Mark your calendars—Friday, May 2nd, 2025, is the day Sonoma wine lovers and collectors have been waiting for! Hosted at the stunning Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate, SoCoBA 2025 promises a day filled with exceptional wines, heartfelt honors, and record-breaking auction energy. Get Ready for the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction (SoCoBA)!
Schedule of Events
• 11:00 AM – Welcome Reception
• 12:00 PM – Luncheon & Honoree Celebration
• 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – The Main Event: The Barrel Auction
• 4:00 PM – Cheers to the close!
Celebrating Sonoma’s Wine Legends
Each year, SoCoBA shines a spotlight on the trailblazers of Sonoma winemaking—those who’ve carved paths, broken molds, and raised glasses higher.
Lifetime Achievement Award: David Hirsch
From sheep rancher to Pinot pioneer, David Hirsch transformed the extreme Sonoma Coast into Pinot Noir paradise. His dedication to site-specific farming and biodynamics has made Hirsch Vineyards a benchmark name in California wine.
Icon: Hank Wetzel of Alexander Valley Vineyards
From prune orchards to international acclaim, Hank Wetzel helped put Alexander Valley on the global map, championing AVA development and leading the charge in Sonoma wine advocacy.
Innovators: The Dry Creek Vineyard Trio
• David Stare: Planted Sauvignon Blanc when no one dared.
• Kim Stare Wallace: Marketing maven turned president with a love for sailboats and sustainability.
• Don Wallace: Vineyard whisperer, ecosystem builder, and conservationist.
Together, they’ve made Dry Creek Vineyard a lighthouse for innovation, transparency, and stewardship.
Auctioneer Extraordinaire: John Curley
With Emmy-winning energy and a heart of gold, John Curley returns to bring the auction to life—expect laughs, bids, and maybe a few happy tears.
Bonus Sip: All wines were tasted at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg on May 1, 2025—the day before the auction action kicks off.
And if you’re already dreaming ahead… mark your 2026 plans: April 30 – May 1, 2026. Sonoma’s finest will be back for more barrels, more legends, and more unforgettable wines.
Ready to raise your paddle?
Auction Lot Reviews and Scores in this article
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #1
CIRQ 2024 The Ringmaster Pinot Noir
This Pinot Noir features firm tannins, providing excellent food pairing potential. It opens with a fresh and bright nose with notes of black cherry and cola. Medium-bodied with well-integrated oak spices, it offers an appealing fruitiness and a fresh yet robust structure that will allow it to age beautifully for over a decade.
Score: 93 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #2
Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery 2024 Top Block Chardonnay
Generous, rich, and round with notes of roasted yellow apple and spiced pineapple, this Chardonnay is compounded by elegant baking spices that round out the edges. Softly nutty and mineral-driven, it offers caramel flavors on the palate. Very generous and mouthcoating, this wine is full-bodied and velvety smooth. Enjoy it with an extra chill.
Score: 95 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #3
BACA 2024 Tug O’ War Adventure Zinfandel
Made from old vines planted in the 1940s and 1980s, this Zinfandel has a fresh and juicy nose that’s never overdone. Medium to full-bodied, the tannins firm up on the mid-palate, showcasing youthful energy and brightness. The finish is lingering and spicy, while the overall structure remains well managed.
Score: 93 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #4
Balletto Vineyards 2023 Sexton Hill Pinot Noir
Clean, expressive, and pure, this Pinot Noir shows ripe cherry and cranberry notes with focus and precision. Well-integrated oak and succulent acidity define the mid-palate, leading to a clean, fresh finish that’s very food friendly.
Score: 94 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #5
Aperture Cellars 2023 Block D Cabernet Sauvignon
Very firm and rocky on the nose, this Cabernet opens with a deep ruby core and hints of graphite, savory herbs, dusty black cherry, and spiced plum skin. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is tight but built with a sturdy structure, showing notes of bitter dark chocolate. It finishes fresh, mineral-driven, and tannic, promising to be brilliant with food when released.
Score: 95+ | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #6
Davis Bynum 2024 Blackjack Pinot Noir
Bigger and brooding, this Pinot Noir shows notes of spiced potpourri, expressive turned earth, and fresh black cherries. Medium to full-bodied, it carries a broad-shouldered presence with phenolic grip and a lingering, spicy finish.
