Sonoma Wineries & Wine
Sonoma wineries and Sonoma wines are legendary. Smell. Sip. Smile. Home to more than 400 award-winning wineries, Sonoma County barrels a varietal for everyone. Down home hospitality resonates, from small family-run wineries to internationally heralded wine houses.
Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez
Get the FREE Visitors Guide and Wineries Map
Sonoma Wine Country is part of San Francisco's Bay Area and only a short drive from the Golden Gate Bridge. Get a free Wine Map and Visitors Guide. For sightseeing tours and winery tours in a bus, van, or limousine, browse our sightseeing & tours listings.
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The History of Pinot Noir
One of the earliest grapes to bud out in the spring, Pinot Noir was nevertheless a late bloomer in Sonoma County wine... Read More -
Discover Wine Tasting in Bodega Bay
Wine grapes may not grow on the rock cliffs that line the charming Sonoma County fishing village of Bodega Bay and... Read More -
Meet the Winemakers of Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast
Today the options for touring and tasting Sonoma County wine country are a burgeoning lot: you can do traditional walk-in... Read More -
Wine Guide for Thanksgiving
The key spice in a Thanksgiving feast is variety, and the diverse viticultural regions of Sonoma Wine Country provide... Read More -
Meet the Winemakers of Dry Creek Valley
The best part about visiting Sonoma County wineries, for me as a wine writer, is that I often get to breeze by the tasting... Read More -
Upscale Food and Wine Pairings
High-end wine and food pairings are a Sonoma County signature. And our winery chefs keep upping the luxury (lucky us!). Here... Read More -
8 Wineries You Should Visit During the Holiday Season
When there’s a chill in the air there’s a warm welcome at Sonoma County wine tasting rooms. The hospitality of Wine Country... Read More -
California’s Oldest Winery
Step back in time at California’s oldest premium winery at Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma. The Buena Vista was founded in... Read More -
Healdsburg Area Hotels with Vineyard Views
Create the perfect Wine County getaway by settling into a hotel with amazing vineyard views in the Healdsburg area... Read More -
Sparkling Wines for The Holidays
From holiday office parties to holiday family meals and, at long last, New Year’s Eve, the holidays call for Champagne and... Read More -
10 Wineries with Fun Things to Do
Wine tasting in Sonoma County is often more than just about the wine – it’s savoring the gorgeous winery settings. From... Read More -
Best Wine Bars in Sonoma County
The beauty of a wine bar is that it offers intriguing choices — exclusive or elusive wines, paired with light dishes... Read More -
Northern Sonoma Wine Region and Appellation
The Northern Sonoma wine region may seem like a puzzler: Although very few wineries use the appellation on wine labels, it... Read More -
Bennett Valley Wine Region and Appellation
Although Bennett Valley is among Sonoma County’s more recently recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), the grapevine... Read More -
Exclusive and Unique Wineries
Sipping premium wines and nibbling gourmet goodies can be even more delightful when enhanced by the perfect ambiance — and... Read More -
Where to Taste Merlot in Sonoma County
If you just really like Merlot, there’s no need to whisper across the tasting bar about your favorite, easygoing red wine in... Read More -
Top California Wine Tours
Some of the top California wine tours can be found right here in Sonoma County. Thanks to the diverse geography of Sonoma... Read More -
Wine Tasting in Sonoma County Without a Car
Wine Tasting in Sonoma County is wonderful no matter how you do it, but there’s something to be said about enjoying the... Read More -
Sonoma Wine Facts
Sonoma County, adjacent to Napa Valley, is one of the most diverse wine regions in the world. It boasts towering mountains,... Read More -
Tips on Shipping Wine Home From Sonoma County
After a few days of wine-tasting your way through Sonoma County and buying the vintages you love, the next step is... Read More -
Wine Tasting Itinerary: Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys in 3 Days
A "long weekend in Sonoma Wine Country" has a great ring to it. However, in a region that includes 17 unique wine regions... Read More -
Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Wine Region and Appellation
Like islands in the clouds — that’s how grape growers describe the view from Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak on mornings when... Read More -
Guide to Visiting Kendall-Jackson Winery
Kendall-Jackson is one of the biggest names in California wine, and Sonoma County wine country is K-J’s home turf. And there... Read More -
Top Wineries with Wine and Food Pairings
Take the guesswork out of wine and food pairing at Sonoma County wineries that offer gourmet bites with flights of wine.It’s... Read More -
Top Wineries for First-time Visitors
First time visiting Sonoma County wine country? First time ever, on the wine tasting trail? Whether you want to make a... Read More -
5 Sonoma County Wineries off the Beaten Path
