Markham Vineyards

Like Markham… One of the old school wineries of the area. I think 4^th oldest (maybe I should google). Anyway Simple tasting room… Unpretentious… And helpful. Dig the koi pond in the front. Like their merlot ((sorry Sideways — your movie was wrong about merlot — but thank you for help making the grape one of the most affordable))… also like the 1879 Red Blend… and the Petite Sirah was a nice surprise.
Tasting is also affordable (20 dollar tastings) and 2 – 1 on their website (I think on Unilocal also) Wines also not horribly expensive like many wineries in the region.
One strike– we couldn’t picnic on property (so we stuffed our face our car and moved onto the next winery)

It always feels like Christmas when we leave Markham, with our bags full of wines, since we only stop by twice a year for our wine member pickup. Our last visit was excellent, as it usually is when we stop by for a quick tasting before heading up to Calistoga. Every trip, I like to visit new wineries, and Sam was very helpful with giving me some last minute pointers. He had mentioned that Markham was going to release a Charbono later on because the winemaker had bought some grapes to make them. As we continued our conversation, I became intrigued by this varietal and really wanted to try it! Since Markham didn’t have their Charbono yet, Sam was nice to give us free tasting passes to August Briggs, which we decided to check out after visiting Castello.
My husband and I loved the Charbono at August Briggs and picked up a bottle, along with their Chardonnay. Thanks for the wonderful recommendation Sam!

This place just didn’t do it for me. The outside of the building looks nothing like the inside. The inside was like an art gallery (the intended look) with white walls, open cathedral ceilings and light pine floors. When the hubs and I visited, they had a gallery with photos taken with cell phones.
The wine was good, but when visiting a winery I like the overall ambiance too. Galleries and art just aren’t my thing. Maybe for some people, just not for me. I wouldn’t go here again.