The Ram’s Gate tasting room/winery is architecturally stunning.
The Ram’s Gate tasting room/winery is architecturally stunning—each space could be its own postcard for upscale rustic design—and without a neighbor in sight at the east end of Highway 121, the sweeping view off the back patio feels a world away from everything. The surrounding wetland landscape of the Napa-Sonoma marshes adds to the sense of isolation.
Of course, the sounds from nearby Sonoma Raceway remind you that civilization is across the road, but the winery setting is so tranquil it’s easy to let these distant engine growls blend into a white noise background.
Wine and food
Ram’s Gate is experiencing a revival of late. It’s now under full ownership of founding partner Jeff O’Neill (and O’Neill Vintners & Distillers) and stewarded by Head of Sustainability Caine Thompson and General Manager and winemaker Joe Nielsen, who have focused increased attention on the land (more on that in a bit).
At the same time, the hospitality service is refocusing on culinary programs under new Executive Chef Kim Cosway, who works directly with Nielsen to curate unexpected (yet spot-on) seasonal pairings. The menu we tried will have changed by now, but the thoughtful interplay of food and wine will remain. Food portions are large enough for the tasting to serve as a meal, but not so overwhelming as to take focus away from the paired wines.
Among the delights was a welcoming, summery Estate Pinot Blanc (bright flavors of nectarine) and a healthy splash of 2022 Estate Blanc de Noirs (delicate bubbles, bright acidity, creamy texture). The latter accompanied an amuse bouche that got the party started.
In 2024, Wine Spectator celebrated Nielsen as a “star of California chardonnay,” and it’s easy to taste why. The 2022 estate chard (just one of several he crafts) is velvety soft—but not overly oaked—with bold aromatics and a leave-’em-wanting-more finish. It was paired with a delicate fruit and tomato salad dubbed Summer Bounty that, with the wine, created a symphony of flavors.
Dry-aged duck was matched with two 2021 pinots noir in a compare-and-contrast situation. My husband preferred the estate bottling (cherry notes, baking spices, age-worthy) while I leaned toward the Cellar Note label (silky texture, earthy, clarity of fruit).
Finally, a surprising 2022 Cellar Note red bend was led by vibrant, aromatic mourvedre; grenache and syrah played their parts as well, rounding the mouthfeel and adding lush, dark fruit. Perfect with a lamb ragu topped by copious amounts of black truffle.
Finding purpose
After all that decadence, we either needed a walk or a nap. Winemaker Joe Nielsen rescued us from our worst impulses by offering a tour of the winery facility.
While walking through the production and barrel rooms, Nielsen delivered a deep dive into the nerdology of barrels (what he calls his “spice rack”). Much like wine, he finds nuance in the soils, clones and climates where his barrel oak originates. Wood aging and toasting bring more layers, flavors and finishes to the table. This commitment to detail carries over to the land.
Since 2018, the team at Ram’s Gate has set high standards of sustainability, and it earned California Certified Organic Farming (CCOF) certification in 2024 for the estate vineyard and winery. In October 2025, following an ambitious agroforestry initiative that increased biodiversity and built a resilient ecosystem, Ram’s Gate earned Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) for its 28 acres of estate vineyards—one of only 25 wineries worldwide to achieve this distinction.
Congratulations, Ram’s Gate! The refocused attention and commitment to improvement have paid off.
Did You Know?
Ram’s Gate is uniquely positioned between three AVAs: Sonoma Valley on the north side, Sonoma Coast on the west and Carneros on the east.
Ram’s Gate Winery
28700 Arnold Drive
Sonoma, CA 95476
Ramsgatewinery.com
Seated Tasting
Taste through a flight curated from Ram’s Gate’s portfolio. Seated at a table, guests will be guided through a flight featuring five wines from the Cellar Note Series, Single Vineyard Wines and Estate Collection. 60 minutes. $60 per person.
Seasonal Wine & Food Experience
A 5-course pairing, curated by winemaker Joe Nielsen and chef Michael Diaz de Leon. 120 minutes, with both indoor and outdoor seating opportunities. Offered Thursday through Monday at 11:30 a.m., 1 and 2:30 p.m. $185 per person; $125 per person for members.
