Guides

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery

Dry Creek General Store

Sonoma County, while not the first destination in the state for growing commercial grapes (that being in Los Angeles County), is certainly one of the state’s most historical viticultural regions and posseses a heritage that the county does not necessarily promote as much as they should.

While not the first wineries founded in the state, two of the oldest ones still in existence are both in Sonoma Valley – Buena Vista (dating from 1857) and the still family run Gundlach Bundschu which was founded in 1858 (both wineries are a short drive from each other).

And the first grapes planted by westerners in Northern California were at Fort Ross by Russian immigrants in 1817 after settling this remote and rugged part of the Sonoma coastline 5 years earlier. The varietal first planted here was Palomino, a white varietal originally from Spain, growing in Peru which was carried up the coastline of South and North America by ship.

Currently there are some 18 (as of our most recent update) sub appellations within Sonoma County (AVA’s) – regions that are geographically distncitve from one another. These regions are:

Alexander Valley, Bennett Valley, Carneros – Sonoma, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, Fort Ross – Seaview, Fountaingrove District, Green Valley of Russian River Valley, Knights Valley, Moon Mountain, Northern Sonoma, Petaluma Gap, Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak, Rockpile, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain and Sonoma Valley.

Mustard in Spring – Alexander Valley

Santa Rosa is surrounded by vineyards and a number of these regions are within a very short drive of downtown, including Bennett Valley, Fountaingrove District, parts of the Russian River and Sonoma Valley.

Two of the most visited wine regions in Sonoma County are The “Valley of the Moon” east of Santa Rosa along the Highway 12 corridor and the Russian River Wine region.

Wine tasting differs a little in Sonoma Valley as compared to Napa Valley. Tasting is more intimate – wineries tend to be smaller and there are generally less crowds. In addition, whereas the Napa Valley is very Bordeaux and Burgundian centric in the varietals planted, Sonoma County is much more diverse (with a number of more obscure varietals). The Dry Creek Valley is Dave’s personal pick for small crowds and intimate wineries tucked away among the vineyards. The wineries here are less “commercialized” than some of the larger wineries you find in Napa Valley or the Valley of the Moon.

Tours of the Wine Country . We have a “locals” perspective of wineries and attractions. We also have a unique insight into the wineries & producers of Napa County having visited, tasted and written about more than 1,000 unique Napa wineries, producers and tasting rooms.
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Also view our article: “Finding the Flavors, Spring in Sonoma County”

Remarkably downtown Santa Rosa has not been inundated with wine tasting rooms like many other towns in both Sonoma and Napa County (rather the tasting rooms in Santa Rosa are focused on beer). With that said, there are numerous wineries located within the city limits – many in industrial and business park type locations. One wine tasting destination within the city of Santa Rosa worth checking out is Vintner’s Square located at 1301 Cleveland Ave (parallel to the 101 freeway, exit College Avenue). This is about a 15 minute walk from the nearest SMART Rail Stop at the corner of Dutton and Guerneville Road.

Several wineries are located here including D’Argenzio Winery who earns bonus points because they also maintain a tasting room in Burbank (Los Angeles). During harvest sometimes you can watch grapes being processed in the winery on site. Not only can you wine taste in Vintner’s Square but you can also stop by Squire Cigars for a smoke, stop by a local juicery or and or a local brewery.

Note about Wine Tasting Options: they are typically one of the following: A. free (unlikely at walk-in wineries), B. you pay and if you purchase wines your wine tasting fee is refunded or C. you pay for wine tasting and there is no refund if you purchase wines. Tasting fees typically run from $15 to $50 and usually includes 4 to 5 tastings per winery. All of the wineries listed below are located in Sonoma County.

Some of the smaller wineries offer free tasting (although rarer and rarer these days) – some wineries will have a reserve room tasting fee should you choose to sample these wines. Reserve room wines tend to be a bit higher priced than the regular wines and typically quantities are less. If a winery does charge for tasting, they will usually apply the cost of the tasting towards any purchase you make at their winery.

Many wineries offer tours by appointment only. Others such as a the larger wineries will give hourly or daily tours.

The Harvest Fair held in early October each year at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds is an excellent opportunity to sample award winning wines and then purchase bottles or even cases! A shipping company is always situated near the main pavilion where the wines are sold. Sometimes small wineries will win a gold or best of show in their ‘class’ and then voila, all of the sudden that particular wine will sell out. Many of the top winners come from small vintages so the Harvest Fair is basically the best time to purchase the medal winners.