Score: 93 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #7
Brandon Gregory Estate 2023 Exploration Cabernet Franc
Very fresh and bright with precision and focus, this Cabernet Franc is classic in style. Notes of red pepper skin, dusty plums, and black cherry are backed by a soft savory element. Medium to full-bodied, it is complex, layered, and pure. Elegantly crafted, the wine slowly reveals oak-driven baking spice flavors over a long, lingering finish. Nicely done!
Score: 96 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #8
Gloria Ferrer 2016 Ocho Reserva Sparkling Wine
A blend of 8 vintages, this sparkling wine is a cerebral beauty. The brightness of youthful Chardonnay lifts the wine, while softened nitro tones and mature base wine sing together in harmony. Complex, layered, and utterly pleasurable, I find myself going back to smell the glass.
Score: 94+ | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #9
Convene by Dan Kosta 2024 Above the Clouds Pinot Noir
Instantly impressive and fresh, this Pinot delivers all the red fruit and spice you’d expect from a world-class wine. The weight is impeccable, with succulent acidity and tight tannins framing a structured and elegant mid-palate. Simply put, it’s an utterly gorgeous wine and I’m not spitting a single drop. Wow!
Score: 98+ | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #10
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2022 Jubilee Cabernet Sauvignon
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is fresh, complex, juicy, and complete. Rich, round fruit tones meet elegant oak spices that lift the mid-palate. Still youthful but in great shape to age. The long, spicy finish is marked by oak and a food-friendly essence that has me daydreaming for flame-kissed steak.
Score: 96 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #11
Chateau St. Jean 2023 Jean’s Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #12
DeLoach Vineyards 2024 50 Years of Heritage Zinfandel
Made from 100-year-old Zinfandel vines, this wine is structured, juicy, and fresh with notes of spiced plum compote and ripe dark red and black fruits. Succulent acidity and tightening tannins give it a pleasing firmness. It glides to a rich, succulent finish that delivers freshness and pleasure. Nicely done!
Score: 95+ | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #13
Domaine de la Rivière 2024 Twin Forces Pinot Noir
Composed of 75% Swan clone and 25% UV-Vosne-Romanée clone, this Pinot Noir opens with a floral nose and bright, crunchy red fruit. The structure is defined by a tannic edge and a fresh core that reveals layers of finesse, precision, and purity. It finishes with refreshing lift and elegance.
Score: 95 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #14
Donelan Family Wines 2023 The Dark Knights Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, the nose is still tightly wound. The wine opens with hints of brown baking spice, bitter dark chocolate, and roasted espresso bean. Medium to full-bodied and firmly tannic, it needs time to evolve in bottle. With its solid foundation, this will age beautifully for over a decade. Be patient.
Score: 94 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #15
Elaine Wines 2024 Hummingbird Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #16
Three Sticks Wines 2024 Sticks and Stems Pinot Noir
Made with 100% whole cluster fermentation, this Pinot Noir is fresh and expressive, offering notes of potpourri, red licorice, and ripe tree fruits. Medium-bodied and still tight, it promises to age gracefully and deliver pleasure for years to come. Nicely done!
Score: 96 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #17
ACTA 2023 Deeds Redone Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #18
Dutcher Crossing Winery 2024 Prima Chardonnay
Made entirely in a concrete egg, this Chardonnay is pure and mineral-driven with a pale golden core. The nose reveals yellow apple, yellow cherry, underripe peach, and a clean mineral tone. The finish is neatly managed, fresh, and focused.
Score: 91 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #19
Donum Estate 2024 Triple Crown Pinot Noir
Darker and firmer than typical Carneros expressions, this Pinot Noir is dense and chewy with gripping oak spice. Medium to full-bodied, it shows tannins that firmly carry through the finish. Made from the Calera clone, the wine offers succulent acidity and finishes with a tannic structure.
Score: 90 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #20
Dry Creek Vineyard 2023 Celebrating 40 Years of the Dry Creek Valley AVA Zinfandel Blend
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #21
Ektimo Vineyards 2024 Glissando Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #22
Emeritus Vineyards 2024 First Light Pinot Noir
Made with 35% whole cluster Pinot Noir, this is dense and structured with layers of freshness and firm tannins. The mouthfeel is fine and mineral-driven, offering graphite notes and a lingering, spicy finish touched by oak. Upon release, expect vibrant acidity and precision. Delightful!
