Newsome-Harlow Wines

My wife decided to stop by after lunch. We were greeted by a gentleman that was very knowledgeable and eager to assist us. He explained the $ 10 tasting fee that will be applied to each purchase. Explained each wine we tasted in detail. I informed him I’m more of the red wine drinker, and he pulled out a bottle that was not part of the list which was very good. We ended purchasing the Petite Sirah, The Deviant, and Sauvignon. All in all we had a great experience with our host, and one other couple in the tasting room. Sitting area available just before you enter the tasting area if you decide to buy a bottle and enjoy some fine wine.

ZERO stars. In fact, negative stars. After purchasing 4 bottles of wine then being charged tasting fees, I’m appalled. For a town that thrives on traffic for business, you’d think they would at least waive these fees since there were 6 of us paying $ 10 to taste. Having a sever come out and ask if we’re finally done tasting is just plain rude. We were pushed out because they were just done working. I will never ever be back and I will not recommend this place to anyone. Save yourself a trip and don’t go here.

Just opened up their 2011 Zinfandel and it is GOOD! I couldn’t remember where I bought this and when but now I do. — I bought it about two years ago and it has been sitting around — now I need to go back and buy more!

After a first fun and engrossing visit to Newsome-Harlow’s elegantly furnished, sleekly-​designed Main St tasting room, I couldn’t help think about the celebrity effect of the Food Network and similar cable/​Internet content providers on American wine-​and-​dine culture. Because even if the resident winemaker, Scott K., isn’t actually there with you pouring his masterfully crafted Sierra Foothills wines with the attractive black labels and playful, flamboyant names, well … he kinda is.
Imagine for a moment if Alice Waters hadn’t called her trend-​setting New Californian restaurant in Berkeley what she actually did — Chez Panisse — but chose to call it «Alice’s Watering Hole.» Sure, she’s a famous name now, but it didn’t start that way. Many people go to wineries to try wines and never ever think about asking who the winemaker is; they focus on the artwork on the label, or the 90+ rated brand, or the fancypants estate itself. I mean, who knows the name of the people who make the wines in Bordeaux? Who are the brains and brawn behind Seven Deadly Zins or Gnarly Head or Pomelo or Schoolhouse Red or whatever the name on the bottle happens to be?
So, celebrity chefs, meet celebrity winemakers. You know some of these men and women, if you spend much time in California wine country. Helen Turley and Morgan Twain-​Peterson for Napa. Steve Brewer and Greg Clifton for Santa Rita Hills. Martin Ray, Paul Draper, and David Bruce for the Santa Cruz Mountains. Randall Grahm at Bonny Doon. It’s actually quite a long list and likely goes all the way back to the Judgement of Paris and the Napa wine renaissance in the 1970s. And the truth of the matter is that there are honest-​to-​goodness, genuine wine pioneers and pathfinders who literally helped put new AVAs on the map (think: Gary Eberle for Paso Robles) or deserve credit for promoting new grape varietals or wine styles (like Kent Rosenblum for Zinfandels made in urban wineries in the East Bay).
You shouldn’t experience Newsome-​Harlow without acknowledging the charismatic aura of a star winemaker inhabiting the room. And that’s not a bad thing — at all. Because the wines are expressive of an inspiring enological vision and reflect years, decades, of work in and around cellars and fields and tasting rooms. And it celebrates a sort of wine region underdog in that the Sierra Foothills AVA isn’t as easily identified with fine ‘n fancy wines the way that the valleys of Sonoma, Napa, Anderson, Dry Creek, Alexander, Edna, Santa Inez, Russian River, etc. are.
And the wines taste amazing, whether you’ve just flown in from Texas and are thirsty for a big and bold and slightly brashy Zin or an AVA nuthead trying to tease out what makes Amador and Calaveras and El Dorado terrior so interesting to work with. The buzz generated by the release of limited production wines, which seem to sell out fast (such as their Sauvignon Blanc), that’s good for the bottom line and helps pay off the bills. What seems really exciting in the current lineup of 2013s and 2014s (the ones we tasted, anyway) was that Newsome-​Harlow was doing creative things with workhorse reds like Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, and Carignane, mixing up the whites with Chenin Blanc and Viognier (which works rather well for Pine Ridge and Clarksburg growers), and offering a palette of Zin styles and single-​vineyard selections to choose from (something done amazingly well in Lodi by McCay Cellars, for example, using old vines that make that AVA so special). It would be fascinating to see what NH could do with Iberian varietals or southern Italian, Corsican, and Sicilian ones.
The current imbalance in the wine portfolio, which has not enough whites and a few too many Zins (although this is debatable), is a bit of a limiting factor imo. A deeper and broader array of styles and varietals would better showcase the winemaker’s talents. It would also be worthwhile to hold back some of the reds a few years longer before release, if only for reserve bottlings. For my part, I’ll be content to cellar my 2013 Calaveras County Zin and 2013 Dalton Ranch Carignane/​Syrah, both of which tasted outstanding young. Train Wreck, an attention-​getting ⁵⁵⁄₄₅ Cabernet+Merlot using local Chatom vineyard and Rolleri vineyard grapes, also warrants a second sip (or two), esp. for savoring the wild blackberry, crushed flower petal, and Sierra foothills mineral notes from the Cab component. I admire the use of native yeasts and experienced application of artisan methods to make distinctive wines that demand respect and that reward the taste buds, and that should pair superbly well with high-​quality, locally-​sourced food. There are good reasons why these wines are in demand.
In another, greener and warmer season, we’ll return to Murphys to taste again, and NH will be high priority on the radar, once a newly bottled batch of their award-​winning wines are ready. Hard to be unhappy about that!

