Two Napa Valley destinations earned national recognition in Travel + Leisure’s 30th annual World’s Best Awards for 2025. The annual roundup, selected by readers, highlights the top-rated hotels, spas, cities, transportation and more around the globe. The awards reflect travelers’ favorite national and international spots and, this year, two Wine Country locations won three awards.

Solage, Auberge Resorts Collections, Calistoga

This luxury wellness retreat in Calistoga landed the No. 9 spot in the “Readers’ 15 Favorite Resorts in the Continental U.S.” category and also earned a spot in “Readers’ 100 Favorite Hotels in the World.”

The resort features 100 studio-style rooms and spacious suites with private patios, outdoor showers and sleek interiors inspired by the surrounding landscape. Guests are welcome to a 130-foot heated pool and the 20,000-square-foot wellness center with geothermal soaking pools, steam rooms, saunas and various spa treatments.

Solage, Auberge Resorts Collections has two places to dine: Solbar, which offers local, seasonal fare with indoor and al fresco dining areas; and Picobar, the poolside eatery serving contemporary Mexican cuisine.

A stay at Solage includes complimentary yoga and fitness classes, cruiser bikes, pickleball courts and curated outdoor experiences. The resort is a family- and pet-friendly space with thoughtful amenities, views of the Mayacamas and plenty of Wine Country charm.

Rates start at $765 per night. 755 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga, 866-942-7442, aubergeresorts.com/solage

Napa Valley Wine Train

The Napa Valley Wine Train rolled in at No. 3 in the “Readers’ 5 Favorite Trains in the World” category.

This Wine Country leisure transit staple delivers an elegant regional journey that blends gourmet dining, vineyard views and vintage luxury aboard restored 1915 Pullman railcars.

Guests are welcomed aboard then treated to multicourse meals prepared by executive chef Rodrigo Cuadra, with optional curated wine parings from Napa Valley’s top wineries. The six-hour Legacy Experience includes three winery stops with onboard narration about the region’s history. Other trips last up to three hours and include a variety of immersive, seasonal experiences.

A trip on the Napa Valley Wine Train starts at $202, depending on the experience and date selected. 1275 McKinstry St., Napa, 707-253-2111, winetrain.com

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When people gush about cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Sonoma County, there’s a pretty good chance they’re fans of Flowers Vineyards & Winery. For more than 30 years, the producer has been wowing wine lovers with elegant estate bottlings from the windblown western Sonoma Coast.

The story

Walt and Joan Flowers had already established a successful nursery business in Pennsylvania when a classified ad in Wine Spectator caught their eye. The 1989 listing advertised a property for sale on the Sonoma Coast: Camp Meeting Ridge. Though the region was unproven for viticulture at the time, the couple bought the rugged, 327-acre site just two miles from the Pacific Ocean and planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They launched Flowers Vineyards & Winery in 1991 and later acquired the Sea View Ridge vineyard site — this time, even closer to the ocean.

Shaped through the years by talented winemakers such as Steve Kistler, Hugh Chapelle and Ross Cobb, Flowers became a benchmark for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the far reaches of the west Sonoma Coast. In 2009, Huneeus Vintners — the owners of Faust and Quintessa in Napa Valley, among other brands — purchased the winery and the Flowers retired from the operation.

The vibe

Flowers opened its striking Healdsburg tasting room, House of Flowers, in 2019 after a full renovation of the former VML winery space. Set among lush gardens and towering redwood groves, the 15-acre property includes a stylish hospitality house, a winemaking facility and leafy gardens dotted with cozy tasting cabanas. Open and spacious, the light-drenched tasting room combines natural driftwood hues with richly colored contemporary art pieces. (I believe this is what rich folk call “laid-back luxury,” and I’m here for it.) Wall-sized windows showcase impressive views of Mount Saint Helena. There’s not a bad seat in the house — or outside on the patio.

On the palate

Like the tasting room, Flowers wines have an air of reserved elegance. Chilly vineyard sites and winemaker Chantal Forthun’s subtle use of oak combine to create wines that are vibrant yet texturally lush. The 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($55) is a beautifully balanced wine with green apple and lime-Mandarin citrus notes. The 2023 Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir ($100) is simply gorgeous, with earthy forest aromas, fresh acidity and red berry character. If you’re a fan of deeper, more complex Pinots, go for the 2023 Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot Noir ($75), a woodsy wine with blackberry and currant flavors.

Tastings range from $75 for a three-wine flight of Sonoma Coast bottlings paired with a crudité and snack board to $130 for an immersion tasting of Camp Meeting Ridge and Sea View Ridge wines paired with fancy bites from the winery’s in-house culinary team.

Beyond the bottle

Stop by the SingleThread Farm Store on the restaurant’s 24-acre farm for Michelin-star-worthy fresh produce and florals. You’ll also find Farm La-Yu and Ponzu sauces from the SingleThread kitchen, plus pantry staples, pottery and cookbooks. For a more immersive experience, you can book a farm tour, culinary workshop or falconry demonstration.

Flowers Vineyards & Winery is open Thursday through Monday by reservation. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-847-3661. flowerswinery.com

Tina Caputo is a wine, food, and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED, and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.

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Wine Country has long been a playground for the rich and famous. Drawn to the glamour of Napa Valley, or the laid-back, rural vibe of Sonoma County, celebrities are coming here to enjoy the good life — some of them are even making their own wine.

From rock stars to movie makers, race car drivers to football players, check out the VIPs who are making wine in Sonoma and Napa. Find more celebrity hot spots in Sonoma and Napa Wine Country here.

Meghan Markle — As Ever rosé

Actor and Los Angeles-born Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle recently released a Napa Valley rosé as part of her “As Ever” lifestyle and kitchen products brand. The wine, released July 1 on the anniversary of Princess Diana’s birthday, is a Provençal-style rosé bottled at Kunde Family Winery in Kenwood. Markle’s 2023 Napa Valley rosé — As Ever’s first wine — is already sold-out online, but a Napa Valley sparkling wine and additional varietals will follow, according to the PR team.

Jessica Biel — Prophet & Poet

Earlier this year, actor Jessica Biel unveiled her locally made wine brand at BottleRock Napa Valley 2025. Her Healdsburg-based label, Prophet & Poet, currently offers a Cabernet Sauvignon, two Chardonnays and two blended reds. Biel’s wine label originated in 2019 when Jesse Katz, winemaker of Healdsburg’s Aperture Cellars, created a red wine blend as a wedding present for Biel’s younger brother, Justin Biel. Katz later suggested to the Biel siblings that they turn that wine into a label, and they were immediately on board. Katz tapped Christopher and Ariel Jackson, of Jackson Family Wines, to collaborate on the label’s inaugural release. Both Jessica Biel and Katz poured the label’s wine at this year’s BottleRock during a VIP Platinum Lounge event.

Max Thieriot — Senses Wines

Max Thieriot, the brainchild and star of the drama TV series Fire Country, co-founded Senses Wines with childhood friends Christopher Strieter and Myles Lawrence-Briggs in 2011. The Occidental winery sources grapes from the West Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, producing an array of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ayesha Curry — Domaine Curry wines

Restaurateur, cookbook author and food television personality Ayesha Curry teamed up with her sister-in-law Sydel Curry (Steph Curry’s younger sister) and Napa’s Coup de Foudre Winery to launch wine label Domaine Curry in 2015. The sisters-in-law share a love of wine and have been spotted sipping wine at Scribe Winery in Sonoma. Their wines include the Domaine Curry Cabernet and the Domaine Curry Sauvignon Blanc.

Salma Hayek — Eisele Vineyard

Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband François-Henri Pinault own Eisele Vineyard east of Calistoga. In October 2020, Hayek made a public announcement on Instragram, in which she thanked the firefighters who saved the Calistoga vineyard from the Glass Fire. “I can’t help but feel an immense sense of gratitude for all the first responders that came to the rescue of so many people, animals and properties,” she wrote.

Brie and Nikki Bella — Bonita Bonita

The former professional wrestling tag team known as the Bella Twins announced in October 2020 that they were moving with their families to Napa Valley, according to People magazine. The identical twins had started producing their own wine in 2017 in partnership with Napa’s Hill Family Estate, its proprietor Ryan Hill and award-winning winemaker Alison Doran. Their first wine was a Cabernet Sauvignon named “Belle Radici,” which means “beautiful roots” in Italian, and the bottle was adorned with a sleek label depicting the twins. From there, the twins launched their own winery in Napa, Bonita Bonita.

Tori Spelling — The Tori Collection at HALL Wines

Actor Tori Spelling brought 90210 to Napa Valley when she announced on Instagram in November 2020 that she had partnered with HALL Wines to put together The Tori Collection of wines. “Getting the chance to meet and work with HALL and wine legend and my spirit animal Kathryn Hall was really exciting,” she wrote. Spelling handpicked 11 wines to include in her collection — ranging from a rich Cabernet Sauvignon to light and fruity rosé to canned wine, according to People magazine.

John Legend — LVE Collection Wines

Grammy, Golden Globe and Oscar-winning musician John Legend launched his LVE Collection Wines in 2015. Working with famed vintner Jean-Charles Boisset, Legend’s wines include sparkling rosé, as well as a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay produced with fruit from Raymond Vineyards in Napa. Distributed nationally, the wines can be tasted at Raymond Vineyards and on tour with Legend.