To get the best view you must climb, of course, and a road trip in the rugged hills of Sonoma County occasionally rewards... Read More -
Where to Taste Chardonnay in Sonoma County
Love it or love it not as much, Chardonnay is a best-selling wine all over the world, and the leading white in Sonoma County... Read More -
Wineries Where You Can Spend The Night
Whether you're contemplating a romantic Sonoma Wine Country getaway, a wine tasting excursion, or a vacation trip, take the... Read More -
Guide to Visiting Wine Caves in Sonoma Wine Country
In many parts of the country, caves are reserved for bats, but in Sonoma County you’re much more likely to find wine barrels... Read More -
The Most Beautiful Wine Castles of Sonoma
Just one hour north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, you find yourself in California's charming wine country — ... Read More -
Beyond Wine: Wineries with More to Explore
Tasting wine is fantastic, but sometimes you want a little bit more — a deeper experience, something new, something... Read More -
Guide to Wine Tasting in Graton
Wine tasting in Graton in western Sonoma County is a town-in-the-country experience.Tucked away out of sight of Highway 116... Read More -
Frequently Asked Questions About Wineries in Sonoma County
1. Which wineries have lunch, picnics, and wine by the glass?To find wineries that serve lunch, picnics, or wine by the... Read More -
Sonoma County Wineries With Amazing Views
There are more than 425 wineries in Sonoma County and each and every one is scenic in its own way. Still, some have views... Read More -
Wine Enthusiasts’ Outdoor Activities
From self-guided vineyard tours, to eco-hiking, to bicycling between wineries, to viewing outdoor art exhibits, Sonoma... Read More -
Top Wineries in Glen Ellen
A drive on the main highway through the heart of the Sonoma Valley yields many a beautiful vineyard view, but few signs for... Read More -
Biodynamic and Organic Wineries in Sonoma County
Sonoma County wineries are among the leaders in the organic and Biodynamic wine movements, which can be very generally... Read More -
Guide to Food and Wine Tours
When you’re thinking about exploring Sonoma Wine Country’s many wine tasting rooms, think about relaxation, entertainment,... Read More -
Sonoma County Wineries Offering Food Pairings
Sipping award-winning wines is amazing, but to enhance the experience, wine tasting in Sonoma County can also mean embracing... Read More -
Meet the Winemaker at Kendall-Jackson
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens should need no introduction. Topping wine sales charts since the 80s, the... Read More -
Where to Taste Zinfandel in Sonoma County
Blessed are the wine tasters who just want to head directly to the best Sonoma County wineries for Zinfandel, for they are... Read More -
Where to Taste Pinot in the Town of Sonoma
There are many great opportunities to taste Pinot Noir in Sonoma — the City of Sonoma, that is, the historic pueblo founded... Read More -
Meet the Winemaker at Chateau St. Jean Winery
Chateau St. Jean is one of Sonoma County’s most picturesque wineries, with what folks like to call a “wine castle” set... Read More -
13 Sonoma County Wineries You Should Know
While some people might consider the number “13” unlucky, experiencing any of these 13 Sonoma County wineries and their... Read More -
Green Valley of Russian River Valley Wine Region and Appellation
The Green Valley of the Russian River Valley suffers an identity crises in name only. Originally called Green Valley, the... Read More -
10 Sonoma Wineries to Enjoy Wine by the Glass
Wine tasting is moving out of doors at Sonoma County tasting rooms. Everywhere, wineries are upgrading their patio... Read More -
10 Terrific Garden, Vineyard and Winery Tours
Spring is a fine time to stop smell the roses and wildflowers, and Sonoma County winery gardens beckon with special events,... Read More -
Wine Tasting in Forestville
Forestville’s motto is “where the river meets the redwoods,” but it may as well be “where the river and the redwoods meet... Read More -
Guide to Wine Tasting in Sebastopol, California
While the eclectic West Sonoma County town of Sebastopol still celebrates its apple heritage not once but twice a year —... Read More -
Sauvignon Blanc in Sonoma County
Crisp and refreshing, yet seriously structured at its best, Sauvignon Blanc is the second-most popular varietal white wine... Read More -
Guide to Wine Tasting in Petaluma
With the recent approval of the Petaluma Gap as Sonoma County’s newest American Viticultural Area (AVA), the spotlight is on... Read More -
Sonoma County Wine Clubs
Discounts, access to hard-to-find wines, and the chance to taste future offerings by a favorite winemaker are all reasons... Read More -
Riesling in Sonoma County
Once upon a time in Sonoma County, such was the good repute of Riesling that it could launch a winery’s fortune. While far... Read More -
10 Sonoma Wineries with Gorgeous Gardens
All of Sonoma County can seem as green as a garden in springtime: hills are lush with grass after the rains, trees have... Read More -
Free Wine Tasting in Sonoma County
Despite the myth that wine tasting is an expensive activity, there are many wineries in Sonoma County that offer either free... Read More -
