In this issue at the start of 2026, Power Tasting begins a new feature that we are calling Revisits. There has been so much change in the wine tasting experience in recent years, largely spurred by the pandemic. The great majority of wine tastings are by reservation only and are sit-down affairs. In some wineries, this has been a positive improvement. In others it has taken away from the overall experience. Power Tasting will continue to review wineries as we discover them, anywhere in the world. But now we will report on ones we have reviewed in the past as well.
There is very little evident change in visiting Dry Creek Vineyard, where we have been stopping for decades. The spacious lawn, with it picnicking facilities is still there, under the same spreading trees that somehow always seem to have leaves, no matter the season. The building housing the tasting room is still a vine-covered stone building, though maybe the vines have spread a little further up the walls.
The tasting room also is little changed, except that instead of standing at the bar, visitors can sit on stools at the bar or on tables made of a glass top on a wine barrel. We always found the servers to be knowledgeable about Dry Creek’s wines and that hasn’t changed.
Also unchanged is the huge selection of quality wines. Where else could one person do a tasting of only Zinfandels and another only of Bordeaux varietals. And yes, we still prefer the Wallace Ranch Zin and the Endeavor Bordeaux blend.
There is still a nautical theme to the tasting room, which is somewhat discordant in a place surrounded by vines and 20 miles from the Pacific. But it’s pretty.
Yes they do ask for reservations, but we’re pretty sure they could accommodate small parties at all times. So all in all, if you enjoyed Dry Creek in the past, you won’t find much difference. And if you haven’t tasted wine at Dry Creek, it’s very much worth your while to stop by.