Super friendly and great wines. They were about to close so we didn’t do a full tasting but they let us taste a couple wines and then buy a bottle. We were able to sit on the back patio and enjoy a glass of wine while our kids played in the park right there. When the tasting room closed, we went and sat in the park with our wine. It was a beautiful day and we sat by the creek while our kids played-​it was perfect! The tasting room also has a really nice patio in the front-can’t wait to go back and try the rest of their wines!

This place has very good Zins but the $ 10 tasting fee is a little steep for a small tasting room in Murphys with no view. Also our pourer was not rude but very pretentious and uninterested in our party. I would give this place 2 stars if it were not for a very nice gentlemen who bought us a bottle of wine to try with the wine we had purchased because he said the two wines paired well together! That’s great customer service! Also to only waive one tasting room fee after buying a bottle of wine is a little cheap to me. This is not Napa so I think they should stop acting like we are in Napa and teach their pourers to provide better customer service!

I liked several of their wines but our group didn’t have a particularly good time overall — and for a $ 10 tasting fee per person, skimpy pours and $ 24 bottles I’d expect to have a better time! The server wasn’t outright rude but she wasn’t very nice, either. She was disinterested in our experience at best. I was also disappointed that we were told we couldn’t open the bottle we had just bought to drink on their patio because they were close to closing. I felt like we had enough time for a quick glass — after all, they weren’t closed yet! — but I didn’t argue since she was so unwelcoming. Would it have killed her to let us relax on the patio while they closed up?
California is full of great wine at great prices so, to me, wine tasting is all about service and overall experience. Murphy’s isn’t Napa — $ 10 is high so pour more, be nicer, or waive more than one tasting fee with purchase — do something to make your customers feel welcome!
The most pleasant part of the tasting was when the couple tasting next to us gifted us a bottle of wine on our way out! It was an unexpected and generous gesture.

Good wines. Horrible service. When it takes a third person to handle 6 people in the room, you know something is wrong. Service should be a priority.

I spend a majority of the year in this area and NH remains my favorite. Murphy’s offer the same feel Sonoma did when I was a kid oh so long ago, before pretension invaded and overtook the valley. NH offers delicious wines. The best damn Zins in the state. Jammy, bold and and oh smooth. The Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and makes a tremendous drink-​alone and pairing wine.
I miss the cooking Melly did when they served food, but alas, things change. And I miss the Donner Party of past years. Let’s hope they return to the old blend next year. Until then I’ll keep drinking those spectacular Zins.
Sit on the patio, enjoy a bottle or two with friends and then tour the rest of Murphy’s. You’ll certainly recapture California’s wine legacy — and don’t forget the E Clampus Vitus Wall across the street, to remind you of the state’s rich history.

Great vibe in the tasting room and courtyard, friendly folks and fantastic wines. We are wine club members and the club parties are outstanding with unique and delicious food pairings. Trip to Murphys is not complete without stopping by Newsome-​Harlow.

I don’t often get up to Murphys, but when I do, I prefer Newsome Harlow. The wines are outstanding, and their different varietals and blends suit many tastes. Complex, but very drinkable. The tasting room is pleasant, and the staff is delightful. I have met the owner Scott and his wife Mel on several occasions, and they are really nice. Hard to go wrong here! I would recommend bringing a few bottles home with you. Every time I share one with friends, they love it! Hell, join the wine club while you’re at it.

One of many tasting rooms in miniature Murphys, this neighborhood was fun to visit even though we were just driving by.
My nose liked their wines, but they smelled differently than they tasted. Unfortunately, the aroma was better than the body. Although I didn’t find anything of great interest, it’s still good wine that was properly priced.
With the option of outdoor seating and wines by the glass, this tasting room can be useful for afternoon or pre-​dinner drinks.
The $ 5 tasting fee is waived with purchase.

