Ram's Gate Winery
Loading...
Winery Logo

Ram's Gate Winery

Los Carneros

Our Story

Founded in 2011, Ram’s Gate is entering a new era of winemaking excellence, focused on creating wine with character and poise. The winery’s portfolio showcases wines that are fresh, compelling and uncompromising in quality, sourced from vineyards that encompass the spirit of Sonoma County. The winery’s connection to the land is reflected in the breathtaking tasting room that overlooks the estate vineyard: 28-acres of organically farmed vines nestled in the southern tip of the Carneros AVA. Rooted in exploration, the Ram’s Gate Winery team brings a new perspective on refined elegance through thoughtful farming, transparent winemaking, genuine hospitality and sublime culinary experiences.

Wines:
Our portfolio of wines is crafted with a holistic eye on the process from farming practices rooted in sustainability and care for the land to winemaking techniques that adhere to the traditional while exploring new, innovative methods. Starting with our Sonoma Coast selections where you are introduced to our winemaking style, the wines are playful and enticing. The Cellar Note series engages your senses with the essence of each varietal and vintage. Our Single Vineyard program connect you to the unique terroir of our partner vineyards with wines that express their distinct character and personality. The Estate Collection of wines is where our terroir takes center stage and demonstrates what makes our corner of Sonoma County special. From start to finish you will experience compelling wines with elegance and character that reflect our dedication to classic wine styles with a California touch.

Experiences:
Crafting a holistic winery experience like no other is at the heart of a visit to Ram's Gate Winery. From our breathtaking tasting room overlooking our organically farmed vineyard enjoy a world-class tasting featuring our award-winning, elegant wines and genuine hospitality. Building on the sublime culinary experiences we are known for, reserve your place at the table for our Seasonal Wine and Food Experience or discover an exceptional way to pair wine and caviar. When put together, these are the elements for a stunning winery experience.

Meet the Winemaker

As General Manager and Winemaker at Ram’s Gate Winery, Joe Nielsen approaches winemaking with an unrivaled attention to detail and precision. Not only creative and compelling, he crafts wines that embody balance, verve and effortless elegance. Joe thrives on digging into a vineyard and finding out what makes it special.

Joe got his start in winemaking while a student at Michigan State University. He graduated in 2007 with a B.S. in Horticulture and eventually relocated to California for an internship at Merryvale Vineyards in Napa Valley. In 2009, at just 23 years old, he became cellar master at Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa. Impressing their team with his passion and thirst for knowledge he was quickly promoted to assistant winemaker before becoming head winemaker in 2013 where he expanded the winery’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay programs.

In 2018, Joe became director of winemaking at Ram’s Gate and spent his first year focused on digging into what makes the Ram’s Gate estate special. He doubled down on holistic farming, diagrammed vineyard soils and used pressure bombs to study its water needs, subsequently reducing water use by nearly 33%. Joe believes that being thoughtful with land management will lead to not only better wines, but an even better place for guests to visit and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

In 2021 he was promoted to General Manager and Winemaker. In this new leadership role, he continues to experiment with new techniques in the cellar and vineyards while elevating the hospitality experience.

Amenities

  • Food & Wine Pairing
  • Private Tours*
  • Wine Club
  • Scenic Views
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Indoor Seating
  • Unique Architecture
  • Gift Shop
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Large Groups OK
  • Event Space

Reviews

My Review

Recent Reviews

Profile Picture
Wine Routes

Ram's Gate Winery is truly a gem in the heart of Sonoma County. From the moment you arrive, you're greeted with stunning views of rolling hills and lush vineyards, creating the perfect setting for a day of wine tasting. The staff at Ram's Gate Winery is absolutely top-notch. Their hospitality and warmth make you feel like a VIP from the moment you walk through the door. They are incredibly knowledgeable about their wines and are eager to share their passion with you. You'll learn about the different varietals, the terroir, and the winemaking process, which adds to the overall experience. more...

Show More

Featured

Headed to the vineyards?

Tour wine country like a pro

Download the Wine Routes app to bring your routes, wineries, and interactive tastings wherever your journey takes you!

Headed to the vineyards?

Tour wine country like a pro

Download the Wine Routes app to bring your routes, wineries, and interactive tastings wherever your journey takes you!

Headed to the vineyards?

Tour wine country like a pro

Download the Wine Routes app to bring your routes, wineries, and interactive tastings wherever your journey takes you!