Which sonoma wineries to visit

Courtesy of Dutton-Goldfield. Courtesy of Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery. At Meadowcroft Wines in Sonoma, wine by the glass or bottle is available to-go without reservations a snack box can be added , or a seated wine-and-food bites option can be reserved. A taste of four wines together with a picnic lunch can also be arranged, or a Pinot tasting with light bites, and a blending and tasting experience. Courtesy of Meadowcroft Wines. Sangiacomo Family Wines opened last summer to showcase the family's own line of wines, in production since The spot launched with a soft opening, then quickly became a popular spot for its tasting of five current releases, such as Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and a selection of single-vineyard wines.

Courtesy of Sangiacomo Family Wines. Sonoma-Cutrer tends acres of premium Chardonnay vineyards, and the area around its tasting room offers lovely views beyond the croquet courts.

Courtesy of Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards. Sonoma County wineries are open for outdoor tastings. Here are a few recommendations of wineries to visit. Please call ahead — many wineries require appointments and seating may be limited. Click through the above gallery for a peek at the wineries.

The tasting room that spotlights the work of Katie Bundschu, the first female winemaker in her six-generation California wine family, recently moved from downtown Sonoma to this spacious location which once housed Valley of the Moon Winery.

In , the Black family bought 15 acres of vineyards in the Bennett Valley AVA and replanted them to cool-climate varietals. Since then, the family has added many more acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and less-common grapes such as Gamay and Ploussard. That quote and other famous movie quotes can be found on the walls of the tasting room for Kamen Estate Wines. The vineyard is one of the first organic certified vineyards in the country. Kamen Estate Wines produces cases of primarily cabernet sauvignon, as well as sauvignon blanc, grenache, syrah and cabernet franc.

Stop in at the tasting room along the Sonoma Plaza or schedule a tasting that will take you into the vineyard at the top of Moon Mountain where you can sip wine as you overlook Sonoma Valley. Your Sonoma wine tasting adventure continues a little further up the road from Sonoma in the town of Kenwood, home to more tasting rooms and restaurants.

Brian Wise purchased acres in Moon Mountain in He was drawn to the undeveloped property that had been an old stone quarry at the turn of the century because of its proximity to the iconic Monte Rosso vineyard. The twenty-one acres of vineyards are planted at an elevation of feet in red volcanic ash which gives the cabernet sauvignon a fresh, vital quality with bright aromas of dark red fruits and minerality.

The tasting room in Kenwood is a modern lounge with a bar, tables, and couches but the real treat is to book a private tasting in the Cellar Reserve Room at the vineyard. Up the road from Kenwood is Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa is the largest city in Sonoma County. You will head off the main road to the wineries of the Russian River for more great Sonoma wine tasting options. Photo Courtesy: Yelp. Inman Family Wines has been producing wine since Owner and winemaker, Kathleen Inman organically farms Producing cases of pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris, the wines are elegant and subtle.

These are not big ripe wines but rather wines with low alcohol, high acidity, and perfect to pair with food. The Inman tasting room is located at the winery in the vineyard. Tastings are available Thursday through Sunday by appointment only.

As you continue to head north towards Healdsburg, make a stop in the town of Windsor. The town is not much larger than a few streets but tucked in some warehouses is Artisan Alley Windsor, home to artisanal wine, cider, and spirit producers. William Allen started as a homebrewer more than a decade ago. With a day job in the tech industry, he started writing about wine from but decided to put his writing into practice.

Allen takes a minimalist approach to winemaking. With only cases of wine produced, the wines are unfiltered and unfined. Producing wines for wine geeks, be sure to try the trousseau gris made from the only planting in California. Two Shepherds tasting room is open every Saturday but if you are there on another day, call ahead to make an appointment.

From Windsor, head further north to the town of Healdsburg. This is a prime Sonoma wine tasting spot. A visionary, MacRostie was one of the first people to plant in the fog-shrouded vineyards of Sonoma County. After thirty years, he sold to Distinguished Vineyards and Wine Partners in but still guides the winemaking along with winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen. MacRostie produces pinot noir and chardonnay from numerous sites including the fifty-eight acres from the Wildcat Mountain Vineyard that was planted in Sitting on twenty-eight acres, thirteen of which are planted to pinot noir, the estate house is a modern facility with views overlooking Sonoma County.

From the moment you walk up and are greeted with a glass of chardonnay to sitting on the patio or in the living room, you may never want to leave. After a drive up the long hill and driveway, you will find the magnificent Jordan Winery Chateau that sits on the acres owned by the family.

Gundlach Bundshcu Winery , affectionately known as "GunBun," is California's oldest family-owned winery and is one of the region's most renowned producers. Named "Rhinefarm," the wine estate has been producing grapes since and offers 11 varietals today. The bucolic Rhinefarm is a must-see for oenophiles, history buffs, and travel aficionados alike, as the property features an abundance of opportunities for learning more about GunBun and California's rich wine history.

The private tastings offer exclusive ways to explore the heritage and diversity of this historic estate. The label produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Champagne, all of which enhance the gastronomic experience and are mainstays of French hosting.

A visit to the Jordan Winery estate is a true feast for the senses with culinary events, tours of the breathtaking estate, and much more. Alfresco lunches, vineyard hiking adventures, and library tastings are just a few of the activities one can expect from a gorgeous day at the 1, acre Healdsburg estate.

It's also home to one of the few California wineries that offers luxury accommodations on the property for members of Jordan Estate Rewards if you're seeking a truly immersive wine country experience. Ridge Vineyards is famous for single-vineyard, "pre-industrial" winemaking that relies more on the impeccability of the grounds and Mother Nature than machinery and additives.

The sustainable winery even labels every action and ingredient used to produce each bottle. While Ridge focuses primarily on reds, the label also offers highly rated Chardonnay. Here, visitors will be able to peruse through lush gardens, taste an array of varietals, enjoy panoramic views of the valley, and even enjoy a spectacular, Italian-style Sunday brunch on the terrace if visiting April through October.

We suggest the Enoteca Reserve Wine Tasting, which offers the most exclusive experience with the brand's smaller production, hard-to-find wines and best vintages in the villa's underground cellar. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. David Wakeley. John Bedell Photo. Leo Patrone. Aperture Cellars.