From personal experience many of these medal winning wines sell out within a month or less after the Harvest Fair. This event is held each year at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is hosted by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers, and proceeds directly benefit local charities for students, children, farm workers and people in need. The biggest wine and food event in Sonoma County, Wine Country Weekend is a combination of the previous year’s separate events- The Sonoma County Showcase of Wine & Food and the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction (a fundraiser for Redwood Empire Food Bank and the Santa Rosa Junior College’s food and wine educational programs).

This link is a good source of grapes during grape season and other winery equipment:
www.wineindustry.com – Wine Country Classifieds

All Phone Numbers listed below are in the (707) area code unless otherwise specified.

: Dry Creek Valley

: Farming tractor

: Alexander Valley

: Ferrari-Carano

Interested in Wine Tasting Napa Valley?

Dave has personally visited, tasted the wines and written about well over 1,000 Napa Valley based wineries! Visit The Napa Wine Project

ALEXANDER VALLEY

Alexander Valley Vineyards is located at 8644 Highway 128, 2 miles southeast of Alexander Valley Road near Healdsburg. Phone Number 433-7209. Website: www.avvwine.com
Clos Du Bois Wines are located at 19410 Geyserville Avenue off of Highway 101 (Independence Lane exit), near Geyserville. Phone Number 857-3100. This is a major producer – with a sizable production facility. Drive around to the back to reach their hospitality center. Driving in one assumes by the size and the feel this may be corporate owned and that is the case. Both inside and outdoor tasting available. Website: http://closdubois.com
deLorimier is located at 2001 Highway 128 not far from the center of Geyserville. Focuses on Bordeaux varietals. Picturesque part of Alexander Valley – especially from their patio. Privately owned by Ken and Diane Wilson (they also own some 9 other boutique Sonoma County based wineries). Open to the public by walk-in during their normal business hours – but private tours can also be arranged with visits to several other Wilson owned wineries. Website: www.davisfamilyvineyards.com
Foley Sonoma is located on a slight hill above highway 128 at 5110 Highway 128 near Geyserville. They have an excellent spacious tasting room with great views overlooking the picturesque Alexander Valley to the north – acres and acres of vineyards in all directions. The tasting room is well-endowed with glass windows. Also plenty of outdoor tasting on a nearby lawn. Formerly Stryker of Sonoma winery. Now part of Foley Wine Group, a collective of wineries from Santa Barbara to Sonoma and Napa. Visit: www.foleysonoma.com
Francis Ford Coppola Winery is located at 400 Souverain Road off of Highway 101 (the Independence Lane exit), near Geyserville. In a very unusual winery offering – a pool on site is open to the public – small Cabines can be rented to store your swim gear and other valuables while you lounge outside. Some movie memorabilia displayed on site. A winery to see and be seen. Phone Number 433-8281. Website: www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com – View our more in depth review here
J. Pedroncelli Winery is located at 1220 Canyon Road, one mile west of Highway 101 in Geyserville. Phone Number 857-3531. Website: www.pedroncelli.com
Jordan Vineyard & Winery is located only about 10 minutes from downtown Healdsburg. Despite the short drive, it feels worlds away from the food and wine hum and numbers of visitors found in Healdsburg. One winds through backcountry roads crossing through Alexander Valley before coming to a bright yellow signed entrance that leads to the winery via a lengthy driveway. Upon cresting a small hill visitors are awed by the noble mansion that greets them as they park and exit their vehicle. Perhaps a chatea from the right bank of Bordeax but no, you are in Sonoma County!

The winery offers a number of personalized experiences for visitors (all must be made by reservation) including a tasting of their library wines, a winery tour and tasting, an estate tour and tasting, vineyard hikes and special dinners.

