers who had no other choice? We were quite impressed by the quality of wines here!

Apparently the winery does get its share of drunken visitors who want 'just one more stop'. The pourer told us that she's always amused to hear comments of "Five dollars - all you can drink??!!" She has to point out to visitors that this fee is for small tastings, not for all night drinking.

The buildling is a relatively small, plain one set across the street from a small plot of vines. Don't let the atmosphere fool you - the wines are quite worth tasting and buying.

2003 sauv blanc $20 grapefruit melon lush short finish smell

80%+ on premesis << 7000 cases 11th vintage

2002 estate chard 10% FR OAK NO ml LIGHT FRESH CHERRY CURRANt mineral 2001 hillside select chard sonoma barrel ferm 50% new fr oak $25 smooth buttery sharp spice juicy light nice finish buttery / oaky still has a good acid

2001 "kunde ranch" pinot noir - buy from Kunde nice light rich strawberry bing cherry buy now "requiem vintage" just released 650 cases. Doing reallyw ell at local restaurants.

2002 pinot noir "pine Ranch Vineyard" $30 blueberry plum brown sugar rich in aroma nice light tannins spicy finish

2001 Merlot laurent vineyard "merlot for cab lovers" black cherry / blackberry nice lgiht smooth low tannins

napa river ranch vineyard 2001 cab sauv 35 only opened July mint mocha cedar bl cherry cassis nice tangy smooth nice finish

2002 old vine zin "ricci vineyard" jammy red raspberry 1951 vines $25 fresh bright red raspberry rich juicy tannin splushy-juice spicy long finish

2002 old vine zinf "ricci vineyard" $35 russian river valley free run juice 40% new fr oak tannin rich full fruity juicy bright med spices

2002 syrah "page-nord vineyard" $30 plum spice leather fresh berries juicy spicy

2002 zin port "ricci vineyard" unfiltered russian river valley raspberry boysenerry 7 yr old cognac "usually july 4th is kickoff for the busy season"

2002 zin port "ricci vineyard" $30 light fruity smooth sweet rasp boys

2001 vines 1976 cab sauv los chamizal vineyard blackberry mint chocolate

Sonoma Valley Wineries

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