Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery

Nearly two decades after the winemaker Martin Ray died, Courtney Benham came across 1,500 cases of Ray's wine in a San Jose warehouse, bought the name, and in 1990 began making wine under it again. Ray himself had worked in Saratoga, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, from 1943 to 1972, on the property now known as Mount Eden. In 2003 Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery moved to 2191 Laguna Road in the Russian River Valley, west of central Santa Rosa, to a site the winery describes as one of the oldest continually working wineries in California. Benham is the proprietor.

Wine, tastings and events

Three labels come out of the Laguna Road cellar: Martin Ray, Synthesis and Angeline. Grapes are sourced from the Russian River Valley, Napa Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains, which ties the modern winery back to Ray's original ground.

• Estate tastings, by reservation, Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• A wine club with regular shipments
• Hosted events, and the property itself available as an event venue
• An online store, with curbside pickup at the winery

Planning a visit

Book the tasting through the winery's reservation page rather than turning up, since walk-in space is not promised. Laguna Road is a narrow rural road, so plan on a designated driver or a car service, and allow extra time if you are coming out from Highway 101. Groups should ask about size limits when booking, and anyone planning a wedding, dinner or company gathering should ask for the venue's capacity, catering rules and the dates still open. Online orders can be collected curbside; confirm the pickup window before driving out. Wholesale and restaurant enquiries are best raised by phone or through the contact page.

Around the Russian River Valley

The winery sits among the vineyards between Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Forestville, a few minutes from Graton and a longer drive from Guerneville along River Road. Windsor, Healdsburg and Rohnert Park visitors reach it by way of Highway 101 and the country roads of Sonoma County.

The number on this listing, 707-823-2404, still appears on reservation and tourism listings, but the winery's own contact page gives a text line, 707-908-8993, so check the current phone before you set out.