Rich history. Founded by Tom and Sally Jordan in 1972. Iconic viticulturist André Tchelistcheff was hired in the mid 1970’s. Their innaugural release of Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded the “Best Cabernet in America” by the Beverage Tasting Institute. Their daughter Judy went on to later found very well regarded J Vineyards & Winery. Jordan is still very much family owned. Visit: www.jordanwinery.com
Medlock Ames is located at 3487 Alexander Valley Road in Alexander Valley. Founded in 1998 by friends Chris James and Ames Morison. Their stand alone tasting room used to be the Alexander Valley Store & Bar and has since been renovated for their tasting room. Pretty gardens surround their patio in the back. The building is over 100 years old. Appointments can also be made to tour their ranch (different location from this tasting room). The Alexander Valley Bar sits right behind their tasting room – great place for locals and visitors alike. Website: www.medlockames.com
Meeker Winery is located in Geyersville. (Go around 5:00pm) They close at 6:00 (tasting room is open M-Sat) but that is when the party starts. Be sure to visit the bathroom and sign your name somewhere! Phone Number: 431-2148 – Website: www.meekerwine.com
Silver Oak Cellars is located at 7300 Hwy 128, about 15 minutes from the Healdsburg square. This is a gorgeous historic property featuring a contemporary winery and hospitality center. For an extremely in depth writeup of Silver Oak Cellars – focusing on the original Silver Oak in Oakville, Napa Valley but also wiht information about their Alexander Valley property visit our review on the Napa Wine Project here: Phone Number 942-7082. www.silveroak.com
Trentadue Winery is located at 19170 Geyserville Avenue at Independence Lane near Geyserville. Gorgeous property with good views looking north and to the east. They offer a variety of tasting experiences including the ever popular Gondola Tour (where you will taste wines among the vines). Also an arbor tasting where you sit in the shade of grapevines and hanging bunches of grapes (these table grapes are often ripe by the end of September). Besides their classic wines, Trentadue is known for their pleasing desert wines. Phone Number 433-3104. Website: www.trentadue.com
Trione Vineyards & Winery is located in Alexander Valley at 19550 Geyserville Avenue near Geyserville. Deep roots in Sonoma County and Santa Rosa. Farmers for decades – today they manage some 700 acres of vines in Sonoma County. In 2005 they built a winery on their home ranch. When you pull into the driveway check out the cool looking stone building – it dates from 1908 and was restored by the family. Only a very small percentage of their own grapes go into their own wines – the rest are sold to area producers and wineries. Website: www.trionewinery.com

DRY CREEK VALLEY/HEALDSBURG
Amista Vineyards is located at 3320 Dry Creek Rd (at the end of a long gravel driveway with plenty of parking near the tasting room). Their focus is on sparkling wines and Rhone style red blends. The name roughly translates to ‘making friends’ in Spanish and is a tribute to all the friends owners Vicky and Mike Farrow have made over the years in the wine industry.

Visitors to the property can choose from a variety of tastings and experiences. Walk in tastings include either still wines from their property or a sparkling wine tasting. Wine and food pairings can be arranged as well as an estate tour of the vineyards. A self guided walk on the property is about 1/2 mile and winds its way around the vineyards and reaches a pond on site. Visit: www.amistavineyards.com
Armida Winery is located at 2201 Westside Road at Mill Creek Road in Healdsburg. Owned and operated by two brothers, Steve and Bruce Cousins. They work with many premium vineyards in Sonoma County.

Also known for holding memorable industry and wine club events! Phone: 433-2222. Website: www.armida.com
Bella Vineyards is located at 9711 West Dry Creek road in the Dry Creek Valley north of Santa Rosa. This winery is situated on the west side of Dry Creek Valley on the side of a hill. The tasting room is set in a cave in the hill located very close to their main parking lot. Great photos from near the parking lot of the valley. An overflow gravel parking lot is available just down the road a few hundred feet. This is a winery that knows how to make wine; they have won several medals at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair including a best of show for their Late Harvest Zinfandel.

For more information please call Phone Number: 473-9171 or visit their website at: www.bellawinery.com
Cast Winery is located at 8500 Dry Creek Road in Dry Creek Valley. Perched on the hills of the eastern side of the valley – wine tasting outdoors on their terrace overlooks gorgeous scenery. The offer an in-depth vineyard and winery tour at select times on Saturday and Sunday.

Phone Number 431-1225. Website: www.castwines.com
Chalk Hill Winery is located at 10300 Chalk Hill Road off of Pleasant Avenue in Healdsburg. Phone Number 838-4306. Website: www.chalkhill.com
Chateau Diana is located at 6195 Dry Creek Rd and found founded in 1981 by Tom and Diane Manning. Tom cleverly combined the French word ‘chateau’ with his wife’s name in a tribute to her. Today their children Corey and Dawn operate the winery. Drive up a small hill where the cute tasting room is located (slightly above the Dry Creek Valley floor). Great views from their patio.

