BobDog Wines

I'd give Bobdog Wines 11 stars if I could. First, it's a gorgeous place... about 2000 feet above the floor of the Alexander Valley, the highest winery by elevation in Sonoma County. Second, Tim, the owner, carved out two hours for my wife and me during harvest/crush week, a generous accommodation beyond measure. He gave us the ultimate, consummate and fun lesson in tasting red wines. We will never, ever forget Tim or our experience at Bobdog Wines.

Had such a great time visiting BobDog Winery! Tim, the owner, makes sure each tour is personalized and sits with you to teach you about the wine making process. He also curates a very informative tasting that helps you analyze the wines and get in touch with all of your senses when tasting. This was a much more intimate and educational tasting than other wineries in the area will provide. Not to mention Tim was very kind and funny so we had a blast the whole time. The ride up to his place is a bit of a trek but the views are 100% worth it. 10/10 recommend booking a tour here if you’re looking for a unique Sonoma experience.

Our visit to BobDog Winery with good friends was by far the best wine tasting experience we have ever had. The estate winemakers personally sit with you around a table and explain the nuances of their blends as well as the behind-the-scenes operations required to grow and produce the vintages. We literally felt like we were visiting family while there. You'll never experience a more pleasurable and intimate wine tasting.

All I can say is WOW!!!!! The drive up is a trip. Be prepared to rough it as parts of the road is not paved, steep and has some tight turns. The winery is worth it. Great view from the road. Saw some deer. We sat and talked wine and tasted for almost 2 hrs. Not fancy, very relaxed and low key. Tim showed us how to really taste the wine. We have lived in No. Calif. for 45 years, (yes we tasted all those years), and now there are about 400+ wineries within a 2 1/2 hr drive and this one is the top!!!! Both in quality and location at 2000 ft. We got tired of the Napa Valley and the attitude of many of the wineries there. We will be repeat visitors to Bob Dog and will be drinking some of the wine at home this weekend!!!!.

Been vacationing in Sonoma for a week. Visited several wineries. Bobdog was by far our favorite. Owns Tim and Candy are amazing. They take a lot of time teaching their guest about wine tasting and food pairing. Make an appointment to go! Out of the way but worth every minute. Really nice quality wine and a great experience!

What a wonderful place. The wine is exceptional and the owners are funny and informative. And the views! It's the highest winery in the county and you can see over the Vineyard into the valley below with the Ridges on the other side. It reminds me of Italy. Outstanding. You cannot see this any where else. And they are dog friendly! I will definately return for more. Can't wait to see it in the spring. I bet it's beautiful.

We didn't end up going to Bobdog winery as they were in their crushing phase of the season but he gave us a great recommendation to J Rickards which was an awesome experience for the afternoon! 10/10 on the recommendation!

Had a lovely afternoon at Bob Dog Winery.. Tim was fun and interesting and taught us a lot about wine tasting.. he even included our 14year old daughter (not in tasting) but she was allowed to listen to the lesson and learn for the future.. we all had a great time and took home some bottles... Thank you Tim. Glad we skipped Napa and headed to Coverdale it was a great drive through the fields..

Tim and Kandy were friendly and knowledgeable hosts who clearly knew a ton about winemaking and grape growing. Theirs is an artisanal operation and their fine wines are only available directly on site. Check it out!

Our visit to BobDog winery began with a beautiful and scenic drive guided by explicit directions to the winery's 2000ish feet elevation location above Cloverdale. Tim welcomed us to the winery and laid the framework described as wine "sensing" (vs tasting) we would be shown. He walked us through the process with a blind tasting of three wines, where we discussed our observations at each step. We left with a reinvigorated passion for evaluating our preferences in wines, vice the process we had devolved into over the years. We will definitely return!