We love this winery! We had a great girls weekend. Barbara, our pourer, is attentive and fun. Get there early, grab a couch on the outdoor patio, share a bottle of wine with your friends. If you’re hungry order sushi next door. They will deliver. Best winery in Murphys.

Fabulous wine meets fabulous family. We stumbled on this treasure on a trip to Murphy, CA. about three years ago. It is the only wine club I belong to and Barbara takes great care to see I get my coveted Sav Blanc. Thank you so much!

This place is amazing! We were in town for one night, and ended up totally scoring at Newsome-​Harlow. They had live music in the outdoor patio area — ended up buying a CD the guy was so great. They also said to come back later because there would be an outdoor movie showing that night. What could be better than watching Caddyshack outside at a wine tasting room?!? Wish we lived closer — definitely going back if we are in town again. The wine was also very spectacular!

I often have a hard time with Unilocal’s star ratings not matching the descriptions. But in the case of Newsome-​Harlow, «Woohoo! As good as it gets!» is bang on the nose.
I came to California liking wine. Not loving it, liking it. I’m more of a beer man. But as time has gone on, my taste for the sauce has skyrocketed. Alas, the days of me being quite happy with a bottle of Charles Shaw are now gone, but since we’re not made of money, my wife and I are on a permanent quest to find the perfect sweet spot of damn good wine at a fair and reasonable price. And this little diamond in Murphys is IT.
Walk in, and the first thing you notice is that the people are awesome. Barb in the tasting room is an absolute gem, bestowing her quick wit, fine knowledge of wine, and ample tastings to all those who sidle up to the bar. But that’s not why we’re here, is it? It’s the sauce. That sweet, sweet sauce…
I could write mini reviews of each one. But in an effort to not bore you to death with overly verbose ramblings, here’s my good friend Emeril Lagasse to talk to you about their various offerings…
Savignon Blanc? BAM!
Train Wreck? BAM!
Calaveras Zin? BAM!
Big John Zin? BAM!
Syrah? BAM!
Shake Ridge? BAM!
Meritage? BAM! BAM!
Herbert Zin? BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!!! (Kablooie!)
Er, thanks… go toss some garlic in something while I get back to this. (And yes, the Herbert Zin is THAT good.)
So there you have it. An awesome winery in an awesome part of the world, run by awesome people, and producing awesome wines. Next time you’re up there, you’re bararse CRAZY if you don’t stop by (join the wine club — seriously, it’s worth it) and if Barb’s manning the pours, tell her that her 485^th favourite Irishman sent you.

If you’re in Murphys, this is a must-​stop. Welcoming, laid back, and fantastic wines. What more do you need? Oh, the tastings are served in Riedel stemware. Always a plus.
Over the course of three days, we paid two visits. The first visit was our last stop after a couple of other wineries, so instead of really paying attention to what we were tasting, we were more concerned about getting a cold bottle of Sauvignon Blanc to savor on our cabin’s patio. Melanie was delightful & we never felt pressure to buy anything.
On our second visit, we were able to spend a little more time tasting, learning & enjoying. Melanie heard me lamenting the fact that our cabin was equipped with lipped stemware only. She very kindly suggested we borrow the Riedel & leave it on the back porch on our way out of town. In addition, she highly recommended we visit a competitor, La Folia, just down the street. We were very grateful she did.
Purchased wines: Sauv Blanc/​Petite Sirah/​Syrah: Excellent. (Well, all were great. These were my favorites.)
Love this place. You will, too.

We’ve been members here for years now. During that time we have gone to many other wineries with some successes and some failures.
Every time we go back to the tasting room for wine pickups and chat with Scott or Melanie or their other employees I remember why I like this winery so much. The owners and employees are great but the wine is ALWAYS fantastic. Each time I go there I feel like never going to other wineries because Newsome-​Harlow wines are sooo good.

My favorite tasting room in Murphys, strictly for the atmosphere and laid back vibe. My dad and husband are in love with their «Big John» wine, so much so that on our recent visit last weekend, my father joined the wine club JUST so he could pre-​order that specific wine!
I’m not much for reds, but I’ll drink a bottle of white if you’ll let me. They bottle the best Pinot Blanc I’ve ever enjoyed. I was super bummed to learn that they were totally out of white until February. Looks like we’ll have to make another trip next month!
Despite the cold weather (about 45 degrees), I enjoyed lounging on the outdoor couch in front of the fire — like I said, this place has got a great atmosphere!

How can I NOT give them 5 stars — even if the wine tastes like ass (which it doesn’t — it’s actually very well done), they have personality. The very first time we visited here several years ago, I thought it was kind of uppity and snooty, but I think that was just an isolated incident. Every other time we’ve been here, we’ve had a great time. And they have a wine called «Drama Queen.» Ok and another called «Train Wreck.» I know someone to whom BOTH terms would apply! Maybe I should buy her some…
Nah. More for me this way.