The best Sonoma wineries offer not only exceptional wines, but also a beautiful tasting experience. With its sprawling, picturesque grounds and wines with finesse and nuance, Lynmar Estate is both of these. This family-owned boutique winery offers guests an intimate, authentic taste of Sonoma’s terroir.
Beginning with a Vision
The evolution of Lynmar Estate is a story unique to its founders, Lynn and Anisya Fritz. In the beginning, it was their second home, and a place of respite from their busy jobs. The two are also founders of two other organizations, Fritz Companies, a global logistics firm later acquired by UPS, and Fritz Institute, a disaster relief nonprofit.
But over time, Lynn realized how special the estate truly was. He saw the opportunity for a new mission: to make the best possible wine, while sustaining the land.
Photo credit: Lynmar Estate
Photo credit: Lynmar Estate
The husband-wife team turned their business acumen towards creating a world-class winery. “In all our endeavors, we work backwards from the outcome to actions,” says Anisya. “At Lynmar, with winemaking and hospitality, we aim for excellence, but understand that this comes from small changes made year after year, with experimentation and constant learning.”
This mindset manifests itself throughout the entire team, from winemaker Pete Soergel, to chef David Frakes, to the hospitality team. “Over time, patterns emerge. We improve on our results from the previous year and learn from our mistakes, from the industry, and from each other,” reflects Anisya. “Yes, we are process-oriented. But the processes follow the goals. Processes simply remove the random variations in the connection between actions, making results more visible.”
Continuous Refinement
Nowhere is the passion for excellence more evident than in Lynmar Estate’s exceptional wines. Most wineries bottle varietals, like Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. Lynmar Estate takes things to the next level, with nineteen different clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The team tailors each block to individual clones, respecting the slightest differences in slope, sunlight, soil, and growing cycle.
Take the Quail Hill vineyard, for example. Most of its grapes tend towards a darker fruit profile. “The core components of the Quail Hill cuvee are 2A, Pommard, and 777, which add blue and black fruit aromatics and flavors,” says Anisya. “The Swan clone helps uplift and bring red fruits to the blend. The remainder of the clones in the Quail Hill blend add their own nuance to the final wine.”
In fact, Lynmar Estate even has its own unique clone. “Its development has been an evolution over time,” says Anisya. “At first, there were three selections planted at the property, ASW 1, 2, and 3. ASW 2 thrived in the soils at Quail Hill, and was more widely propagated across our estate vineyards. This is what is now referred to as the Quail Hill Select.”
As I learn more about Lynmar Estate, one thing is abundantly clear: it’s no accident that Lynmar Estate produces world class, critically-acclaimed wines. Their wines are a product not only of ideal terroir, but also of skill and process.
Terroir, Captured
“Each wine’s philosophy revolves around the expression of the vineyard site,” says Anisya. “The different clones contribute unique flavors, either singularly or in combination, to a final blend.”
Every row at Lynmar Estate has its own unique clones and characteristics. So, winemaker Pete Soergel vinifies 90 separate vineyard blocks. Only after this painstaking process does he select the final blend. This precision is what makes Lynmar Estate’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay so distinctive.
I had the opportunity to experience three of Lynmar Estate’s wines. Here are my tasting notes:
2018 Lynmar Estate Quail Hill Chardonnay
To me, this Chardonnay has the perfect amount of oak – just enough to be round and subtly creamy, while still allowing the purity of the fruit to shine through. Lovely aromatics of citrus blossom, honeysuckle, and pear enchant the nose. On the supple yet lightweight palate, lemon curd, perfectly-ripe pear, and toast are accentuated by crisp minerality and clean acidity.
2018 Lynmar Estate Quail Hill Pinot Noir
Fresh pine needle and forest aromas intertwine with Bing cherry and brambly berry aromatics in this layered, expressive Pinot Noir. On the palate, fresh acidity delineates approachable red fruit, with fine-grained tannins and hints of sweet spice on the finish. With its earthy notes, this Pinot Noir is absolutely perfect with salmon.
2021 Lynmar Estate Rosé
I dare any rosé lover not to like the Lynmar Estate Rosé! This is a lovely, beautifully balanced rosé brimming with melon, strawberry, red cherry, and herbal notes. It deftly balances crisp, fresh fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and a smooth, rounded body. It is delicious on its own, but is also an incredibly versatile food wine, with the potential to pair well with anything from roast vegetables to picnic fare.
Conscientious Winemaking
With climate change leaving no region untouched, Lynmar Estate sets a powerful example for environmental stewardship. Its estate borders the Laguna de Santa Rosa, a rich ecological system and habitat for wildlife. In order to protect this habitat, many of the estates are only partially under vine, with the remaining left as natural, pristine land.
“At Quail Hill, a 100-acre estate, we have 44 acres in vines, about 4-6 acres in buildings and gardens, and the remainder is left unfarmed,” notes Anisya. The estate is also carbon negative, relying on solar power. Its established vines are dry-farmed, with exceptions only made in years of extreme weather.
Estate Wine Tasting Experience
With lush gardens parting to reveal verdant, rolling vineyards, Lynmar Estate is much more more than wine alone. It also happens to be an excellent way to experience a more authentic, scenic side of Sonoma. All tastings overlook the expansive estate, whether you’re under the lofty, exposed-beam ceilings of the tasting room, or out amongst the vibrant blooms of its courtyard.
In particular, a delightful way to taste Lynmar Estate’s wines is through its culinary pairings. “David, who has been our executive chef for 12 years, is a great example of the Lynmar ethos – a master at his craft always looking for new ideas but true to his roots,” says Anisya. “His menus so beautifully reflect our ‘terroir’, the particularly unique herbs, vegetables, and fruits that grow on our property and in our community.”
From anise hyssop-salted popcorn and sparkling rosé, to basque-spiced lamb in Peruvian green sauce with Pinot Noir, each pairing is as imaginative as it is delicious. In fact, the team loves his popcorn and Chardonnay pairings so much that Anisya is hoping to create a recipe book of popcorn salts and oils that pair with wine.
“He is a master of surprise – introducing a new spice or flavor in his interpretation of a classic wine country pairing,” says Anisya. “Over the years he has brought in flavors from Morocco, Turkey, India, etc. to subtly enhance, but never clash with the flavors in the wine.”
Cuisine aside, those looking to immerse themselves in the Sonoma experience can reserve lodging at the Bliss House. With its calming neutral tones and modern amenities, this three-bedroom is a leisurely way to experience vineyard life. It overlooks the estate’s Quail Hill Vineyard.
The Final Sip
After tasting Lynmar Estate, I’m happy to add a new favorite to my top list of Sonoma wines. All of their wines have such a distinct sense of place, with complexity and nuance. To drink Lynmar Estate is to support the craftsmanship of wine, conscientious winemaking, and family-owned businesses. Learn more on their website.