Robert Young Scion Tasting Experience

A couple weeks ago, we were lucky enough to spend a few days in Sonoma County where we did several wine tastings. We spent one day in Alexander Valley where we visited Robert Young Winery and their new Scion House Tasting Room. We really lucked out with beautiful weather that day, so that made the experience all the better. We had been to Robert Young once before and loved everything we tried, so we knew we had to go back and check out their new place.

Right when you walk in, you will notice the beautiful interiors and the amazing fireplace. It is so cozy and the space is very inviting. The Scion House is very open, so you are able to see vineyards from almost anywhere in the tasting room. I love how they kept this in mind when designing this new tasting room.

When we arrived for our tasting, we were immediately greeted by Robbie Young. He is the grandson of the original Robert Young who founded the winery many years ago. I love how family-oriented the winery is and how everyone helps to play a part. You can tell that they really care about their heritage and it’s extremely important to them to keep the Robert Young name alive. They aren’t anything like a big, commercialized winery.

We were seated for our tasting in a beautiful room overlooking the vineyard. It was the perfect setting for a wine tasting. Something else that is interesting about Robert Young is that they sell off most of their grapes to other wineries. Over 90% of the grapes they grow get sold. Because of this, they are able to cherry pick and keep only the best grapes for their own wines. I think this is a great concept and it keeps all of their wines at the highest quality.

In terms of the actual tasting, we were able to try five different wines. We started off with a Chardonnay and then went into four different reds. Most of their red wine is pretty big and bold, so if you enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, you would love this place. My favorite wine from Robert Young is the Bob’s Burn Pile Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the last wine that we got to try as part of our tasting. Saving the best for last!

If you opt for the Scion Experience, you will get to taste and pair your wines with a beautiful charcuterie board as well. Personally, I love tasting wine with and without food. I think it is so interesting to see how the wine changes depending on what else is hitting your taste buds. For this experience, there was an informational guide that explained all of the cheeses and which wine to pair with each one. I love it when wineries put more thought behind this and guide you through the pairings!

We had such a nice time chatting with Robbie and learning more about the family business. He is so knowledgeable about the winery and his family history, so it was nice to have a personalized experience with him as our guide. We loved it all so much that we actually ended up joining the wine club! I am really looking forward to receiving more of their wines on a regular basis. It definitely isn’t anything you can find in your local grocery store, so it’s nice have bottles that are harder to come by.

After wrapping up with our tasting experience, we took a walk outside to check out the scenery. All I can say is, wow! The view is unbelievable and you can see vineyards for days. It honestly has to be one of the best views in all of Alexander Valley. Seriously, even if you don’t like wine, go for the view! A few guests were actually doing a tasting on the couches outside, so I would recommend asking for that option if it’s a nice day. There is also a covered patio with a table, so there are plenty of options for outdoor tastings at Robert Young.

Overall, it was an amazing experience at Robert Young and we will definitely be back. If you are planning to wine taste in Alexander Valley, make sure the Scion House is on your list. They have several different experiences and tasting options, so it’s a great place no matter what you’re in the mood for. The Scion Experience itself is $50, but they also have a standard tasting experience for $25. I personally recommend the Scion Experience because you get to try more wines and pair it with food.