Candace Cameron Buce — Bure Family Wines

“Fuller House” star Candace Cameron Bure and her husband, hockey player Val Bure, own Bure Family Wines in St. Helena. The couple began making wine in 2006, according to Wine Spectator. The couple likes to spend time in Wine Country and Candace Cameron Bure has been spotted at luxury restaurant SingleThread in Healdsburg. She shared in an Instagram post that she “brought a treat to drink” — a bottle of Screaming Eagle wine — when she took a friend to dinner at the restaurant in 2017.

Tamera Mowry-Housley — Housley Napa Valley

Actor Tamera Mowry-Housley, who got her start on the sitcom “Sister, Sister,” co-owns Housley Napa Valley with her husband, journalist Adam Housley. The tasting room is located in downtown Napa. The winery produces rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah.

Guy Fieri — Hunt & Ryde

Guy Fieri bought a 5-acre vineyard of Pinot Noir grapes in the Russian River Valley appellation in 2013. In his first vintage, he sold his grapes to Jackson Family Wines for its La Crema brand and to Williams Selyem winery in Healdsburg. He then launched his own wine label, Hunt & Ryde, named for his sons Hunter and Ryder. Fieri collaborates with local vintner Guy Davis, of Davis Family Vineyards, to produce Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and a Cabernet “Trophy” blend.

Francis Ford Coppola — Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Legendary film director, producer and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola has been involved in the wine industry since buying Napa’s Inglenook Estate in 1975. Coppola expanded his wine empire to Geyserville when he opened his namesake winery in 2006. The winery includes a museum of memorabilia from his iconic films, such as The Godfather, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Apocalypse Now. In 2015, Coppola bought a second winery, Virginia Dare. Both are open to the public.

John and Nancy Lasseter — Lasseter Family Winery

Lasseter Family Winery in Glen Ellen was founded in the early 2000s by Nancy and John Lasseter, the former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. The winery produces rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and a variety of red blends.

Robert Mark Kamen — Kamen Estate Wines

When screenwriter and producer Robert Kamen (the Karate Kid series, Fifth Element, A Walk In The Clouds, Taken and Taken II) visited Sonoma County in 1980 to celebrate the sale of his first screenplay, he fell in love with the land. He purchased a 280-acre mountaintop property and eventually transformed it into a world-class vineyard producing estate wines. Pop into Kamen Estate Wines’ tasting room in downtown Sonoma or make an appointment to visit the mountaintop vineyards.

Les Claypool — Purple Pachyderm at Claypool Cellars

The bassist and lead vocalist of the rock band Primus, Les Claypool has been living in the Russian River Valley region of Sonoma County since 1994. His Claypool Cellars produces sparkling wine, rosé and Pinot Noir under the Purple Pachyderm label. Wine club members receive bottles signed by Claypool in their shipments and get invitations to exclusive concerts where they can party like (and with) rock stars. Taste the wines at their appointment only “fancy booze caboose” in Sebastopol.

Dave Matthews — Dreaming Tree Wines

Singer-songwriter Dave Matthews entered the winemaking game in 2000, when he opened Blenheim Vineyards winery in Charlottesville, Virginia. In response to demand from his fans, Matthews partnered with former Clos du Bois winemaker Sean McKenzie to launch Dreaming Tree Wines. Distributed nationally, and reasonably priced, they produce a Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County and other wines made with grapes from throughout California.

Jonathan Cain — Finale Wines

Musician and songwriter Jonathan Cain is the keyboardist and rhythm guitarist for Journey. (The keyboards on “Don’t Stop Believin’”? Yeah, that’s him!). When he isn’t touring the world, he’s enjoying his own wine journey with Sonoma County vintner Dennis De La Montanya. Proceeds from their Finale Wines, which include a rosé of Malbec and a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, benefit charity.

Dwyane Wade — Wade Cellars

NBA star Dwyane Wade discovered his love of great Napa Valley wines while wining and dining with teammates Chris Bosh and Lebron James. The former professional basketball player partnered with his friend, Napa Valley vintner Jayson Pahlmeyer, to launch his own wine label, Wade Cellars, in 2015. Wade Cellars wines include a rosé and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Yao Ming — Yao Family Wines

Former NBA All-Star Yao Ming fell in love with wine while playing for the Houston Rockets. Today, he owns and operates Yao Family Wines in St. Helena, producing age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. The ultra-modern tasting room features food and wine pairings and a touch of memorabilia from Yao’s career in sports. He’s not only selling wine in Napa Valley, but also to great success in China, including in his hometown of Shanghai.

Charles Woodson — Intercept Wines

Former NFL football player Charles Woodson fell in love with wine and decided to learn more about the winemaking process during spring training for the Oakland Raiders, which takes place in Napa Valley. After a successful career in sports, including winning the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, Woodson started his own label, Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines. Intercept Wines include a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and a red blend.

Carmen Policy — Casa Piena

He might not have played on the field, but Carmen Policy helped bring the San Francisco 49ers four Super Bowl championships and was named “Executive of the Year” by the NFL and one of the “Most Influential People in Professional Sports” by GQ. Now retired, Carmen and his wife, Gail, operate Casa Piena (“Full House” in Italian) in Napa Valley, where they produce Cabernet Sauvignons that score high with Robert Parker. Wines are available on an allotment-only basis, with tastings available by appointment.

Dick Vermeil — Vermeil Wines

As an NFL coach, Dick Vermeil led the St. Louis Rams to their only Super Bowl championship, and also coached for the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Born in Calistoga, it is no surprise that Vermeil started his own winery upon retirement. Vermeil Wines has a tasting room in downtown Napa and produces varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Vermeil attends all wine member events, signing autographs and sipping the fruits of his labor.

Mario Andretti — Andretti Winery

Mario Andretti is considered one of the most successful race car drivers of all time. With that success comes not only a Ferrari (or two), but also a winery in Napa Valley that he co-founded in 1996. Wines run the gamut, from sweet Moscato and Riesling to beefy Cabernets and super Tuscans. Andretti Winery offers food and wine pairings in an Italian-inspired environment. Winery guests frequently brush elbows with Andretti and other race car drivers, especially when races take place at Sonoma Raceway.

Kevin Buckler — Adobe Road Winery

Race car driver and team owner Kevin Buckler has been producing wine in Sonoma County since 1995 at his Adobe Road Winery. Winner of Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, 24 Hours of Le Mans and numerous championships, Buckler and his wife, Debra, produce a wide array of wines from well-known vineyards, including Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer. Taste the wines at Adobe Road’s downtown Petaluma tasting room, complete with racing memorabilia.

Randy Lewis — Lewis Cellars

Most race car drivers will never race in the famous Indy 500, but Randy Lewis has done it — five times. Lewis started Lewis Cellars in 1992 with his wife, Debbie, a longtime wine industry professional. Eventually the couple were joined by their son, Dennis. Their appointment-only Napa Valley tasting room features wines from throughout the region, which include Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and a Cabernet Sauvignon-based Cuvée.

Gavin Newsom — PlumpJack, CADE and Odette wineries

Gov. Gavin Newsom co-founded PlumpJack Winery in Oakville, CADE Winery in Angwin and Odette Estate in Napa.

No longer available / Not open to the public

Vince Neil — Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil launched his own “Vince” wine label in the early 2000s. Vince wines were produced by Adler Fels Winery in Santa Rosa, according to Wine Spectator.

Joe Montana — Iconic 49ers quarterback Joe Montana teamed up with winemaker Ed Sbragia to create Montagia, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, according to Decanter. The wine was released in 1999, when Sbragia was the winemaker at Beringer Vineyards in St. Helena. In 2019, Montana listed his Napa estate for $28.9 million. It was later re-listed for $20 million less. The 503-acre ranch was originally priced at $49 million in 2009.

Dan Marino — Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino put his name behind the Sonoma County-based Marino Estates Vintage “13” California Cabernet, which benefited the Dan Marino Foundation, according to Wine Spectator.

Nancy Pelosi — Rep. Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul, own a private vineyard on Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena.

Tommy Smothers — Late comedian Tommy Smothers — best known as half of the musical comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick — owned Remick Ridge Vineyards in Kenwood.

Janet Balicki, Elissa Chudwin, Maci Martell and Sarah Stierch contributed to this article. 

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What kind of wine taster are you? Are you looking to revel in gorgeous gardens, or do you relish a fine coastal Pinot Noir? Is it all about classic Sonoma history, or are you seeking family producers a bit off the beaten track?

Whatever the reason, we’ve put together a Sonoma tasting guide to end all tasting guides, with over 120 recommendations — and right now is the perfect time to head out to explore the best wineries in Sonoma.

Click through the above gallery for a peek at a few of our favorite places to taste wine in Sonoma County.

“I Want to Support Smaller, Family-Owned Wineries — Ones a Bit off the Beaten Path.”

