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.

These 15 wineries in Sonoma County have gorgeous gardens to gaze upon and wander through, from the flower gardens at Lynmar Estate in Sebastopol to the European setting at Chateau St. Jean in Kenwood. You can even take a hike in the hills studded with oaks and madrones at Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma.

Lavender Love

Matanzas Creek Winery

Matanzas Creek Winery has been a haven for lavender lovers since 1991. Visitors come to sip Sauvignon Blanc on a terrace overlooking lilac and amethyst fields dotted with sunflowers. The lavender, which reaches full bloom around mid-June, is organically farmed and the blossoms are used in culinary, bath, body and home products sold at the winery’s lavender market. Reserve in advance. 6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 707-528-6464, matanzascreek.com

Quintessential California

Scribe Winery

A line of towering palms marks the drive up to Sonoma’s Scribe Winery. This is classic vintage California, from the adobe hacienda (built in the 1850s, once a speakeasy) surrounded by a tapestry of wavy grasses and stately succulents to the bountiful edible garden, run by Stephen Carter, one of the world’s premier chicory farmers. Call for updated tasting information. 2100 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-939-1858, scribewinery.com

Protecting Pollinators

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

The team at Jordan Vineyard & Winery never does anything halfway, with the majestic vine-covered stone buildings and the 1-acre vegetable patch that yields 100 varieties of produce, including exquisite fraises des bois (wild strawberries). There’s also a pollinator garden for bees and migrating monarch butterflies. Reserve ahead for a garden tour. 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com

A Vineyard Education

Quivira Vineyards

Learn as you taste at Dry Creek Valley’s Quivira Vineyards, where a sample block highlights all the varietals grown on the estate and raised beds showcase organic gardening practices. Sing in the herb garden, complete with — yep — parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Then visit the chickens: Japanese black Cochins, cuckoo Marans and silver-laced Wyandottes. Reserve in advance. 4900 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-8333, quivirawine.com

Unusual Finds

McEvoy Ranch

Tucked into the Petaluma Gap just high enough to skirt the fog, McEvoy Ranch is an idyll with acres of olive groves and rolling vineyards. The property is also home to many unusual plants, including striking purple cerinthe and wacky Buddha’s hand citrus. For a splurge, book a tasting in one of the private hideaways by the pond. Reserve walking tours and hideaways in advance. 5935 Red Hill Road, Petaluma, 866-617-6779, mcevoyranch.com

House of Flowers

Flowers Vineyards & Winery

Before they grew grapes for their Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Joan and Walt Flowers owned a nursery. So the couple knew they wanted a stunning garden at their winery’s House of Flowers, the current design of which was made possible by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects and Alexis Woods Landscape Design. The landscaping was inspired by the many microclimates between Healdsburg and the rugged Sonoma Coast, where the winery grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-723-4800, flowerswinery.com

Hike the Sonoma Hills

Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery

History is the watchword at Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma Valley, founded on the very land where California viticulture was born. The winery anchors 375-acre Bartholomew Park; save time to wander the trails that lace the oak- and madrone-studded hills. Or saddle up because the estate offers 45-minute horseback rides on relatively flat trails. Picnic grounds and hiking trails open to the public; reserve ahead for tasting. 1000 Vineyard Lane, Sonoma. 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com

Picture Perfect

Lynmar Estate

The colorful flowers in the winery gardens of Lynmar Estate make for a pretty backdrop for a selfie. The culinary and estate garden teams work closely together to create the winery’s food and wine pairings. Enjoy estate-grown pinot noirs and chardonnays on the gorgeous patio surrounded by flowers. 3909 Frei Road, Sebastopol, 707-829-3374, lynmarestate.com

From Garden to Table

Kendall-Jackson

Executive chef Tracey Shepos Cenami and her team use ingredients from Kendall-Jackson’s 4-acre culinary garden to prepare small dishes paired with small-production, limited-release wines. Tucker Taylor is director of culinary gardens and shares pretty photos of produce from the gardens on Instagram, @farmert. Don’t miss their farm-to-table summer dinner series. 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 866-287-9818, kj.com

A Taste of Europe

Chateau St. Jean

Though located in Sonoma Valley, Chateau St. Jean’s gardens may transport you to Italy or the south of France. The French-style chateau was built as a summer home in the early 1920s. There are spots throughout the estate to sit down and take in the garden views. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. 8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-257-5784, chateaustjean.com

Rustic Rural Gem

Medlock Ames

When they’re not busy making wine, the people at Medlock Ames love nothing more than to pore over seed catalogs and tinker with new varieties. At the winery’s stunning rural vineyards at Bell Mountain Ranch, beds explode with zinnias, sunflowers and Queen Anne’s lace (a second tasting room on Alexander Valley Road has a small but lovely olive grove). Open by appointment. 13414 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-8845, medlockames.com

Picnic Among Roses

Cline Cellars

More than 70 species of roses grow on the Cline Cellars estate, which also has light-filled and airy cabanas near its Great Lawn, each accommodating four to six people for two-hour stays. A chilled bottle of Nancy’s Sparkling Cuvee awaits, as well as a basket of picnic provisions, including salami, cheeses, nuts and crackers. Reservations recommended. 24737 Arnold Drive, Highway 121, Sonoma, 707-940-4044, clinecellars.com

Biodynamic Bliss

Benziger Family Winery

In 2000, Benziger Family Winery became the first vineyard in Sonoma County (and one of the first in North America) to receive biodynamic certification. The winery’s holistic approach to farming and maintaining a healthy ecosystem involves many elements, which can be explored along the Biodynamic Discovery Trail and during the Private Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting. Open Thursday through Monday, and Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment only. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-935-3000, benziger.com

Tulip Hotline

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery

More than 10,000 tulips and daffodils bloom each spring at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery. The gardens boast some 2,000 species of trees and shrubs, including a few of the only Portuguese cork trees in Wine Country. In late winter/early spring, a dedicated Tulip Hotline (707-433-5349) provides updates on tulip-blooming time. Reserve in advance. 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 800-831-0381, ferrari-carano.com

Proteas on the Coast 

Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery

In a nod to the owners’ native South Africa, a vast collection of rare proteas takes pride of place at coastal Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery. Look for the ‘pink mink’ — pink flowers with black feathery tips — and the ‘scarlet ribbon’ pincushion, a bright-red bloom with orange spikes. Reserve in advance. 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-847-3460, fortrossvineyard.com

The post 15 Sonoma Wineries With Gorgeous Gardens appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

With over 400 wineries in Sonoma County, it can be daunting to decide where to take your wine-loving guests. This summer, be prepared with this list of the best tasting rooms for first-time visitors.

Or, use this roundup for your own selfish needs. (We won’t tell.)

Abbot’s Passage Winery + Mercantile, Glen Ellen

Go: for something unconventional

The first female winemaker in her six-generation California wine family, Katie Bundschu dares to be different at Abbot’s Passage, her winery and boutique in the heart of Glen Ellen, where she crafts small-lot wines from Rhône varieties grafted onto the shoulders of 80-year-old vines.

While sipping, enjoy an elaborate grazing board or check out the retail shop, which highlights artisan home goods, jewelry and clothing from local women-owned businesses. Tastings are $45. For an additional $25, book a shuffleboard court among the vines. Open 11 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Friday — Sunday; reservations encouraged. 777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen, 707-939-3017, abbotspassage.com

Bricoleur Vineyards, Windsor

Go: for the food

Bricoleur Vineyards is located on 40 expansive acres in the Russian River Valley. Here, a robust culinary program, worthwhile wines and pastoral beauty combine to delight your senses. An immersive food and wine experience (a collaboration between James Beard Award-winning chef Charlie Palmer and the winery’s executive chef Todd Knoll) delivers six wines paired with seasonal dishes from the estate’s culinary garden and regional purveyors. Additional tastings are also available.

Make time to peruse the property’s picturesque olive groves, rose garden, bocce ball court, ponds and historic milk barn. Tastings from $40. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations preferred. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com

Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma

Go: For a taste of history

Founded in 1857 by Agoston Haraszthy, Buena Vista Winery is the second-oldest winery in California and a worthwhile destination for history buffs. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the winery is currently owned by the Boisset Collection and underwent a major renovation in 2012.

Choose the tour and you’ll catch a glimpse of the renovated Champagne Cellars and historic wine caves, followed by a wine flight. Tastings from $25. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday — Friday; and 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com

Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg

Go: for a taste of the Sonoma Coast

Flowers fans rejoiced in 2019 when the famed producer of ethereal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Sonoma’s high-elevation coast opened a tasting room near downtown Healdsburg.

At House of Flowers’ 15.5-acre estate, guests can taste winemaker Chantal Forthun’s highly expressive wines in the architecturally impressive hospitality house or in the lush gardens beneath the redwoods.

Wines are paired with seasonal bites. Tastings from $75. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations required. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-723-4800, flowerswinery.com

Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery, Jenner

Go: for the thrilling drive

If you haven’t experienced the thrill of driving up Sonoma’s dramatic coastline to Jenner, a trip to Fort Ross Winery is an event you’re unlikely to forget (and entirely worth it once you relax your grip on the steering wheel).

Once you’re safely seated above the fog, sample cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the estate’s steep, coastal vineyards, which are closer to the Pacific Ocean than any other vineyard in the state. (Fort Ross is also one of just a handful of California producers to offer Pinotage, a red variety developed in South Africa.)

For a leisurely visit, book a guided redwood forest walk that finishes with a food and wine pairing. Tastings from $50. Open 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. Friday — Tuesday; reservations required. 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-847-3460, fortrossvineyard.com 

Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma

Go: for the day

Established in 1858, Gundlach Bundschu is one of the oldest family-owned wineries in California, with a sprawling 320-acre property at the intersection of four appellations: Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast, Carneros and Napa Valley. Today, the winery combines tastings of their sustainable, small-lot, coastal-influenced wines with a laid-back vibe that encourages extended lounging. Rest assured, the winery offers an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie, so you won’t go hungry.

Wine cave and vineyard tours are available, too. Before you go, check their events calendar for upcoming live music performances held in their outdoor amphitheater. Tastings from $25. Open 11:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Monday — Thursday; 11 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Friday — Sunday; reservations encouraged. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-938-5277, gunbun.com

Hamel Family Wines, Sonoma

Go: for the dramatic view

At the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, Hamel Family Wines offers dramatic views of Sonoma Valley, where the Hamel family grows organic, certified-biodynamic grapes for their estate wines. Three available tasting experiences vary in complexity. All include a private tour of the Hamel Family Ranch vineyard, the 7,000-square-foot winery and an impressive wine cave.

Don’t miss the Reserve Experience ($125), a series of reserve Cabernet Sauvignon blends paired with seasonal snacks from executive chef Thomas Mendel. Tastings from $95. Open daily for appointments at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; reservations required. 15401 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-996-5800, hamelfamilywines.com

Inman Family Wines, Santa Rosa

Go: for the personal touch

Winemaker-owner Kathleen Inman is known for her classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (including the always-charming Endless Crush rosé), along with her Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and sparkling wines.

The interactive Sip and Stroll experience ($95) — which is led by Inman herself — includes a walk through the estate vineyard with a glass of wine in hand. Along the way, you’ll sample wines made from estate grapes while learning about the winery’s regenerative farming practices.

