Your Guide to Sonoma County’s Refillable Wine and Cider Offerings

Golden State Cider in Sebastopol, California

Did you know that there are places in Sonoma County, California, where you can purchase a refillable growler, jug, or bottle of wine or cider? There are! The following Sonoma County wineries and cideries offer wines and ciders on draft so you can pick up a refillable bottle or jug to go.

What’s so great about refillable bottles?

  1. Refillable bottles are better for the Earth because refilling a bottle (versus purchasing new) means fewer carbon emissions and less landfill.
  2.  Refillable bottles don’t have corks, so they reduce waste and are park- and beach-friendly.
  3. You typically pay less for more wine or cider when it comes in a refillable growler, jug, or bottle.

For an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and fun way to take home Sonoma County wines and ciders, check out these excellent spots.

Cochon Tasting Bar, Sonoma

Cochon is a unique wine-tasting bar located off the Sonoma Plaza that offers wine tastings, wines by the glass and bottle, 1-liter refillable bottles, charcuterie and cheese plates, and espresso beverages. Co-owner and winemaker Adam Webb focuses on using Southern French and Spanish varieties grown on unique vineyard sites primarily within Sonoma County. Wines on draft and available in refillable bottles often include Grenache, Rosé, and a white wine such as Viognier.

Golden State Cider, Sebastopol

Golden State Cider in Sebastopol, CA
Golden State Cider in Sebastopol, California

Golden State Cider has a taproom located in The Barlow, a lively open-air marketplace in Sebastopol. The cidery produces popular and widely distributed canned ciders as well as smaller production ciders like its Harvest series, made with Sonoma County apples. The taproom boasts 12 ciders on draft and a yummy menu of food, including favorite plates from eateries in The Barlow. Nearly every cider on tap is available for purchase in growlers to go. Sip a cider sampler flight to find your favorite, then take a few with you.

Horse & Plow, Sebastopol

This organic farm and winery crafts natural wines and farmstead ciders from Sonoma Coast orchards and vineyards. Horse & Plow is passionate about its pure, organic fruit and refrains from adding anything unnecessary to their wines and ciders, following sustainable practices that go above and beyond farming. Here you’ll typically find multiple ciders on draft as well as a delicious white or red wine, like Draft Horse Red, available to purchase in refillable 1-liter growlers.

Kivelstadt Cellars Wine Garden and Eatery, Sonoma

Kivelstadt Cellars and Wine Garden in Sonoma, CA
Kivelstadt Cellars and Wine Garden in the town of Sonoma, California

Kivelstadt Cellars is a boutique winery in the town of Sonoma known for its fresh, balanced wines, artistic labels, and lovely wine garden. Stop in to discover a large taproom and an exceptional farm-to-table restaurant at this completely outdoor venue nestled among shade umbrellas and pretty greenery. Kivelstadt normally has between 5 and 7 delicious wines on tap, and typically, everything on tap can be purchased in refillable growlers by the liter.

Mercury Wines, Geyserville

Mercury Wines was one of the first Sonoma County wineries to offer “jug wine,” and the popular program is still going strong with a deliciously crafted local red offered in both refillable 500-ml and 1-liter jugs. While the red blend changes each year, what remains the same is that it’s juicy, well-regarded, and easy to drink. The last time we visited Mercury’s tasting room, the lovely, drinkable blend consisted of Syrah, Zin, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pax Wines at The Barlow, Sebastopol

At this inviting tasting room in The Barlow, Pax Wines serves the 100% natural wines it makes from wine grapes like Trousseau Gris, Chenin Blanc, and Syrah. In addition to being a fun place to sip, here you’ll also find between three to six wines on draft and available for purchase in refillable liter bottles. Wines on tap rotate throughout the year, and the last time we stopped in, some of the excellent offerings included Viognier, Rosé of Grenache & Mourvedre, and Gamay.

Preston Farm and Winery, Healdsburg

Preston Farm and Winery is a family-operated organic farm and winery in the famous Dry Creek Valley, where warm climate wine grapes thrive. At this farm, there are also vegetables, fruit, and olives for good things like estate olive oil, farmstead cider, or sometimes freshly baked bread available in the farm shop. The “jug wine” or fill-your-own-bottle program at Preston features a seasonal red blend available in generous 3-liter jugs, which are large and festive for your big gatherings and parties.

Interested in more earth-friendly wine tasting and travel? Discover these resources with inspiring ideas for your next visit to Sonoma Wine County.

Sonoma County Organic and Biodynamic Wineries

Sonoma County Sustainable Travel Guide

Natural Wines in Sonoma County


Written by Brooke Herron

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