Preston Farm and Winery

We went to the tasting room on a Wednesday morning and we were the only patrons on the estate. They were snobby and rude to our party of 11 for a family birthday, because they had a policy of no parties above 8.
I can completely understand the policy on a busy summer weekend. It’s hard to serve a big group in the rush of things. However, on a slow weekday, showing a bit of flexibility is important for a successful business. Especially when there are no added parties adding to the overall occupancy.
I will NOT recommend anyone to go here. There was bad service and snotty servers. You don’t want to feel like someone is looking down their nose when you’re doing a tasting. You want an educator and someone who is willing to help create a wonderful experience.
You won’t find a pleasant experience here.

Preston is a cool property with lots going on. It’s not the easiest place to get to, but it is picturesque and unique. My wife and I really want to love the wine there, and we have before, but the last couple of trips we have been feeling it. Tasting fees are moderate and the staff is generally pretty good.

Preston is a great winery because it offers varietals out of the common way in California alongside debt m decent versions of the most beloved varietals like Syrah, GSM (grenache, Syrah, mouvedre), and zinfindel. You’ll find cinsault (softer, floral wine), carignane (Spanish varietal, tannic, leathery, and not seen much in the U.S. on its own). I’ve only seen cinsault at one other California winery (Adelaide in Paso Robles). In addition, you’ll see grapes like Roussane, Marsanne, and Viogner, which are usually seen in France and rarely seen in the U.S.
I’ve come here twice and always been pleased with the wines. I like the Roussane and Marsanne best among this white wines. I prefer the cinsault, the zinfindel, and the syrah-​sirah (blend of Syrah and Petit Syrah).
The tasting room is not an elegant experience. There is only one crowded bar and no tables at which to sip on peace. But there is a lovely garden outside that is at its finest in the summer and an organic vegetables store. And this tasting room shortfalls are more than made up by the selection of rarer varietals.

I love this place! Visited while on vacation in Napa! Loved that it’s all organic and that there’s a farm there. Customer service was great as well as the atmosphere. Loved that they had little samples of pickings from the garden. The wine is delicious as well!

Love their wine and love visiting the farm. Great wine club.

Please someone rescue the staff in the tasting room. They are clearly being forced to work against their will…
I agree with some of the other posters that the grounds are great: Small, charming, quiet.
The wine is so-​so: Not my flavor but could be for others.
The bread that is sold here is off the charts: Nice, wood-​fired flavor. Fresh and delicious.
I’m not sure why the staff is as they are. They work in a beautiful place. Engagement was 100% «going through the motions». Tasting notes were conveyed, wine was poured, don’t ask questions. I got an awesome eye-​roll from one gentleman when I mispronounced «Sinsault» (which I actually liked. The wine, not the eye-​roll.).
Bottom line, this winery is off the beaten path and the attitude suggests their seclusion was purposeful. I don’t like how some of the Healdsbug/​Dry Creek houses are starting to busy up to Napa-​like levels, but I’ll be seeking the smaller establishments that are interested in sharing their craft with newcomers.

I have never been a big fan of the wine (which is kind of the consensus when I talk to others) but loved the grounds. Having kids it nice to have the farm and produce for purchase. I had a lot of fun last year at their harvest party. It had been a long time since I had been there so I thought I would take the kids to see the farm and make some purchases. Since I work in a tasting room I figured a nice slow Monday morning would be a good time to visit. The staff was so cold and rude I couldn’t believe it. Blatantly annoyed by our presence. We left right away. And as I write this, I’m also remembering the woman that works their stand at the Farmer’s Market is a cold fish too. With so many beautiful family-​friendly wineries in the area with lovely employees, there is no need for any of that. Very disappointing.

Just like wine, to each his own.

We came here for my husbands 40^th birthday with 7 other people. My thoughts are below. I’ll summarize by saying that of all 9 people who tasted none of us really liked it and only one thought it was good enough to purchase a bottle. Come for the view and picnic tables. Avoid the tasting room.
Ambience: 5 stars. This is a charming location. Probably one of the cutest in Healdsburg.
Wine: 2 stars. I was pretty unimpressed with the quality of wines. I would not spit it out per se, but I would not willingly finish a glass if someone poured me one.
Service: 1 star. Wow, our pourer was so unfriendly and rude. She gave us nasty expressions and was pretty cold to us the whole time.

Grounds are beautiful. Make sure to grab lunch at the shed or dry creek general store first and get a glass to sip on. The wines are good especially the sauv blanc and zin. Staff is not as top notch as surrounding vineyards. Oh and don’t get scared when driving to the winery you’ll get there eventually and pass a bunch of great vegetables on the way.

This place… I would only give 4 stars if you count the white sourdough bread, which was much more palatable than any of the wine, which was very mediocre especially compared to all the great options in the surrounding area. The area itself is pretty, with some picnic tables out back and some fresh produce available for purchase here, but there is a somewhat long driveway of unpaved, rocky road that leads up to the tasting room that is pretty unpleasant to drive through. I wouldn’t come back here again, but for context I like flavorful Chardonnays and Malbecs and the like, so if you have similar taste in wine, this is probably not for you.