Additional tasting options include simple patio flights, Meet the Maker sessions and more. Tastings from $30. Open 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations recommended. 3900 Piner Road, Santa Rosa, 707-293-9576, inmanfamilywines.com

Iron Horse Vineyards, Sebastopol

Go: for the bubbles

Located in Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, this family-owned winery has been producing standout sparklers since 1976. Though Iron Horse bubblies have been served at the White House through several administrations, the winery vibe is anything but formal. The all-outdoor tasting patio is relaxed and rustic, overlooking scenic rolling hills carpeted in vines.

Iron Horse is best known as a sparkling wine house, but it’s also well worth a visit to sample the winery’s estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tastings cost $35. For $50 ($25 on weekdays) grab a few friends, reserve a picnic table and make a lazy afternoon of it. Open daily 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.; reservations required. 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, ironhorsevineyards.com

Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg

Go: to be impressed

Set on 1,200 sprawling acres in Alexander Valley, Jordan Vineyard & Winery evokes the impressive wine estates of France. Founders Tom and Sally Jordan designed the Bordeaux-inspired winery château more than 50 years ago. Today, the estate is focused on land preservation and sustainability, while providing guests unmatched hospitality, unique culinary experiences and delicious wines.

The Winery Tour and Tasting includes a tour of Jordan’s historic oak tank room and winery garden. The French-inspired Chef’s Terrace Tasting features light bites from executive chef Jesse Mallgren. Tastings from $60. Open for appointments at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday — Sunday. (Closed Sundays in December.) 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Santa Rosa

Go: for a classic

Established in 1982, Kendall-Jackson may be best known for its iconic Chardonnay (the bestselling in the U.S. for more than 30 years), but its Santa Rosa tasting room and gardens offer much more. A highlight here is the top-notch culinary program and organic culinary gardens, which offer guests a variety of unique tasting experiences.

Among our favorites is the Chef’s Five-Course Menu Pairing ($125), which features local, seasonal ingredients and a flight of estate wines. There’s also a classic Estate Wine Tasting ($35), Small Plates Pairing ($75) and the (seasonal) highly recommended Garden Tour & Tasting with Master Culinary Gardener Tucker Taylor ($55).

Open 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday — Sunday; reservations recommended; 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 707-571-8100, kj.com

Medlock Ames, Healdsburg

Go: for the audio

Founded in 1998, Medlock Ames continues to impress with its commitment to sustainability and organic, Bordeaux-varietal wines. At its 338-acre Bell Mountain Ranch in Healdsburg, a unique “Immersive Sound Experience” ($75) invites guests to meander through the vineyards, olive grove and California oaks while headphones provide narration about the winery’s commitment to land preservation.

Vineyard tastings at Bell Mountain Ranch (13414 Bell Mountain Ranch: Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg) are $65, while signature flights at the winery’s Alexander Valley tasting room are $45.

Alexander Valley tasting room (3487 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg) open 10:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Friday — Monday; reservations recommended; 707-431-8845, medlockames.com

Preston Farm & Winery, Healdsburg

Go: for a true taste of Sonoma County

Preston Farm & Winery exemplifies the best of Sonoma County: natural beauty, passionate land stewardship and thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation — which all culminate in your wine glass. In other words, don’t miss a visit to this diverse 125-acre farm and winery in Dry Creek Valley, where standout Rhône varietal wines are available alongside the farm’s organic produce, olive oil, brick-oven sourdough bread, eggs and pickles.

Picnics at Preston Farm are highly recommended (it’s also one of our favorite kid-friendly wineries). Tastings are $35. Open for tasting Thursday — Tuesday; reservations required. Farm store open 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Tuesday. 9282 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-3372, prestonfarmandwinery.com

Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma

Go: for the aesthetic

The cool breath of San Pablo Bay will greet you at Ram’s Gate Winery in the Carneros appellation, where renowned architect Howard Backen and interior designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy joined to create the winery’s sleek farmhouse aesthetic. A visit here is made even more worthwhile thanks to winemaker Joe Nielsen’s single-vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other varieties.

An array of tastings is available, from simple flights to five-course seasonal food and wine pairings from executive chef Michael Diaz de Leon. Tastings from $60. Open 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Monday, by appointment only. 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-721-8700, ramsgatewinery.com

Unti Vineyards, Healdsburg

Go: for something new

At this intimate and beloved winery in Dry Creek Valley, visitors can explore wines made from varieties more commonly found in Italy and southern France, including Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, Fiano and Montepulciano.

Those new to wine tasting or unfamiliar with some of Unti’s esoteric grape varieties will find comfort in the friendly staff who are great at explaining the wines and the stories behind them. Don’t miss: Unti’s truly spectacular dry rosé, which always sells out.

Stand-at-the-bar tastings are $25 and waived with any bottle purchase. Open daily 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.; reservations required. 4202 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-5590, untivineyards.com

Tina Caputo contributed to this article.

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

The post The Best Sonoma Wineries for First Time Visitors appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Epicurean-focused Food & Wine magazine recently released a list of new California wineries you need to know in 2025. Among these 15 best newcomers are 11 local wineries, eight based in Sonoma County and three in Napa Valley.

The Food & Wine list encompasses a variety of wineries whose first vintage was launched within the last 10 years. Featured wines from each producer run the gamut from affordable Merlots and Rieslings to more pricey Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignons.

The local wineries you need to know

Alma de Cattleya

In its September/October 2024 issue, Sonoma Magazine featured Bibiana González Rave, the founder of Alma de Cattleya, in a winemaker portraits series (where each photograph was developed in wine). The magazine spotlighted Rave’s 2021 Cattleya ‘The Reward’ Syrah — a “mind-blowing,” small batch wine.

Rave worked at a number of top wineries around the world before starting her own in 2012 with her first label, Cattleya, the national flower of her native Colombia. Alma de Cattleya is her newest venture, featuring more affordable regional wines. Food & Wine highlighted Rave’s 2022 Cattleya ‘The Initiation’ Syrah ($70) as well as the 2023 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc ($26).

While Alma de Cattleya doesn’t currently offer private seated tastings, guests can schedule a time to purchase wines at the winery and will be treated to a complimentary pour while the order is prepared.

607 Martin Ave., Suite 111, Rohnert Park, 888-597-2297, almadecattleya.com

Carboniste

Husband-and-wife team Dan and Jacqueline Person specialize in more “unusual” sparkling wines at Carboniste, founded in 2017. Food & Wine highlighted the label’s “ruby-hued, juicy” Carboniste Rouge Brute ($32). The Brut is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Albariño for a rich and playful sparkler.

Carboniste doesn’t have a tasting room, but the winery is available for club member tastings by appointment. You can also catch them pouring at events around the Bay Area.

21684 Eighth St. E., Suite 300, Sonoma, carboniste.com

Joseph-Jibril

While working at Kosta Browne Winery in Sebastopol, winemakers Bobby Joseph Huff and Jaam Jibril Moynihan met and became friends over shared dreams of making their own wines. By 2021, their dream became reality when they started a wine brand, using their middle names for the label. Joseph-Jibril sources from organically farmed vineyards and focuses on minimal-intervention winemaking.

The Healdsburg-based Joseph-Jibril winery caught Food & Wine’s attention with its 2023 Joseph-Jibril Valdiguié ($30). An “ode to old-school ‘Napa Gamay,'” according to the winery’s website, the red wine is refreshing and juicy, with notes of pomegranate, mixed berry and violet.

Joseph-Jibril doesn’t currently have a tasting room. Email info@josephjibrilwines.com to schedule a tasting.

Healdsburg, josephjibrilwines.com

Matt Taylor Wines

This west county winery was recently featured on The New York Times roundup of most memorable wines of 2024 with its 2017 Komorebi Vineyard Chardonnay.

On a 6.5-acre vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, just outside Occidental, winemaker Matt Taylor has used organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming practices since launching his winery. The label’s first vintage was released in 2016.

Food & Wine spotlighted Matt Taylor’s 2019 Cuvée Kaela Pinot Noir ($80) for its distinctive and delicious taste, with notes of aromatic tea leaf and a spicy-tart cherry character (find it on wine-searcher.com). Fun fact: Matt Taylor’s Cuvée Kaela label is named for his wife, Mikaela.

Occidental, matttaylorwines.com

Morét-Brealynn Wines

Last year, Sonoma Magazine featured Morét Brealynn Chavez on its roundup of 15 Sonoma Winemakers You Need to Know in 2024. Her namesake winery specializes in Pinot Noirs (including her “Stray Dogs” label that supports local and national animal shelters).

Food & Wine highlighted Morét-Brealynn Wines’ 2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($50) for its “aromatic, intense” profile. The vibrant Pinot is only the third vintage from the young winery, which Food & Wine said “confirms [Chavez’s] impressive talent.”

Windsor, moretbrealynnwines.com

Naidu

From India to Australia to Sonoma County, winemaker Raghni Naidu pulls from a world of influences at her eponymous winery in Sebastopol, which she launched in 2020.

With a focus on Pinot Noir, Naidu wines are primarily made from grapes grown on the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley using sustainable farming practices. Food & Wine recommends the 2021 Naidu Estate Pinot Noir ($75) for its layers of juicy, red-fruit notes. The wine was a Double Gold winner in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2024 Wine Competition.

2567 Blucher Valley Road, Sebastopol, 415-322-0565, naiduwines.com

Newfound Wines

Wine veterans Matt and Audra Naumann founded this winery in 2016, establishing a ranch and vineyard in the Sierra Foothills. From here and other vineyards around Northern and Central California, Newfound sources its grapes to produce a “range of impressive wines,” Food & Wine stated.

The magazine spotlighted the 2022 Newfound Gravels Red ($30) — a bright blend of Grenache, Carignane and Mourvèdre with notes of cherry, sage and dried rose petal.

Private tastings are by appointment only.

1200 Oak Ave., St. Helena, newfoundwines.com

Oxlee Graham

In 2022, winemaker Jennie Murphy founded Oxlee Graham, named after her grandmothers — two strong women in Murphy’s life that serve as both an inspiration and commitment for the winery. Each label at Oxlee Graham carries the name of a woman who left a lasting impression on Murphy’s life.

Food & Wine suggests seeking out the winery’s 2023 Dayle’s Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($58), named for Murphy’s mother. The berry-forward Pinot has hints of orange zest and savory spices to complement the juicy red fruits, lending to a balanced and food-friendly wine.

3171 Ross Road, Unit 1002, Graton, 707-852-4030, oxleegrahamwines.com

Plinth

Flora and Jason Chang founded Plinth Wine in 2022 after selling their former Nine Suns winery and its Houyi Vineyard in Napa Valley to their longtime partners, Realm Cellars.

Plinth maintains its relationship with Realm Cellars and produces a limited batch of Cabernet Sauvignon from Houyi Vineyard that quickly became celebrated among wine connoisseurs.

Food & Wine recommends the 2022 Plinth Houyi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($315), along with the previous 2021 vintage, which the magazine stated is well worth the cost. The Cab features notes of cocoa, coriander, dark cherry and blackberry, and has a velvety texture on the palate. Purchase online; the winery ships to 40 states.

Napa Valley, plinthwine.com

Read Holland

In 2021, Sonoma Magazine featured Ashley Holland of Read Holland Wines as one of the up-and-coming winemakers to watch. Holland, who grew up riding horses before pursuing a career in winemaking, founded her boutique winery in 2016.

Read Holland now produces about 500 cases of wine per year. The one that caught the attention of Food & Wine is the “lime-zesty” 2023 Wiley Vineyard Riesling ($30). The wine, sourced from a Riesling block planted in Anderson Valley in 1976, boasts a sweet aroma of lilac, pineapple guava and fresh ginger, followed by a refreshing mineral and citrus finish.

