InnAlexander Valley · Sonoma4.3 · 393
Geyserville Inn
Fireplaces in every room and a bocce ball court surrounded by Alexander Valley vines.
Wine LoversCouples Retreat
★★★3.0 mi
Dry Creek Valley · Sonoma County · Healdsburg
Amphora Winery
Rick Hutchinson ferments and ages wine in handmade Italian terracotta amphorae.
4.7(38)
Known forTeroldegoMourvèdreCave ToursBoutiqueArtistic WinemakingCouples
About Amphora Winery
Amphora Winery is renowned for its unique winemaking philosophy that combines the art of wine-making with the craftsmanship of pottery, using terracotta amphorae to enhance the terroir of their wines. Founded by Rick Hutchinson in 1997, the winery has evolved from a small operation in a redwood barn to a spacious facility in Timber Crest, where they produce small lots of various varietals, including rare selections like Teroldego and Mourvèdre. Visitors can enjoy a hands-on experience with a focus on balanced wines that reflect their origins, all while appreciating the artistry behind each bottle.
Why Visit Amphora Winery
Amphora produces Teroldego and Sagrantino alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, all fermented in terracotta vessels that add a layer of texture visitors can taste side-by-side with traditional oak-aged wines. Rick Hutchinson started this project in 1997 in a redwood barn before moving to the current Timber Crest facility.
- Teroldego and Sagrantino, rare Italian varietals, fermented in terracotta
- Rick Hutchinson founded Amphora in 1997 in a Dry Creek redwood barn
- $25 tasting covers 12+ varietals, including Aglianico and Mourvèdre
- Handmade Italian terracotta amphorae visible in the production space
The Setting
Tastings happen outdoors under a tent and shade structure on Dry Creek Road, with standup pours at the bar inside when weather turns. Amphora moved from its original redwood barn to this Timber Crest location, where the terracotta amphorae line the production space visible from where visitors stand. Nothing here resembles a traditional Dry Creek tasting room—pottery and winemaking share the same floor.
The Tasting Experience
The $25 Wine Tasting includes pours of 12 or more varietals, from Aglianico to Mourvèdre, many available only in small lots. Staff pour at the bar or outside depending on the day, and they'll explain how each wine spent time in those terracotta vessels rather than oak. Walk-ins are welcome, though reservations help during busy weekends.
The Tasting
Tasting experiences.
Prices and availability are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
Wine Tasting
$25Wine tastings are conducted outdoors under a tent/shade structure, with options to move indoors in inclement weather. Standup tastings are available at the bar in the Tasting Room. Groups can be accommodated up to a maximum of 6 people.
Reservation Required
The Pour
$58$65$55$46$40$36$37$44$35$58$42$38$42$45$48
Wine list. (16)
Prices are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
| Wine | Type | Vintage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley Concentrated dark fruit character, spiced with characteristic Cabernet Franc notes of cedar and chaparral. | Cabernet Franc | 2022 | $58 | |
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Timber Crest Vineyard The Timber Crest Vineyard is our go-to for Cabernet Sauvignon that expresses the complex character of the varietal. | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2017 | $65 | |
2017 Merlot Enjoy the quiet elegance of this wine, crafted from a vineyard just across Dry Creek Road from the winery. | Merlot | 2017 | $55 | |
2019 Petite Sirah, Bevill/Wolcott Vineyard This 2019 is our seventeenth vintage from the consistently wonderful Bevill/Wolcott Vineyard. | Petite Sirah | 2019 | $46 | |
2017 Aglianico Of all the Italian varietals we produce, our Aglianico is perhaps the most “Italianate” in character. The flavors are blend of red currant and black cherry, and the overall impression is complex and interesting. | Red Blend | 2017 | $40 | |
2017 Barbera This vintage expresses the more subtle aspects of a varietal known for dark color, and fruit-forward flavors. Aromas of cherry compote, clove and mushroom greet you in the glass. | Red Blend | 2017 | $36 | |
2018 Tempranillo Juicy dark berry fruit, lush texture, and sweet aromas enhanced by aging in American oak barrels. | Red Blend | 2018 | $37 | |
2019 GSM 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre. This delicious blend has proven to be both a staff and guest favorite every vintage. | Red Blend | 2019 | $44 | |
2019 Mourvedre Mourvèdre often presents a wild range of flavors and aromas, with meaty and animalistic notes nestled amidst spicy aspects. | Red Blend | 2019 | $35 | |
2019 Sagrantino This is Amphora’s first vintage of this rare and mysterious Italian varietal. | Red Blend | 2019 | $58 | |
2019 Tannat True to form, our 2019 Tannat shows its typical character of dark blue-black color, black fruit flavors. | Red Blend | 2019 | $42 | |
2020 Grenache This vintage is a bit bigger than the 2019, with a touch more tannic grip, and more dark fruit character. | Red Blend | 2020 | $38 | |
2020 Nebbiolo Riserva This wine was partially fermented in terracotta, and then spent a total of three years in barrel to mellow and deepen. | Red Blend | 2020 | $42 | |
2018 Syrah The 2018 Syrah is true to the spirit of this Rhône varietal: it is blue-black in color, with deep-noted aromas of blackberry. | Syrah | 2018 | $45 | |
Port, LPR For our 'Late-Picked Reserve' Port, we take Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel grapes at the peak of ripeness. | Zinfandel | NV | $48 |
2022 Cabernet Franc, Dry Creek Valley
Concentrated dark fruit character, spiced with characteristic Cabernet Franc notes of cedar and chaparral.