Their vineyard location has been farmed for more then 100 years – it wasn’t always grapes but rather hops and prunes. The development of their brand has been an evolution over the years – the tasting room opened in 2012. Visit www.chateaud.com
Christopher Creek Winery is a small family owned winery located at 641 Limerick Lane, east of old Redwood Highway near Healdsburg. They produce about 4500 cases of wine per year. Phone Number 433-2001. Website: www.christophercreek.com
Coffaro Winery is located at 7485 Dry Creek Road in Geyserville. Owners Dave and Pat moved to the Dry Creek Valley in 1979. Drop-ins welcome. A good percentage of their wine sells as futures before it is even bottled. They are dedicated to making premium wines at a fair price.

Please call them at: 433-9715 or for more information visit: Website: www.coffaro.com
Comstock Winery is located at 1290 Dry Creek Rd. Focuses entirely on growing and purchasing Sonoma County grapes. Founders Bob and Sandy Comstock started growing grapes in 2002 and eventually opened their tasting room in 2015. Very much a family affair, daughter Kelly Comstock Ferris is their General Manager.The focus is on Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and several white wines.

Offers a variety of tasting options including a general flight, a terrace seated tasting overlooking their Merlot vineyard, a limited Sunday brunch offering, wine + pizza and other experiences including a blending seminar. A very picturesque property to kick back for an hour or two. Visit: www.comstockwines.com
DaVero Farms & Winery is located at 766 Westside Rd and is open by walkin every day of the week other then Tuesday and Wednesdays (when appointments are required). A very short drive from the 101 freeway and the town of Healdsburg.

Their farm is certified Biodynamic and is home to a number of olive trees (focusing on Italian varietals), fruit trees, gardens as well as a number of animals including chickens, pigs and sheep. Small winery and tasting room but they offer a large number of experiences for visitors including the popular and in depth Biodynamic Farm Tour and Seated Tasting, a seated tasting or tastings available for walk-in visitors. Also, a nice property to bring your picnic lunch or snacks. Visit: www.davero.com
Davis Family Vineyards are located at 52 Front Street in Healdsburg. Located next to the Russian River. Website: www.davisfamilyvineyards.com
Dry Creek Vineyard is located at 3770 Lambert Bridge Road at Dry Creek Road near Healdsburg. Family owned since 1972 – one of the old guards in Dry Creek Valley.

At that time much of Dry Creek was planted to prune orchards along with small family farms. Today vineyards dominate the landscape of the valley floor. Nice property with a very relaxing outdoor space for tasting. Phone number 433-1000. Website: www.drycreekvineyard.com
Dutcher Crossing is located at 8533 Dry Creek Rd in Dry Creek Valley. Features a tasting room with a view overlooking the vineyards along with a picnic area. Decent sized tasting room. An intimate place to spend a few hours – plenty of seating outdoors – along with an indoor tasting room.

Avid cyclist Debra Mathy is the owner and she is often on site.

Visit: www.dutchercrossingwinery.com
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery is located at 8761 Dry Creek Road near Dutcher Creek Road near Healdsburg. Several excellent desert wines including a Black Muscat. One of the larger wineries in the Dry Creek Valley – an excellent setting for a wedding. Sits on hill overlooking the vineyards – well manicured landscaping including a beautiful flower garden in front of the main entrance. Walkway is up long set of stairs past a bronze boar. If you touch the boar’s snout it is said that you will have good luck. Be sure to walk downstairs to see their wine cellar through the glass doors. Phone Number 433-6700. Website: www.ferrari-carano.com
The Spire Collection at Field Stone Vineyard is located at 10075 Highway 128 at Chalk Hill Road near Healdsburg. The Spire Collection is also available for tasting at Field Stone Vineyard (winery) in Alexander Valley just north of Healdsburg in neighboring Sonoma County. The Jackson Family acquired this property in 2016.

