Where to Taste Zinfandel in Sonoma County

Blessed are the wine tasters who head to Sonoma Wine Country for Zinfandel. Zinfandel has been called “America’s heritage grape,” and Sonoma County is one of the wine-growing regions where it all began.

Visit the wineries highlighted below to sip Zins and admire historic Zinfandel vineyards. You’ll find them in three key regions:

Sonoma Valley

Zinfandel was one of the first higher-quality grapes to supplant the old Spanish Mission grape in California, and it was praised as making a fine ‘claret’ in the mid-nineteenth century. 

Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma

This historic Sonoma winery (founded in 1857) is a fine place to enjoy a wine tasting experience. It offers several locally sourced Zinfandels, and the winemaker has a deft hand with this popular varietal. The original winery is now a California Historic Landmark and home to a Visitor’s Center, along with the tasting room and winery.

St. Francis Winery and Vineyards, Santa Rosa

This stunning mission-style winery is a stalwart in the “best Zinfandel category” and always offers a few knock-out Zins. The vineyards of St. Francis, nestled among majestic mountains, have produced elegant, fruit-driven wines for over 50 years. Today, this 100% certified sustainable producer also offers a fancy wine-and-food pairing experience.

Kunde Family Winery, Kenwood

The 1,850-acre property at Kunde Family Winery includes several historic Zinfandel vineyards. Its Reserve Century Vines Zinfandel is crafted from vines planted in 1882. Indeed, vineyard-planting booms of the 1880s and early twentieth century resulted in premium Zinfandel grapes blanketing many lush acres in Sonoma County. Now those Zin vines, old and new, are thriving in area vineyards planted in the old-fashioned way.

Russian River Valley

Zinfandel was the original Russian River Valley wine. Vineyard-planting booms of the 1880s and early 20th century ended with Zinfandel covering many acres in the middle of Sonoma County, where Pinot Noir would later become popular. The surviving old vines, as well as a few newer plantings, demonstrate that the enthusiasm was warranted. 

DeLoach Vineyards, Santa Rosa 

DeLoach offers a “Forgotten Vines” Zinfandel made from old-vine Sonoma County grapes. This Burgundian-oriented Russian River Valley winery, located above the Laguna de Santa Rosa, is committed to nurturing old Zin vines. As a pioneering producer and grower of Zinfandel, DeLoach Vineyards has been perfecting the best combinations of soil, rootstock, and clones for over three decades.

Harvest Moon Estate & Winery, Santa Rosa

For anyone who may think Zinfandel too brash — send them to this little family-owned winery. Here, the emphasis is on Zin’s subtle, floral, sweetly fruity expressions without extra heat, alcohol, or residual sugar. That said, iconoclastic winemaker Randy Pitts says to also try a taste or two from one of their bottles of “monster Zin.” Sit and sip on the patio to see how they turn their grapes into wine each season.

Joseph Swan Vineyards, Forestville

This small family-owned winery in the heart of Sonoma County’s famed Russian River Valley is a “pilgrimage” spot for Zin fans as former Ravenswood winemaker Joel Peterson got his start here. Their original Zinfandel was first released in 1968, and today the winery continues to make favorites, like a popular old-vine Zinfandel.

Hartford Family Winery, Forestville

This gracious Jackson family-owned estate on Martinelli Road, which makes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, may seem off the beaten path for Zin, but it is worth a stop for Zin fans. Hartford Family Winery specializes in old-vine Russian River Valley Zinfandels that score highly with critics and wine drinkers alike. After all, their select grapes are nurtured from choice vineyards located in Sonoma Wine Country’s “sweet spot” for Zin.

Martinelli Winery & Vineyards, Windsor

This well-known, family-owned winery has produced estate-grown grapes since the 1880s and is still farmed by the Martinelli Family today. Their vineyards grow and supply the most desirable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes to other local wineries, but some of the best Zinfandels are produced here, too. Visit this turn-of-the-century hop barn tasting room for legendary Jackass Hill Zinfandel or their estate “Vigneto di Evo” — an unapologetic fruit bomb.

Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley

Many visitors associate Dry Creek Valley with Zinfandel. Yet at one time, the grape competed with prunes for a grower’s bottom line. Today, you will find new vineyards planted in the old fashioned way in Dry Creek Valley and to the north, in warm Alexander Valley. 

Seghesio Family Vineyards, Healdsburg

Located on a leafy street in downtown Healdsburg, Seghesio produces exceptional Zinfandel crafted from estate-owned vineyards across Sonoma County. Woven into Sonoma’s history throughout Prohibition and the Great Depression, this brand is well-known and loved by diners as one of the best producers of well-rounded, food-friendly Zin. Don’t miss their behind-the-scenes tours, tasting in the grove, and a friendly game of bocce.

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Healdsburg

Known for its trio of iconic wines: “Temptation,” “Sin Zin,” and “Redemption,” this family-owned winery also offers a sweet, late-harvest Zin called “Salvation.” Located in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, the historic site was initially settled in the 1840s by the area’s namesake, Cyrus Alexander, and is still family-farmed today. At this friendly tasting room, walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are only required for parties of 7 or more.

Dry Creek Vineyard, Healdsburg

This family-owned winery, with nearly 50 years of grape growing and winemaking experience, continues to produce some of the best Zinfandels in Sonoma Wine Country, generation after generation. Explore the signature red wines as you taste through a flight of five limited-production Zinfandels. Tastings are offered daily by appointment or walk-in to enjoy a bottle or glass at the lovely estate picnic grounds.

Wilson Winery, Healdsburg  

This small boutique winery has been producing award-winning estate red wines since 1993, including world-class Zinfandels. The Wilson’s facility is housed in an impressive, century-old tin barn lovingly restored to provide a state-of-the-art venue. Sit, relax, and take in the panoramic vineyard or taste on their popular deck, where reservations are recommended for tableside service and breathtaking views.

Lambert Bridge Winery, Healdsburg 

Sitting among redwood forested hills and rolling vineyards, Lambert Bridge Winery keeps production small and standards high as they cultivate small lot wines, including world-class Zins. Fruit is harvested once each cluster achieves ideal ripeness, often with multiple picking dates in a single vineyard. Each harvest is hand-sorted and aged in small lots. Visit the lavish gardens and the vaulted redwood tasting room to experience these Zins.

More wineries to visit for Sonoma Wine Country’s best Zinfandels:

A. Rafanelli, Healdsburg
Dutcher Crossing Winery, Geyserville
Fritz Underground Winery, Cloverdale
Mauritson Wines, Healdsburg
Nalle Winery, Healdsburg
Simi Winery, Healdsburg
Truett Hurst Winery, Healdsburg

---

Written by Sonoma Insider James Knight