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Open 10:30 to 4:30
Appt required? No, but probably a good idea
Last barlinwine.com visit: 2011
Directions:
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Tasting:
A winding drive leads visitors through marshy grounds, past two guardian giraffes carved from rusted metal, and up to a parking lot in front of the wine caves. The tasting room is located deep within the Deerfield Ranch wine caves -- visitors walk down a 200 yard hallway lined with barrels before arriving at the tasting room.
There is an individual tasting bar with 3 plush barstools for small groups, but the room also features plush leather armchairs and multiple couches for larger sit-down tastings. There are a few fixed tasting menus, but the VIP tasting of 5 wines plus the 1999 DRX blend is the way to go.
While the tasting menu may state "5 wines", there were no such restrictions when we tasted! Deerfield Ranch specializes in a number of blends -- as our host Ben told us, they like to put on the "mad scientist white coat and tinker with the wines" -- and the result is a batch of wines that are smooth, easy to drink, and unique in flavor and structure. Over the course of our tasting, we tried a Sauvignon Blanc, a Pinot Noir, a Sangiovese, their Super T-Rex (their version of a Super Tuscan), a Merlot Cuvée, a Shiraz Cuvée, Ladi's Cuvée (my personal favorite), a Cabernet, and their flagship blend, the DRX (or "Dr. X", as Ben liked to call it). Oh, and also a dessert wine, the Deerfield Ranch "Gold", that was like drinking liquid honey.
There wasn't a bad wine in the bunch, but none that blew me away. Factoring in that every bottle (except the DRX) was under $50 (and many were under $30), the atmosphere deep in the caves, and the flexible pouring approach, this is a spot that many people of different wine appreciation levels can enjoy.
A winding drive leads visitors through marshy grounds, past two guardian giraffes carved from rusted metal, and up to a parking lot in front of the wine caves. The tasting room is located deep within the Deerfield Ranch wine caves -- visitors walk down a 200 yard hallway lined with barrels before arriving at the tasting room.
There is an individual tasting bar with 3 plush barstools for small groups, but the room also features plush leather armchairs and multiple couches for larger sit-down tastings. There are a few fixed tasting menus, but the VIP tasting of 5 wines plus the 1999 DRX blend is the way to go.
While the tasting menu may state "5 wines", there were no such restrictions when we tasted! Deerfield Ranch specializes in a number of blends -- as our host Ben told us, they like to put on the "mad scientist white coat and tinker with the wines" -- and the result is a batch of wines that are smooth, easy to drink, and unique in flavor and structure. Over the course of our tasting, we tried a Sauvignon Blanc, a Pinot Noir, a Sangiovese, their Super T-Rex (their version of a Super Tuscan), a Merlot Cuvée, a Shiraz Cuvée, Ladi's Cuvée (my personal favorite), a Cabernet, and their flagship blend, the DRX (or "Dr. X", as Ben liked to call it). Oh, and also a dessert wine, the Deerfield Ranch "Gold", that was like drinking liquid honey.
There wasn't a bad wine in the bunch, but none that blew me away. Factoring in that every bottle (except the DRX) was under $50 (and many were under $30), the atmosphere deep in the caves, and the flexible pouring approach, this is a spot that many people of different wine appreciation levels can enjoy.
Recommended wine: My personal favorite was the Ladi's Cuvée. I also thought the Merlot Cuvée was very drinkable, the Pinot Noir was quite tasty, and the Cabernet was a great bargain. We did not taste the Zinfandel, but it is supposed to be amazing.
Ratings (out of 5):
 WINE | 3.75 |  TASTING ROOM | 5.00 |
 ATMOSPHERE | 5.00 |  VALUE | 5.00 |
 OVERALL | 4.69 | ||
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