The Sonoma Coast Wine Region and Appellation
The Sonoma Coast American Viticulture Area (known as an AVA or appellation) may be Sonoma County’s most enigmatic wine... Read More -
Free Vineyard Walking Tours
Visit some of Sonoma Wine Country’s outstanding wineries and spend time outdoors in the bargain with the free “Sonoma County... Read More -
Visiting Healdsburg and Nearby Wineries
Nestled against the Russian River in northern Sonoma County, the historic town of Healdsburg holds the charms of a small,... Read More -
Top Wineries in Healdsburg
Although Healdsburg gained fame as a Sonoma County Wine Country destination more recently than the town of Sonoma, with... Read More -
Facts About Sonoma Wine Country
Stretching from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Mayacamas Mountains in the east, Sonoma County is the largest wine... Read More -
The History of Chardonnay
Chardonnay plays a dual role as both the queen and the workhorse of Sonoma County wine. A pedigreed member of the “noble... Read More -
Guide to Cornerstone Sonoma and Carneros Wineries
It's called “Carneros Sonoma,” and it’s one of the more secret wine regions of Sonoma Valley. One of the best-known... Read More -
The Sonoma Valley Wine Region and Appellation
From Alicante to Zinfandel, with both Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon in between, the Sonoma Valley encompasses perhaps... Read More -
Petaluma Gap Wine Region and Appellation
New for 2018, the Petaluma Gap is among the growing number of appellations to earn American Viticultural Area (AVA) status... Read More -
Syrah in Sonoma County
Syrah and Sonoma County are a match long in the making.Native to the Rhône Valley in south-central France, Syrah is often... Read More -
Guide to Wine Tasting in Sonoma
Sonoma County’s original “wine city,” the historic city of Sonoma is enjoying a wine tourism renaissance today. Dozens of... Read More -
7 Tips for Sonoma Wine Tasting
There’s never been a better time for one of Sonoma County’s favorite activities, wine tasting. It’s casual, mostly... Read More -
Meet the Winemaker at Imagery Estate
Try to paint a picture of the ultimate Sonoma County winemaker, and you just might find you’ve got a portrait of Joe... Read More -
Downtown Santa Rosa Wine Tasting
Blend artisan vintages with an urban-village setting and you've got the artsy, landscaped strip mall known as Santa... Read More -
10 Tips for Exploring Vineyards
To truly embrace Sonoma County, you need to get up close and personal with the vines. Fortunately, most Wine Country tasting... Read More -
6 Great Moscato Wines to Try from Sonoma County
Muscat is sometimes the same as Moscato, other times not. In the Piedmont region of Italy, a lightly sweet wine called... Read More -
11 Sonoma County Wineries with Picnics
Across Sonoma County, more and more wineries are incorporating a food experience into their tastings, moving beyond... Read More -
Wine Tasting Itinerary: Sonoma Valley and Beyond
Sonoma County is home to almost 60,000 acres of vineyards, plus more than 400 wineries. Naturally, no visit to Wine Country... Read More -
Top Wineries in Santa Rosa
A few of Sonoma County’s “hidden gem” top wineries won’t be found down some winding, one-lane back road—they are hidden... Read More -
Fly from Minneapolis to Sonoma Wine Country
Escape the Twin Cities' busy life and fly to Sonoma County, California for the relaxed wine country getaway you’ve been... Read More -
Meet the Winemaker at Jordan Winery
There’s nothing unusual about a new winery owner setting out to best the Bordeaux wines of France with their Cabernet... Read More -
Best Harvest Activities in Sonoma County
Autumn is a magical time in Sonoma Wine Country — the culmination of the year-long growing process. The vineyards turn... Read More -
A Guide to Cabernet Sauvignon
It's hardly surprising that Cabernet Sauvignon is popular in Sonoma County, as it’s the most popular red varietal wine in... Read More -
Sangiovese in Sonoma County
Sangiovese is synonymous with Chianti, the wine in the straw-covered flasks that became ubiquitous in Italian restaurants in... Read More -
Wine Tasting in the Carneros Region
Much is made of the rivalry between Sonoma County and Napa Valley, but for the most part both wine regions readily share... Read More -
All About the Sonoma County Sustainable Signs
Throughout Sonoma County we see green and white signs that say “Sonoma County Sustainable” posted next to vineyards. What do... Read More -
A Stroll Down Vine Alley in Sonoma
A cozy warren of shops, offices and wine tasting rooms, a stroll down Vine Alley presents an inviting detour on the south... Read More -
Wine Tasting at the Sonoma Plaza
Wine tasting has been a popular activity in Sonoma ever since Agoston “Count” Haraszthy sampled the efforts of his new... Read More -
Sonoma Mountain Wine Region and Appellation
Few Sonoma County wine regions are so singularly determined by elevation, exposure and geographical feature as Sonoma... Read More -
Chalk Hill Wine Region and Appellation
No wonder the founder of Chalk Hill Winery famously discovered his property while flying a small plane over it—the Chalk... Read More