Winery dinner tastings are a quick way to learn more about the wines from each operation, their philosophies and stories, and how the selections pair with food.

The approach is less clinical and much more fun than at blind tastings or bigger events conducted by the importers and distributors. These can be overwhelming in viewing, smelling, tasting, analyzing, and mostly spitting out the wines, with bread and cheeses, at best, for cleansing the palate. Here are notes from wines enjoyed at four dinners in the past two months.

Domaine Drouhin

David Millman, president and CEO of Domaine Drouhin, led this wine-tasting seminar at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas, North San Diego County. He provided insights into the creation and evolution of this 235-acre estate winery, which is based in the Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, and has some of the finest tasting facilities in the region. In addition to the Oregon estate, the Drouhin family has original vineyard holdings at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, France, and Roserock Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon.

Roserock Pinot Noir

  • 2023 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay Arthur ($39). Light-mid green-gold, viscous; stone fruit, lime, slate; mid acids; mid plus depth; crisp stone fruit finish. 16.5/91.
  • 2023 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay Roserock ($35). Light green gold, viscous; vanilla, wine lees, green fruit; mid plus acids; round, ripe, long, lush finish. 17/92.
  • 2023 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir ($40). Light-mid ruby, viscous; red fruit, red cherries, rose nose; mid-full acids; mid-full tannins; tight semi-deep red fruit cherries finish. Slightly hot. 16.5/91.
  • 2023 Domaine Drouhin Roserock Pinot Noir ($35). Mid ruby; red fruit, roses, light floral, bright fruit; mid full acids; mid full tannins; good depth; bigger style; long,  medium full cherry and wood finish. 17-17.5/92-93.
  • 2022 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir Zepherine ($60). Mid ruby viscous; red and black fruit, light stemmy bright fruit; mid full acids; balanced tannins; long rich red fruit and wood finish slightly hot. 17/92.
  • 2022 Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir Cuvée DG WILLAMETTE VALLEY AUCTION ($135). Light mid ruby, rim variation; viscous; subtle red fruit cherry, rose petal nose. Mid-full acids mid tannins; balanced. Deep red fruit and cherry finish. 18/94.

Duckhorn Portfolio

A dinner tasting was held at Vaga Restaurant in Leucadia, Calif.

Duckhorn Discussion

  • 2021 Kosta Browne One-Sixteen Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma. Mid green gold, viscous; peachy, wine lees, pear; mid acids; round, mid deep, semi lush oak vanilla finish. 17.
  • 2019 Duckhorn The Discussion (67% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 3% other). Mid-dark ruby, viscous; herbaceous, ripe grapes, cassis, bright red fruit nose; mid acids; softening tannins; mid deep; semi-long semi-chewy red fruit finish. 17/92.
  • 2022 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley, Sonoma, Pinot Noir. Mid ruby, rim variation, viscous; red fruit nose, cherries, strawberries, light oak; mid acids; mid tannins; mid depth; semi-long balanced red fruit finish. Slightly hot. 16.5-17/91-92.
  • 2021 Kosta Browne Burgundy series. France, Beaune Premier Cru (from multiple climats). Mid ruby, rim variation; earthy red fruit, smokey nose; mid plus acids, mid plus tannins; tight, semi-long cherry finish. 16.5/91.

Far Niente Portfolio

The wines were served at a dinner tasting at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, Solana Beach, Calif.

Far Niente Chardonnay

  • Rutherford, Napa, 2022 Bella Union Sauvignon Blanc ($30 at winery dinner). Light mid-straw gold; citrus, lime, herbaceous nose; mid-plus acids, mid body; semi-tight citrus finish. w/appetizers. 16-16.5/90-91.
  • Napa 2023 Far Niente Chardonnay ($48 at winery tasting). Sharp mid-green gold; complex stone fruit, vanilla, mineral nose; mid-plus acids, semi-tight citrus finish, balanced, tasty, needs time. 17/92. HOOT
  • Russian River Valley, Sonoma, En Route Pinot Noir. 2022 Pommier ($36 at winery tasting). Mid ruby, viscous; red fruit, cherries, stemmy nose; mid plus acids; mid plus depth; mid plus tannins; long, semi-tight Pinot finish. 16.5/91.
  • 2022 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville ($93 at winery dinner). Mid-dark to dark garnet, viscous (14.5 alc..); berries, mint, ripe grapes nose; mid-plus acids; mid-full tannins; long, tight berry and wood finish; needs time. 17/92.

Frank Family Vineyards

The wines were served at a dinner tasting at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, Solana Beach, Calif.

Frank Family Pinot Noir

  • 2023 Frank Family Carneros Chardonnay ($24). Light mid-gold. Peachy floral nose; low to mid-acids; mid-depth; good Chardonnay flavor; semi-crisp finish. 16/90.
  • 2021 Frank Family Carneros Reserve Chardonnay ($49). Light mid gold; vanilla, wine lees, lime nose; mid acids, mid plus depth; round, ripe, balanced, tasty finish. 17/92.
  • 2022 Frank Family Carneros Pinot Noir ($28). Light ruby; red fruit, cherries, tea, rose petal nose; mid acids, soft tannins, mid plus depth; long semi-hot red fruit finish. 16.5/91.
  • 2021 Frank Family Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($79). Dark purple, viscous; ripe grape mint, cassis, herbaceous, oak nose; mid-plus acids, mid-full tannins, chewy, semi-hot finish. 16.5-17/91-92.
  • 2022 Frank Family Napa Zinfandel ($30). Light mid red garnet, viscous; berries, brambles, red fruit nose; mid acids, mid plus tannins; slightly hot berry finish. 16.5/91.