Michel-Schlumberger

Updated: Jan 12

Ambiance

If you grew up in California, in 4th grade you studied missions.
I remember my mission was San Juan Batista.
As a kid I thought missions were super boring.
My parents took me on this long road trip to see my mission.
For what?
Only to get out of the car and walk around looking at historical plaques on buildings.
Not fun for a 4th grader.
Visiting the Michel-Schlumberger property gave me 4th grade flashbacks.
Except THIS time, NO homework was involved.
YAY!
Instead, I was on an adult MISSION to enjoy wine.

This winery property feels architecturally unique compared to other Sonoma County wineries.
It’s off the main wine tasting drag.
You drive up a few slightly winding roads and feel as if you’re headed to a wine retreat.
Gorgeous Spanish architecture awaits you.
White stucco walls, terra-cotta tiled roof, bell tower AND…
A large courtyard in the middle complete with a rectangular pool.
It’s hard to pick where you want to sit and enjoy the wines.
In the courtyard?
Sitting by the fireplace inside the tasting room?
Standing at the tasting room bar?
Out on the back terrace overlooking vineyards and green grass?
So many lounge around and sip options.
I’m a HUGE succulent lover. Lots of beautiful succulents on the property.
Michel-Schlumberger Pronounced: Michelle Shlum-burr-ZHEY

Yes.
The winter hours are a little too complicated to remember.
I suggest calling ahead.
According to Yelp: Mon 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tue Closed, Wed Closed, Thu Closed, Fri 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sun 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
If you are DESPERATE to see this winery and don’t have an appointment try calling or walk-in.
They don’t turn away wine lovers but will require you to fill out a little customer information sheet.

I visited Michel-Schlumberger during Passport To Dry Creek Valley
During the event they put out several bottles of wine at a flash-sale price.
I picked up a 2014 Syrah for I believe $19.99! Yay!
They are known for their French Varietal Wines including: Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay.
Honestly, I was so entranced by the beauty of the property I wasn’t paying enough attention to the wines.
I remember finding all of the wines delightful.
Nothing really stands out above the rest.

I raved about the beauty of this property, details in the ambiance section above.
Many photo worthy opportunities.
I personally liked the courtyard.

In 2016 Michel-Schlumberger Winery received an award for their top-notch solar installation.
This winery has made massive progress in the area of energy efficiency and water conservation.
Their reservoirs provide irrigation needs for their vineyards.
A state-of-the-art solar energy system provides 99.9 percent of their electricity needs.
The Michel-Schlumberger solar system is the largest in Dry Creek Valley.
It is estimated that Michel-Schlumberger will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and substantially decrease CO2. Their solar system conservation efforts is essentially like planting more than 200,000 trees over 50 years.
Sometimes wineries have to make tough choices.
This winery had to remove a third of an acre of their Malbec to make this energy vision possible.
Sometimes protecting mother earth is more important than the value of grapes.

Bastille Day!
In honor of the wineries French Roots.
July 14th
Looks like there will be food and wine pairings, plus games.
A fun event to check out
I also enjoyed their unique decor and food delights at Passport To Dry Creek Valley.

During my tasting, I learned about a very special Guest Suite on the property.
Summit Club Members (highest tier of membership) receive one complimentary night stay in said Guest Suite.
Apparently, the entire property is available to walk around and enjoy at night for those that stay in the Suite.
I can only imagine, based on how beautiful the grounds are just how spectacular the suite is.
I’d pair my Michel-Schlumberger wine with a side of 1 overnight stay.
A 15 minute drive from my house.
I can pretend I’m in Spain, drinking French Wine and in total wine life luxury.