Cabernet Franc2022
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Timber Crest Vineyard
The Timber Crest Vineyard is our go-to for Cabernet Sauvignon that expresses the complex character of the varietal.
Cabernet Sauvignon2017
2017 Merlot
Enjoy the quiet elegance of this wine, crafted from a vineyard just across Dry Creek Road from the winery.
Merlot2017
2019 Petite Sirah, Bevill/Wolcott Vineyard
This 2019 is our seventeenth vintage from the consistently wonderful Bevill/Wolcott Vineyard.
Petite Sirah2019
2017 Aglianico
Of all the Italian varietals we produce, our Aglianico is perhaps the most “Italianate” in character. The flavors are blend of red currant and black cherry, and the overall impression is complex and interesting.
Red Blend2017
2017 Barbera
This vintage expresses the more subtle aspects of a varietal known for dark color, and fruit-forward flavors. Aromas of cherry compote, clove and mushroom greet you in the glass.
Red Blend2017
2018 Tempranillo
Juicy dark berry fruit, lush texture, and sweet aromas enhanced by aging in American oak barrels.
Red Blend2018
2019 GSM
65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre. This delicious blend has proven to be both a staff and guest favorite every vintage.
Red Blend2019
2019 Mourvedre
Mourvèdre often presents a wild range of flavors and aromas, with meaty and animalistic notes nestled amidst spicy aspects.
Red Blend2019
2019 Sagrantino
This is Amphora’s first vintage of this rare and mysterious Italian varietal.
Red Blend2019
2019 Tannat
True to form, our 2019 Tannat shows its typical character of dark blue-black color, black fruit flavors.
Red Blend2019
2020 Grenache
This vintage is a bit bigger than the 2019, with a touch more tannic grip, and more dark fruit character.
Red Blend2020
2020 Nebbiolo Riserva
This wine was partially fermented in terracotta, and then spent a total of three years in barrel to mellow and deepen.
Red Blend2020
2018 Syrah
The 2018 Syrah is true to the spirit of this Rhône varietal: it is blue-black in color, with deep-noted aromas of blackberry.
Syrah2018
Port, LPR
For our 'Late-Picked Reserve' Port, we take Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel grapes at the peak of ripeness.
ZinfandelNV
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Stay Nearby
View allInn
HotelRussian River Valley · Sonoma4.8 · 52
Appellation Healdsburg
Chef Charlie Palmer's kitchen garden supplies the omelet bar, and the terrace suites open onto vineyards.
Dog OK*CouplesWine Enthusiasts
★★★★★3.9 mi
Drive Times
From Sonoma hotels.
Estimated drive time from each hotel to Amphora Winery, ordered by proximity.
| Hotel | Drive | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Montage Healdsburg | ~12 min | Book |
| Hotel Healdsburg | ~14 min | Book |
| Farmhouse Inn | ~24 min | Book |
| The Lodge at Bodega Bay | ~47 min | Book |
| Olea Hotel | ~57 min | Book |
| Cottage Inn & Spa | ~1h 9m | Book |
Estimates based on straight-line distance with a wine-country routing factor. Actual drive times vary with traffic and route choice.
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