Carol Shelton Wines: Set in an industrial district of Santa Rosa, this tiny tasting room can barely contain all the ribbons and awards that Shelton — known as the “Queen of Zin” — has won. $20. 3354-B Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa. 707-575-3441, carolshelton.com

Frick Winery: Bill Frick has been a one-man show for 49 years. Join him in the adorable Frick House for small-lot wines made from Rhône varieties grown on his 7.7-acre ranch. Free. 23072 Walling Road, Geyserville. 707-484-3950, frickwinery.com

Enriquez Estate Winery: Cecilia Enriquez and her parents, Ana and Eduardo, produce about 1,000 cases a year of Pinot Noir and Tempranillo on the family’s 8.5-acre vineyard. From $50. 5960 Eastside Road, Forestville. 707347-9719, enriquezwines.com

Inman Family Wines: Try Kathleen Inman’s balanced, food-friendly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparklers at this welcoming spot set in an organic vineyard. $30. 3900 Piner Road, Santa Rosa. 707-293-9576. inmanfamilywines.com

Singer Wine at Baker Lane Estate: Stephen Singer ran the wine program at Berkeley’s Chez Panisse with his former spouse, Alice Waters. He welcomes a few guests each week for a light meal and tasting of biodynamically farmed Syrah and Viognier. From $85. 7361 Baker Lane, Sebastopol. singer.wine

Bruliam Wines: Physician-turned-winemaker Kerith Overstreet makes just 1,000 cases — mainly single-vineyard Pinot Noir — each year. 1200 American Way, Windsor. bruliamwines.com

AVA Spotlight: Russian River Valley

Home to some of Sonoma’s oldest, most-prized vineyards, the Russian River Valley is widely recognized for premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region is known for generously sunny days and cool, foggy nights, but given the diverse sub-regions, other varietals thrive here, too, like Zinfandel, Merlot and even cool-climate Syrah.

Favorite destinations include Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, where winemaker Theresa Heredia has been creating her own legacy of award-winning Pinot. Fellow pioneering labels like Merry Edwards, Williams Selyem, Rochioli and MacRostie Winery & Vineyards helped establish the Russian River Valley as an epicenter of premium Pinot Noir.

Sonoma-Cutrer and Balletto are ever-popular tasting spots and a crackling fireplace beckons at Benovia Winery. 

The Dutton family of Dutton Estate have been farming in the Russian River region for six generations. And David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars is considered among the state’s most innovative winemakers. Tastings here overlook the production facility, for a glimpse of the magic in action.

Taste With a Pro: Leo Hansen, Leo Steen Wines

The Drink (53 Front St., Healdsburg), located in the 1800s-era Old Roma Station building, is a shared tasting room for two standout labels: Hansen’s Leo Steen Wines (leosteenwines.com) and his buddy Mike Lucia’s Rootdown Wine Cellars (rootdownwine.com).

“The space was built as a co-op for Italian immigrants to make wine, and later became a fruit-drying facility during Prohibition,” explains Hansen.

His pick is the vibrant, green apple-kissed Saini Farms Dry Creek Valley Chenin Blanc, from one of the oldest planted Chenin Blanc vineyards in Sonoma County. “I love creating food-friendly, low-alcohol wine from this sleek, silky variety,” he says.

And Hansen loves meeting his guests — he leads tastings of six wines seven days a week ($30). After tasting at The Drink, Hansen likes to recommend that folks walk just a few blocks along the Russian River to Arnot-Roberts (arnotroberts.com). “They make fantastic wines with fun varietals like Ribolla Gialla, Trousseau and Gamay Noir.”

3 Great Kid-Friendly Wineries

Belden Barns, Santa Rosa: Scavenger hunts, explorer backpacks to borrow and a special wishing tree. beldenbarns.com

Preston of Dry Creek, Healdsburg: Ultra laid-back, with rambling gardens to explore, kitties to pet and hearth-baked sourdough bread. prestonofdrycreek.com

Cline Cellars, Sonoma: A historic property with sprawling gardens. Picnicking is welcome, and there are cute donkeys, too. Be sure to ask for a coloring map of their property to keep the kiddos entertained. clinecellars.com

No Car Needed: Petaluma

Petaluma has a Norman Rockwell feel, but locals know aspects of the town are just as edgy as San Francisco, just 35 miles to the south. Several excellent tasting rooms beckon here.

Barber Cellars (barbercellars.com), in the Art Deco-style Hotel Petaluma, features standout Zinfandel, classic ’80s arcade games, and an interesting food pairing consisting of a Ukrainian-style zakuski platter of cheeses, salads and savory pastries.

The future Adobe Road Winery, from former race car driver Kevin Buckler (adoberoadwines.com) is under construction along the Petaluma waterfront. For now, Adobe Road tastings are held in the historic Great Petaluma Mill.

And nearby Brooks Note Winery & Tasting Room (brooksnotewinery.com) is in a 1920s-era building. The flagship here is Pinot, but don’t miss the food-friendly Blaufrankisch, paired with local cheese.

From award-winning winemaker Hardy Wallace, the most exuberant man in all of Wine Country, the Sonoma tasting room for Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! is a kaleidoscope of creativity and artistic intention. winecoyeah.com

‘‘Shifting the Lens” at sparkling wine specialist J Vineyards & Winery invites chefs from diverse backgrounds to take over the menu at their popular Bubble Room. In May, the honor went to James Beard semifinalist chef Michael Reed, of Poppy & Seed restaurant. jwine.com

2 Great Spots for Live Music

Muscardini Cellars, Kenwood: Italian varietals and live music every weekend May to October, with Simmer Down Saturdays. muscardinicellars.com

Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg: Beloved for their summer concert series, with major artists like Chris Isaak and Blues Traveler. Reserve a seat or bring a blanket and sit on the green. rodneystrong.com

“I’m a Total Foodie. Where Can I Have a Delicious Meal With My Tasting?”

Bricoleur Vineyards: The food program here is so meticulously handled that it takes three chefs to run it, including famed chef Charlie Palmer. The Rooted tasting ($150) impresses with a seasonal six-course meal with artistic dishes like handmade sweet shrimp siu mai dumplings with lemongrass and ginger. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor. 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com

Kivelstadt Cellars: Wine tasting at Kivelstadt’s bucolic tasting room in Sonoma gives you the opportunity to sample the exceptional food from Bloom Carneros restaurant. 22900 Broadway, Sonoma. 707-938-7001, kivelstadtcellars.com

Lynmar Estate: Chef David Frakes’ expensive-but-worth-it Collectors Lunch Pairing ($250) includes an exquisite, multi-course meal with dishes such as chile-Persian lime dusted watermelon with blistered stone fruit slaw. 3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol. 707-829-3374, lynmarestate.com

Jordan Vineyard & Winery: In April 2023, Jesse Mallgren left The Madrona, the Michelin-star restaurant he had run for nearly 25 years, and took his toque over to the glamorous Jordan, amping up an already upscale program. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com

Paul Hobbs Winery: Chef Timothy Kaulfers joined this luxury spot in April 2023 to lead the Vineyard Designate tasting experience ($250), offering six rare wines alongside delectable dishes like housemade chicken sausage with an onion and fennel soubise. 3355 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. 707-824-9879, paulhobbswinery.com

Mayo Family Winery: Chef John Locher serves a delightfully inventive, meal with small-batch reserve wines in the Reserve Room ($90). 13101 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen. 707-833-5504, mayofamilywinery.com

AVA Spotlight: Sonoma Valley

Stretched along the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west, this beautiful area encompasses five distinct appellations and many microclimates ranging from brilliant sunshine to cool coastal fog. Given the climate, many types of grapes can thrive here.

Visit the 1,850-acre Kunde Family Winery for a mountaintop tasting, Chateau St. Jean for a garden stroll and tasting at the historic 1920s chateau, or VJB Cellars for Italian varietals and wood-fired pizzas on the Tuscan-style piazza.

Arrowood is famous for its warm-climate Cabernet Sauvignon and gracious tastings on its veranda, while Loxton Cellars and Hamilton Family Wines are boutique gems where you can see operations up-close, from grape to glass.

No Car Needed: Downtown Sonoma

Over 20 wineries have tasting rooms around downtown Sonoma’s shady plaza, making it an excellent destination for a day of tasting without the need for a designated driver.

Tom Darling of indie natural wine producer Darling Wines, down a pretty alleyway at the south end of the square, hit a home run with his very first vintage of cool-climate Syrah in 2017, which made the wine list at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon.

Pangloss Cellars (below) is a chic, airy tasting salon for Rhone varietals, with stone walls and wide windows out onto the park. Sosie Wines, right near Darling, makes three sparklers: red, white, and rosé, as well as an interesting Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

And Sojourn Cellars is the spot for single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Petaluma Gap, Russian River and Sonoma Coast.

Founder Lloyd Davis has earned all kinds of recognition for his Corner 103 boutique tasting room in downtown Sonoma, including being named one of the top 10 tasting rooms in the country — twice. Davis credits the Black Lives Matter movement for making guests more aware of the importance of diversity in the wine industry and strives to make wine approachable to all. corner103.com

Free Tastings

At historic Korbel Winery in the Russian River Valley, the standard “marketplace” tasting is free, and a flight of three different wines is just $15 (korbel.com). And the super-friendly Locals Tasting Room in Geyserville offering tastings from 10 different local boutique producers, gratis (localstastingroom.com).

3 Great Spots to Play Bocce

Landmark Vineyards, Kenwood: Outdoor tastings by a lake and bocce for groups as large as 15. landmarkwine.com

Roth Estate, Healdsburg: Dedicated to powerful Cabernet from the Alexander Valley, Roth also hosts a bocce and barbecue tournament each spring. rothwinery.com

Dutcher Crossing, Geyserville: Play pétanque (another boules sport) on a court overlooking vineyards. Plus, get snuggles from cute golden retrievers. dutchercrossingwinery.com

Taste With a Pro: Monica Lopez, Bacchus Landing

At this winery collective just outside Healdsburg, general manager Monica Lopez knows a thing or two about tasting rooms. After all, seven different boutique wineries welcome guests to the 3-acre property, which also has wood-fired pizza, a bocce court, and live music.

