Bob Cabral Wines

My first 2026 tasting, the Bob Cabral Wines Backstage Lounge Experience, set a high bar for the rest of the year. A rock fan with real-life rock pals, Bob Cabral has even made wines for a few. The memorabilia adorning the tasting space’s walls include a guitar signed by Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani, as well as posters from concerts going back decades.

Prior to visiting, guests are asked about their favorite bands and concerts, information hospitality director Jason Robinson uses to compile a Spotify playlist. I went esoteric with Captain Beefheart, Ian Dury & the Blockheads, and Cecil Taylor. The unflappable Robinson engineered a memorable soundtrack.

Cabral, who established Bob Cabral Wines in 2015, is best known for his high-scoring Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at Williams Selyem (1998–2014) and Three Sticks Wines (2015–2021). These days, he consults at Bricoleur Vineyards, among other gigs. Having recently completed his 46th harvest, he’s dialed in on everything from rootstocks and clones to fermentation and French oak.

A grape grower featured in a winery video extols Cabral’s wines for the way they “sing.” I also admire their range, from the pep and power of the no-new-oak 2024 Acoustic Sunrise Chardonnay and dynamic 2022 Electric Hippy Pinot Noir to the elegant 2021 Anne Rose Chardonnay (wouldn’t have guessed it had 60% new French oak) and 2021 Troubadour Pinot Noir.

The contrast between the 2018 and 2019 Wildflower Rieslings (I’d previously tasted the former) seemed all about sensitivity to vintage, with the soon-to-be-released 2020 Hyland Oregon Riesling in tune with Bob’s focus on site expression.

Bob and his wife, Heather Cabral, who’s heavily involved in marketing, don’t take a salary – “I can consult to keep the lights on at home,” he says – allowing the community-minded couple to donate some of the proceeds to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin and other local nonprofits.

The Bob Cabral tasting room is in Santa Rosa on the 155-acre grounds of Paradise Ridge Winery. Laura Kimpton’s gigantic “LOVE” sculpture, one of the estate’s many outdoor installations, is near the front door, a sign you’ve arrived. I know I’ll be back for the release of the limited-edition Tempranillo-dominant wine Bob crafted with Sammy H. Can’t wait to see how that duet plays out.

Why go: Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir by a Sonoma County legend; rock-themed tasting room; winery philanthropy.