We drove into Field Stone Winery immediately following the Kincade Fire in October 2019 (the largest fire in Sonoma County’s history). Unfortunately the winery suffered major damage – we will keep a close eye on any re-construction and or any other developments and will re-visit the property and update this review accordingly as time permits.Phone Number 433-7266.
Foppiano Vineyards is located at 12707 Old Redwood Highway near Highway 101, near Healdsburg. This is Sonoma County’s oldest continually owned family winery (founded in 1896). Phone Number 433-7272. Website: www.foppiano.com
Forchini Vineyards & Winery is located just off of Dry Creek Road at 5141 Dry Creek Road. Located slightly above the valley. Very small winery with small wine tasting room. Winery dates from 1996. Open by walk-in weekends – by appointment the rest of the week. Call for details.

Phone Number 707 431-8886 Website: www.forchini.com
Fritz Winery is located at 24691 Dutcher Creek Road on the way to Cloverdale, CA. This is a more isolated winery then many of the others in Dry Creek Valley. Its about 5-10 mins from the Dry Creek Road turnoff. The winemaker’s dog is on the front cover of a popular book called “Winery Dogs”.
Phone Number 894-3389 – you may also email them at info@fritzwinery.com
Website: www.fritzwinery.com
J Vineyards & Winery is located in Healdsburg. Website: www.jwine.com
Mauritson Wines is located at 2859 Dry Creek Rd. One of the older wine growing family’s in the region – the Mauritson family has been growing grapes in the Dry Creek Valley since 1868 (to put that into perspective, just three years after the end of the Civil War). Today the winery is operated by the 6th generation.

They also were instrumental in growing grapes in the Rockpile region – planting vines there for the first time in 1884. Their property at one point was 4,000 acres – but much of it was acquired by the Army Corps of Engineers to build Lake Sonoma. Today the waters of Lake Sonoma in part, cover what used to be their family vineyards. Visitors can experience a variety of tasting options – those looking for a more intimate experience can choose to participate in one of their vineyard tours – with a visit to the family’s historic ranch in the Rockpile region. Visit: www.mauritsonwines.com
Mazzocco Vineyards is located at 1400 Lytton Springs Road west of Highway 101 in Healdsburg. Nice views from their tasting room of the surrounding terrain. Known for single vineyard zinfandel. The Monkey Lounge is a private room next to their main tasting room – the Flight Lounge is located up stairs – weather permitting walk out onto their balcony for excellent views looking west over the tiny airstrip and rolling hills.

Phone Number 433-9035. Website: www.mazzocco.com
Michel-Schlumberger is located at 4155 Wine Creek Road at West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. This is located in the hills on the west side of Dry Creek Valley. Excellent wines, great management on both the vineyard, winemaking and business side of things.

The small seasonal creek nearby the winery actually is a spawning ground for salmon which is amazing considering its very small size and inland location from the ocean. The winery is appointment only. Phone Number 433-7427 Website: www.michelschlumberger.com
Mill Creek Vineyards is located at 1401 West Side Road just south of West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. Phone Number 431-2121. Website: www.millcreekwinery.com
Mueller Winery is located at 120 Foss Creek Circle off of Grove Street in Healdsburg. Phone Number 431-1353. Website: www.muellerwine.com
Nalle Winery is located at 2383 Dry Creek Rd. Tucked away on a gravel driveway, this small winery is very much family run. The estate is planted to Zinfandel, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Open every Saturday by walk-in – the rest of the week by appointment only.

Check out their very interesting “wine cave” – not really a cave in the traditional sense but rather an ‘above ground’ cave or a wine bunker if you will. Of the hundreds of wineries we have visited we have never seen a living roof of rosemary bushes (such as line the roof of this cave). A picnic spot is located on site as is a horseshoe pit and a petanque court (French).
Preston Vineyards are located at 9282 West Dry Creek Road west of Canyon Road in Healdsburg. This is a very small winery – with a nice tasting room and gift shop – they often sell a very limited quantity of various fresh vegetables in the front of the tasting room. They are located on the west side of the Dry Creek Valley. Bocce ball is available for playing on the weekdays.

Nice ranch feel to this winery. They make excellent wines. Bring a picnic as well – nice facilities available for use – you must notify the tasting room before you sit down to your lunch. Phone Number 433-3372. Web: www.prestonvineyards.com
Quivira Vineyards are located at 4900 West Dry Creek Road just west of Lambert Bridge Road in Healdsburg. Walk-ins welcome – several tastings require appointments including their estate tasting and their estate tour.

