Ambiance
Armida won North Bay Business Journal’s best Tasting Room in Sonoma County 2017.
I’m not surprised.
A gorgeous pond complete with a fountain.
Three picnic/patio areas.
Bocce ball courts.
Views of both the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley.
Cost:
A bit more expensive for a Sonoma County tasting at $20.
Tasting fee waived with wine purchase.
Wines ranges in price from $28 to $65 per bottle.
Appointment Needed?
Nope!
Open every day from 11am-5pm
Wine Pick
I HAD to go for their cult classic, Poizin.
I was immediately drawn to the multicolored skull and crossbones bottles, dripping with colored wax and wooden coffin bottle holders.
Some of the Poizin bottles were even bedazzled and sparkly!
I was a little bit skeptical though….
Typically gimmicky wine is super sweet, high alcohol and lacking balance.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this Zin.
I’m also a witchy woman.
I love dabbling in the metaphysical and supernatural.
On the back of the bottle is the most ELEQUENT and BEGUILING story etched in gold.
A story of black gowns, and full moons, worldly incantations, and fermenting potions.
My inner witch was giddy!
Dog Approved
Yep!
Dogs on a leash are welcome.
There are three outdoor picnic areas at Armida all perfect to enjoy wine while your pup and YOU relax.
Social Media Worthy
On several levels this winery has loads of photo potential.
You could take a photo sitting in the red Adirondack chairs holding up a wine glass.
Or the multicolored Poizin bottles are super fun for photos!
Standing on the deck with the pond and vineyard views behind you would be a stunning shot.
Feel Good Vibes
My two wine industry friends mapped out Passport To Dry Creek Valley for us.
I’d never done Passport, so I was eager to sit back and learn from them.
Armida was our very last stop on Sunday.
They were both emphatic about this…we HAD to be at Armida no later than 4:00pm!!!
They’ve been living in Sonoma County much longer than me and started listing off all the parties they’ve been to at Armida.
I was in a wine tasting fog at that point, but I remember their stories were coupled with huge smiles, laughter, and fond memories.
As we pulled up they continued, ‘Armida has the BEST BANDS, and the BEST deck to dance and the BEST views.’
Clearly, when wine industry peeps gush this much about a winery, you know it’s a great spot!
Wine Nerd Facts
Wine nerds can be super FUNNY!
A good friend of mine got married a few years back.
Her husband is a surfer and they make frequent road-trips to Capitola from Healdsburg.
Armida has a little tasting room close to downtown Capitola.
Right after they got married they headed off on their Capitola honeymoon.
Her husband popped into Armida when they got into town and picked up a bottle of Poizin IN the wooden coffin.
He made a joke as he showed her the coffin…RIP his single life.
Being a wine nerd she laughed and they popped open the bottle that night!
Wine Club? Fun Events
I want full access to the views and patio and parties and bands…so yes I would join the wine club.
If I had all the money in the world I would join the Club!
In the meantime, I’m sure wine club member or not, I’ll be frequenting this place in the summer.
Sheila’s Tasting Notes
I have a feeling Poizin will be my new full moon ritual wine.
On full moons I read my tarot cards, and I soak my crystals in the light of the full moon, and I write my wishes down and burn them in my cauldron.
Most likely pizza will be on the menu.
Witches eat pizza right?
I can’t wait to savor my Poizin Wine Potion as I whip up some magic of my own.