Santa Rosa, 707-721-2401, readhollandwines.com

Vida Valiente

According to Food & Wine, Vida Valiente was founded in 2019 primarily to help fund the Vida Valiente Foundation, which supports low-income, first-generation students throughout their college career.

Winemaker Sam Kaplan “makes top-of-the-game Cabernet Sauvignon here,” Food & Wine stated, recommending the estate’s 2021 The Movement ($250). The Cab is a blend of grapes from all the vineyards Vida Valiente sources from, producing a powerful wine with dark fruit flavor. Plus, $100 from every bottle of The Movement sold goes directly to the foundation.

St. Helena, 415-794-8102, vidavalientewinery.com

The post Sonoma and Napa Wineries You Need to Know in 2025, According to Food & Wine appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

If there has long been a history of glass ceilings for women in the workplace (I’m looking at you, “Mad Men”), female winemakers and winery owners have nevertheless been shattering glass bottles for decades.

Consider Winemaker Emeritus Geneviève Janssens, famous for her stellar Bordeaux-style wines for Napa’s Robert Mondavi Winery, and her reverence for the globally celebrated To Kalon vineyard on the western Oakville bench.

The French artist joined Mondavi in 1978. She was hired by another icon, the now-retired Zelma Long, who was California’s second woman ever in enology (Mary Ann Graf was the first). Sip any of Janssens’ wines, and you’ll be delighted.

And I have to salute Carol Shelton, as well, winemaker and co-owner of Carol Shelton Wines in Santa Rosa. Playfully called “The Queen Of Zinfandel” among industry friends, she has celebrated her favorite varietal since 1978, alongside smatterings of equally notable white and red blends. With her cozy-casual tasting room in an unlikely industrial area, you might never guess how elegant her wines are.

I could go on and on about more powerhouse women in wine, and for later columns, I certainly will. For notable wines boasting female flair, though, start by giving these other two standouts a try, too.

Pedroncelli Winery

Founded by John Pedroncelli Sr. in 1927, the Geyserville property is now run as a fourth-generation business by president Julie Pedroncelli St. John, with Montse Reece as winemaker.

The two women work closely together on the primarily Dry Creek Valley bottlings spanning Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay and accents of unusual wines like a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Chardonnay; a Sangiovese, an inaugural Blanc de Blancs and a Dry Creek Valley Port blend of Tinta Madeira, Tinta Cao, Souzao and Touriga Nacional (this is the final vintage, with just a few bottles remaining).

Pedroncelli St. John has been in the family business for 39 years, since 1985. She first worked in the tasting room and then, in 1988, started to travel on behalf of the winery.

“There were women on the supplier side of wineries working the market alongside me, as well as a few women in managerial roles at distributors,” she said of the 1980s wine industry. “It had a feeling of a men’s club at times — mostly since I was so new to the business. And, of course, I was not always recognized as a family member … when I was, it was assumed I was the owner’s wife.”

Since she took over in 2022, Pedroncelli St. John has updated the winery’s hospitality center, dialed in the portfolio to focus on estate vineyards and smaller batch wines, and implemented a replant plan for the Home Ranch Vineyard, the original land purchase by her grandparents.

Wilson Artisan Wines

With 11 wineries across Sonoma and Mendocino counties, co-owner and winemaker Diane Wilson has a lot to keep track of. Add to that numerous bottlings ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon to Sauvignon Blanc to a Kenneth Carl Brut sparkling of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a splash of Pinot Meunier. Red wines are her particular favorite.

“I try to make wines that are fruit forward, full bodied, and approachable reasonably soon,” she said. “I don’t think customers should have to wait 10 years to open a bottle.”

Together with her husband, Ken Wilson, she started buying land in western Dry Creek Valley in the early 1980s, planting their first vines in 1988. She soon took over as winemaker, working out of an old tin barn at the historic Fredson Winery (what is now Wilson Winery) in Healdsburg.

The post Meet the Women Behind Some of Sonoma and Napa’s Best Wines appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Wine Spectator recently released its acclaimed annual list of the Top 100 Wines from around the world. This year, five Sonoma and Napa county wines were named among the top 10. More than a dozen other local bottlings made the list amid renowned wineries from France to Chile.

The list, first compiled in 1988, is made up of the top 100 wines out of the thousands Wine Spectator editors review throughout the year.

Editors base the selection on quality, price value and availability of wines that ranked 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale.

Among the local wines featured in the top 10 are Beaulieu Vineyard’s Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (No. 2); Faust’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (No. 4); Chimney Rock’s Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon (No. 5); Williams Selyem’s Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir (No. 8); and Ramey Wine Cellar’s Russian River Valley Chardonnay (No. 10).

Top 10 wines

Beaulieu Vineyard

Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, No. 2

Wine Spectator noted this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is “packed with dark, winey flavors of black currant and blackberry paste underscored with alder, sweet tobacco, warm paving stone and black licorice notes, while a violet accent fills the background.” The winery sourced grapes from the Rutherford AVA in Napa Valley, from Cabernet Sauvignon vines originally planted by Georges de Latour in the early 1900s. 7,289 cases made. Score of 95. $170 per bottle.

1960 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, 707-257-5749, bvwines.com

Faust Wines

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, No. 4

This 2021 Cab features a blend of fruit from the winery’s Coombsville vineyard in Napa as well as from cooler sites in the valley, lending to a natural balance of mature tannins and lively acidity levels. “Packed and broad in feel, with a ganache note draped over black currant, blackberry and steeped cherry,” noted Wine Spectator. “Licorice root and alder smoke flavors check in on the finish as the fruit pumps through, ending with a flash of violet.” 50,000 cases made. Score of 94. $65 per bottle.

2867 St. Helena Highway St., Helena, 707-200-2560, faustwines.com

Chimney Rock

Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon, No. 5

“Super lush and polished in feel, with creamy-textured açaí, mulberry and cassis notes gliding through slowly,” Wine Spectator stated about this 2021 Cab. The wine also features hints of iris, violet and anise with a licorice note on the finish. It’s sourced from the Stags Leap District AVA in Napa. 13,363 cases made. Score of 94. $110 per bottle.

5350 Silverado Trail, Napa, 707-257-2641, chimneyrock.com

Williams Selyem

Eastside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir, No. 8

Made in the Russian River Valley, this 2022 Pinot features “juicy and delicious mulberry, blackberry and cherry pâte de fruit notes that ripple with energy,” Wine Spectator noted, “while rose hip, rooibos tea and licorice snap accents fuel the finish.” Woodsy cedar aromas add a compelling texture. 2,151 cases made. Score of 95. $72 per bottle.

7227 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-6425, williamsselyem.com

Ramey Wine Cellar

Russian River Valley Chardonnay, No. 10

This 2022 Chardonnay features a blend of fruits from cool vineyard sites in the Russian River Valley, providing depth of flavor and a crisp mouthfeel. Wine Spectator noted the white wine offers a “mix of perfectly ripe peach, mango and lemon bar flavors, with fresh herbal accents of lemon verbena and vetiver.” There are also accents of fresh ginger, tangerine and sea salt on the finish. 7,442 cases made. Score of 94. $50 per bottle.

25 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-0870, rameywine.com

Other winning wines

Just over a dozen other wines from Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties are scattered throughout the Top 100 list.

Among the winning Sonoma County wines are a Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc from Merry Edwards Winery in Sebastopol (No. 16); a Russian River Valley ‘Papera Ranch’ Zinfandel from Carlisle Winery in Windsor (No. 21); a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Patz & Hall in Sonoma (No. 31); a Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from Flowers Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg (N0. 43); a Cuvee Natalie Pinot Noir from Kistler Vineyards in Forestville (No. 54); and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Ferren Wines in west county (No. 96).

The featured Napa wines include the Napa Valley Merlot from Rutherford Hill Winery in Rutherford (No. 25); Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from St. Supéry Estate in Rutherford (No. 27); Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa (No. 57); Annia, a white blend from Massican Cellars in St. Helena (No. 72); Promiscua Cabernet Sauvignon from Burgess Cellars in Napa (No. 73); Coeur de Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon from Sullivan Rutherford Estate in St. Helena (No. 75); a Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Almacerro winery in Angwin (No. 94); VHR Cabernet Sauvignon from Vine Hill Ranch in Napa (No. 97); and Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Annulus Cellars in St. Helena (No. 99).

The lone Mendocino County wine to make the list was Roederer Estate Brut from Anderson Valley, which ranked at No. 20.

Topping the list as “Wine of the Year” is Viña Don Melchor’s Puente Alto Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. See the full list of Top 100 wines here.

The post Napa and Sonoma Counties Featured in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2024 appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Any winemaker worth their boots will tell you that great wines are made in the field. To work with grapes that have been grown with integrity, and to allow that fruit to express the ineffable qualities of soil and sun and weather, is what winemaking is all about.

If you’re new to wines from Sonoma County, think of this feature as an interesting cross-section of what the county is known for, at all price ranges — a shortcut to worthwhile sites and bottles to try. When you come across one of these vineyards or producers at a local bottle shop or on a restaurant’s wine list, you’re in for an interesting adventure.

Level up by using individual listings to seek out different expressions of a single vineyard from two or more different producers. Open the wines side-by-side, and see what you can taste in the way each winemaker has interpreted those grapes. Wines made from these celebrated sites “wear their dirt,” as we like to say — they bring our region to life.

Hirsch Vineyards

Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, 6 miles northeast of Jenner

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Producers: Hirsch Vineyards, Williams Selyem, Twomey

This renowned vineyard wouldn’t exist without the vision of David Hirsch, who bought a former sheep ranch on a remote, windswept ridgetop with a view of the Pacific in 1978 and planted his first vines two years later. As the story goes, Hirsch, who had worked in the fashion business, didn’t necessarily have grapegrowing in mind for the second chapter of his life. A winemaker friend visiting from Santa Cruz told Hirsch that if he planted grapes, the wines could be world-class. The “geologic jumble” of a site, a mile from the San Andreas fault, with 72 planted acres across dozens of different soil types, has been farmed biodynamically since 2011.

“Viticulture is a multi-generational endeavor. My father is going to be 80 next month, and he’s planting new vineyards, and replanting vineyards — and, you know, he’s not doing it for himself. It’s something that you do for the future, not knowing when the peak expression of that vineyard will emerge. Maybe somebody else will make those wines. It’s about getting to be a part of something that is so much bigger than us, and has such a long timescale.” – Jasmine Hirsch, winemaker, Hirsch Vineyards

Three to Try:

Hirsch Vineyards 2021 “San Andreas Fault” Estate Pinot Noir, $65. hirschvineyards.com

Williams Selyem 2021 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir, $100. williamsselyem.com

Twomey 2021 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir, $95. twomey.com

Monte Rosso

Moon Mountain AVA, in Sonoma Valley, about 2.5 miles northeast of Agua Caliente

Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon

Producers: Louis M. Martini, Scribe Winery, Robert Biale Vineyards, Turley Wine Cellars

This storied vineyard — originally called Mount Pisgah — dates back to 1886, when San Francisco grocers Emmanuel Goldstein and Benjamin Dreyfus planted Zinfandel and Sémillon at the site. Some of their original vines are still in production today, and the Sémillon plantings are among the world’s oldest. Louis M. Martini bought the vineyard in 1938 and renamed it Monte Rosso (“red mountain”) for its red volcanic soils. He added Cabernet Sauvignon in 1940 — also still in production — then expanded plantings to include Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Rhône varieties. Gallo bought the 250-acre vineyard in 2022 along with Louis M. Martini Winery.

