Farewell Stryker…Thanks for the Memories

Last month, I received an e-mail notification from Stryker Sonoma. “After 17 years of successful operations, Stryker Sonoma’s proprietor, Pat Stryker, has sold the Stryker Sonoma winery…So it is with gratitude to you, our loyal customers, that we say goodbye. The property sold this week to Foley Family Wines, and the Stryker Sonoma brand will be discontinued.” 

We have been members of Stryker for many years and have enjoyed the Zinfandels and Bordeaux varietals this beautiful winery, perched on a knoll above Highway 128 in Geyserville, has produced. We have brought many guests over the years to enjoy the glass-walled tasting room, which has one of the best sweeping views of Alexander Valley I have ever seen. Unsurprisingly, the tasting room has received architectural awards and acclaim for its beauty.

The staff have always been friendly and welcoming. We had come to expect Leon behind the tasting bar when we arrived to pick up our shipments, and always appreciated Heather, the wine club manager, and her support in helping us customize shipments and send gifts to friends and family. The barbecues on the grassy terrace and tastings out on the patio were always reasons for us to make the trip from our East Bay residence.

And, yes, the winery does have a connection to the medical behemoth, Stryker Corporation. Proprietor Pat Stryker is the granddaughter of the enterprise’s founder. She and her team did an admirable job creating the Stryker brand since its inception in 1999, producing about 5,000 cases per year. We particularly enjoyed that the winery showcased varietals like Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Tannat, and Malbec.

The new brand, Foley Sonoma, will begin to phase out Stryker and will have a larger production, to be headed by Bill Foley’s daughter, Courtney. Foley Sonoma will utilize the existing Stryker property, which means the beautiful location and tasting room will continue on. In the meantime,  I contacted Stryker and asked about wine availability. As of the date of this publishing, I was told Stryker wines will be available for the next several months. So if you can, plan a visit and try the wines before they completely disappear.

Thank you, Stryker, for the many years of great wine, events, and hospitality…you will be missed!