Banshee Wines opens new tasting room in Alexander Valley

It’s been a very good year for Banshee Wines.

Not only did the Foley Family winery rank as one of the top 10 ultra-premium wine brands in California — revenue rose 52% in the last year — every wine in Banshee’s portfolio has seen a significant uptick in growth.

For consumers, however, Banshee’s most exciting accomplishment may be the opening of its expansive new tasting room in Alexander Valley on Nov. 30, a big step up from its former modest digs in downtown Healdsburg.

Fans of the original location can rest assured Banshee’s laid-back vibe has carried over into the winery’s new home, along with its trademark vinyl record collection, plaid flannels, quirky cupped-hand chairs and delicious wines.

“It’s kind of like we moved out of an apartment and into our first house,” said Alicia Sylvester, 35, Banshee’s winemaker since 2021. “We’re still a young millennial brand and have a long way to grow, so it’s exciting to have this new space.”

Located in Geyserville, the new Banshee tasting room previously housed Foley Sonoma winery, which had occupied the 24-acre property since 2016.

Designed in 2002 by Nielsen Schuh Architects and original owner Stryker Sonoma winery, the building won the American Institute of Architects’ Architectural Design Award for Northern California that same year.

In its new home, the Banshee Wines tasting room has a modern, rustic aesthetic that hints of hipster, with cozy fireplace nooks, vineyard views and comfortable seating both inside and out.

While the brand hopes to move wine production to the property in 2024 or 2025, its wines are currently produced at Foley Family’s Ferrari-Carrano and PreVail wineries, both in Sonoma County.

In the meantime, the barrel room is serving as a special event space, with the original tasting room’s iconic El Pino Club sign serving as a centerpiece.

While future plans for the property’s 17 acres of vineyards are currently undecided, Sylvester is excited about the prospect of working with one or more of its eight varieties, which include carignane, carmenere, zinfandel and tannat.

But Banshee’s new tasting room is just the first step in a new chapter for the brand, which was purchased by Foley Family Wines from cofounder Baron Ziegler and his partners in 2018.

Ziegler, who owns Marine Layer Wines in Healdsburg and wine importer Valkyrie Selections, founded Banshee to produce affordable, cool-climate pinot noirs.

Today, Sylvester is continuing that legacy with her own flair and renewed attention on fruit from Sonoma County, which she believes is at the heart of Banshee.

“When I talk about our wines, I always say the real rock star is the fruit in the vineyard,” Sylvester said. “It’s my job to elevate that, not cover it up.”

Single-vineyard pinot noir and chardonnay continue to be a focus, along with sauvignon blanc, rosé, cabernet sauvignon and a red blend. Currently, one of Banshee’s most popular wines is the Ten of Cups California Brut, a lively, méthode champenoise sparkling for just $30 a bottle.

Appealing to younger wine drinkers wasn’t necessarily part of Banshee’s original plan, but it’s something the brand has continued to accomplish.

With her vibrant, youthful spirit, Sylvester is clearly a great fit for the winery, and she appreciates that it helps her to connect with millennial wine drinkers.

“As a younger winemaker, I can talk to people about wine in layman’s terms, whether I’m chatting about barrels in different shades of lipsticks or comparing wine flavors to steak seasonings,” Sylvester said. “People will say, ‘Hey! I get that!’”

Given her youthful appearance, Sylvester admits she’s received some skepticism from some “older men” who have questioned her age and qualifications.

“That’s when I get a little frustrated and ask them their age,” she said. “They could just tell me I have a great skincare routine!”

Since joining Banshee in 2021, Sylvester said, she hasn’t made any significant changes to the wines. Her goal has always been to better understand the history of the brand before making measured adjustments.

“Banshee is a very whimsical brand. We’re not here to take wine too seriously,” Sylvester said. “At the end of the day, we’re here to build conversations over wine and help people create sensory memories that last a lifetime.”

Banshee Wines offers nine tasting experiences, including classic flights, caviar and bubbles pairings, library lineups and cheese and charcuturie pairings.

You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @whiskymuse.