“Cabernet Sauvignon from Monte Rosso has this beautiful blue fruit quality and floral aspect. The tannins are usually what you expect with mountain fruit or very high elevation fruit — very rustic — but they are much more supple at lower Brix levels. For the style of wines we like to make, which are a little bit lower in alcohol and higher acidity, that’s a perfect match for us.” – Gustavo Sotelo, director of winemaking, Scribe Winery

Three to Try:

Louis M. Martini Winery 2021 Monte Rosso Vineyard Gnarly Vine Zinfandel, $100. louismartini.com

Scribe Winery 2021 Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon, $88. scribewinery.com

Robert Biale Vineyards 2022 Monte Rosso Zinfandel, $85. biale.com

Gap’s Crown

Petaluma Gap AVA, 3.5 miles northeast of Penngrove

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Producers: Three Sticks Wines, Sojourn Cellars, Blue Farm Wines, Patz & Hall Winery, Trombetta Family Wines

Many winemakers view this 137-acre hillside vineyard as the crown jewel of the Petaluma Gap appellation. Sitting at an elevation of 300-900 feet, the rocky site is heavily impacted by cooling afternoon winds and fog that flow from the Pacific Ocean through a gap in the coastal mountain range, through the town of Petaluma and south to San Pablo Bay.

Premier Pacific Vineyards developed Gap’s Crown in 2002-2005, and in 2012, Bill Price III of Three Sticks Wines purchased the vineyard. Maritime influence, diverse soils and a range of elevations all contribute to the concentration and balance of Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

“I work with two Pinot Noir clones, Dijon 667 and Dijon 777, and Gap’s Crown showcases them beautifully. The constant breeze helps drive the deep fruit and spicy profile of the wine. What I love about the vineyard is that it always delivers. Even with the fluctuating weather each year, the vines are always balanced and can handle the changes in weather. My Gap’s Crown bottling has a distinct voice and adds a great, full-bodied, slightly more coastal element to my lineup of Pinot Noir.” – Anne Moller-Racke, winegrower and proprietor, Blue Farm Wines

Three to Try:

Three Sticks Wines 2021 Gap’s Crown Chardonnay, $75. threestickswines.com 

Blue Farm Wines 2021 Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir, $85. bluefarmwines.com

Sojourn Cellars 2022 Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir, $75. sojourncellars.com

Ritchie Vineyard

Russian River Valley AVA, Eastside Road, 3 miles northeast of Forestville

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Producers: DeLoach Vineyards, Arista Winery, DuMOL, Domaine de la Rivière, Woodenhead Vintners, Ramey Wine Cellars

Planted in 1972, Kent Ritchie’s property is iconic for its ancient seabed of sandy Goldridge soil laced with volcanic ash and pockets of tufa rocks. Original vines still thrive here, draping gnarled trunks on rock dappled grounds following the downslope of a volcanic vent jutting up through the sandstone — a rare terroir for Russian River Valley. Winemakers consistently sign up on a wish list to buy more fruit.

“Like all great vineyards, Ritchie has a factor limiting its vigor — in this case, the layer of tuff prevents vine roots from growing too deep (in search of water). Our 20 rows of vines happen to be an alluring field blend of Old Wente and Musqué selections — part of the original 1972 planting — giving the wine structure, balance and aromatic complexity.” – David Ramey, winemaker, Ramey Wine Cellars

Three to Try:

Ramey Wine Cellars 2021 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, $85. rameywine.com

Woodenhead 2019 Ritchie Vineyard Pinot Noir, $56. woodenheadwine.com

Domaine de la Rivière 2021 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, $85. domaineriviere.com

Montecillo Vineyard

Moon Mountain AVA, at the top of Nelligan Road, near Glen Ellen

Cabernet Sauvignon

Producers: Stewart Cellars, Bedrock Wine Co., Turley Wine Cellars, Arnot-Roberts, Di Costanzo, Beta Wines, DuMOL

At the top of the Mayacamas Mountains that separate Sonoma from Napa, and topping out at 1,800-2,200 feet, Montecillo has views across the entire northern Sonoma Valley. The site was originally planted in the late 1850s, which invites a sense of awe at the fortitude it took to look up and imagine planting a vineyard at the wild, rocky, windswept mountain summit — entirely by hand. These days, Montecillo’s highly prized mountaintop Cabernet Sauvignon comes from dry-farmed vines that date to the 1960s. Blair Guthrie, winemaker at Stewart Cellars, which purchased Montecillo in 2022, has traced Montecillo’s history and believes his family is only the fourth owner in over 160 years.

“It’s definitely a very magic site. We believe it was planted in 1857, which always blows my mind because California was barely a state. And it blows my mind that people were up on the mountain that early on — viticulture wasn’t really anything back then, and what was existing was all on the valley floor… The other thing is that the vineyard just does really well — it’s a very low-input vineyard. It seems to have this magic terroir where the soil is so rich and giving that the vineyard is just super healthy. Even in difficult years it still produces magic wine.” – Blair Guthrie, winemaker, Stewart Cellars

Three to Try:

Bedrock Wine Co. 2021 Montecillo Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon. bedrockwineco.com

Beta Wines 2018 Montecillo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. beta-wines.com

DuMOL 2021 Montecillo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. dumol.com

Las Brisas

Carneros AVA, off Ramal Road in Sonoma

Pinot Noir, Vermentino, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Albariño, Riesling

Producers: Mahoney Family Vineyards, Carneros Ranch, Ryme Cellars, Marine Layer Wines, Bouchaine Vineyards

Francis Mahoney, a champion of Carneros as a prime growing region for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay since the 1970s, planted Las Brisas in 1997 at the site of a former dairy farm. Its name pays tribute to the winds that drive morning fog from the vineyards and deliver cooling marine breezes in the late afternoon. These conditions help the grapes mature slowly, with plenty of hang time, resulting in a bright and juicy profile across varieties. Still owned by Mahoney’s Carneros Wine Company, Las Brisas is planted to 91 acres, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Vermentino, Pinot Blanc, Albariño and Riesling.

“I’ve been a longtime admirer of Francis Mahoney and his willingness to plant alternative white varieties. Being at the southern end of Sonoma County brings a great cooling effect to the vineyard that buffers the warmer temperatures in areas to the north. There’s a great natural acidity in these varieties at this vineyard, and distinct freshness and vibrancy that weaves really well into the Marine Layer style of wines.” – Rob Fischer, winemaker, Marine Layer Wines

Three to Try:

Bouchaine Vineyards 2022 Las Brisas Vineyard Pinot Blanc, $46. bouchaine.com

Mahoney Family Vineyards 2023 Las Brisas Vineyard Albariño, $26. carneroswinecompany.com

Marine Layer Wines 2023 Las Brisas Vineyard Vermentino, $35. marinelayerwines.com

Roberts Road Vineyard

Sonoma Coast and Petaluma Gap AVAs, 10 miles north of Petaluma

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Producers: Montagne Russe, Saintsbury Winery, Anaba Wines

The Sangiacomo family farms 1,600 acres across multiple Sonoma County sites, yet Roberts Road stands out as the growers’ most sought-after vineyard. Planted in 1999 to 130 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the Roberts Road site boasts the uncommon feature of having two watersheds. The vineyard is distinguished by its marine influence and fog that hangs in the vineyard from morning until mid-day. These conditions foster a long, slow ripening process — Roberts Road is typically the last Sangiacomo vineyard to be harvested each year — and exceptionally balanced grapes.

“Roberts Road is one of our latest-ripening Pinots. More coastal vineyards have that bright fruit right off the bat, whereas this also has a lot of other layers going on. It plays well into that nice blend of beautiful fruit, but it has a lot more rustic character as well. The Sangiacomos really care about their land and the people who work for them, and they want everybody to make great wine.” – Katy Wilson, winemaker, Anaba Wines

Three to Try:

Anaba Wines 2021 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Roberts Road, $74. anabawines.com

Montagne Russe 2021 Roberts Road Chardonnay, $50. russewines.com

Saintsbury Winery 2022 Roberts Road Pinot Noir, $80. saintsbury.com

Dutton Ranch

Green Valley AVA, about 6 miles northwest of Sebastopol

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Producers: The Calling, Patz & Hall Winery, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Kistler Vineyards, Martin Ray Vineyard & Winery

Legendary in Sonoma County grapegrowing circles, the Dutton family farms 1,400 acres of winegrapes and organic apples in the Russian River Valley, Green Valley and Sonoma Coast. The family’s winery property and ranch near Sebastopol is home to the Dutton Ranch vineyard — the grower’s main fruit source and a vineyard designate since 1979.

Warren Dutton planted the original 35-acre plot to Chardonnay in 1967 and it has since grown to include 30 acres of Chardonnay and 10 acres of Pinot Noir. Aside from meticulous farming by Warren’s son Steve Dutton, the vineyard’s special sauce is its location in Green Valley, which runs cooler than other parts of Russian River Valley.

“The distinctiveness of the vineyard is the personality of the site itself. Our Dutton Chardonnay is like our other wines from the neighborhood, but there is an uncanny apple-like sense to the finished wine. It’s as much about the texture, like the snap of biting into a just-ripe Gravenstein apple, as the flavors. With the Pinot Noirs the Duttons grow for us, they have a sense of effortlessness and precision. Working with them is a true partnership and there isn’t a doubt in my mind that it makes the wines better.” – Jason Kesner, winemaker, Kistler Vineyards

Three to Try:

The Calling 2022 Roberts Road Chardonnay, $35. thecallingwine.com 

Dutton-Goldfield Winery 2022 Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir, $50. duttongoldfield.com

Martin Ray 2023 Concrete Chardonnay, $43. martinraywinery.com

Durell Vineyard

Sonoma Coast AVA, off Arnold Drive, Sonoma

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Syrah

Producers: Three Sticks Wines, DeLoach Vineyards, Kistler Vineyards, Sojourn Cellars, Scribe Winery, Dunstan Wines, La Crema Winery, Banshee Wines, Auteur Wines

This landmark 600-acre ranch with 160 acres of vines lies in a unique setting at the intersection of three different grapegrowing regions, offering elements of each — the cool and foggy coast, the moderating bay influence from the Carneros, and the warmer temperatures of the Sonoma Valley. Nearly every afternoon, a stiff wind blows in, which slows down the ripening of the grapes and helps develop fruit of a nuanced, complex character. It’s a pioneering site in the county, first planted in the 1970s and spawning dozens of top wines from different producers over the years, including its own widely propagated clone of Syrah. The vineyard is owned by vintner Bill Price of Three Sticks Wines, which offers a guided hike through the vineyard on Sundays — an experience worth seeking out.