I rarely give out fives but in this case I will. Pay attention to the directions they are precise and yes very tight narrow roads at times but well worth it when you get up to the top of their place. We had a fantastic day with them, Tim is very knowledgeable as well as candy we totally enjoyed ourselves and would recommend this whole heartedly to anyone. Wines are very tasty and affordable the views are fantastic. make sure you spend enough time because Tim and candy will teach you all about wines they are very informative and relaxed and gracious. thank you guys

Up on top of the mountain you will meet Tim and Kandy - farmers, proprietors and wine makers and get to learn about the 5 classic Bordeaux grapes-Cabernet, cab franc, merlot, petite syrah and malbeck. Up here you feel like you are a thousand miles away from civilization and while their little wine tasting is rather humble in comparison to the big houses, it makes up for it in authenticity, humility and quality. The drive up can be a little bit sketchy as the road is a bit steep in spots but just keep going..... it is definitely worth the drive. Thanks to all the other Yelpers - without your advice, we never would have found this hidden gem. It is definielty worth a trip north to taste and visit this great little winery.

I visited Bob Dog several months ago and had a mixed experience. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous - you can see all over the valley for miles and it is very unique compared to most wineries in the area. Our friend who booked the visit told us how it's not a typical wine tasting experience and we were open to something new, but frankly the dynamic between the two hosts we had felt awkward and I felt bad for the woman who was being talked to rudely by the other host. That being said, we enjoyed some of the wine and got a bottle or two for later on and the memories. I felt like the walk-though of how to taste wine was helpful and I have been more open to trying different varieties of wine since going and not obsessing so much about what the bottle/tasting menu says.

Our visit to BobDog Winery with good friends was by far the best wine tasting experience we have ever had. The estate winemakers personally sit with you around a table and explain the nuances of their blends as well as the behind-the-scenes operations required to grow and produce the vintages. We literally felt like we were visiting family while there. You'll never experience a more pleasurable and intimate wine tasting.

Wow BobDog Winery! You rock my socks off! This amazing winery is owned by Candy and Tim. It's the highest elevation winery in all of Cloverdale and has breathtaking views. We received a fabulous wine tasting complete with crackers, almonds, and chocolates given by the owners themselves! There were a couple people less experienced with wine tasting and Candy walked them through how to taste and enjoy. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Tim reminded me a lot of my dad. Great sense of humor and really loves what he does. Their old vine zin is delicious and they were having a sale (2 for 1), so we ended up getting one of those and 2 bottles of their now sold out Petite Verdot. All their wines have very little tannin (with the exception of their Bordeaux style Merlot). Their Casi Novembre dessert wine is absolutely delectable and was served with cute chocolate raspberry bones that were so good we ended up buying a bag! All their wines are incredibly full bodied and tasty. I would highly recommend calling them and scheduling an appointment. (They are a working winery, so you have to have an appointment). You will not be disappointed!

Exceedingly rare hospitality, INCREDIBLE wines, wonderful experience! Appointment only... which we didn't know, and Tim was gracious and welcoming enough to take us at a moment's notice. We were staying at Ravenridge Cottages, and simply tooling around the area, when we searched for a wine tasting experience that was less about lining up like cattle and drinking as fast as possible to move to the next one... It's a rare opportunity that a winemaker will be so welcoming to chat with you for hours, and offer you a rare glimpse into the wine making process with a complete lack of pretension, welcoming spirit, and gracious attitude. In fact, the rule for BobDog Vineyards (which includes Sky Pine Vineyard selections as well - one vineyard with different types and levels of winemaking) is very simple: "The 3 F's: Food, Family, & Friends. These are not cocktail wines, and are meant to be experienced with food... which Tim was kind enough to supply. The wines really opened up when paired to something, and we ended up buying more bottles than we have, at any winery, in years. One additional thought- for the proprieters of the cottages, we purchased the port dipped in chocolate. I HIGHLY suggest this delightful way to wrap up a dinner party. As you open the package, you see a bottle dipped in chocolate that peels away to reveal the delicious bottle of port. It's incredibly fun, and really unexpected. The drive there is BEAUTIFUL, and to *city folk* adventurous. To anyone that has been to the Luberon, or appreciates and understands the only places worth going have drives that are a bit off the beaten path - it will be a no brainer. It's only about 15 minutes outside of Cloverdale, and you will really enjoy spending the time to sample the wines and chat with the winemakers.... a wonderful family that really reminds me of what I love about the Willamette Valley - families of farmers making juice. If you can make delicious wine without the silly attitude, you are living life better than most, and making it better for others, as well. Thank you so much for being so welcoming. And hug Cabbie for us! =) Pavlov says hi. You guys should be an inspiration and model for other vineyards. Cheers!

