Guide to Cornerstone Sonoma and Carneros Wineries

Discover the Sonoma Wine Country treasure known as Cornerstone Sonoma, a nine-acre center filled with the lavish Sunset Gardens + Outdoor Test Kitchens, wine-tasting rooms, home design shops, eateries, music, and more! Nestled in the town of Sonoma, this destination and the surrounding wine region is a paradise full of favorite places to sip and savor.

Cornerstone Sonoma 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-933-3010

Wine Tasting Rooms at Cornerstone Sonoma

Meadowcroft Wines

The corrugated metal cottage is intimate and cozy, often with tasting bars set up on the patio, too. Tom Meadowcroft specializes in Bordeaux grapes sourced from sustainable local vineyards to craft excellent wine that blends European heritage with California creativity. Drop in and sample a flight, or ensure your spot with advanced reservations for a relaxed seated tasting with artisanal cheeses, a tour of the vineyard, a fun wine blending experience, or wine tasting with an unforgettable hot air balloon ride!

Obsidian Wine Co.

This tasting room incorporates rustic wood trim and landscape art, but the best seats are on the patio beneath the shade trees. Make reservations to sample in this inviting tasting room or for a tasting excursion into the family’s tradition of 100% estate-made wine production that utilizes prized grapes flourishing in vineyards rich with volcanic Obsidian.

Must-See Wineries in the Carneros Sonoma Wine Region

Roche Winery & Vineyards

Wine tasting at the Roche Winery & Vineyards “Tasting Plaza” is highlighted by features like outdoor fireplaces, cabanas, private group tasting areas, and the view of thousands of acres of vineyards. Make reservations to enjoy their gourmet picnic baskets and taste wine on relaxing lawn chairs with panoramic views. Or book a magical private tour and tasting at this inviting estate.

Schug Carneros Estate Winery

Drive through vineyards bordered by rose bushes to this chalet-style winery and traditional wine caves tucked into the bucolic hillside. These stone structures are polished to a gloss and lovingly lined with the barrels used in crafting Schug wine. Knowledgeable guides on the private tours offer history and insight into this estate’s ‘secret’ winemaking techniques. Walk through the vineyard, cross over the crush pad, then continue into the winery and wine caves where tasting awaits.

Anaba Wines

Sample wines in this welcoming and impressive hospitality center on this vineyard estate, which includes fireside seating, a bocce ball court, and a paddle tennis court. Anaba Wines is named for the cool, upward-flowing winds that swirl through its sustainably farmed grapes. The unique air currents make the vineyards temperate and allow grapes to develop robust flavors and distinct characteristics. Book ahead for seated tastings, tours, and experiences.

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards

This winery’s sun-drenched terrace overlooks the estate vineyards, where you can sip this famous sparkling wine paired with savory cheeses, meats, and other delicacies. When Gloria Ferrer’s 335-acre estate came on the scene in 1986, sparkling wine was new to the region, and this Spanish-inspired winery turned heads with its stylish setting, too. Here, the grapes are hand-harvested in small lots, gently pressed, and crafted in the classic style of méthode champenoise.

Viansa Sonoma

This Tuscan-inspired hilltop estate overlooks the beauty of Sonoma Valley, accented with vineyards and olive groves. Reserve a tasting with flights and gourmet bites in a variety of beautiful settings like the fireside or an outdoor cabana on the welcoming patio. Peruse the onsite market for a gourmet picnic as the estate produces many of its own specialties, such as vinaigrettes, tapenades, and pasta sauces — many dashed with a delicious bit of wine.

Ram’s Gate Winery

With 30-foot-high ceilings and impressive windows illuminating sweeping vineyard and bay views, this spectacular winery offers a variety of tastings and food pairings to tempt you. Ram’s Gate wine is made with grapes from the winery’s vineyards and select vineyards nearby to craft the finest small lots nurtured by the region’s superb climate and terroir. The tasting room is relaxed and refined, artfully incorporating reclaimed fencing in the architecture to reflect the rich heritage of Sonoma Wine Country.

---

Written by Sonoma County Insider Carey Sweet