“I love being outdoors, so we put a lot of work into making Bacchus Landing a place you could relax outside,” says Lopez, whose family winery, Aldina Vineyards (aldinavineyards.com), is one of the seven tasting rooms on-site (tastings from $25). “We really want to encourage guests to purchase a bottle of wine and just hang out.”

On the rare occasions when Lopez isn’t leading tours at Bacchus Landing, she has a penchant for tasting rooms with beautiful outdoor spaces, like Robert Young Estate in Geyserville (ryew.com).

Bacchus Landing. 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, Healdsburg. 707-395-0697, bacchuslanding.com

“It’s a Special Occasion, And I’m in the Mood To Splurge.”

Aperture Cellars: Modern luxury meets refined hospitality, where rockstar winemaker Jesse Katz continues to impress with his revered Bordeaux-style wines. There is plenty of eye candy here, including images from Katz’s father, photographer Andy Katz. Clearly, talent is a family affair. From $50. 12291 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg. 707-200-7891, aperture-cellars.com

Silver Oak: Those who adore Cabernet will find much to fall in love with here. The winery produces an acclaimed expression of the Bordeaux varietal each year. From $50. 7300 Hwy. 128, Healdsburg. 707-942-7082, silveroak.com

Flowers Vineyards & Winery: There are few better ways to impress than a visit to Flowers Vineyards & Winery, where a short walk through the redwoods reveals a masterfully designed tasting room, California-inspired gardens, and acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast. From $75. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg. 707-723-4800, flowerswinery.com

The Donum Estate: Spanning 220 idyllic acres in the Carneros, The Donum Estate is designed to dazzle, with more than 50 thought-provoking large-scale sculptures. The most exclusive tasting ($500) happens inside a kaleidoscopic pavilion of colored glass. From $150. 24500 Ramal Road, Sonoma. 707-732-2200, thedonumestate.com

Vérité Winery: Twenty minutes east of Healdsburg, Vérité seems to appear out of thin air, a dramatic, Abbey-inspired estate on a bucolic stretch of road. Father-daughter winemakers Pierre and Hélène Seillan have produced 17 hundred-point wines — all Bordeaux-style blends that reflect the region’s many micro-crus. From $200. 4611 Thomas Road, Healdsburg. 707-433-9000, veritewines.com

Hamel Family Wines: Impressive views of the biodynamically farmed vineyards, bespoke wine and food pairings, and small-production Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends all lure guests to this special spot in Sonoma Valley. From $95. 15401 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma. 707-996-5800, hamelfamilywines.com

AVA Spotlight: Petaluma Gap

Bursts of Pacific Ocean-driven wind and fog through a “gap” in coastal mountain ranges makes the region a prime spot for growing cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. It’s a huge AVA, spanning more than 200,000 acres from Bodega Bay to San Pablo Bay, but is mostly towns, vineyards and agriculture. Many well-known wines are made with fruit grown here, but actual tasting rooms located in the field are hard to come by.

To get the best sense of the wines made from the Petaluma Gap, head to Keller Estate, perched on a lushly landscaped hilltop with magical vineyard and valley views. Winemaker Ana Keller includes interesting varietals like a Syrah-Viognier blend, a Pinot Gris and sparkling wines (from $35, kellerestate.com).

Taste With a Pro: Ted Lemon, Littorai

There’s a lot to love at Littorai, but the coolest thing about visiting, says Lemon, is the private farm tour. “We’re a biodynamic wine farm, so you really get to see what’s involved in that,” he says. This includes seeing how Littorai makes biodynamic compost teas, which help nourish the vines, and walking through the vineyard blocks. “There’s a lovely view up top, so you can get a sense of the Sebastopol hills,” he says.

Lemon also likes taking friends to Freeman Winery for cave tastings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and to Arnot-Roberts for intriguing, site-specific wines. “The Freemans are lovely and they’re small and owner-run. They don’t make a lot of wine, so you’re really tasting the signature of the winemaker,” he says (freemanwinery.com).

At Arnot-Roberts (arnotroberts.com), Lemon says there are a range of wines on offer from all over, often including offbeat varieties. “It’s really a lot of fun.”

Littorai tastings from $65. 788 Gold Ridge Road, Sebastopol. 707-823-9586, littorai.com

3 Great Wineries to Bring Your Dog

Mutt Lynch Winery, Windsor: One of the most dog-friendly wineries around, with the motto “bark less, wag more.” Wine flights and wine club shipments come with special dog treats. muttlynchwinery.com

Smith Story Wine Cellars, Healdsburg: Lord Sandwich, the charismatic goldendoodle belonging to winery owners Alison Smith Story and Eric Story, helped make this charming family-owned tasting room Instagram-famous. smithstorywines.com

Kunde Family Winery, Kenwood: Fifth-generation winegrower Jordan Kunde welcomes dogs and their owners for a hike and romp through vineyards and native grasslands. kunde.com

3 Great Wineries with Olive Groves

DaVero Farms & Winery, Healdsburg: Cuttings from an ancient, 800-year-old olive grove in Tuscany helped establish the orchards. The fruit is gently handpicked, then pressed the same day for an extra-virgin elixir that’s rich, fruity and peppery.  davero.com

Trattore Farms, Geyserville: For $20, add a tasting of their excellent flavored oils to any tasting at their Dry Creek estate or in downtown Healdsburg. trattorefarms.com

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, Sonoma: A large stone chateau anchors one of the area’s largest olive oil operations, with 45 acres of Italian and Spanish trees. In harvest season (usually October), visitors can see the pressing process up close. jacuzziwines.com

At Geyserville’s family-friendly Francis Ford Coppola Winery, reserve a cabine to hang out and swim for the day in one of two giant swimming pools surrounded by chic blue chaise lounges (from $250). Inside, film buffs will find a museum of Coppola’s movie memorabilia, including Academy Awards and a screeching red Tucker automobile. francisfordcoppolawinery.com

Taste With a Pro: Alice Sutro, Sutro Wine Co.

Visual artist, winemaker and mother of two Alice Sutro wants her guests to experience her family’s ranch in Chalk Hill, near the Russian River, in a very authentic way, so guests are led on a walk through the vineyard tasting.

“It’s like a 30-minute crash course in viticulture. Why does a trellis work that way, why do we maintain the canopy like this, what are our volcanic soils like — and here’s how that affects what’s in the glass,” explains Sutro. “I really want people to see the effort and value in grape-growing. It seems so necessary to me.”

When not walking the lands that inspire her painting and winemaking, Sutro’s hands-down favorite tasting room is Bannister Wines in Geyserville (bannisterwines.com), where Brook Bannister, a furniture craftsman turned winemaker, and Morgania Moore, a jewelry and lighting designer, have created a bohemian-styled art gallery and salon in a 104-year-old former bank.

Sutro Wine Co. hike and tasting, $65. 13301 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg. 707-509-9695, sutrowine.com

Owners Olga Fernandez and Martin Guerrero have poured their hearts into the homespun tasting room at Guerrero Fernandez Winery in Windsor, where guests can compare Zinfandel from Dry Creek and Russian River valleys. Don’t miss the karaoke nights. gfwines.com

“I Love a Sense of History. What Are Some Classic Destinations?”

Martinelli Winery: For more than 135 years, the Martinelli family has farmed this land, including the famously steep Jackass Hill. Daredevil winegrower Giuseppe Martinelli planted Jackass Hill in 1889 and farmed it with a team of horses for 30 years. From $35. 3360 River Road, Windsor. 707-525-0570, martinelliwinery.com

Buena Vista Winery: California’s first premium winery was founded by Hungarian immigrant Count Agoston Haraszthy in 1857. Don’t miss the plush, Champagne-focused Bubble Lounge. From $35. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma. 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens: The late Jess Jackson bought his first vineyards in 1974. An unwitting mistake that produced a slightly sweet Chardonnay put the winery on the map. These days, a 4-acre organic garden produces rare veggies for in-house pairing menus. From $35. 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa. 707-571-8100, kj.com

Gundlach Bundschu Winery: The oldest family-owned winery in the state, GunBun’s Rhinefarm vineyards were first planted in 1858. The Bundschu family is known for coastal Chardonnay and reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, among a dozen different varietals — and for rollicking outdoor concerts in the old redwood barn. Metallica once performed a secret concert here. From $75. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma. 707-938-5277, gunbun.com

Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery: This downtown Sonoma winery, founded in 1904, was one of the few to operate through Prohibition, producing small amounts of sacramental and medicinal wines. From $50. 389 Fourth St. E., Sonoma. 707-933-3200, sebastiani.com

Iron Horse Vineyards: The family winery began with a vision in the pouring rain back in 1976. Audrey Sterling and her late husband Barry thought the 300 acres of gentle rolling Sebastopol hills looked like Camelot. Today, the small sparkling wine house produces stellar bubbly. From $35. 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol. 707-887-1507, ironhorsevineyards.com

AVA Spotlight: Alexander Valley

This is one of Sonoma County’s largest appellations in terms of acres planted, second only to the vast North Sonoma AVA. Located near Geyserville, Alexander Valley is known for fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon that is complex and full bodied, with silky tannins. This distinctive Cab comes courtesy of the region’s warm, dry climate, morning fog, and the moderating influence of the Russian River. Chardonnay, which tends to be on the rich, floral side, also shines here, along with old vine Zinfandel. Get a sense of the region’s best at Stonestreet Wines (below), Hawkes Wine, Hanna and Alexander Valley Vineyards.