“I always feel when I’m at Durell that I’m at the confluence of great forces and powers. As you go into the different areas, you see that in the soil, too — you see the ancient riverbeds, you see the sandy, silty soil up top and you see the volcanic pumice stones. You see all this difference and you just know that things are swirling around that one spot. It feels like a sort of nexus.” – Ryan Prichard, director of winemaking, Three Sticks Wines

Three to Try:

Three Sticks Wine 2022 Durell Vineyard Origin Chardonnay, $70. threestickswines.com

Dunstan Wines 2021 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir, $75. dunstanwines.com

Banshee Winery 2019 Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir, $70. bansheewines.com

Charles Heintz Vineyard

Sonoma Coast AVA, 1.5 miles northeast of Occidental

Chardonnay

Producers: DuMOL, The Calling, Williams Selyem, DeLoach Vineyards, Littorai Wines

Grower Charlie Heintz’s grandparents bought this ridgetop property in Russian River Valley more than a century ago and planted Zinfandel — among other crops — at the site. During Prohibition, they replaced the vines with apple orchards. The family reentered the wine realm in 1982, replacing most of the apple trees with Chardonnay. That turned out to be a pivotal decision; sitting at an elevation of nearly 1,000 feet and caressed by coastal fog as it flows through the vines, the 50-acre Charles Heintz vineyard is considered one of the Sonoma Coast’s finest, prized by winemakers for its structured, high-acid Chardonnay.

“We’ve crafted so many memorable wines from these magical vines since I first set foot in the vineyard way back in 1998. The wines are incredibly distinctive, unlike anything else in Sonoma or California as a whole, and that’s down to the special vineyard site itself. High elevation, close to the ocean, long-lingering fog influence, late-season ripening, and precise farming combine to give the fruit striking intensity and style.” – Andy Smith, winemaker, DuMOL

Three to Try:

Williams Selyem 2022 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay, $68. williamsselyem.com

DuMOL 2021 Charles Heintz Vineyard Isobel Chardonnay, $89. dumol.com

The Calling 2021 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay, $70. thecallingwine.com

Bedrock Vineyard

Sonoma Valley AVA, 3 miles northwest of Boyes Hot Springs

Zinfandel and “mixed blacks,” including Carignane, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah and more

Producers: Bedrock Wine Co., Robert Biale Vineyards, Reeve Wines

This 152-acre vineyard has a surprising Civil War connection. Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and Joseph Hooker founded the site, then known as Madrone Ranch, in 1854 and planted the first vines. Senator George Hearst, father of publisher William Randolph Hearst, replanted the vineyard in the 1880s, and it changed hands many times before winemaker Joel Peterson bought it in 2005 and renamed it Bedrock. Today, Peterson’s son Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co. farms the historic site, which recently became the world’s first old-vine vineyard to achieve regenerative and organic certification.

“Between the site, the age of the vines and farming practices, fruit from Bedrock shows an intensity that is special in the world of old vine Zinfandel. The concentrated flavors of bramble fruits, violet and dried herbs serve as a foundation, along with the notable Bedrock structure, for our wine that really showcases the vineyard’s identity. The concentration and complexity of the fruit we get from Bedrock is rare and something we always enjoy seeing evolve in barrel and bottle.” – David Natali, winemaker, Robert Biale Vineyards

Three to Try:

Reeve 2021 Bedrock Vineyard Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, $52. reevewines.com

Bedrock Wine Co. 2022 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, $40. bedrockwineco.com

Robert Biale Vineyards 2022 Bedrock Vineyard Zinfandel, $65. biale.com

Teldeschi Vineyards

Dry Creek Valley AVA, Dry Creek Road, outside Healdsburg

Zinfandel

Producers: Bedrock Wine Co., Once and Future Wine, Carlisle Winery & Vineyards, F. Teldeschi Winery, Del Carlo Winery 

Two branches of the Teldeschi family are synonymous with Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, one of Sonoma County’s signature varieties. In the 1970s and ’80s, Frank and Mike Teldeschi were brothers who shared a driveway but rarely talked. Both brothers and their descendants grow landmark Zinfandel — Ray Teldeschi, son of Mike, now farms four sites in Dry Creek Valley, including his father’s historic home ranch, and sells fruit to Carlisle Winery. And John Teldeschi, son of Frank, farms his father’s ranch and has had a decades-long relationship with pioneering winemaker Joel Peterson of Ravenswood (and now Once and Future Wine), who has called the Zinfandel from Teldeschi a wine that “sings of place.”

“Those are vines that are truly farmed the way they have been for 70 or 80 years, and all dry-farmed. They’re the most beautiful head-trained vines you’ll ever see, because it’s literally one generation that trained the next to prune, which is just so rare to see.” – Morgan Twain-Peterson, winemaker, Bedrock Wine Co.

Three to Try:

Bedrock Wine Co. 2021 Teldeschi Ranch Heritage. bedrockwineco.com

Once and Future 2022 Teldeschi Vineyard “Frank’s Block.” onceandfuturewine.com

Carlisle Winery 2021 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, $58. carlislewinery.com

Kick Ranch Vineyard

Fountaingrove District AVA, off Calistoga Road outside Santa Rosa

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel

Producers: Shared Notes Wine, Ram’s Gate Winery, Tom Eddy Winery, Valette Wines 

Sprawled on the western slope of Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas, the 43.5-acre site is relatively young — planted between 2000 and 2002 — but the Fountaingrove AVA is new, too, established in 2015, and is finally earning well-deserved respect for standout terroir and detailed microclimates. This Certified California Sustainable site is revered for its rolling hills of rich, boulder-strewn soils spun from ancient bedrock and volcanics, concentrated in an alluvial fan that all works together to make vines dig deep roots and focus their energy on rich fruit. The site was purchased by Windsor’s Bricoleur Vineyards in 2018. Acclaimed winemaker Bob Cabral, of Williams Selyem and Three Sticks fame, joined the team in 2023.

“The cool, coastal climate is dictated by Pacific winds racing through the nearby Petaluma Gap, with south-facing vine rows attracting optimal sun exposure. Since the estate’s inaugural vintage in 2004, there have been 82 Kick Ranch wines that have received reviews of 90 points or higher from leading critics. We consistently receive waiting list inquiries for Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Grenache in particular.” – Bob Cabral, winemaker, Bricoleur Vineyards

Three to Try:

Bricoleur Vineyards 2022 Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, $36. bricoleurvineyards.com

Shared Notes 2023 Les Leçons des Maîtres Sauvignon Blanc, $85. sharednoteswine.com

Valette 2022 Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, $37. valettewines.com

Rossi Ranch

Sonoma Valley AVA, Lawndale Rd., Kenwood

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, Grenache Blanc

Producers: Carlisle Winery & Vineyards, Winery Sixteen 600, Sosie Wines, Loxton Cellars, Dane Cellars, Mayo Family Winery, Jeff Cohn Cellars

Set between two ridges near the back entrance to Trione-Annadel State Park, Rossi Ranch has layered views all the way across the valley to the Mayacamas. The site was originally planted by the Rossi family around 1910 and was farmed by the legendary Val Rossi well into his 80s. Many of the 1910 blocks, including a Zinfandel-forward field blend, were later replanted to Rhône varietals. It’s 42 acres of highly prized, hard-to-come-by fruit, and has earned the nickname the “To Kalon of Grenache” from winemaker Tony Biagi. Fun fact: You can see this vineyard up close on public roads. In Kenwood, Lawndale Road bisects the site, about a half-mile west of the junction with Warm Springs Road.

“The thing that’s so beautiful about Rossi is it sits on this uplift of land, and wherever you look, east or west, there’s an incredible view. When you walk through the vineyard, you have a real sense of the terroir and the history there — I’ll be walking through, just picking up golf-ball-sized pieces of obsidian. It’s surrounded by oak forest on all sides, and I think some of that implants into the vineyard, in a slight sense of herbalness in the fruit.” – Bart Hansen, owner and winemaker, Dane Cellars

Three to Try:

Winery Sixteen 600 2018 Val Rossi Hommage, $67. winerysixteen600.com

Dane Cellars 2019 Valeria Blend Rossi Ranch, $60. danecellars.com

Mayo Family Winery 2022 “Josephine’s Cuvée” Grenache Blanc Rossi Ranch, $45. mayofamilywinery.com

Stuhlmuller Vineyard

Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill AVA, near Healdsburg

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

Producers: Stuhlmuller Vineyards, Silver Oak, Aperture Cellars, Overshine Wine Co., Dutcher Crossing Winery, Mazzocco Sonoma, DeLorimier Winery, Bannister Wines, Williamson Wines

This diverse family-owned vineyard with 155 planted acres is at the cooler, southern end of the Alexander Valley near where it meets the Russian River and Chalk Hill valleys. The site was first planted in the 1980s and for years, the family were growers only, selling their fruit to high-end labels like Silver Oak.

The Stuhlmuller family built a small winery in a historic red barn on the property in the early 2000s, where standout winemaker Leo Steen oversaw winemaking for years. (Steen’s protégé, Zac Childers, now heads up the program.) Stuhlmuller’s 30-year-old Chardonnay is highly prized as is the 30-year-old hillside Cabernet Sauvignon, some of which is snapped up by Jesse Katz at Aperture.

“I began here as an intern in 2011 — this place just spoke to me. It was definitely where I saw myself; where I wanted to land. My office looks due east towards Mount Saint Helena, and when I’m up on the catwalk above the tanks, I can follow the treeline down to the Russian River and then up towards Fitch Mountain. We’ve got cattle on the property in the upper hillside, and stands of redwood, Douglas fir, oaks and manzanitas, plus jackrabbits, egrets — a very idyllic setting… One year, we had a bear get into the top block of Chardonnay. It’s a tiny little block and the yields are very low up there with the volcanic soils — but that bear ate really well.” – Zac Childers, winemaker, Stuhlmuller Vineyards

Three to Try:

Stuhlmuller Vineyards 2020 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, $45. stuhlmullervineyards.com

Dutcher Crossing 2021 Stuhlmuller Vineyard Chardonnay, $45. dutchercrossing.com

Bannister 2018 Chardonnay, $34. bannisterwines.com

Las Cimas

Russian River Valley AVA, off Westside Road, near Healdsburg

Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, Grignolino, Ribolla Gialla, Erbaluce, Favorita, Falanghina, Fiano, and more

Producers: Idlewild Wines, Comunità, Arnot-Roberts, Ryme Cellars, Jolie-Laide

Beyond Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this is a site that showcases the diversity of grape varieties that grow beautifully in Sonoma County and in Russian River Valley. The ranch has undergone a recent transformation under Healdsburg winemaker Sam Bilbro and owner David Drummond, who bought the 500-acre, high-elevation site in 2018. Bilbro and Drummond knew there was a greater purpose to this site and changed over roughly 50 out of the site’s 70-plus planted acres to unusual, difficult-to-source Italian varieties — 46 different ones. The site has views that stretch across wide swaths of the county, and the grapes are now grown with organic and regenerative farming practices.

“From when I first got there, and this was basically a conventionally farmed production vineyard, to now — it’s vibrant, there’s a diverse clover-based cover crop, and every spring there is crimson clover that is just booming, and you see bees buzzing all over the vineyard, you see other insect life, good predatory insect life. The place is just alive now. It’s alive in the soil, it’s alive in the general ecology you can see, and then it’s alive in the diversity of the plantings. It’s all of that at once.” – Sam Bilbro, winemaker, Idlewild Wines, Comunità

Three to Try:

Idlewild Wines 2023 Freisa Las Cimas Vineyard, $42. idlewildwines.com

Arnot-Roberts 2023 Falanghina Las Cimas Vineyard. arnotroberts.com

Jolie-Laide 2022 Mondeuse Noire Las Cimas Vineyard, $42. jolielaidewines.com

Bacigalupi Vineyard

Russian River Valley AVA, on Westside Rd., near Healdsburg

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Producers: Williams Selyem, Russian River Vineyards, Vaughn Duffy Wines

The 120-acre homestead Goddard Ranch was established in 1956 by the late Charles Bacigalupi, along with wife Helen. Today, the winery is still run by several generations of the same family and has expanded to several other nearby vineyards, all flourishing with natural tributaries and springs encouraging distinctive cool-climate character. Goddard is most famous for its Chardonnay block that went into the legendary 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris and helped put the California wine industry on the global map. Lesser-known lore is that Charles Bacigalupi coaxed luminary vintner Karl Wente to give him some French Pinot Noir budwood, one of the first well-documented plantings of the variety in the Russian River Valley.

