Eric Kent Wine Cellars

There is no way my review can do justice to Eric Kent in the same way Chris’s review (below) can… BUT…
This was absolutely the highlight of our trip to California. A hidden gem that made every other «wine tour» feel like a tourist trap. My boyfriend and I know very little about wine, but Kent was completely unpretentious in walking us through the best way to articulate our tastes and introduce us to EK’s wine. The barrel tasting was such a wonderful, unique experience. I actually felt guilty when I learned it was complimentary, because we took up so much of his time that could be spent making more incredible wine! I guess we’ll just have to invest in a slew of bottles (if we can find them in NYC). Incredible experience! Thank you Kent!

An experience friend brilliantly chose this stop (thanks Jay!). It’s by appointment, in an industrial area, and the tour is basically a look in EK’s refrigerated warehouse that’s part of a shared production facility.
Kent is knowledgable, passionate, and an easy-​going host. We showed up late, and he was very gracious — asked us to hang while the (on time) folks finished up, and then spent a couple hours with us. He climbs up the racks to steal tastes from varoius barrels, walking you through the parietals, methods, barrels, etc. Then to finish up, he brought out bottled versions so demonstrate the difference. Simply a great tasting experience.
Bring a sweater. It’s about 55 F, much cooler than the caves.
On the downside, barrel tasting meant there was nothing we take with us!

If you are a fan of well made California Chardonnay, Pinot or Syrah, you’d be doing yourself a favor by acquainting yourself with Eric Kent. Kent gave us a great tour of the facility and a barrel tasting of the 09’s. Everything is tasting great. Plus they have one of the only wine clubs in California that I’d join. Inquire within to find out why, to say the least they are accommodating.

Superb wine and a terrific experience!
Chris did a great job describing the experience below.
I’ll simply add that the barrel tasting can be arranged in advance via phone/​email and is complimentary (or at least was when I went earlier this year). Since the barrel tasting is in the production facility and not at a typical tasting room or vineyard — it’s really all about the wine. Also, since there’s nothing for sale at the facility you might want to inquire about where EK wines are sold in your area.
He really takes his time guiding you along the barrel journey to anticipate what will become of the samples you try.
Again, a great experience!

My very first stop on my very first visit to Sonoma was at Eric Kent. It was very unfair to any vineyard or winemaker who followed in Eric Kent’s wake. It was very unfair to my travelling party who had to put up with my constant raving about Eric Kent. But, a year later at a friends wedding when we were all sipping some of his 2006 Chardonnay, no one seemed to remember or mind.
Our friend Tom (the Julie of our Love Boat cruise) arranged for us to meet Kent Humphrey and have a bottle/​barrel tasting session as well as a chance to talk with the wine maker himself. We met him in a warehouse, the home for his wine making operation. There is no vineyard to speak of. Kent was an unassuming fellow with a deep passion for wine. He told us how he got started making wine and what his rationale/​strategy for picking rows and harvest time. He showed us his label which puts all information on one side and features art work on the other. Then we went to the barrel for thae tasting. I don’t know if it was the excitement of the moment, the web he had woven or his picking strategy paying off but, it was like drinking some divine nectar. When describing the wine, I said something that sounded stupid like, «You can taste the sunshine.» Everyone had a good chuckle at my expense. Later on I found out I was right. His 2006 wines are top notch. If I were in the position to join a club, the only one I would join would be that of Eric Kent.
I was hesitant to add him, in an effort to keep him to myself but, wine is far better when shared.
Our next stop on the tour was Kendall Jackson. Poor bastards. They never had a chance next to Eric Kent.