Taste With a Pro: Katie Madigan, St. Francis Winery

In 2002, Madigan was a 21-year-old intern at St. Francis back when the proverbial light bulb went off and she realized winemaking was her calling.

Two decades later, Madigan is still just as excited about the work she does. She says the winery has a variety of fun tasting experiences, including a pedal trolley tour made famous by Al Roker and friends at a taping with NBC’s Today Show in April 2023. Estate pairings on the patio from chef Peter Janiak use produce from the 2-acre garden.

With out-of-town guests, Madigan also loves visiting Anaba Wines in Sonoma (anabawines.com). “The winery is super dog-friendly, which makes it easy to bring my pup along,” she says. She also enjoys rare Rhone and Italian varietals at Unti Vineyards in Healdsburg (untivineyards.com). “All of its wines are dynamite, and the intimate feel of its tasting room gives the perfect personal touch.”

St. Francis tastings from $35. 100 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa. 888-675-9463, stfranciswinery.com

Top 3 Tastings in Caves

Bella Winery, Healdsburg: In sprawling caves set beneath the gorgeous, century-old Lily Hill vineyard, visitors gather among stacks of barrels as soft light filters in. Small-production lots of Zinfandel are the draw. From $30. 9711 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-473-9171, bellawinery.com

Deerfield Ranch Winery, Kenwood: Feel like part of the harvest action as you cross the outdoor crushpad to reach a quiet tasting room set inside 23,000 square feet of caves. From $35. 10200 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. 707-833-5215, deerfieldranch.com

Capo Creek Ranch, Healdsburg: Food pairings are led by Mary Roy, a former physician, now Capo’s hospitable winemaker, chef and owner. From $165. 7171 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-608-8448, capocreekranch.com

Pachyderm Station is what Primus guitarist Les Claypool calls his quirky Sebastopol tasting room decorated with concert posters and an old-timey bar. Homey? Yes. Weird in the best kind of way? Also, yes. Fridays through Sundays, pair the excellent site-specific Pinot Noirs with fancy hot dogs from Claypool’s own Whamola Wieners. purplepachyderm.com

At The Barlow in Sebastopol, Pax Winery & Tasting Room is like a clubhouse for likeminded indie winemakers, led by Syrah and Grenache specialist Pax Mahle. Take a quick peek around back at harvest time to glimpse the busy crush facility he shares with natural wine pioneer Martha Stoumen and rising stars Rosalind Reynolds and Patrick Cappiello. paxwine.com

Top 3 for a Great Picnic

Lambert Bridge Winery, Healdsburg: Shady tables await on an expansive picnic lawn, with gorgeous views of vineyards and surrounding forests. From $35. 4085 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707- 431-9600, lambertbridge.com

VML Winery, Healdsburg: Chill in the serene Butterfly Garden, a shaded sanctuary tucked next to Dry Creek, as you enjoy single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From $50. 5610 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-4404, vmlwine.com

Bartholomew Estate Winery, Sonoma: Grab a bottle from the tasting room, then settle in at a picnic table overlooking the vineyard. After, hit the trail at 375-acre Bartholomew Park. From $45. 1000 Vineyard Lane, Sonoma. 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com

“Forget Instagram. I Want All the Prettiest Views in Real Life.”

Paradise Ridge: The second-story veranda is the place to drink in sweeping views of the Russian River Valley and the winery’s iconic “LOVE” sculpture as the sun sets over the vineyards. Paradise found, indeed. From $35. 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa. 707-528-9463, prwinery.com

Scribe Winery: Lush palms meet native ornamental grasses, succulents, roses, and a bountiful culinary garden at Scribe. The landscape’s wild splendor is a fitting accent to the restored hacienda’s “old California” vibe. Tastings for Scribe Viticultural Society members. 2100 Denmark St., Sonoma. 707-939-1858, scribewinery.com

Matanzas Creek Winery: Stunning lavender fields beckon at Matanzas Creek, especially in June, when row upon row of fragrant purple blossoms reach their peak. Book a reservation to visit the terraced gardens and tasting room. From $35. 6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 707-528-6464, matanzascreek.com

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery: The gardens are stunning any time of year, but for tulip lovers, early spring is the time to visit. Call the winery’s “tulip hotline” to find out when they’re at their colorful best. Tastings start at $40. 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-433-6700, ferraricarano.com

Arista Winery: With a winding gravel pathway, picturesque pond, and harmonious collection of trees, ferns and manicured greenery, the Japanese water garden at Arista is an oasis of serenity for seated sipping. From $30. 7015 Westside Road, Healdsburg. 707-473-0606, aristawinery.com

McEvoy Ranch: The 550-acre winery and olive oil operation is tucked away in a hidden, private valley on the Sonoma/ Marin county line near Petaluma. Graceful olive trees are surrounded by extensive plantings of lavender and herbs. 5935 Red Hill Road, Petaluma. 707778-2307, mcevoyranch.com

AVA Spotlight: Sonoma Coast

The Sonoma Coast appellation covers more than 750 square miles, stretching from the Mendocino County border to the San Pablo Bay. While the expansive AVA’s diverse microclimates, soils, elevations, and exposures allow many grape varieties to flourish, it’s best known for cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Set within the broader Sonoma Coast, the West Sonoma Coast AVA covers the farthest western sliver of the county along the Pacific coastline, as well as the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. The region sets itself apart with a cool maritime climate, high elevations and extreme growing conditions. To sample the coast, visit Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery (below) — one of the few West Sonoma Coast wineries with a tasting room within the bounds of the remote region — plus Peay Vineyards, Cobb Wines, Red Car Wine and Hirsch Vineyards.

Taste With a Pro: Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse, Birdhorse Wines

Rich and Rouse have day jobs as assistant winemakers at Scribe and Bedrock Wine Co., respectively, but the couple still finds time to run their own wine brand, crafting uncommon varietals like Valdiguie and Cinsault. The couple thrill to introducing people to favorites like their Portuguese-style, green pineapple-wet stone Contra Costa Verdelho.

“It’s such a special wine, with so much of the texture and weight of an Old World Chardonnay, but a flavor profile that’s authentically Californian.”

To taste, they invite guests to join their mailing list and attend their release parties, recently hosted at chic Luma Bar & Eatery in Petaluma. Or look for the couple at Preston Farm & Winery, one of their favorite stops, where they treasure bottlings of Barbera, Carignan and Nero d’Avola (prestonfarmandwinery.com). “Their wines are excellent, and the farm is such a beautiful, integrated ecosystem of grapes, animals, other crops, and the natural surroundings. It’s really a gold standard of what farming in Sonoma County can look like.”

Birdhorse Wines, birdhorsewines.com

Custom white papel picado banners flutter in the breeze at the beautifully preserved 1842 Vallejo-Casteñada Adobe in downtown Sonoma, home to Three Sticks Wines, vintner Bill Price’s award-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house. Not to be missed. threestickswines.com

Learn the art of sabrage — using the blunt edge of a sword to open a bottle of sparkling wine — at Healdsburg favorite Breathless Wines. After you learn to open the bottle, you get to drink it. breathlesswines.com

Top 3 for High-End Design

Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma: This hilltop destination in the Carneros gives off Belgian country vibes and was designed by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, a member of Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame. ramsgatewinery.com

Reeve Wines, Healdsburg: Noah and Kelly Dorrance cofounded Healdsburg’s Banshee Wines in 2009, and Reeve, named for their son, is one of the couple’s two spin-off projects after Banshee. Kelly also runs a Healdsburg antique shop, and the tasting lounge here is decorated with her gorgeous finds. Events hosted here benefit Everytown for Gun Safety. reevewines.com

Marine Layer, Healdsburg: As envisioned by standout local interior designers The Hommeboys, this is a Moroccan-inspired lounge for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast. marinelayerwines.com

Taste With a Pro: William Allen, Two Shepherds

The Two Shepherds winery is low on glamour, says Allen, but rich in uncommon grape varieties. “You will often get to taste some really unusual things, like our Grenache Blanc, which we make as a normal white and as an orange wine,” he says. “Or we have a carbonic Carignan versus a regular Carignan, so we can show you the different expressions.”

When friends ask for winery recommendations, Allen often sends them to the wonderfully laid-back Ryme Cellars in Forestville (rymecellars.com). “I love Megan and Ryan Glaab,” he says. “They make unusual varieties and their wines are super-awesome. They just have really fun, clean, interesting things that you’re not going to find in a lot of places, and it’s super-upbeat.” Two Shepherds Winery, tastings from $20. 7763 Bell Road, Windsor. 415-613-5731, twoshepherds.com 

“I Want to Support Sustainable and Regenerative Farming.”

