Rodney Strong Vineyards Bottles the Spirit of Sonoma

The winery was founded in 1959 by pioneer and visionary Rod Strong.

At the time, Rodney Strong Vineyards became the 13^th bonded winery in Sonoma. In 1989, Rodney Strong was purchased by the Klein family, fourth-generation California farmers who continue to honor the Rodney Strong legacy, while pushing the winery into the future. 

Grapes for their wines are sourced from 11 sustainably farmed estates across Sonoma’s most storied terroir, including Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, and Russian River Valley. In addition to sustainably farming the grapes, the winery is certified Carbon Neutral and uses renewable solar power. 

“By understanding our vineyards better and embracing sustainable farming, we can make wines of balance that are pure, expressive, and true to place,” said winemaker Justin Seidenfeld. 

Rodney Strong wines, from the introductory Discovery Tier to the pedigreed Single Vineyard expressions, are available nationwide. But to truly get the full Rodney Strong experience, you need to visit, and experience the distinct pocket of Sonoma County the winery is perched in. 

The winery and tasting room are just south of Healdsburg, offering sweeping views of the Russian River Valley, and they offer several customizable tasting experiences. 

In 2021, Rodney Strong re-opened their refurbished Tasting Room and outdoor Terrace among the vines, with an elevated farmhouse ambience, and several wine flight pairings on tap. Grapes in bottle include blends and single varietal bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec, and Sauvignon Blanc.

There are several tasting tiers and options available, but a Rodney Strong Flight will run visitors $30, and include a tasting of five wines, including three reserve tier wines and Symmetry, a Bordeaux-style flagship. Pairings of locally sourced cheese (like St. Jorge and Toma) or charcuterie (like Finocchiona and Soppressata) are an additional $35, with a $30 box lunch available too. 

If you prefer, you can have the same tasting experience outdoors on the Rodney Strong Terrace or in their dramatic new Cellar Door room

“Our passion is about all the connections that wine creates,” Seidenfeld continued, “the connection with the earth where the grapes are grown, the connection we feel with visitors to our winery and the joy that wine inspires between friends and family over a shared bottle of our wine.”

Reservations for all Rodney Strong Vineyards tasting experiences are recommended.