BobDog turned out to be the gem of our wine-tasting tour of the Russian River Valley! Tim and Kandy, the owners of BobDog Winery, are gracious, unpretentious, and generous people. Before getting to our review of BobDog's wines, it is best to call for an appointment beforehand. An appointment is best because Kandy will text you precise directions to the winery, which is (literally) 2 miles up along a narrow, windy mountain road. As an example of how wonderful Tim and Kandy are, we missed a turn and ended up going almost 8 miles down (another) windy mountain road, and missed our appointment by nearly an hour. Kandy very graciously allowed us to eat our lunch before our tour and tasting, brought us water, and came back from another tour to ask us if we needed anything. Tim and Kandy taught us about their sub-appellation and how their altitude, atmospheric conditions and rain fall affect the character of their wines. In a nutshell, BobDog's wines trend on the drier side, have complex, delicious, and atypical tasting profiles for their varietals. Due to the climate and soil, BobDog's wines tend to have more tannins and an earthy character. We came to appreciate the uniqueness of BobDog's wines, and we very much enjoyed the craftsmanship in each. The mountain climate is apparently ideal for the Bordeaux varietals, including: Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Syrah. To highlight potential pairings for their wines, Tim and Kandy brought out cheese, meatballs, and chocolate. Their wines are very reasonably priced, in the $30 to $50 range. BobDog is well worth the winding trek up the mountain, and you will learn a great deal about wine making from Tim and Kandy. We are so glad we spent an afternoon visiting Bobdog!

Probably one of the most interesting experiences you can go on for a winery. The drive up here is so steep and narrow, so don't look down to the left when going up. Our party of 12 was going up this hill in a 15 passenger van and it was.... nerve wrecking to say the least. And its quite a drive so just keep going.... and going... and going.... We happen to get there around 4pm when the sun was starting to go down, so when we hopped out of the car, we saw the beautiful rolling vineyards and the sun getting ready to go down; it was quite a sight. You can definitely get some gorgeous pictures here and the view is not anything you will find elsewhere. I unfortunately did not taste the wines, but was told they were not bad. The Cabernet Franc stood out to my husband so we did walk away with a bottle. Despite not tasting the wines, I did experience the rest of the "tasting". It felt very much like school where Tim would keep asking you questions testing your knowledge of the wines you are tasting, and having you guess what is mixed inside it. If you like that kind of style (Q&A) rather than people giving you the facts or information, then this is the place for you. Although he did emphasize (as do other wineries) that everyone's palate is different, so whether or not you like it, is not a wrong answer. The tasting room is really just a small barrel room in the back. Do note that there are a lot of fruit flies flying around during your tasting, and extra noticeable when they pour the port. It is however, very cute that they serve you small pieces of meatballs to go with your wine tasting, and chocolate as well to help bring out the taste in the wines. Nice added bonus, in addition to the almonds on the table as well. Great winery to come once I think to take in the view, but not one I would list to be a repeat.

Amazing hosts and wine. We had a great picnic at this beautifully secluded vineyard. Really happy to have found this winery.

Wine tasting with Tim was an absolute delight. He took us out to look at the vines & explained how the grapes were grown. Then he taught us how to taste the wine & read the label. It was like sitting down with your favorite uncle, enjoying a beautiful view, & sipping fabulous wine. It is off the beaten path, but totally worth it.

Enjoy the spectacular views atop Pine Mountain, and visit Tim, Kandy, and Caby (short for Cabernet) of Sky Pine Vineyards aka BobDog Winery! You'll need an appointment, and once you start driving up the road, you'll see why. It's pretty much a one-way road all the way to the top. It's a laid back and informative experience. Tim and Kandy will answer ANY question you have about the winery, winemaking, etc. Depending on what time of year you visit, you will get a demonstration of what goes on in the winemaking process. We visited the winery during the winter, so we got a little pruning demo. You won't find such an experience anywhere else! We picked up a bottle of their port. Did I mention that the bottle also happened to be encased in a shell of chocolate?! YUM.