“Goddard Ranch still boasts some of the original Paris Chardonnay blocks thriving with vines from the 1960s. It’s also home to a massive, ancient oak tree that I love — I visit it when I’m out in the vineyard to admire how beautiful the whole property is.” – Ashley Herzberg, winemaker, Bacigalupi Vineyards

Three to Try:

Bacigalupi 2022 Goddard Ranch Chardonnay, $65. bacigalupivineyards.com

Vaughn Duffy 2022 Bacigalupi Vineyards Pinot Noir, $75. vaughnduffywines.com

Russian River Vineyards 2022 Bacigalupi Vineyards Chardonnay, $67. russianrivervineyards.com

Florence Vineyard

Rockpile AVA, near Lake Sonoma

Zinfandel, Petite Sirah

Producers: Florence Vineyard, Rockpile Vineyards, Calafia Cellars, Mazzocco Sonoma, Pezzi King Vineyards, Carol Shelton Wines

On a high ridgetop bordering the far northwest corner of Dry Creek, overlooking the two long arms of Lake Sonoma, is the Rockpile AVA, one of the most unforgiving, out-there places to grow grapes in Sonoma County. Wildfire and drought are constant concerns, as is the nearby presence of the Rodgers Creek fault. In 1994, Jack Florence Jr. planted the first blocks of the now-legendary Rockpile Zin, bringing over budwood from Cloverdale’s tiny, hundred-year-old St. Peter’s Church Vineyard. His family is one of the pioneers here, along with the Gloeckners of Westphall Ranch, the Park family of Rockpile Vineyards (now owned by Wilson Artisan Wines), and the Mauritsons of Mauritson Wines. At 1,200 feet in elevation, Florence’s 12-acre vineyard is a rocky, northward-facing site that yields fruit with intense flavors and a distinct minerality. Florence has sold the fruit for decades and began making his own wine in 2020.

“It’s just the sheer ruggedness of it, the closeness with nature. It’s quiet enough that you really feel like you’re in another world. So much of Sonoma County is close into towns now, but this is one of those places that is still way out there. The way the fog rolls in over the hills and comes up from Lake Sonoma, gives that surreal feel to it and puts you at one with nature.” – Jack Florence Jr., Florence Vineyard

Three to Try:

Rockpile Vineyards 2021 Florence Zinfandel, $63. rockpilevineyards.com

Florence Vineyard 2021 Rockpile Petite Sirah, $60. florencevineyard.com

Mazzocco Sonoma 2021 Rockpile Florence Reserve Zinfandel, $65. mazzocco.com

Terra de Promissio

Petaluma Gap AVA, about 4 miles east of downtown Petaluma

Pinot Noir

Producers: Williams Selyem, The Calling, Gary Farrell Winery

Gently rolling hills overlook the Petaluma River, spanning 50 acres kissed by wind and fog flowing from the Sonoma Coast and San Pablo Bay. As the name says, this is “the land of promise.” The first 32 acres were planted in 2002, with every row farmed as it is today, customized to each client winemaker’s meticulous instructions. The property’s Dijon clones produce smaller berries and clusters, but that’s what makes the fruit so coveted for its concentrated flavors and mischievous nature that ambitious winemakers love to pamper. Terra de Promissio’s own wines are so valued that they are allocated almost exclusively to its members.

“We get just 5 tons from two blocks from this gem of a property, but I love its ideal terroir for its balance of earth and fruit characteristics. The soil, sun exposure, hill elevation, vine density, and the wind and fog of the Petaluma Gap all contribute to the grapes developing a slow maturation and extended hang time. This results in intensely flavored grapes and a chemistry for age-worthy wines.” – James MacPhail, winemaker, The Calling

Three to Try:

The Calling 2021 Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir, $80. thecallingwine.com

Gary Farrell 2019 Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir, $90. garyfarrellwinery.com

Williams Selyem 2022 Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir, $78. williamsselyem.com

Mancini Ranch

Russian River Valley AVA, near the corner of Olivet & Piner roads in Santa Rosa

Zinfandel, Carignane, mixed field blend

Producers: Ridge Vineyards, Carlisle Winery & Vineyards, Reichwage Winery

The historic 16-acre vineyard is a very rare, dry-farmed field blend of some 21 varieties, planted between 1922 and 1924 by Italian immigrant Luca Mancini amid still-existing ancient oak, walnut, apple, pear and plum trees. While lots of Zin and a good amount of Carignane dominate, the site is a wonderland of so many obscure grapes that it becomes a magical adventure exploring them all. Abouriou, Blauer Portugeiser and Elbling are just a few of the delights. In 2018, current vineyard owner Max Reichwage grafted even more marvels like Mondeuse, Plavac Mali and Clairette Blanche. Reichwage is working diligently to restore the previously neglected property’s soil and vine health, honoring a truly unique salute to Sonoma County’s winemaking roots.

“The old vines tend to produce very little fruit (about 1 ton per acre) and are very fragile — many of the trunks would topple over if we didn’t manage them so carefully. But I bought this vineyard to satisfy my own curiosity about the plantings, and also as a way to evaluate more heat-tolerant varieties due to our warming climate and drought. There is even one unknown variety of teinturier (rare, red-flesh grapes) that UC Davis does not have in their DNA database, so I jokingly refer to it as ‘Mancini Bouschet.’” – Max Reichwage, winemaker, Reichwage Winery

Three to Try:

Ridge Vineyards 2022 Mancini Ranch Blend, $42. ridgewine.com

Carlisle 2022 Mancini Ranch Zinfandel, $56. carlislewinery.com

Reichwage Winery 2021 Mancini Ranch White Wine, $35. reichwage.com

Rochioli Vineyard

Russian River Valley AVA, on Westside Road, near Healdsburg

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah

Producers: J. Rochioli Vineyard & Winery, Gary Farrell Winery, Ramey Wine Cellars, Williams Selyem, Castalia Wines, Holdredge Wines, Longboard Vineyards

When visionary winegrower Joe Rochioli Jr. died in 2022 at the age of 88, his obituary noted that he was survived by his family — and the 900,000 vines he lovingly cared for on his family’s ranch. Rochioli Jr. was considered the founding father of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Back in 1968, he was likely the first to plant Pinot Noir in the valley, and his son, Tom Rochioli, and grandchildren still oversee the family’s 130 planted acres today. Rochioli was also one of the first to divide their plantings into blocks based on terroir and to make wines separately from those blocks. In addition to the classic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Rochioli is known for some of the oldest plantings of Sauvignon Blanc in the state.

“When I walk through those old vineyards, I do think about the past… I remember my grandfather walking through the Sauvignon Blanc vineyard right before he died, looking at those massive vines. If you knew my father — I think I’m much like him. Especially when I was a young guy, finding my way, doing the work, really seeing every vine over and over — you get to know them. You see a plant that was trained a certain way, or grew a certain way, and you recognize it. You get to know their growth patterns. It just really gets in your blood. I think when you love what you do so much, that is all a part of it.” – Tom Rochioli, winemaker, J. Rochioli Vineyard & Winery 

Three to Try:

J. Rochioli Vineyard & Winery 2022 Estate Pinot Noir, $72. rochioliwinery.com

Gary Farrell Winery 2020 Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir, $90. garyfarrell.com

Longboard Vineyards 2023 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay, $56. longboardvineyards.com

Bernier Zinyard

Dry Creek Valley AVA, off Canyon Road, just west of Geyserville

Zinfandel, Petite Sirah

Producers: Peterson Winery, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Quivira Vineyards, Sbragia Family Vineyards

Zinfandel isn’t the only crop that Bernier Farms grows on the rugged, dusty hillsides of the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys — the Bernier family also cultivates 14 varieties of garlic — but it’s definitely the most celebrated. Founding grower Paul Bernier learned the secrets of dry farming grapes in the 1970s from “old Italians” who came before him and built a reputation for producing great Zinfandel on marginal land. With help from his son Zureal, Bernier planted Zinfandel on the family’s home ranch in the early 1990s and added Petite Sirah in 2003. The resulting Bernier Zinyard, covering just 2.5 acres and entirely dry-farmed, is the family’s longest-running vineyard designate and a winemaker favorite.

“The soil on their hillside is unique, with a nice mix of sand and loam. The Berniers practice dry-farming, organic composting and use cover crops, all of which make for strongly established but balanced vines. The resulting grapes and wine are always tasty and picked at a lower sugar (content) than many other Zin vineyards to retain their acid and sugar balance. The wine usually finishes in the low 13 percents [in ABV] and has a more delicate, perfumed character than darker, jammier Zinfandels.” – Jamie Peterson, winemaker and general manager, Peterson Winery

Three to Try:

Peterson Winery 2019 Bernier Zinyard Zinfandel, $36. petersonwinery.com

Dutcher Crossing 2019 Bernier-Sibary Vineyard Zinfandel, $52. dutchercrossingwinery.com

Quivira Vineyards 2018 Pillsbury Vineyard Zinfandel, $50. quivirawine.com

The post These Are the Most Iconic Vineyards in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

The Sonoma tasting room talk these days is all about offering visitors “elevated experiences:” personalized service, food pairings, barrel tastings, vineyard hikes, live music and special bottles pulled from the cellar.

Yet it doesn’t get any more elevated than sampling wine from terraces perched above valley floors, treetops, buildings and vineyards, where bird’s eye views allow you to drink in the area’s natural beauty and soul-soothing vibe.

This is only theory, yet one broadly embraced: Wines taste remarkably better and more interesting at higher elevations, where the air is fresh and the views invigorating. We first eat with our eyes, and these Sonoma wineries have eye-popping views that make the vino go down so very easily.

Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery

South Africa natives Linda and Lester Schwartz took the high-risk/high-reward route in planting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinotage grapes on their chilly, wind-whipped property near Jenner, in what is now the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. Their vineyard blocks are just 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean, thought by many to be too cold to properly ripen wine grapes. They’ve proven naysayers wrong.

The tasting room expanded operations to five days a week (Friday through Tuesday), with wine flights and food pairings ($85). The views are of the vineyards, of course, but also the ocean in the distance, sometimes swirling fog and always forests and meadows.

Scents of salt air and forest floor fill the air and often appear in the wines (made by Jeff Pisoni), which are precise, high-acid and age-worthy. The wines aren’t robust, but rather lean and elegant. And if you think you won’t like South African-grown Pinotage — a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault — the Fort Ross version might change your mind.

15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-847-3460, fortrossvineyard.com

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery

Come for winemaker Theresa Heredia’s remarkable, cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast — many from single vineyards — and stay for the relaxing atmosphere of the outdoor terrace as you enjoy the Elevation Tasting ($55), accompanied by cheeses, nuts and dried fruits.

The winery sits atop a ridge overlooking the Russian River, on Westside Road between Healdsburg and Forestville, and the view is of a vast expanse of redwoods, firs, oaks and madrones. Indoor tastings are almost as visually rewarding, with floor-to-ceiling windows affording a similar view as the terrace, and with a mix of tables, banquettes and comfy couches to sit on while you savor.

