Ruby Hill Winery, May 11, 2013

Winery - 6 / Wines - 4
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Friendly atmosphere, interesting decorating items, and deli counter.  Many wine varietals.
www.rubyhillwinery.net

Ruby Hill operates in the sweet spot of the wine world.  Their wines are usually good, some are great, and all are priced reasonably.  If you are looking for a well-made, $15 to $30 bottle of balanced, tasty wine, this may be the winery for you.  If you are in Livermore valley, then you should consider stopping by to taste their wines.  My sister was a wine club member here for a number of years and enjoyed most of the wines they produce.  The make nearly every variety of wine, mostly from grapes grown on their own estate in Livermore (importing as needed for quality).  The atmosphere inside the tasting room is always fun, with a dedicated stretch of the tasting bar for wine club members to provide better service.  You’ll find all kinds of amusing wine-related home décor, as well as a counter where you can purchase cheeses or deli meats.  There is even a spot in one corner furnished with toys to amuse the youngsters while the adults enjoy a sip.


The Ruby Hill winery building

From the outside, Ruby Hill looks like a well-façaded warehouse, with tile roofing, arched windows and cut-outs, a porch surrounding the building, and some stonework demarking the entry to provide some relief from the stucco walls.  They did a great job making a warehouse look like a villa with unexpected details like wrought iron inserts, large wooden doors, and hanging lanterns.  As the weather is usually warm or hot in Livermore Valley, you won’t likely spend much time outdoors.  Inside, the air is cooled and comfortable.  The walls are done in a creamy yellow with dark wood accents throughout.  A large, U-shaped tasting bar occupies the middle of the room, with the club-member corral on the left side and the rest open to the public.  The floors are a practical finished concrete.  Along the side walls and between the tasting bar and the entrance you can find all sorts of fun wine-related items to add some personality to your home.  (e.g., One sign for sale read “I used to care, but now I take a pill for that.”)  Off to the right as you enter is the play area for kids which is well equipped and far enough away from the tasting bar to keep them occupied and out of trouble.  There are additional tasting areas outside for those days when the sunny weather is perfect.


Inside the Ruby Hill tatsing room

The tasting flights offered include a mix of white and red wines, including a sparkling wine.  We asked for a strictly red wine flight and they accommodate our wishes.  We started off with a 2010 Pinot Noir from Monterrey, followed by a 2011 Zinfandel, a 2010 Sangiovese, a 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and ended with a 2010 Petite Sirah, all of which were grown on their Livermore estate (except for the Pinot).  My favorite was the Petite Sirah for its focus and balance.
Based on this experience, I would rate the winery as a 6 and the wines offered as a 4.  This has been consistent as long as I have been visiting Ruby Hill.