CHICAGO -- In this edition of Taste, Bob Aldridge, chief financial officer at St. Francis Winery and Vineyards, explores his Sonoma County property.

Joe Martin started St. Francis Winery in 1971. He's a family man who wanted to translate his philosophy into the wine he creates.

Martin sought to create full-flavored wines to be enjoyed as “part of life, part of family, and part of the celebration of life.”

It seems he achieved this when St. Francis became so popular in the mid-80s that it was forced to expand into a larger facility.

St. Francis opened its new facility in 1999. It includes four vineyards and houses a full dining room, tasting room and kitchen.

St. Francis hired its own chef, with the purpose of pairing their wines with the great food of Sonoma County.

St. Francis Winery was initially known for its merlot, until recently when the winemakers branched into other Bordeaux wines such as cabarnets and zinfandels.

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St. Francis Visitors Center & Tasting Room
100 Pythian Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
800-543-7713 x242