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

Hanzell Vineyards

Ambassador to Italy James D. Zellerbach founded this winery in 1953, entertaining the then-wild notion that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir could be successfully grown and vinified into elegant, Burgundy-style wines on hillsides high above the town of Sonoma. Zellerbach’s vision proved 20/20, as Hanzell (now owned by the publicity-shy de Brye family) is widely admired for its lean, crisp, age-worthy wines that resemble white and red Burgundy wines.

The Hanzell Tasting Experience ($90) takes place overlooking the Ambassador’s 1953 vineyard block — certified organic — on one of Hanzell’s outdoor platforms. On clear days, San Francisco Bay can be seen from the 900-foot-elevation estate; on the ground, sheep, pigs and chickens roam the sustainably farmed property.

18596 Lomita Ave., Sonoma, 707-996-3860, hanzell.com

Iron Horse Vineyards

It’s all bubble, bubble, no toil or trouble at this iconic Sebastopol sparkling-wine-centric winery. It has an east-facing view of its vineyards and, on clear days, all the way to the Mayacamas mountain range and Mt. St. Helena. Fog seeps into this Green Valley of Russian River Valley site morning and evening, refreshing the grapes, yet the days can be gloriously sunny for sipping Champagne-quality bubblies and taking in the visuals.

As outstanding as the sparkling wines are (still Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, too), tastings ($35) are casual, non-fussy and staged from a redwood barn-style building (spitting tasted wines down the hill to stay sober is not only OK, but encouraged). Seated tastings in a gazebo are offered on weekends from May 25 to Sept. 1 ($85).

9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, 707-887-1507, ironhorsevineyards.com

Kamen Estate Wines

Winery owner and screenwriter Robert Kamen (“The Karate Kid,” “Transporter”) has a tasting room in downtown Sonoma. But for a breathtaking view and a breath of fresh air, make the drive (with a reservation, of course) to his 1,200-foot-elevation vineyard in the Moon Mountain District.

Sweeping views of Sonoma Valley and San Francisco Bay at the Sky Deck experience ($150) are accompanied by Kamen’s top-tier Sauvignon Blancs, Bordeaux-style reds and Syrahs, paired with cheeses. A tour of the certified organic vineyard before the private tasting sets the tone for enjoying the wines. The address and directions for the Sky Deck experience are provided at the time reservations are made.

Sonoma tasting room: 111B East Napa St., Sonoma, 707-938-7292, kamenwines.com

Kunde Family Winery

Seated tastings in the Kinneybrook Room and on the large, well-spaced patio are a treat at this revered Sonoma Valley winery, operated by the Kundes for more than a century (vines were first planted on the now-1,850-acre ranch in 1879).

Fourth- and fifth-generation family members continue to sustainably farm the land and produce the wide range of wines on the menu. The most mesmerizing way to gauge their commitment is to enjoy the two-hour Mountain Top Tasting ($100), which includes reserve-tier and tasting room-exclusive wines matched with cheeses and charcuterie.

The experience begins with a walk through a demonstration vineyard, continues with a motor coach ride through the estate vineyards and hits its peak at the tasting deck, at 1,400 feet. On a quiet morning, one can almost hear an acorn drop on the valley floor below or a conversation between cyclists pedaling on Highway 12. By midmorning, the hustle and bustle of harvest can be seen and heard, yet it’s easy to tune out the sound and bask in the wines and grand views of Sonoma Valley.

9825 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5501, kunde.com

Robert Young Estate Winery

In 1935, Robert Young — at 16 — inherited his family’s ranch and eventually began replacing prune-plum trees with wine grapes. In 1963, Robert cultivated Cabernet Sauvignon and followed that with Chardonnay a few years later. His son, Fred, and his siblings founded Robert Young Estate Winery in 1997. Over time, the family modernized the tasting experience, from pouring the wines in an old barn to welcoming guests to the Scion House, built in 2018 atop a hillside, 800 feet above the valley floor with panoramic views of Alexander Valley.

The tasting menu includes $40-$70 options, with cheese and charcuterie boards available. The Vineyard Experience ($125), which includes a locally-sourced lunch (for an extra $25), is held under an ancient oak tree at the Bob’s Burnpile Block – Bob being founder Robert Young. Guests can see what Bob saw back in the day.

5102 Red Winery Road, Geyserville, 707-431-4811, ryew.com

Sbragia Family Vineyards

From its site just below Lake Sonoma, the Sbragia tasting room has fantastic views of Dry Creek Valley, from the north looking down the valley. Visitors can see terraced hillside vineyards of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah grown in rust-colored soils and framed by oak and fir trees, and the occasional decorative palms planted on vintners’ properties.

Sonoma native Ed Sbragia, who made Napa Valley’s Beringer Vineyards one of America’s finest producers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, established this winery with his family in 2006. Now, he and winemaker son Adam make Cabernet and Chardonnay, as well as classic Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel, the latter grape planted by Ed’s father, Gino, in the 1950s. Take a seat on the terrace, take in the scenery and taste the wines with cheeses and charcuterie ($25-$30).

9990 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville, 707-473-2992, sbragia.com

Stonestreet Estate Vineyards

Most tastings at this Alexander Valley winery take place at the visitor center on the valley floor, at the junction of Alexander Valley Road and Highway 128. There, guests sample wines made from the 5,500-acre Stonestreet Mountain Estate on Black Mountain, with vines planted at elevations of 400 to 2,400 feet.

The only way to experience the estate’s remarkable views of Alexander Valley and beyond, grapevines growing in myriad soil types and exposures, and occasional wildlife sightings is to take the Stonestreet Mountain Excursion. The price is as lofty as the elevation of the estate — at $200 per person, plus add-ons like a $60 lunch and a $150 caviar and Blanc de Blanc pairing for two. Yet the experience is unrivaled for those who truly want to learn, see and taste the impact mountain viticulture has on wine styles, complexity and age-ability.

The three-hour, privately guided driving tour and tasting shows off the many Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard blocks, with evocative names such as Cougar Ridge, Bear Point, Rockfall and Monolith, that are the backbone of some of Jackson Family Wines’ finest bottlings.

7111 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-9463, stonestreetwines.com

Maci Martell contributed to this article.

The post 9 Sonoma Wineries With Spectacular Views appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Watching the Summer Olympics in Paris may bring about travelers’ envy for wine tasting adventures in the City of Light. A handful of Sonoma County wineries are prepared to satisfy those desires with a local taste of France.

Check out our roundup of the six best French wineries and tasting rooms in Sonoma County. Feeling hungry after all that wine? These local eateries offer a bon voyage into French cuisine.

Chateau St. Jean Winery

Founded in 1973, Chateau St. Jean resides on the 1920s-era estate of Ernest and Maude Goff in the Valley of the Moon, where they built their French country-style summer home that now serves as the winery’s Reserve Tasting Room. The preserved chateau, which is listed in the National Trust for Historic Preservation, includes various European features along with a rustic rose garden reminiscent of bucolic villas in Southern France.

Chateau St. Jean offers a number of tastings where guests can sip wines sourced from local Bordeaux varietal vineyards and other Sonoma County AVAs. Enjoy a selection of five estate wines with vineyard views on the patio or within the historic, wood-paneled chateau rooms during the Chateau Experience tasting ($65 per person). Or invite a group of friends to a Bocce, Bordeaux & Burgundy Experience tasting ($55 per person) to play a game of bocce ball while sipping estate wines and snacking on French-inspired bites from the deli amid lush settings. Reserve tastings on Tock. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-257-5784, chateaustjean.com

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

After a day of wine tasting, guests can stay the night at Jordan Winery’s French-style chateau. Founders Tom and Sally Jordan added the lodgings in the 1970s, complete with a commercial kitchen and dining room, for members of the winery’s loyalty program, Jordan Estate Rewards. The three guest suites are adorned with Old World French architectural features and rare antiques from as early as France’s Baroque period, such as a Louis XV-era armoire decked out with a Victrola record player, French classics on vinyl and vintage playing cards.

Non-rewards members can explore the Jordan chateau followed by a wine and food pairing during the Winery Tour & Tasting experience ($85 per person). Available on select days from July through September, the Chef’s Terrace Tasting ($110 per person) offers guests sweeping views of the winery’s vineyards, chateau and culinary garden as they enjoy a seasonal, French-inspired wine and food pairing prepared by Michelin star rated chef Jesse Mallgren. Reserve online. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com

Matanzas Creek Winery

A visit to Bennett Valley’s Matanzas Creek winery resembles a stroll through Provence, France, one of the world’s largest producers of lavender. The winery established 3 acres of lavender on its property in 1991, greeting guests with its welcoming fragrance and dazzling purple hues. The lavender gardens also source the estate’s Lavender Market, which sells infused honey, candles, soaps, balms, body butters, and other home and body products made with the aromatic flower.

Admission for the self-guided Lavender Stroll is $10 per person. Reservations are required and available daily from June through August, when the gardens are in full bloom, before harvesting — though the market is open year-round. Get the full Provence winery experience by adding the Matanzas Creek Estate Tasting ($35 per person) to try six estate wines while overlooking the dreamy gardens. Reserve on Tock. Open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

6097 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 707-521-7019, matanzascreek.com

Vérité Winery

The late Vintner’s Hall of Famer Jess Jackson, of Santa Rosa’s Kendall-Jackson Wines, and French winemaker Pierre Seillan launched Vérité in 1998 to create distinctive, Bordeaux-style reds, like Merlot and Cabernets. In 2022, Vérité upped its French factor when it unveiled a grand chateau to house its winery and visitor center, completed last year with the construction of a 9,000-square-foot barrel chai (pronounced “shay,” a French term for a storage cellar).

The Estate Tasting ($200 per person) and Library Comparison Tasting ($350 per person) offer guests selections of estate vintages along with French-inspired accoutrements. Tastings take place in private rooms, luxuriously appointed with velvet pillows, chandeliers and stone floors from France. The tastings are available by appointment only; request an appointment online or by emailing info@veritewines.com.

4611 Thomas Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-9000, veritewines.com

Maison Healdsburg

Three SingleThread alums, including French wine scholar and sommelier Evan Hufford, opened one of Healdsburg’s only wine bars late last year. It’s a little slice of Europe on Healdsburg Avenue — a place where people can enjoy an after-hours glass of wine late into the evening while nibbling on upscale bar bites.

A vast selection of libations at Maison includes Old World wines from the Champagne and Burgundy regions of France and other European locales, in addition to old California vintages and a fine sampling of sakes and beers. Accompaniments to your late-night Champagne or Pinot Noir include caviar, salumi, smoked oysters and international cheeses sourced by Doralice Handal, formerly of the Cheese Shop of Healdsburg. Open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday through Tuesday.

210 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, maisonwinebar.com

Bubble Bar Healdsburg

Opened just in time for Valentine’s Day this year, the Bubble Bar tasting room offers visitors a glimpse of a Parisian café in downtown Healdsburg. A fancy chandelier, vintage coupe glasses, tufted bench seating, and fleur-de-lis tile floors and ceiling evoke a romantic setting fit for any Francophile. The Bubble Bar even provides a short-term, two-bedroom rental housed in a 1905 Victorian home, called the Cuvée House.

The wine list reads as a who’s who of premium bubbles, from French Champagnes and Italian Proseccos to Spanish Cavas and German Rieslings. Of course there’s also bubbles sourced from Wine Country, like Cuvée from Iron Horse and sparkling Chenin Blanc from Leo Steen Wines. French-inspired bites include caviar, tinned fish, charcuterie and Costeaux French Bakery macarons. The wine bar curates a blind tasting flight each month highlighting three standout wines — the month of August features Brut Champagnes. Open noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Walk-ins welcomed.

