Organic and Biodynamic Wineries in Sonoma County

Sonoma County wineries are among the leaders in the exciting organic wine and biodynamic winemaking movement. 

Created from grapes farmed without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, organic wine uses very few additives. Biodynamic wines are crafted according to land-friendly principles outlined in the guidelines for Demeter Biodynamic® wine certification. To earn this important certification, vintners treat the vineyards as living organisms, abstain from pesticides, rely on the good old-fashioned Sonoma County sunshine, and more.

Discover (and taste!) biodynamic and organic wine at these Sonoma County wineries.

Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen

Since receiving Demeter’s Biodynamic® certification, Bezinger Family Winery has become a leader in sustainable viticulture. The winery offers several opportunities to tour its picturesque property and learn about its biodynamic farming practices, including the 75-minute Tractor Tram Tour and the 90-minute Tribute Estate Tour & Tasting.

Amapola Creek Vineyards and Winery, Sonoma

Sonoma County wine legend Richard Arrowood gained notoriety as the winemaker for Chateau St. Jean in the 1970s. Nearly three decades later, he opened Amapola Creek, the small-batch winery known for its colorful Chardonnays and delightful Zinfandels, all made with certified organic grapes grown on Arrowood’s vineyards.

Hamel Family Wines, Sonoma

Hamel Family Wines produces high-quality wines in limited quantities from grapes grown on their Sonoma Valley and Moon Mountain estate vineyards. Farming their vineyards with organic and biodynamic practices, they are always mindful of their role as responsible stewards of the land.

Bartholomew Estate Winery, Sonoma

Bartholomew Estate Winery invites visitors to experience estate-grown wines from their CCOF-certified organic vineyards. With exceptional Sonoma Valley soil and exposure, these vineyards, along with Bartholomew’s long and distinguished history, are poised to produce amazing vinos. Enjoy glorious views of the birthplace of Sonoma County viticulture from the winery’s Oak Knoll.

 

Quivira Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg

You know you’ve found Quivira when you spot their biodynamic preparations tower jutting above a colorful garden of flowers, herbs, and veggies. Quivira calls its viticulture approach “holistic farming,” and adheres to many of the principles that inspired the biodynamic wine movement. At this bucolic site, you may spot farm chickens while sipping estate Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache.

Preston Farm & Winery, Healdsburg

You may spy fruit and olive trees, lambs, chickens, fresh produce, and the organic vineyard at Preston Farm & Winery. In fact, it’s one of Sonoma County’s most dedicated advocates of the whole-farm approach to growing wines in balance with mixed, natural agriculture. Preston buzzes with activity at its tasting room, bakery, and produce stand, and it’s a fun place to picnic.

Truett Hurst Winery, Healdsburg

Delightful goats and sheep around the vineyard are common at Truett Hurst Winery, where it’s all about embracing the natural land. Their wines are all certified biodynamic. Take a glass of Zin and meander through the garden on the way to a colorful set of chairs by Dry Creek, where the winery participates in salmon-habitat-restoration efforts. Also sharing the property is VML Winery, which specializes in single-vineyard and barrel-select wines from the Russian River Valley.

DaVero Farms and Winery, Healdsburg

“Grow what belongs here. Be patient.” That’s the motto of DaVero Farms and Winery, whose founder, Ridgely Evers, is passionate about wine and nature. An olive farmer for more than three decades, Evers’ natural growing practices have an excellent effect. Here, you can sample estate olive oil and rare Italian varietal wines while strolling through certified biodynamic gardens and a living dome of willow trees.

Deloach Vineyards, Santa Rosa

As a trailblazing producer and grower of Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Zinfandels in the Russian River Valley, DeLoach Vineyards brought two generations of sustainable winemaking experience to Sonoma County in 2003. The vineyard earned its organic certification, and from there, Deloach converted acres of estate vineyards to biodynamic methods, which earned the winery Demeter’s Biodynamic® certification status in 2009.

Horse & Plow, Sebastopol

Owners Suzanne Hagins and Chris Condos are committed to making wine from certified organic grapes — it’s right on their labels! This husband-and-wife team, both career winemakers, pour organic cider alongside wine fresh from the tap at their stylish tasting room in a garden oasis amid the apple trees. Look for their new certified organic wines — meaning no added sulfites — such as the Gewürztraminer Carneros and The Gardener Pinot Noir.

More wineries that practice biodynamic or organic farming in Sonoma County:

• Porter-Bass Vineyard & Winery, Guerneville
• Baker Lane Vineyards, Sebastopol
• Littorai Wines, Sebastopol
• Red Car Wine, Sebastopol
• Hawley Winery Tasting Room and Gallery, Healdsburg
• Porter Creek Vineyards, Healdsburg

Discover more sustainable winery experiences in Sonoma County.

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Written by Sonoma Insider James Knight