Medlock Ames Winery: Co-founder Ames Morison is an industry thought leader in sustainability planning and new trends in organic viticulture. A sound-immersion tour ($75) of their Bell Mountain Ranch property is an introduction to his approach. From $65. 13414 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-8845, medlockames.com

Hanzell Vineyards: Award-winning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are created here in balance with organic vegetable gardens and orchards. Ducks and chickens wander the vineyards and a herd of fire-suppression pigs (yes, pigs!) loosen soils and tramp down overgrowth. $65. 18596 Lomita Ave., Sonoma. 707-996-3860, hanzell.com

Benziger Family: Winery Mike Benziger is a leader in biodynamic grapegrowing, a holistic method attuned to building the strength of the soil. On a tram tour into the vineyards ($35), learn about biodynamics and see the farm’s insectary gardens. From $75. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. 888-490-2739, benziger.com

Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Springs: The solar-powered winery is made of straw bales plastered over with vineyard clay, an insulated design that stays cool in summer and warm in winter. The estate Zinfandel vines are more than 115 years old and have thrived after the changeover to organic practices. From $30. 650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg. 707-433-7721, ridgewine.com

DeLoach Vineyards: The estate has been farmed biodynamic ally since 2009, and tasting room guests are invited to tour the “Theater of Nature,” as they call it — a wander through 20 acres of culinary gardens and vineyards. From $35. 1791 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa. 707-755-3300, deloachvineyards.com

Quivira Vineyards: Want to talk green? Ask about the epic 500-yard compost pile that nourishes the gardens and fields. Quivira is a model of integrated, diversified farming with organic vegetables, flowers, and livestock among the grapes. From $35. 4900 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-8333, quivirawine.com

AVA Spotlight: Dry Creek Valley

Zinfandel lovers make a pilgrimage to Dry Creek to taste this inky, feisty varietal, which thrives on the long, full days of abundant sunshine tempered by cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean. In addition to Zin, other varieties that grow well there include Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache.

The indomitable Dave Stare of Dry Creek Vineyard helped shape the course of the valley and establish it as an AVA. The Nalle family of Nalle Winery are Dry Creek pioneers who farm 100-year-old Zinfandel ines. Several families have wineries that go back generations here: A. Rafanelli Winery, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Rochioli Vineyards & Winery and Pedroncelli. And don’t miss the views from the tasting room at Cast Wines, which span nearly the entire valley.

Taste With a Pro: James McCeney, Patz & Hall Winery

The winemaker joined the P&H team in May 2023 and enjoys popping out of the cellar to greet guests and share what drew him to the storied winery, founded in 1988.

“One of the things that makes Patz & Hall so special is our deep relationship with our growers,” he says. “Throughout our tasting room, we proudly display images of these farming families.” He also gets a kick out of sharing secret treasure vineyards. “If you enjoy our Zio Tony Ranch Russian River Chardonnay, this makes you a true insider — it’s a New World mirror of a Premier Cru Chablis with a mouthwatering taught, crystalline acidity.”

If not hosting at the P&H Sonoma tasting room, he often takes friends to Domaine Cameras (domainecarneros.com). “I live just over the county line in Napa, off Old Sonoma Road, so it’s a great spot for sparkling wine made from Sonoma Carneros grapes.”

Patz & Hall Winery, 21200 Eighth St. E., Sonoma. 707-265-7700, patzhall.com

No Car Needed: Downtown Healdsburg

Healdsburg’s compact downtown, organized around a central plaza like several other local wine towns, is another spot to wander all day without starting up the car.

A tasting at Matt and Sara Licklider’s Lioco Winery is like a visit to your coolest friend’s even cooler house, with interesting light fixtures and art prints on the wall. Record player aside — yes, there’s that, too — they’re known for stellar Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Carignan with an emphasis on older vines, unique soil types and heritage clones.

On North Street, BloodRoot Wines hosts vinyl record spin sessions and pét-nat and pupusas nights. Alan Baker of Cartograph Wines worked in public radio production in Minnesota for decades before realizing his winemaking dream with wife Serena Lourie.

And Centennial Mountain (formerly Aeris, for the Latin word for air or climate), celebrates founder Kevin Harvey’s love of Piemontese varieties, including Carricante, an aromatic white grape that grows beautifully on Sonoma’s Centennial Mountain Vineyard. It’s believed to be one of the only plantings of the rare variety in the state.

The intrigue of Bedrock Wine Co. lies in complex, character-driven wines from historic vineyards over a century old. Winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson’s Sonoma tasting room occupies the 1852 home of Civil War general “Fighting Joe” Hooker — a coincidence given that Twain-Peterson also farms Hooker’s 130-year-old vineyard just outside town. From $45. 414 First St. E., Sonoma. 707-343-1478, bedrockwineco.com

Trail runners and mountain bikers can purchase a oneday pass to access vineyard trails with gorgeous views at Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards outside Windsor. A 350-acre wildlife preserve surrounds the vineyard blocks. notrevueestate.com

Top 3 for Trying Unusual Varietals

Idlewild Wines, Healdsburg: Owner Sam Bilbro loves Italian Piedmont wines, so that’s what he makes, in a rainbow array of single varietal masterpieces, including jasmine tea-white peach Arneis and tart strawberry-violet Freisa. idlewildwines.com

Old World Winery, Fulton: Celebrating natural, biodynamic wine, owner Darek Trowbridge adds nothing to his juice except a minimal amount of protective sulfur. Focusing on field blends from 120-year-old vineyards, he crafts very rare varietals such as Muscadelle, Trousseau Gris, Palomino and Mondeuse Noire. oldworldwinery.com

Sunce Winery & Vineyard, Santa Rosa: Owners Frane and Janae Franicevic cultivate a global snapshot of four dozen- plus wines, including rare Lagrein, Negroamaro, Rosa del Peru and Trincadeira varietals. suncewinery.com

By the team of Tina Caputo, Sarah Doyle, Imane Hanine, Heather Irwin, Peg Melnik, Abigail Peterson and Carey Sweet.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Sonoma Tasting Rooms appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

As California winemakers look for grape varieties more tolerant to drought and heat, plantings of a rare French grape native to the Languedoc region of southern France are likely to rise. Picpoul Blanc, with only 48 acres bearing fruit in the state, has great growing potential, according to Paso Robles winemaker Jason Haas.

His winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, was the first in California to work with the variety, after importing cuttings from France in 1995. “You can let the grapes hang a long time, so they develop tropical characters like piña colada — and they’ll still have super-bright acid.”

For a grape few have heard of in the U.S., Picpoul Blanc has a surprising number of superfans — especially here in Sonoma County, where winemakers are embracing its vibrant, racy edge (“picpoul” means “sting the lip” in French). At Marine Layer Wines in Healdsburg, winemaker Rob Fischer was “immediately intrigued” when he learned the owners of Three Oaks Farm on Sonoma Mountain had grafted about an acre and a half of Syrah over to Picpoul Blanc in 2022.

At Three Oaks Farm, the Picpoul is planted mid-slope, where cool temperatures can push ripening into October.

“You just have to be patient,” says Fischer. “It can express itself as a generic white grape, until it turns a corner late in the season when the acid drops and it develops these nice citrus flavors. That’s when I know we’re in action.”

In a region flooded with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Fisher commends Sonoma County winegrowers for planting less common varieties like Picpoul Blanc. “I live in Napa, but I love the fact you can grow so many different varieties in Sonoma County,” he says. “I’m really excited to see growers experimenting with these fringe varieties.”

Compared to Sonoma County, which has just 4 acres of Picpoul Blanc, the Lodi wine region of San Joaquin Valley has a whopping 12. That’s where winemaker Blair Guthrie of Guthrie Family Wines in Sonoma sources fruit. For his 2023 Faux Picpoul Blanc ($28), Guthrie picked relatively early to maintain the variety’s “electric acidity and lively pop.” As for the wine’s name, “Faux” — don’t be fooled. Guthrie’s wine is 100% Picpoul Blanc.

Winemaker William Allen has been producing a Picpoul Blanc at Two Shepherds Winery in Windsor since 2018, with fruit sourced from the little-known Windmill Vineyard in Yolo County’s Dunnigan Hills. “Our wine lives up to the name ‘lip stinger,’ but it also has texture and depth, which makes it great with oysters and crab,” he says.

In 2021, Allen went out on a limb and also made a sparkling canned wine called Natty Pets, a blend of Picpoul Blanc and Grenache Blanc. About 35% of the Picpoul was skin-fermented, which gave the wine a light orange hue.

“We launched it as a sparkling orange wine and everyone went ga-ga over it,” says Allen. “We doubled production of the wine last year, and we still sold out.”

Like others, Allen believes Picpoul Blanc is exceptionally well-suited to California’s Mediterranean climate.

“People need to stop planting Chardonnay in California and start planting Picpoul Blanc,” he says. “It loves the heat, it’s not prone to rot or mildew, it bears good yields and is easy to grow. It’s perfect for Picpoul.”

This story was originally published in The Press Democrat. Read the full story here.

The post Picpoul Blanc Is a Rare White Variety That Meets the Moment appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

As the wine industry continues to face headwinds and visitor numbers decline, some winery owners are turning to new revenue streams — including efforts to revitalize their wine clubs.

While wine club shipments have remained steady throughout this downturn, accounting for 48% of direct-to-consumer revenue, local wineries are now grappling with the dual challenge of acquiring new members and retaining existing ones, according to Chris Bitter, senior wine and grape analyst for Terrain (the market research arm of American AgCredit), who spoke at a recent wine marketing and sales symposium in Santa Rosa.

The reason? “About 90% of all wine club sign-ups occur in the tasting room,” said Bitter. And there’s been a drop in tasting room visits.

To meet this challenge, some local wineries are adopting a more modern approach. Top-quality wines remain essential, but younger drinkers often want more than a mailing list and a box of preselected bottles.

