Anaba Wines Unveils Its Vintners House Tasting Room
Oct 22, 2019 01:47PM ● By Fran Miller
BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER
Named for the Anabatic winds that sweep over Sonoma’s Carneros region, Anaba Wines was founded by father/son team John Sweazey and John Michael Sweazey; their vision was to craft artistic Rhône-style blends and graceful Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs – a goal well accomplished since its 2006 opening. And now, with the unveiling of their new Vintners House Tasting Room, fans of Anaba can enjoy these delicious wines in the manner the Sweazey’s always intended – with gracious and uncomplicated hospitality.
Comfortably elegant, the new Anaba Vintners House is a reflection of the Sweazey family and their own relaxed vibe. As warm and inviting as their own home, it’s a place where guests can escape and unwind. Broad windows look out over the estate vineyards, drawing the eye to the distant hills, while private seating areas allow for leisurely personalized wine exploration. The thoughtful space includes a long communal table and bar for casual tastings, as well as a light-filled room with cozy, intimate seating areas for in-depth wine education. The color palette takes inspiration from nature – evoking fog, water, earth and even those Anabatic winds that give the winery its name.
Designed to harmonize with the rural surroundings, the building hints at a bygone era, complementing the 120-year-old farmstead that was Anaba’s original tasting room and administrative offices. Beyond the landscaped courtyard, paddle tennis and bocce ball offer an unexpected chance to engage in a bit of lighthearted competition.
“We’ve long desired to create a place for visitors to completely relax and escape,” said John. “This is an extension of our family home, and we want everyone to feel that same warm, inviting atmosphere. We’re now able to offer a much richer tasting experience, and create lasting memories for our guests.”
“From the beautiful custom lights, to the raw metal fireplace, to the richly-textured sofas, we were very intentional about every design element,” adds son John Michael. My parents even added artwork from their own home. We wanted the room to echo the beauty of our natural agrarian surroundings and to be very personal.”
Collaborators on the project include Steve Martin Associates, who provided a full-service design and construction services, CadenceCo. for interior design and guest experience, as well as MacNair Landscape Architecture, electrical engineer partner Brokaw Design, and mechanical engineer 1500 inc.
In celebration of the Vintners House opening, a portion of all tasting proceeds will benefit the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance during the months of October and November. The Sweazeys are longtime supporters of the organization that creates long-term relationships between caring adults and students in need of social and emotional support.
“The long term and ongoing generosity of the Sweazey family has allowed our organization to thrive and continue to serve the youth in our valley,” said Lee Morgan Brown, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance.
Anaba Vintners House is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 60 Bonneau Road, Sonoma, in the heart of the Carneros region. Visitor experiences include the Classic Flight, an introduction to Anaba Wines, the Estate Flight, featuring six single-vineyard selections, and the Vintners Reserve Flight, an educator-led comparative tasting of Anaba Proprietors’ favorite small-lot wine selections, which were inspired by their travels throughout the wine regions of the old world, in particular Burgundy and the Rhône Valley.
Reservations are encouraged, and required for parties of six or more and for the Vintners Reserve experience. Call 707.996.4188 or email [email protected] for appointments.
Photos courtesy of Anaba Wines