134 North St., Healdsburg, 707-395-4434, healdsburgbubblebar.com

The post These Local Wineries and Tasting Rooms Make You Feel Like You’re in France appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.

Sonoma County, with its many renowned vineyards, is a great place to enjoy a day of wine tasting. The region is also a great place for dogs and their owners, with an increasing number of parks, establishments and venues welcoming and catering to canine companions.

But just where should you go if you want to visit a winery while also spending time with your furry best friend? Fortunately, there are plenty of options in the county.

Scroll through our list below to see some of the best dog-friendly wineries in Sonoma County, and click through the above gallery for a peek at some favorites.

Sonoma

Gundlach Bundschu Winery

One of the oldest wineries in California welcomes on-leash dogs to their Rhinefarm. Pack a picnic and enjoy the patio, which overlooks the estate vineyards, or bring your dog into the historic tasting room, a pet-friendly pick for a rainy day. 2000 Denmark St., 707-938-5277, gunbun.com

Larson Family Winery

Larson Family Winery makes a dog-themed wine, Three Lab Cab, named after winery dogs Buster, Bubba and Pete. Dogs are welcome in the tasting room barn and on the lawn and picnic area, where you can play cornhole while your dog relaxes in the sun. 23355 Millerick Road, 707-938-3031, exploretock.com/larsonfamilywinery

Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery

Located within 375-acre Bartholomew Park in Sonoma Valley, the winery has a variety of great views and trails for humans and canines to enjoy. Leashes are required at all times. 1000 Vineyard Lane, 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com

Roche Winery

Watch the world go by, dog by your side, on the patio of this downtown tasting room, with a fire pit and trees providing shade. The tasting room offers barrel tastings, snacks and some of the best people-watching in town. 122 West Spain St., 707-935-7115, rochewinery.com

Glen Ellen

Abbot’s Passage Winery + Mercantile

Coming from a long lineage of winemakers that stretches back over a century and a half, vintner Katie Bundschu is making her distinctive mark with small-lot Rhône-style wines. Her winery is both family-friendly and dog-friendly. Dogs should be on a leash. 777 Madrone Road, 707-939-3017, abbotspassage.com

B.R. Cohn Winery

This Glen Ellen winery offers water bowls and treats for visiting dogs to enjoy. Leashed dogs are welcome on the winery patio and grounds, which include estate vineyards and views of Sonoma and the Mayacamas mountains. 15000 Sonoma Highway, 707-938-4064, brcohn.com

Kenwood

Deerfield Ranch Winery

“May All Fours Be With You” is the motto of Deerfield Ranch’s winery dog, Obi Wine Kenobi. Water is available for pooches, while dog owners can taste some of the wineries delectable vintages. 10200 Sonoma Highway, 707-833-5215, deerfieldranch.com

Kunde Family Winery

Fourth-generation winegrower Jeff Kunde invites dogs to accompany their owners on tastings and to join him on a hike through his family’s historic vineyards through oak woodlands, native grasslands and chaparral. 9825 Sonoma Highway, 707-833-5501, kunde.com

Landmark Vineyards

Welcome throughout the property, dogs are allowed to wander with their owners into the vineyard. Thirsty dogs get a taste of the royal treatment: Fiji water fresh from the bottle served in a bowl. 101 Adobe Canyon Road, 707-833-0053, landmarkwine.com

Muscardini Cellars

Winemaker Michael Muscardini’s golden retriever, Biondi, and staff welcome well-behaved dogs in the tasting room and on the patio and green rolling grounds behind the tasting room. Dogs can look forward to treats, water and toys as well as dog-themed events. 9380 Sonoma Highway, 707-933-9305, muscardinicellars.com

Healdsburg

Amista Vineyards

After taking a self-guided tour of the property with your dog, taste wine on the patio or in the tasting room featuring dog-themed art, while your pup enjoys dog biscuits. The winery hosts an annual fundraiser that benefits Canine Companions for Independence. 3320 Dry Creek Road, 707-431-9200, amistavineyards.com

Bacchus Landing

With a reputation of being “super” dog friendly, this collective of just over a half dozen boutique wineries is a hub of winemaking and tasting activity. Bacchus Landing is equally family-friendly with bocce courts and lawn games as well as a large open patio and five tasting rooms, among them Smith Story Wine Cellars and resident goldendoodle Lord Sandwich. 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, 707-395-0697, bacchuslanding.com

Breathless Wines

Guests can enjoy a flight of sparkling wines on the winery’s garden patio accompanied by their dogs. The winery also hosts fundraisers for Humane Society of Sonoma County. Out of courtesy for other visitors and staff, the winery requests that all animals are leashed and well-behaved. 499 Moore Lane, 707-395-7300, breathlesswines.com

Lambert Bridge Winery

This Healdsburg winery allows dogs to settle into a dog bed and relax with a bowl of water while owners try out the wines. After enjoying a tasting, wander through the estate gardens with your pup. 4085 W. Dry Creek Road, 707-431-9600, lambertbridge.com

Portalupi Wine

This winery’s downtown tasting room is a convenient stop along a dog walk. The family is a supporter of the local Humane Society and donates proceeds from their wine sales to the nonprofit. 107 North St., 707-395-0960, portalupiwine.com

West Wines

The winery, with a tasting room below a large oak with views of the vineyards, invites guests to enjoy a tasting on the dog-friendly patio. West Wines’ Instagram account features an assortment of photos of some of its canine visitors as well as its “winery cat extraordinaire” Jane Bond. 1000 Dry Creek Road, 707-433-2066, westwines.com

Wilson Winery

The Wilsons make a dog-themed wine, Three Dog Zin, which features the family’s three dogs, Molly, Sydney and Victoria. The staff welcomes dogs, offering pups treats and water, while humans sip zinfandel in the tasting room or on the patio overlooking the vineyards. 1960 Dry Creek Road, 707-433-4355, wilsonwinery.com

Cloverdale

BobDog Wines

Named after a beloved Rottweiler that lived at Sky Pine Vineyards 20 years ago, BobDog Wines lives up to its reputation as a dog-friendly winery, where pets are free to walk around on a leash. A portion of wine sales proceeds benefits programs for the protection and care of animals. 31955 Pine Mountain Road, 707-756-2471, bobdogwine.com

Geyserville

Sbragia Family Vineyards

Dogs are welcome in the tasting room, on the patio — even in the vineyards — at this Dry Creek Valley winery. With its views of the vineyard and surrounding hills, the patio terrace is a particularly nice spot to taste wine while your dog enjoys some treats and a water bowl. 9990 Dry Creek Road, 707-473-2992, sbragia.com

Dutcher Crossing Winery

Dogs are welcome in the tasting room, where they can try on winery-branded dog collars for purchase while their owners taste estate zinfandel and other small-production wines. The back patio and lawn is a great spot for nibbling on cheese and charcuterie, and playing catch. 8533 Dry Creek Road, 707-431-2700, dutchercrossingwinery.com

Sebastopol

Dutton-Goldfield Winery

Canine companions are celebrated at the winery, with special dog cookies offered to pets. Winery partner Theresa Dutton serves on the Northwest regional board of Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that provides service and therapy dogs to those in need. 3100 Gravenstein Highway N., 707-823-3887, duttongoldfield.com

Horse & Plow

Located in a historic West County barn near local vineyards and apple orchards, Horse & Plow welcomes dogs and their owners to the tasting room. Treats and water are provided to pups. 1272 Gravenstein Highway N., 707-827-3486, horseandplow.com

Marimar Estate Vineyards and Winery

This vineyard, owned and operated by the Spanish-American Torres family, welcomes dogs in outdoor areas. Visitors will also find some larger than life dogs on the winery grounds—10-foot metal sculptures of the owners’ springer spaniels, Chico and Bonita. 11400 Graton Road, 707-823-4365, marimarestate.com

Taft Street Winery

Taft Street Winery is a family-friendly business — and that includes dogs. Well-behaved pups on a leash are welcome on the winery’s back patio. The winery also provides treats and water bowls. 2030 Barlow Lane, 707-823-2049, taftstreetwinery.com

Windsor

Mutt Lynch Winery

Winemaker Brenda Lynch’s winery is both an ode to wine and to furry friends. The tasting room hosts “Yappy Hour” events and offers water, treats, toys and possible playmates, as staff members often bring their pups to work. The winery also raises funds for animal rescue organizations through its Wines That Give Back program. 9050 Windsor Road, 707-687-5089, muttlynchwinery.com

Bricoleur Vineyards

Bricoleur’s Essentials Picnic tasting ($75 per person) is the perfect excuse to treat yourself and your furry friend to an alfresco lunch by the estate pond with a glass of refreshing sparkling wine. Dogs are welcome in all outside areas at Bricoleur Vineyards, though only official service animals are allowed in the Winery Barn. All dogs should be leashed and never left unattended. 7394 Starr Road, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com

Martinelli Winery

The historic Martinelli Winery & Vineyards welcomes well-behaved dogs on a leash for its Vineyard Terrace Tasting ($50 per person). The tasting includes a flight of estate wines to sip on the terrace overlooking the Hop Barn Hill Vineyard, with the option to add a picnic lunch and bottle service. Only service animals are allowed inside the tasting room. 3360 River Road, 707-525-0570, martinelliwinery.com

La Crema

Located within Saralee’s Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, La Crema Estate also welcomes dogs. The site’s landmark historic barn has been converted into a tasting and wine education facility. Dogs should be on a leash at all times. 3575 Slusser Road, 707-525-6200, lacrema.com

Santa Rosa

Balletto Vineyards

Is Balletto pet-friendly? Yes! The winery says it usually has dog treats and water bowls at the ready for visiting dogs. Just make sure your dog is on a leash during the entire visit. 5700 Occidental Road, 707-568-2455, ballettovineyards.com

Belden Barns

This family-run winery prides itself on being dog-friendly and kid-friendly. The property, which is located on Sonoma Mountain, is also a working farm that produces a diverse array of fruits and vegetables. 5561 Sonoma Mountain Road, 415-577-8552, beldenbarns.com

Matanzas Creek Winery

Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome both inside and outside at Matanzas Creek, where aromatic lavender gardens line the property. For International Dog Day this year, the winery is hosting a pup-focused celebration for dog owners and lovers from 4-7 p.m. on Aug. 24. The event will include a selection of estate wines to taste, live music performances, “Burgers and Birria” by Bayou on the Bay, a complimentary painting session, and a plush dog toy and Matanzas Creek pop-up water bowl to take home for your furry companion. General admission is $60 per person and $50 for wine club members. Purchase tickets on Tock. 6097 Bennett Valley Road, 707-521-7019, matanzascreek.com

Freestone

Black Kite Cellars

This family-owned boutique winery will welcome dogs to the estate for its three-day-long Pooches & Pinot celebration, held between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 12-14, at the Jasper House, Black Kite Cellars’ newly opened wine tasting room in Freestone. The event will include signature tasting flights of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as healthy “bark-cuterie boards” with dog treats and a Black Kite Cellars bandana for visiting pups. Plenty of water will also be available for the dogs. Pooches & Pinot tickets are $67 per person. Purchase tickets on Tock. 12747 El Camino Bodega, 707-322-4863, blackkitecellars.com

The post 30 Favorite Dog-Friendly Wineries in Sonoma County appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.