This is a bonafide working farm and to me, it really just screams «Sonoma!» Our local friends wanted to stop by here to fill up their jug with the special house wine (apparently every Sunday) and to get some fresh bread. The wine is whatever the house has in their big vats and it costs around $ 35 to load up a big old jug of it.
I see why it’s such a hit! You follow a shaded dirt road for a few minutes down to a cute little farmhouse. Picture charming wicker furniture in various states of decay on the front porch and old screen doors to keep the flies out. Even an overall-​clad old timer was sitting at what appeared to be the kitchen table enjoying a cup of coffee. It was like stepping into a real life movie scene of farmland Americana.
There’s a very tiny little market with fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs direct from the farm. On the day of my visit, a small basket of strawberries cost $ 4.00, kale and chard was $ 3.00 per pound, and carrots were $ 2.00 a bunch. You pick out your goodies, weigh and pay, all on the honor system (bring cash). There’s a small market with fresh baked bread and olive oil made on the premises (minus a star for the exorbitant prices — $ 40 for a small bottle of olive oil? What’s in the bottle, gold?).
A wine bar with all organic wines offers a down home tasting experience.
There are several picnic tables and a few farm cats who seemed to enjoy mingling with the picnic crowds. While not particularly scenic, it’s a good place to check out if you want to get a true farm experience. The area reminded me of my grandma’s backyard — very homey and comfortable.
Note that they have a sign that explicitly states that groups of 8 or more are not welcome, so leave your friends at home (or either split up and enter in separate groups).

Good wine and a unique winery experience.
Preston’s organic wines are all very good. The red blend in a jug served on Sundays is tasty and a really good value. Weekends bring fresh sourdough bread and samples of a good, but really expensive olive oil. In addition, items from their farm are for sale on the honor system in a building next to the tasting room. Eggs, vegetables, vinegars, fruit and more on sale when in season.
Friendly and knowledgeable employees are always willing to help.

Preston Farm and Winery is a fine place to have a picnic lunch, but not necessarily the finest place to purchase wine. I drank the reds and they were okay, but nothing to rave about. I found the Zin a bit acidic and lacked flavor. My son and daughter-​in-​law enjoyed their wine and bought a bottle or two. We both bought a bottle of olive oil. I did not try the whites but will do that when I eventually return for another picnic lunch. The signs at the place indicate you have to ask permission to have your picnic — and drink their wine — though it looked like this was all on the honor system. (Remember «the honor system»? Don’t hear about that much any more.) Most people were drinking white wine with their picnic lunches. Maybe because the whites are better than the reds?
They also have farm products — in a cute little farm store. The best draw I found was their baked bread and olive oil which is top notch! You may sample it before you buy. So, here’s a tip: don’t bring the bread — use theirs.
The grounds are beautiful. It is more of what one would expect from an old established farm — old buildings, weeds, gardens, chickens, cats and a modest but stately clapboard house to grace the center of the estate.
This is a beautiful place that offers good things for your eyes and comfort to the stomach aided by the peaceful sound of cycadia in the trees and the sparrows that converse as to whose territory belongs to who.

Wonderful place to picnic. Bread, cheese and vegetables as well as wine. Cats, chickens, sheep. Very good wine, but $ 30+, per bottle. Best deal is jug wine on Sunday. $ 10 to taste.

As good as it gets and I have been coming up here since last millennium.
The first case of wine I ever bought was a case of Preston Barbera in Illinoiz a loong time ago. Their Barbera’s are rare and they do not make them all the time, and when they do it sells out fast. We bought their always fantastic Zin and some Barbera this trip. Fantastic wine club, 25% off at the farm and shipments.
Preston has cut their production, but not quality in anyway, and evolved to an organic farm and winery. They were making olive oil and breads in teh 80’s WAY ahead of their time. Down a long dusty road, just short of where the old Meeker teepee tasting tent used to be (now Bella). Very relaxing, peaceful property. You will probably not want to leave. Preston is another reason I abandoned all pretentious winery visits, we made a small miscalculation on Gloria Ferrer this trip but never again.
Wonderful place to picnic. Free cat petting, sheep maybe.
Can’t recommend them highly enough if you like Zins and Barberas, their Sauvigon Blanc is also good. They also sell organic olives, olive oil and amazing, and I mean AMAZINGLY delicious bread. Do it.

We made Preston the last stop on our Valentine’s Day tasting tour — and for good reason. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. It never disappoints. Well, I was disappointed that they sold out of their Barbera the day before but the next release comes in a couple of weeks so I added my name to the mailing list and joined the club to assure myself some.
Not only are their wines amazing, they’re reasonably priced. And the grounds are simple and beautiful. We took our last, generous pour outside and enjoyed a loaf of their amazing bread in the sunshine.
When you visit Preston, make sure you have enough time to taste everything and then to sit and relax in the sun before making your way home. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

Good wines, all organic. They have olives & sourdough bread also. The grounds are charming. Very relaxed atmosphere, filled with olive & pomegranate trees. Just a really lovely setting. The service was very friendly & so is the cat!!!

We go to Preston every time we’re in Healdsburg. It’s a quaint, pleasant experience with beautiful scenery and animals roaming around. Oh, and great wine, too. If you prefer the off-​the-​beaten-​path, passionate-​about-​the-​product wineries (rather than the tourist trap Mondavi-​esque wineries), you don’t want to skip Preston.

Having been here so many times I still revel about Preston. The picnic grounds are wonderfully authentic as is the little honor general store which sells the organic biodynamically grown produce. But above all I love the barrel wine you can buy in Preston jugs only on Sundays! The L Preston is my very favorite wine. Make it a day!