Score: 95 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #23
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery 2023 Vivo Italiano Sangiovese Blend
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #24
Fisher Vineyards 2023 Mountain Monopole Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #25
DuMOL Winery 2024 Literal Fruition Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #26
Francis Ford Coppola Winery 2023 Asteria Malbec Blend
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #27
Flowers Vineyards & Winery 2024 Sightlines Pinot Noir
Ripe and juicy with succulent acidity and bright red fruit. A hint of mountain rusticity brings vibrancy, while elevated growing conditions and proximity to the sea lend definition and finesse. Framed by oak and spice, this is a food-friendly wine with aging potential.
Score: 94 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #28
G&C Lurton Vineyards 2023 Enigma Cabernet Franc
Dusty red-fruited with a firm line of minerality and freshness. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is bright and pure, with dark red and black fruits, red pepper, and savory spice. The tannins grip through the finish, making this an ideal match for grilled meats or game.
Score: 94 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #29
SRJC Shone Farm Winery 2024 Cultivating the Future Rosé of Pinot Noir
Clean, fresh, and vibrant, this Rosé is approachable and bright with succulent acidity. Medium- to light-bodied, it is playful and pleasing with great drinkability. A versatile option for nearly any occasion.
Score: 91 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #30
Hirsch Vineyards 2024 Block 4B Pinot Noir
Bright and floral with seductive red fruit. The acidity is ripe and unfolds slowly to reveal layers of structure. Still tightly wound, this wine has excellent aging potential and a long, satisfying finish. Nicely done!
Score: 96 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #31
Landmark Vineyards, Marchelle Wines 2023 A Lorenzo Legacy Chardonnay
Elegant and pure, this Chardonnay reveals notes of brioche, yellow apple, and sautéed almonds with lemon pastry cream. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers vibrant citrus tones, fine oak spice, and a clean, expressive finish. A lingering note of popcorn kernel adds charm. Bravo!
Score: 96+ | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #32
J Vineyards & Winery 2014–2024 Decennial Sparkling Wine (Chardonnay)
A blend of 10 vintages focused on freshness and quality. This sparkling wine shows bright acidity with expressive notes of Meyer lemon, green apple skin, and yellow citrus. Medium-bodied with a soft nutty character, it finishes long and spicy. This beauty is ready for sushi or aged cheeses.
Score: 94 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #33
Pride Mountain Vineyards 2023 Rock Arch Cabernet Sauvignon
Polished and vibrant, this Cabernet overflows with juicy fruit, elegant oak, and a soft savory spice. Medium to full-bodied, it is beautifully structured and layered, offering seductive fruit, earthy depth, and long aging potential. A focused, complex wine with bold finesse. Wow!
Score: 97 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #34
Joseph Jewell, Panther Ridge, Brooks Note 2023 Fellowship of the Panther Pinot Noir
Focused and juicy with ripe black cherry and raspberry, this Pinot Noir layers potpourri spice and black tea with a fresh, food-friendly structure. Medium to full-bodied, it finishes firm and bright. Nicely done!
Score: 93 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #35
Knights Bridge Winery 2023 Voice of the Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Rustic and firm with a ferric edge, this wine reflects its red-soil origins. Notes of graphite and freshness persist, while the structure tightens with time. Elegant and refined, this will soften and integrate beautifully over a decade. Be patient.
Score: 93+ | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #36
Mauritson Wines, Sangiacomo Family Wines 2024 Tio Dieci Chardonnay
Made in a concrete egg and French oak, this Chardonnay is slightly reductive, yet still tight and complex. Aromas of baking spice, Meyer lemon, sautéed apple, and caramel somersault into a long finish. Medium to full-bodied and irresistible, just try to keep your hands off it for the first few years.
Score: 96+ | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #37
MacRostie Winery & Vineyards 2024 Nightwing Nocturne Pinot Noir
A bolder style of Pinot Noir, showing floral aromatics and structured depth. Cherry cola and oak spice lead to a lingering finish. Medium to full-bodied, it is expressive, firm, and built to age with grace. Nicely done.
Score: 94+ | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #38
Acaibo 2022 Jarre Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Fresh and softly mineral with berry fruit and oak spice. A portion fermented in terra cotta amphorae brings textural uniqueness. Red and black cherries mingle with dusty plum and red pepper. Very food-friendly with a tannic edge and long aging potential.