I decided one afternoon to explore an AVA from the top down, so I went to the highest AVA in Sonoma County - Pine Mountain AVA. Actually, it is the highest AVA in the United States. This AVA is most known for Bordeaux grapes, with some Rhone varietals grown. What is interesting is that grapes grown at elevation (between 1500 to 2500 ft) produce grapes with a higher skin to juice ratio than at lower elevations. This give a very intense, robust, flavor profile. Also increases the value of the juice, as less is produced and difficult growing conditions. The wines produced at elevation are part of a growing ultra premium wine category you may be hearing about. Now...to Bobdog. The owners, Kandi and Tim, purchased the property over 25 years ago and are growers first. In the last few years they have started producing wines themselves. They grow the Noble 5 Bordeaux and make a few blends and a Merlot port-style wine. When I first got to the winery I realized just how steep a drive it really was and thought what a pain it must be to grow and harvest grapes here. The view up her is just amazing. You are in this tiny AVA, bridging Sonoma County and Mendocino Counties and looking down on the hills over Cloverdale. These people are a hoot. Very down to earth. Very knowledgable. They do tastings right in the room they produce the wines in. They even let me join in the process, stirring the "must" for fun (it is a lot of work, btw.) Tim and Kandi are about the grape...growing it...and making wine with the grape being the star of the show. They don't want to mess with it or throw too much at it, and don't believe it pushing up the flavors with some oak. They let the wine shine on it's own merits. The tasting is well thought out. They even pair with foods, knowing their wines stand up best to the palate this way. It was a very nice experience. All the wines had nice acidity, balanced tannins, and great flavors. If you tried these without food, you may think them a bit too strong. With food, however, they are perfectly balanced and give you a great mouthfeel as well as delivering a lush taste compliment to your chosen bite. I spent a good two hours just talking to the owners about their wine, their vineyard, and their history. Bobdog was named after their first dog, a Rottweiler named Bob. The winery is now patrolled by a McNab named Cabernet, Cabbi for short. Wines are very decently priced, around $30-48. Definately call for an appointment. It is a drive up the hill. They are very nice people, but it is a small production winery and they will sit down with you when you come. This winery is worth the trip up the hill. Especially if you want to explore the different AVA's or see really what a change in terroir can do to a grape.

A hidden gem! It is a trek to get there, but so worth it. Great experience :) Wine: Great zin and port - we loved everything we had! Tasty and very distinct wines. Atmosphere: Great view on top of the hill, and very cute dog to greet you upon arrival. Customer Service: Out of this world - Tim and Kandy were great conversationalists and wine educators. Generous pours, delicious chocolate to accompany the port, and wonderful company. Not stuffy or pretentious, yet very knowledgeable and sweet. Go to BobDog! Now.

Tim and Candy were super welcoming and full of exactly zero pretense. Wine n00bs, they welcomed my girlfriend and me with open arms and explained many basic concepts about how wine is made. It was instructional, but more importantly really fun to visit with them. And, their wines were great! I highly recommend BobDog to anyone who is interested in wine, but not interested in the snobbery typical of some other venues.

This was unbelievable. After driving about 2 miles up a mountain, you arrive at a lush vineyard. Kandy was so warm and taught me a TON about the vineyards. She let us pick some grapes off and taste them to see how sweet they were. We then tested the sugar levels - which was awesome. Kandy answered any and every question we had, and explained all about the vineyard growing process, which was eye opening to me. Her dog Caby (short for Cabernet) was around like any good vineyard dog should be. Kandy then took us into the tasting room (by appointment only) and let us sample the wine. She even had swedish meatballs to give us, which really showed the different flavors in the wine. The Port was excellent - and I bought a bottle. The Zin was really good too. Thanks to Kandy for an amazing one of a kind experience.

