Top Wineries in Glen Ellen

A drive through the heart of Sonoma Valley yields many a beautiful vineyard view, and tucked away in the sleepy hamlet of Glen Ellen, a wealth of wine tasting awaits. Here’s a list of top wineries to discover there.

Benziger Family Winery

This must-see winery was the original home of the Glen Ellen Winery, whose wines became ubiquitous nationwide. Today, the Benziger Family Winery is proud to pursue organic and biodynamic farming for its thriving vineyards, which are situated in a ‘volcanic bowl’ overlooking the Valley of the Moon and adjacent to Jack London State Historic Park. Tram tours of the vineyards are a main attraction here, while the ranch-style tasting room has a friendly down-home vibe.

Talisman Wine

Here’s a place where the wines of Pinot specialists, a husband and wife team with years of experience, offer a chance to compare different clones of Pinot from the same vineyard and other delights related to this favorite varietal. At Talisman Wine, you’re invited to gather in a comfortable, stylish lounge that’s just steps away from ‘downtown’ Glen Ellen.

Laurel Glen

Laurel Glen offers lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon an opportunity to explore the revitalization of this classic. Laurel Glen made one of the early ‘cult’ Cabs in the 1980s, and in-the-know collectors hold all the mountain-grown gems from Laurel Glen in high regard. These vineyards embrace true organic and biodynamic farming. Wine tasting experiences feature small-production, sought-after wines in an intimate, beautiful tasting room.

Mayo Family

The Mayo Family Winery is easily recognized by the antique yellow truck out front. Mayo is dog-friendly, offers a hearth on colder days, and there’s picnic seating out back in fair weather. The wine lineup is diverse, not just because of Jeffery Mayo’s European wine experience and winemaker Mike Berthoud’s skills, but also because the area’s complex topography allows an array of exceptional varietals, from Pinot Noir to Petite Sirah.

Eric Ross Winery

Step into the rustic tasting room at Eric Ross Winery for a comfortable, memorable tasting experience that feels like a relaxing visit. Viognier and Syrah are star varietals poured by friendly folks in this barn-style setting, a hat tip to the agricultural roots of this bountiful growing region. Discover this gem, located just across the road from a historic mill and winery dating to the mid-1800s.

Imagery Estate

An offshoot of the Benziger wine dynasty, Imagery Estate, founded by the charismatic family son, Joe Benziger, aims to showcase often unheard-of varietals and explore the intersection of wine and art. Indeed, the winery’s beautiful, well-received series features original artist-created wine labels. Each visit to Imagery is an opportunity for discovery and fun, from the captivating indoor and outdoor tasting areas to the onsite gallery.

Schermeister Winery

Taste the unique and expressive nature of the region’s exceptional terroir at this winery, where wild fermentation is a passion and excellent Pinot Noirs are an obsession. Robert and Laura Schermeister craft high-quality, limited-production wines that are unfined and unfiltered, sustainably farmed, and vegan-friendly. Discover other exciting varietals too, at this stylish creekside tasting studio in the historic Jack London Village, minutes from downtown Sonoma.

Discover the complete list of Sonoma Countywineries.

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Written by Sonoma Insider James Knight