Bed & Barrel Stone House Cellars

Before heading up to Clearlake for a weekend I researched some wineries to visit with my friend. I was told that some required a reservation so I called Bed & Barrel Stone House Cellars and spoke to Jake on the phone about making an appointment. He said that typically people stay for about three hours. I thought to myself I have never spent that much time at a winery. Well little did I know until we got there what this place was all about. We ended up staying for about four hours. This was the most unique, interesting and relaxing experience I had ever had at a winery. 

Bed & Barrel Stone House Cellars is a home for friends and wine. This bed & breakfast and winery was started in 2010 by owners Greg Stratmann and Clinton Jones in Lake County. Both Greg and Clinton, along with their families, were seeking an escape from the hustle of everyday city life. Currently the winery is run by Greg and his wife Jimee Hwang who are both scientists.  Greg is a pediatric Anesthesiologist by day and a scientist by night. His wife Jimee is a medical epidemiologist. The Director of Operations Jake Bridges is a different type of scientist named a Counterintelligence Special Agent who is known as "Jake of all trades".  Jake is often seen with his Goldendoddle "Brewer" by his side helping oversee things at the winery. This group's philosophy when you visit is to "come and stay as you like, and let their home give you sight for the small and simple miracles. Laugh, break bread, and stay awhile", which we sure did!

When we arrived we were greeted by Greg and Brewer the dog. He had us come in and chatted with us a bit about what type of wine experience we would like to have, what are our favorite types of wine, etc. He then poured us each a glass of the Grenache Rosé to start with. It was delicious and refreshing. He asked if we would like to go on a tour with our wine in hand so he led us outside and we got into a jeep with another guest who was also staying there for the weekend. I felt like we were going on a safari. As we rode along on the bumpy dirt road I held on to the safety bar with one hand and my glass of Rosé with the other, trying not to spill it everywhere while giggling about the whole experience. 

"Before America was discovered native people lived in Lake County. They spent the summer at the lake and the winter on a shelf above Cache Creek because it was protected, had a mild climate and had an abundance of great water. This is the place that Stone House is now fortunate enough to call their home." In 1933 this was Pomo Land. The protected and natural springs provided the Pomo People with a wintering haven. This native statue is the last remaining piece from the Pomo People on the property. It was exciting to see it in person while looking out on the winery while on our tour. We learned much about the history and land from Greg as he drove us around on our little adventure. 

"Stone House Cellars has the ideal soil conditions for a large variety of complex wines. They have a great location for growing grapes. They are downhill from the High Valley, from which they get an afternoon breeze, which cools the grapes during the hot summers of Lake County. The elevation is around 1,400 feet, which is high enough to have the classic short growing season of a high altitude wine with it's intense flavors. All of these, combined with their commitment to cultivate less grapes per vine so that each grape is more flavorful, allows for truly delicious wines to come from this small and impressive boutique winery." 

After driving around a bit we headed back for more wine. This time Greg poured the Grenache. He then asked if we wanted to go see his llamas that protect the sheep from the coyotes on the property. So with Grenache in hand we headed back into the jeep to see the llamas. We got out of the jeep and were given food for the llamas. The whole time I still could not believe this amazing winery adventure was actually happening.  

After the llamas we proceeded on to the little stone house to take a look. "As an Agricultural Homestay and a Bed and Breakfast, the bindery is one of the handful in California that you can stay in to experience wine like you cannot in most wineries. If you want, you not only can get behind the scenes but look at the entire wine making process from the vine to the bottle". The winery is family friendly so you can even bring your kids, which next time we will. Later in 2018 the Stone House will be available to rent for a stay with your family or with friends. Currently it is being renovated.  

After our fun jeep adventure we went back to the main house to relax and taste more wine with other guests. Greg poured us a Zinfandel, a Pinot Noir, and several Cabernets. We were so relaxed sitting in this beautiful, comfortable, ultra modern open space sipping wine, chatting and making new friends. Greg and his friend even brought out some nuts and fresh fruit for snacking along with cooking us up a lovely pizza with pancetta and onions. I have never received such royal treatment at a winery before. 

I really want to come back and stay at the bed & breakfast with my family or friends. The outdoor space would be perfect to hang out in the evenings, have some BBQ and sip wine. It would be nice and cozy to come back here when the weather is cooler. This time it was really too hot to hang outside.  It would also be a perfect place to have a party with friends. 

The experience and wine at Stone House Cellars is amazing but it is not all about the wine when you come to visit Bed & Barrel. Your time there is about connecting with people and escaping the rat race. "Come as you are, stay as you like, and let their home help you breathe a little deeper. The wine is there to help." It was an experience that my friend and I will never forget.