Score: 94+ | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #39
Martinelli Vineyards & Winery 2024 135 Years of Winegrowing Zinfandel
Lighter and more delicate than previous vintages, this Zinfandel leans toward red fruit and floral tones. Cherry and plum pie aromas lead into a medium-bodied palate framed by spice and freshness. Well-managed, never sappy or over-oaked. Best served with a slight chill.
Score: 91 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #40
Williams Selyem & Benovia Winery 2024 Terra Rossa Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #41
Rodney Strong Vineyards 2023 New Heights Cabernet Sauvignon
Classic and juicy with plenty of structure, finesse, and a grounded sense of place. Notes of mocha, oak, and spiced plum compote lead into a medium to full-bodied wine with firm tannins and a lingering finish. This wine is built for steak. Decanting recommended.
Score: 95 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #42
Twomey 2024 Harmony in Heritage Pinot Noir
Open and approachable, this Pinot is soft and wide on the palate. Slightly gooey in texture, it could use more brightness and lift to carry its red-fruited charm. A pleasant wine, though lacking vibrancy.
Score: 88 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #43
Ridge Vineyards 2024 Fredson Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
A classic, red-fruited expression of Cabernet with beautifully integrated American oak. Medium to full-bodied, this wine is fresh, structured, and lighter in style, finishing with bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Fresh and spicy—great with food.
Score: 92 | Cases produced: 20
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #44
Papapietro Perry Winery 2024 Heritage Selection Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #45
Linked Vineyards 2023 The One Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #46
Kosta Browne 2024 Terra & Tempus Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #47
Medlock Ames 2024 Convergence Malbec Blend (Malbec 66%, Cabernet Sauvignon 34%)
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #48
Naidu Wines 2023 Endless Patience Pinot Noir
Elegant and expressive, this Pinot is spicy and floral with peppery aromatics and layers of turned earth, crunchy red fruit, and potpourri. It finishes with a spicy lift that begs for food. Brilliantly balanced, shiny, and vibrant, this Pinot is loaded with yum-factor!
Score: 94+ | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #49
Patz & Hall 2024 Cluster Struck Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #50
Williams Selyem 2024 4 Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 20
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #51
Ravenswood 2024 The Conspiracy Zinfandel
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #52
Saintsbury 2024 Anfora Luisona Chardonnay
Mineral-driven and ethereal, this Chardonnay made in Italian amphorae offers sweet citrus and lemon oil aromas with a dusty mineral core. Medium-bodied and cerebral, it expresses varietal purity in a graceful, textural frame. A wine that invites another sip. Nicely done.
Score: 92 | Cases produced: 10
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #53
Tamber Bey Vineyards 2024 One and Done Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #54
Sojourn Cellars 2023 Sky’s the Limit Pinot Noir
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #55
Skipstone 2023 Pocket Peak Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine was not sampled.
Score: — | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #56
Vaughn Duffy 2024 Generations of Pinot Pinot Noir
Bright, expressive, and juicy with fresh florals, spiced potpourri, and a touch of salinity. This Pinot Noir is immensely pleasurable, showing wild cherry, raspberry, and supporting oak nuances. Medium-bodied, fleshy, and succulent with a spicy finish. Impressive!
Score: 96+ | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #57
WALT 2024 East Blocks Pinot Noir
Firm, juicy, and expressive with a core of red fruit. Notes of oak spice and turned earth rise from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it finishes with a tight, grippy edge and promises beauty upon release.
Score: 94 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #58
Salty Goats 2024 Coastal Brotherhood Pinot Noir
Clean, fresh, and complex, this Pinot Noir is red fruit–driven with finesse and purity. Notes of turned earth, cranberry, and black cherry interlace with graphite and pencil lead. A long, spicy finish makes this a very food-friendly wine. Nicely done!
Score: 94 | Cases produced: 5
SoCoBA 2025 Auction Lot #59
Silver Oak 2023 Essence of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon 79%, Petit Verdot 21%)
Dense and chewy, this Cabernet is blended with 21% Petit Verdot and is marked by classic American oak notes of vanilla and coconut. It shows roasted espresso and bitter dark chocolate on the palate. Firm and structured, this wine will benefit from additional time in bottle and will be best enjoyed with food.
Score: 91 | Cases produced: 20