Just when you think that your car won't make it to the top of the mountain you are there. Tim and Candy (and Cabbie, the dog) are excellent hosts and make some beautiful wine. but the scenery is what tops it all--you are literally on top of the mountain. Plan on spending 1.5 hours on a tasting...don't rush, just relax and you will have a great time.

This place is so fun to visit. Tim and Kandy are super hosts and you come away with a wealth of knowledge. The vineyard and its views are awesome ! This is a must do experience. Call ahead for a personal tour and tasting.Put your wallet away for the tasting, this is not Napa and it is all free.

Really nice folks here, and they explain wines with food very well. The setting is just beautiful.

Simply put: the very best tasting and educational experience ever. I can not improve on the reviews below, so I won't try - just make your appointment and be prepared for a great experience - it will be the highlight of your trip.

Truly an amazing experience with the friendliest owners you will ever meet! Today was my first time in the Sonoma area and a couple friends and I decided to hit up a few wineries and Bobdog was the last stop and man, was it worth it!! It was quite a fun drive up to the top - if you use Google Maps, you can just search BobDog Winery and it will guide you to the right place! Once we were there around 4pm, Kandy greeted us cheerfully and gave us a brief history of the place and some of the surrounding landscapes - it was so beautiful! Afterwards, she took us in and Tim greeted us and started us on the wine tasting. Unlike the other places we went to, Tim was superbly down to earth and was able to explain all the wine lingos in layman terms we can understand, and he has a great sense of humor :) We were able to sample around 6-7 different wines and all was great - they even provided meatballs, crackers and almonds to go with the wines, which was a nice touch. Afterwards, we hiked around the winery and vineyards and was able to witness a beautiful sunset over the surrounding mountains. This place is definitely worth the drive and your time, be sure to pick up a few bottles (or more) since they only sell it here!!!

Excellent wine tasting - the most educational tasting I have ever experienced! Thanks, Tim!

What an experience! The journey up the mountain side opened up to a farm full of red grapes! We love the style, we love the character and the heart that is put into the wines. Both Tim and Kandy work together to tell a story and make fabulous wines. The tasting was spot on in flavors that are totally different from anything you've been tasting at sea level. Mountain wines are just, different! In the best way. This is a great place to spend an afternoon to learn and taste across the board. Must visit! Finally a place that stands out in Northern Cali :)

My wife and I visited the winery over Labor Day weekend. The wines and tasting experience were very memorable. However, it was not until we recently opened a bottle (or two) that we really appreciated the exquisitely crafted wines. Each was well balanced and exceptional bordeaux varietals. It was the Casi Noviembre dessert wine we just shared however that promoted me to go back and write a review. Wow! I have to go back for more.

"You get this experience at Bob Dog Wines: Adventure, Beauty, Hospitality, Enlightenment, and Culture. It's a quality afternoon spent drinking wine"

If you like Bordeaux-style wines, you're in for a treat. Bobdog wines are superb examples, the best in Sonoma County. Plus Tim and Kandy will give you a Wine Country experience you'll never forget. It's worth visiting just for the drive!

WOW!!!!!!!! Excellent wines!!!! WE have lived in N. Calif. for 45 yrs (yes we tasted all those yrs) and now there are about 450 wineries within a 2 hr drive from us. We consider Bob Dog winery at the TOP, both in quality and location (2000ft). The drive up is a trip in itself with parts of the road not paved, steep and tight turns. The end result is you get a great education in wine and tasting!!!!! Tasting room is low key and you will enjoy yourself for about 2 hrs with Tim. this is a relief from the attitude of most of the Napa Valley wineries. We will be repeat visitors. Call for reservations as you need a code for the auto gate. Also the view is super!!!!! We will be enjoying our wine this weekend!!!!

In a word, "WOW"! No pretense here. An amazing day with Tim at BobDog Winery. From picking and tasting grapes off the vine, to sampling their wonderful wines, the day could not have been any better. Take the drive, it's worth the trek. Enjoy the views, the hospitality, and the amazing wines made here at BobDog/SkyPine Vineyards. Your not just a number here, they remember your name and truly seem to enjoy having you. A+++ experience! Don't forget your camera, the views are second to none!