Where Legacy Meets Craft: A Wine Experience at Schug Winery
Our recent visit to Schug Winery was a standout experience and one of the warmest, most genuine tastings we’ve had in the Sonoma/Napa region. Nestled in Carneros, Schug carries a rich legacy rooted in Napa Valley history. The winery was founded by Walter Schug, a pioneering winemaker who also played a key role as one of the founding winemakers at Joseph Phelps Vineyards. His influence and philosophy continue to shape Schug’s elegant, restrained style today—particularly in their Pinot Noir, for which the winery is best known.
Welcome to Schug
Arrived at Schug winery on an early winter morning in Dec with a slight overcast.
From the moment we arrived, we were met with genuine hospitality. Our hosts were welcoming, knowledgeable, and refreshingly open in sharing their insights. The experience began with a brief tour through the production area and the wine cave, where rows of barrels quietly aged beneath the estate. Dave walked us through the winemaking process, explaining the equipment, techniques, and thoughtful approach behind each wine. Hearing directly from the winemaker’s perspective offered valuable context and a deeper appreciation for Schug’s stylistic choices.
The tasting itself was both generous and memorable. We sampled a beautifully balanced Chardonnay followed by several expressions of Pinot Noir, showcasing the finesse and nuance Schug is known for. To our delight, they also opened a few older vintages—a 2009 Carneros Estate Pinot Noir and a 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon—which added a fascinating dimension to the lineup. Tasting these alongside younger wines offered a compelling look at how Schug’s wines evolve over time, gaining complexity while maintaining their sense of place.
2023 Chardonnay,
Wildcat Mountain Vineyard
An elegant pale yellow with welcoming aromas of stone fruits, a balanced acidity and good minerality for a CA chardonnay. I love how inviting this wine is without over-powering your palate with buttery notes.
2023 Pinot Noir,
Petaluma Gap
The Petaluma gap is close to the West Coast and characterized by fog and cooler climate. This is a young wine light ruby red, good cherry notes and eucalyptus. Tannins are light and very much enjoyable on its own.
2009 Pinot Noir,
Carneros Estate
This aged Pinot Noir is quite interesting indeed. Notes of mature cherries came through but there is a bit of funkiness in the wine, with earthy notes of animal fur. The wine color shows copper ruby rims. It is quite unique triggering different flavor profiles in your palate.
Other Pinots tasted include the 2022 Estate grown (the younger version of the 2009), 2022 Dijon clone 115 Block X, 2022 Roberts Rd, and 2021 and 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon.
For more tasting notes on other wines we tasted, check out my Vivino page.
Overall, our visit to Schug Winery was thoughtful, educational, and deeply enjoyable. Between the rich history, sincere hospitality, and beautifully crafted wines, it’s a stop we would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone visiting Sonoma. It’s a place where tradition, storytelling, and winemaking come together in a way that feels both authentic and memorable. 🍷