The most successful clubs are those that foster personal relationships and allow members to customize their shipments. They also focus on offering personalized experiences, rather than just standard pickup parties with hors d’oeuvres.

Secret suppers, special events

A recent wine club event at the upscale Three Sticks Wines at the Adobe in Sonoma exemplified this new approach. Members were invited to a rosé reception at the downtown tasting room, followed by a five-course wine-paired dinner at the nearby El Dorado Kitchen.

As guests savored rose-shaped curls of hamachi and ahi crudo with Asian pear and soy-ginger drizzle, Three Sticks co-founder Prema Kerollis spoke about how, with tourism slowing under the current administration, the winery is taking its story on the road.

A “Secret Supper” in October invites members for an exclusive dining experience in Texas — the location will be disclosed just 24 hours in advance. That event is already sold out.

The El Dorado Kitchen gathering, limited to just 20 guests, also got fully booked the same day it was posted.

“As soon as my wife and I heard about this dinner, we grabbed tickets,” said longtime Three Sticks member Bob Brindley, a Sonoma resident and current president of Sonoma Home Winemakers. “These events sell out so fast, I immediately jumped on the website.”

Three Sticks Wines, 143 W. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-996-3328, threestickswines.com

A personal touch

Tucked in rural Sebastopol, Kobler Estate is more than a winery — it’s the Kobler family home. Mike Sr. and Debbie Kobler purchased the property in 1987, drawn by its 1870s Victorian farmhouse and surrounding vineyards.

Today, alongside their son and winemaker Mike Kobler, the family focuses on producing small-batch Burgundy and Rhône varietals. These include a fragrant Viognier — just five barrels made in 2023 — and a 2022 Pinot Noir layered with notes of raspberry, rose petal, cocoa and cinnamon, of which only two barrels were produced.

“We keep the wine club small — only 150 members — so we can stay connected and make sure it always feels personal,” Mike Kobler said.

One of the key membership perks at Kobler Estate is shipment customization. “Whether they’re into Rhônes, just whites or a mix of both, they can tailor it to what they actually enjoy drinking,” Kobler said.

Other benefits include complimentary overnight stays in the estate’s guest suites and invitations to private dinners.

“Every now and then, we’ll also do a private barrel with someone we’ve built a deep relationship with — usually a Syrah or Viognier,” Kobler said. “It’s not something we offer often, but when it feels right, it’s a special project to share. That’s the upside of staying small — we can say yes to the really meaningful stuff.”

The winery currently operates on an allocation basis, with a waitlist for club membership.

“Wine clubs are more important than ever,” Kobler said. “With so much shifting in the industry, having that direct connection to people who care about what we do keeps us grounded.”

Kobler Estate, 4630 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol, 707-696-1874, koblerestatewinery.com

Customized subscriptions

Gary Farrell Winery has welcomed guests to its hillside Healdsburg estate since 1998, though founding winemaker Gary Farrell released his first vintage Pinot Noir back in 1982.

This spring, the winery — now owned by the Sonoma-based Vincraft Group — introduced a new “Sonoma Subscription” service. Members can select their preferred styles and delivery frequency for signature Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The flexible model breaks from traditional clubs by letting customers opt out of fixed selections.

“Wine lovers today are looking for more flexibility and personalization in how they enjoy wine, with a low-key investment that fits their lives, not the other way around,” said estate general manager Stephanie Wycoff. “Subscription members still receive preferred (club-style) pricing and access to small-lot wines that rarely leave the winery. But they can order on demand or skip a shipment entirely.”

A basic subscription includes four bottles every two, four or six months for a flat rate of $150. The flexible format also opens access to limited wines like the 2022 Durell Vineyard Sonoma Valley Chardonnay and the 2021 Rochioli Russian River Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir.

“In today’s evolving market, programs like this are essential,” Wycoff said. “They help us stay connected to our loyal fans while offering something they value — freedom and choice.”

Gary Farrell Winery, 10701 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-473-2909, garyfarrellwinery.com

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When Napa Valley winemaker Paula Kornell released her inaugural Brut Rosé in March, she was celebrating more than just a new addition to her small portfolio.

She was toasting her success in having any wine at all, after her partnership with Vintage Wine Estates collapsed the previous year (the partnership covered sales and distribution). The behemoth corporation suddenly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2024, leaving Kornell and some 30 other wine and spirits brands across California, Oregon and Washington unprepared and facing the auction block.

Some big names, like Sonoma County’s B.R. Cohn, Kunde and Viansa wineries, were quickly snatched up by new owners. But Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine, established just eight years ago and producing less than 20,000 cases annually across three wines, was a bit too boutique to be in the spotlight.

“It really was a shock to the whole wine community that it fell apart,” she said. “Vintage (Wine Estates) bought so many brands, and then I don’t think they put the love and care that all the brands needed. It shows that consolidation is not always for the best. These days, you need to have a great story to sell your wines and, in this marketplace, you really need to have the right (marketing and distribution) bandwidth behind it.”

Kornell tried not to panic during the transition.

“I will say that I was blessed with the fact that I had worked 10 years with Robert Mondavi, and they were a great marketing and sales organization,” she said. “I’m so glad I had that education there, because without that, I don’t know if I would have survived.”

Then, in November, Kornell found new partners, Mike and Jenny Farmer of Calistoga.

Mike Farmer, formerly the president of commercial operations at Builders FirstSource supplies and materials company, now serves on the board of directors for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

After nearly 20 years as a labor and delivery nurse, Jenny Farmer now serves on the board of Hope Scarves, an organization dedicated to raising funds for metastatic breast cancer research and patient support.

It was serendipity — the Farmers had been Kornell’s very first customers when she launched her inaugural vintage, a 2017 Napa Valley Blanc de Noir. The trio had bonded over their shared love of wine, dogs and commitment to charitable work. Kornell was the president of the board of directors for Napa Valley Vintners and served on the boards of Napa Humane and Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa.

“They (the Farmers) came to my home in St. Helena to drink bubbles with me,” she said. “I call my house Château Drool since I have three dogs. And they have bulldogs.”

The Farmers helped Kornell finish and launch her fourth sparkling, the California Brut Rosé.

A personal and professional turning point

Losing her affiliation with Vintage Wine Estates was as much a personal loss as it was a professional one. Kornell’s father, Hanns Kornell — a third-generation German winemaker and Dachau concentration camp survivor — moved to New York in 1939, then hitchhiked to California, eventually leasing a winery in Sonoma in 1952.

Seven years later, he and his new wife — opera singer and doctor Marilouise Rossini — purchased the historic 1895 Larkmead Winery Estate in Napa Valley. They renamed the sprawling property Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars, where they showcased the Méthode Champenoise sparkling style. (In 1992, the estate was purchased by Frank Family Vineyards.)

Paula Kornell always knew she would be in the wine industry. Born in 1959, she got her first job at 10, selling prunes and walnuts from her grandmother’s orchard and feathers from the family’s peacocks in front of the Hanns Kornell tasting room.

Her career trajectory led her to numerous roles at her parents’ winery, traveling the world and further training at prestigious hotels and wineries. Along the way, she met Vintage Wine Estates co-founder Pat Roney.

In 2014, she established a consulting business, Kornell Wine Company, yet quietly dreamed of creating her own label to share the sparkling wines she loves.

“I’d known Pat since the Hanns Kornell days, and when he suggested we do something together, it seemed like a great opportunity,” she said. “And it was. I was given an incredible opportunity to start my own brand, thanks to the boost that Pat gave me. Vintage (Wine Estates) truly left me alone to design and create what Paula Kornell Sparkling is today. It’s just so sad that they went under.”

But Kornell now believes the change propelled her toward greater happiness.

“Mike and Jenny are such great friends and they were aware of all the trials and tribulations I was going through. They kept saying they wanted to help, and sure enough, now they are my new partners. So, I am really very, very lucky.”

Paula Kornell Sparkling Wines, paulakornell.com

The post When Vintage Wine Estates Collapsed, Paula Kornell Paved Her Own Path appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Calistoga is one of my favorite Wine Country towns because it somehow makes me feel like I’m on vacation, even though it’s less than an hour away from my house. I love its low-key, casual vibe, its unpretentiousness and the cute shops along Lincoln Avenue. Now, after visiting Lola Wines, I have another reason to adore Calistoga. Like the town itself, Lola is the kind of place that inspires visitors to slow down and chill, all while exploring an array of vibrant and delicious wines.

The story

Growing up on Anna Maria Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Seth Cripe took an interest in wine at an early age. And I mean early. He was just 13 years old, working as a busser and dishwasher at a local restaurant called Beach Bistro, when his boss recognized the spark in him. Though Cripe was underage, he was allowed to taste wines from the restaurant’s extensive list and he learned all he could about the wines of the world. After meeting Swanson Vineyards founder W. Clarke Swanson at Beach Bistro, Cripe left school at age 17 and headed to Napa Valley. He worked at Swanson for four years before moving on to Pfeiffer Vineyards in Australia, and later, Caymus Vineyards in Rutherford.

Cripe founded Lola, named for his beloved dog, in 2008 on the idea that wine and the Napa Valley itself should be unpretentious, approachable and affordable. The winery works with Napa Valley vineyards from Yountville to Calistoga, along with sites in the Russian River Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands, to produce a wide-ranging lineup. In addition to nationally distributed Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Cripe makes 20 small-production bottlings from esoteric varieties like Counoise, Chenin Blanc and Muscat.

