This winery has a special place in my heart for the first wine I ever loved came from the Francis Ford Coppola winery. That wine, if you must know is the “Sofia.” The “Sofia” is a blanc de blanc sparkling wine that comes in a bottle, but also in a 4 pack mini pink can. I can’t remember the occasion where I first had this wine, but from the first time I did I’ve been buying it since so, of course, Francis Ford Coppola, was one of the first winery’s on my list to visit:
The Francis Ford Coppola Winery is on beautiful grounds within Geyersville, CA. This is about a hour drive north of Sonoma. As soon as you exit from the freeway, you take a left and the winery is right there. You first walk up a flight of stairs, and they also have an elevator on the right hand side if the stairs are too much for you. Once, on top, this gate greets you along with doors to the left.
Once inside you are introduced to movie memorabilia. This is what they call their “movie gallery.” Walk along as you remember the films that Francis Ford Coppola was apart of including the car from Tucker: A Man and his Dream.
On the second floor, more movie memorabilia is around including the desk from The Godfather and also the Oscars and awards received from that same movie. Seeing the desk and the awards right there was pretty surreal. The second floor also has many things that you can purchase including Francis Ford’s love of bicycles, Eleanor’s love of hats and they even had a Halloween display filled with masks, which was only the right tie in to their Masquerade Ball happening the following weekend (Oct. 26th.)
Their tasting bar was on the first floor past the famed car and this is where you could try out two different flights of wine. The family style wine (10 dollars) took a look at the Diamond Collection wines. They included Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Malbec and a Red Blend. There was also the neighbor’s tasting available for 15 dollars. These were a tasting of the “Director’s Cut” wines.
They also had a restaurant where you could sit down and eat at which is open daily from 11am to 9pm. The restaurant “Rustic” focuses around International and American style italian dishes. The restaurant has a beautiful view of the surrounding Alexander Valley region.
But, for me, the best part of the Francis Ford Coppola winery was the outside area. Very much, family friendly, was their outdoors pool area. The pool being open from 11am to 6pm Friday through Sunday through October 27th.
Pool passes are available:
• Adults (ages 13+) – $20 per person
• Children (ages 3-12) – $10 per person
• Seniors (ages 65+) – $10 per person
• Wine Family Adults – $15 per person
• Wine Family Children & Seniors – $7 per person
Children under 3 years of age may use pools free of charge
They also have cabines available for rental:
2013 Cabine Packages
Customary CabineGeneral Public – $125 per cabine | Wine Family – $100 per cabineIncludes:
- Four (4) pool passes
- Up to four (4) lounge chairs
- Use of four (4) towels
- Up to four (4) wine tasting flights
- Two (2) souvenir water bottles
Premium Cabine – NEW! Pre-Select your Lounge Chairs
General Public – $180 per cabine | Wine Family – $135 per cabine
Includes everything in a Customary Cabine, plus:
- Bucket of four (4) Sofia Minis
- Complimentary juice boxes for kids
- Current issue of Zoetrope: All-Story magazine
- Pre-select your lounge chairs
Another fun part about the outside area is their Bocce ball courses:
And the best part is that these are free to use daily at no additional charge. There are a variety of tables along the courses that allow you break out your favorite board game too.
Francis Ford Coppola has not only created a beautiful winery landscape, but a place to bring the entire family. Will you be making this a future stop the next time you visit Northern California Wine country?