The vibe

The Lola House tasting room, set in a petite 1892 brick house, lies just off Lincoln Avenue. Indoor tastings take place in the home’s traditional-meets-modern parlor, with its rustic brick fireplace and intimate groupings of mix-and-match tables and chairs. There, wall hangings that include historic photos, original art and Cripe’s prized surfboard combine to create a cozy and eclectic feel. On warm days, the pretty back patio is the place to be. Leafy potted plants and flowers provide natural separations between seating areas, ensuring a bit of privacy between groups, and a few slender palm trees tower overhead. You might find yourself — as I did — wishing this could be your very own backyard hangout.

On the palate

Lola House is all about showcasing the winery’s less-common varietals. Offerings go to wine club members first, then whatever they don’t snap up is showcased at the tasting room. Cripe makes the wines with minimal cellar intervention, using neutral oak to showcase the purity of the fruit. The wines are fresh and energetic without veering too far in the “lean and mean” direction.

Chenin Blanc is making a comeback in California, and Lola’s 2022 bottling from St. Helena ($45) makes a great case for its resurgence. The wine is crisp and bright, with floral accents and apple-pear flavors. The 2023 Calistoga Dry Muscat ($45), made in large clay vessels called amphora, has the floral aromatics of a sweeter bottling — yet the wine is delightfully dry. Think apricots and tropical fruits. The 2023 Yountville Counoise ($65) is another gem. It’s light on the palate, showing vibrant red berry aromas, mouthwatering acidity and a touch of spice.

Tastings cost $35 for a flight of five wines. Expect to spend around 90 minutes tasting through the selections.

Beyond the bottle

Cripe and his brother Mic are among the world’s only producers of bottarga, a caviar made from salt-cured and dried gray mullet roe harvested from the waters near Anna Maria Island and the neighboring fishing village of Cortez. Along with bottarga, they offer smoked mullet roe and blackfin tuna mojama — a salt-cured and dried tuna loin that’s sometimes called the “prosciutto of the sea.” Lola visitors can sample the delicacies via the Cortez Conservas Pairing add-on ($30), or the à la carte menu of snacks and small plates. The spring menu includes a gorgeously presented whipped burrata accented with bottarga, chives and lemon. I also sampled the seasonal mojama toast adorned with quince paste and Manchego. Both were delicious, with layered and complex flavors.

Lola Wines, 916 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga, 707-342-0623, lolawines.com

Tina Caputo is a wine, food and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.

The post Lola Wines Gets Fresh in Calistoga appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

As events season kicks into gear in Wine Country, my calendar quickly fills with tasting parties nearly every week through the summer.

It’s a tough job to attend so many gatherings but it’s also rewarding, offering the opportunity to explore both new and established producers, sample an array of wine styles and — most importantly — identify the trends shaping the industry.

Take the International White Wine Festival in Anderson Valley in February, for example. Amid the selection of wines, one stood out: Chenin Blanc. Lots of Chenin Blanc.

A 2023 Matanzas Creek bottle reminded me of why I’ve always been fond of this varietal. It was a blast from the past: once a top grape in Sonoma County during the 1970s and ’80s, Chenin Blanc nearly vanished in the decades that followed, kicked out by the increasingly popular Chardonnay. And no wonder — those old-school Chenin Blancs were often cheaply made, semisweet and dull.

Today’s Sonoma County Chenin Blanc is a world apart — wonderfully food-friendly, aromatic and typically light, with tropical fruit, Asian pear and golden apple notes, balanced by bright acidity and a crisp, mineral finish.

The newly introduced Matanzas Creek Chenin Blanc, crafted by winemaker Marcia Torres Forno, impressed with its dry character, intriguing notes of lemongrass and melon, and a hint of saltiness that made me want to drink more. Forno sourced grapes from California’s River Junction appellation south of Lodi, alongside estate vineyards in Alexander Valley and select sites in Mendocino County, resulting in a distinctive 100% Chenin Blanc blend.

I discovered another stunning Chenin Blanc at the recent Sonoma Epicurean Epic Party at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg. Jesse Katz, founder and winemaker at Aperture Cellars, was pouring his 2023 vintage and it was beautiful, with notes of white blossoms, lemon and a hint of that mysterious sea salt. In line with the growing demand for low-alcohol wines, it was refreshingly light at 12.2% alcohol by volume (ABV).

“I’m not exactly sure why Chenin Blanc went out of style,” said Katz, who has been working with the varietal since 2017. “With California still being a young winegrowing region, we are still finding out what does best in all our unique microclimates and vast arrays of soils,” he added. “I think when Chardonnay grapes started getting a higher sales price than Chenin Blanc, we lost a lot of sites that might be better suited for Chenin.”

Katz sources his Chenin Blanc grapes from a 40-year-old heritage vineyard in the Clarksburg American Viticultural Area (AVA), nestled among the cooling waterways of the Sacramento River Delta.

“It is the only vineyard I work with for Aperture that’s outside of Sonoma,” he said. “I went to Clarksburg because it has some incredible pockets of soils and is one of the oldest Chenin vineyards in California.”

He’s even more excited about his newly released 2024 vintage.

“It’s incredibly special,” he said. “It’s got some of the most complex and concentrated flavors I’ve ever seen, but is also balanced with a ton of freshness and very age worthy. It’s a vintage that we will look back at as being one of the best in the last 20-plus years, I think.”

Andy Smith, winemaker and partner of DuMol in Windsor, farms a small block of Chenin Blanc at his MacIntyre Estate Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast appellation near Graton.

“We’re so confident of Chenin’s future in Sonoma that we’ve planted a further 900 vines on steep terraces at our Eddie’s Patch site (in the Hoppe-Kelly Vineyard in the Russian River Valley),” he said.

As Chenin Blanc makes a comeback, winemakers are exploring various treatments.
One of my new favorites is the 2021 Sparkling Chenin Blanc from Pangloss Cellars in downtown Sonoma. Made in the classic Méthode Traditionnelle style with grapes from Two Creeks Farm in Kenwood, this bubbly bursts with bright citrus and slightly sweet floral aromas (it’s great with caviar and potato chips).

Beyond being a lovely wine, Chenin Blanc often offers great value. Matanzas Creek’s Chenin Blanc retails for $20, while Aperture’s 2024 vintage is priced at $35 and the Pangloss Cellars sparkler is $52.

DuMol’s wines are available by appointment at the tasting room, with wine purchases allocated to members.

The post Chenin Blanc Is Making a Comeback in Sonoma County. Here’s Where to Taste It appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Wine Country is known for its world-class cuisine. Now, two of the region’s Michelin-starred restaurants also are getting recognized for the amounts of cash diners shell out to experience their food.

SingleThread in Healdsburg and The French Laundry in Yountville are on a new list of  the “10 Most Expensive Restaurants in the U.S.” compiled by GoBankingRates, a personal finance publication.

SingleThread, Healdsburg

SingleThread, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant and inn in downtown Healdsburg, offers a 10-course Kaiseki-style tasting menu that ranges from $425 to $500 per person, depending on the day of the week.

Opened by Kyle and Katina Connaughton nearly a decade ago, the restaurant quickly rose to prominence — earning two Michelin stars in 2018 and achieving the coveted third star the following year. In 2024, it was recognized on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for the fourth time in a row.

Nearby, the Connaughtons operate a 24-acre working farm that supplies the restaurant with seasonal ingredients central to its Japanese-influenced, hyper-local approach. Above the restaurant, a five-room inn offers guests an immersive experience, recently earning Three Keys from the Michelin Guide in recognition of its elevated hospitality.

Restaurant reservations are released at 9 a.m. on the first of each month via OpenTable, for the following month’s availability. A prepayment in full is required to confirm a booking, and cancellations or rescheduling are not permitted. Guests can also pre-select beverage pairings through OpenTable or order them tableside during their visit.

SingleThread, 131 North St., Healdsburg, 707-723-4646, singlethreadfarms.com

The French Laundry, Yountville

Just across the county line in Napa Valley, The French Laundry in Yountville offers a lavish multi-course tasting menu — one of the most iconic dining experiences in the country.

Opened in 1994 by acclaimed chef Thomas Keller, The French Laundry is housed in a historic stone building that once served as a 1920s French steam laundry. The 1,600-square-foot space dates back to 1900, when it was constructed as a saloon. Keller discovered the property in the early 1990s while searching for a space to realize his dream of bringing refined French cuisine to Napa Valley.

The French Laundry’s menu changes daily but remains steadfastly committed to classical French techniques and seasonal ingredients of the highest quality. It has held Michelin’s highest honor — three stars — since 2007, helping to make Keller the only American-born chef to simultaneously operate two restaurants with that distinction: The French Laundry in California and Per Se in New York.

In 2023, English food review and recipe website Lovefood named it California’s “most famous” restaurant, and recommended it as one of the 50 places in the country that diners should experience at least once in their lives.

Guests can choose from several dining options, all requiring prepaid reservations. GoBankingRates stated The French Laundry’s tasting menu starts at $390 per person; however, the restaurant’s Tock page has reservations starting at $425 per person. Private dining spaces are also available for $600 per person. For an even more exclusive experience, The French Laundry offers occasional special events, such as its Black Truffle & Caviar Dinner, priced at $1,200 per person.

The French Laundry, 6640 Washington St., Yountville, 707-944-2380, thomaskeller.com/tfl

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