Phone Number 431-8333. Website: www.quivirawine.com
Raymond Burr Winery was founded with a partnership between the Raymond Burr (Emmy winny actor on the Ironsides TV show) and Robert Benevides, also an actor and later an orchid grower. This winery is located on the west side of Dry Creek Valley. Besides their Cabernets which they are most famous for, they produce an outstanding Port. Nice views of the rolling hills and vineyards from here. Also “4-wheel” drive parking on the steep hillside!

Phone Number: 888-900-0024 www.raymondburrvineyards.com
Ridge Vineyards is located at 650 Lytton Springs road at Chiquita Road in Healdsburg. Call Phone Number 433-7721. Walkins welcome – appointments needed for their estate tour and tasting. The winery is surrounded by well over 100 year old vines.

Website: www.ridgewine.com
Rodney Strong Vineyards is located at 11455 Old Redwood Highway near Eastside Road in Healdsburg. Phone Number 431-1533. Website: www.rodneystrong.com
Rued Winery is located at 3850 Dry Creek Rd. Located within a short drive of the iconic Dry Creek Store. Long time Sonoma County farmers and grape growers – dating back to 1882. Six generations and counting. Wine under their own label has come much more recently (first vintage from 2000). Husband and wife Steve and Sonia Rued share the wine making duties.

Several tasting options are offered including walkin-ins at the bar, guests are allowed to bring a picnic and enjoy the Rued wines. A private tour and tasting can be arranged by prior appointment for Saturdays only. www.ruedwinery.com
Sbragia Vineyards is located at 9990 Dry Creek Rd – one of the last wineries before you start driving up towards Lake Sonoma. Long time Sonoma County family with deep roots in the Dry Creek Valley. Also one of Beringer’s accomplished winemakers for many years in the Napa Valley. Pull up their steep driveway in the eastern hills of Dry Creek Valley. Nice views from the winery.

Phone Number 431-1533. Website: www.sbragia.com
Simi Winery is located at 16275 Healdsburg Avenue, one mile north of Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg. They maintain a sizable parking lot but one can also park directly on Healdsburg Avenue curbside. This winery was founded in 1876 and have been at their current location (the old stone cellar) since 1890. One of Sonoma County’s older wineries. Named after brothers Giuseppe and Pietro (Giuseppe first came to California in 1849 to try his hand at gold mining but found more gold in the vineyards of Sonoma County).

Visitors can enjoy both wines and food – no appointment needed for walkins for a general tasting. Appointments are recommended (especially on weekends) for their tours and or Wine + Cheese pairings. Iconic winemaker Zelma Long spent many years here as winemaker and later president of the winery. The winery owns vineyards in both Alexander Valley to the north and the nearby Russian River Valley.

Phone Number 433-6981. Website: www.simiwinery.com
Talty Vineyards & Winery is located at 7127 Dry Creek Road in the heart of Dry Creek Valley. Family owned and operated – the Talty family purchased this property in 1997. The family vineyard is 6 acres. The almost singular focus of their production is on premium Zinfandel wines. Their vineyard is dry farmed and head pruned – with total yields each year only about 2 tons per acres. All fermentations are conducted using native yeast.

Visits are by walk-in or one can schedule a private tasting with Michael Talty. Reasonably priced wines. Visit: www.taltyvineyards.com
Teldeschi Winery is located at 3555 Dry Creek Rd in Dry Creek Valley (the entrance is directly to the north of the Dry Creek General Store right across from the stop sign). Not to be confused with Tedeschi Winery in Calistoga or Tedeschi Winery in Verona, Italy. Strong Italian roots. Offers a variety of varietals for tasting including Zinfandel. Nice feature of a stop here are the older vintages – which in our opinion, are always reasonably priced considering the age of these wines.

Phone Number 938-5532.
Timber Cest Farms is located at 4791 Dry Creek Rd. Drive up the driveway on the hill until you reach the large parking lot with a number of buildings surrounding. This location is unique for the Dry Creek Valley in that it is an open to the public collective of wine tasting rooms and several other food related businesses.

While most of the tasting rooms here focus on one winery/brand – the Family Wineries Cooperative offers wines from multiple producers. Easy to whitle away a few hours here, especially if you visit more then one tasting room. Also picnic grounds and a bocci court are available for guests of the tasting rooms. Visit: www.timbercrest.com
Toad Hollow was founded by the famed comedian Robin Williams half brother and Rodney Strong, who was very well known in the Sonoma County wine scene. Their tasting room is located in Healdsburg. They make a variety of interestingly named wines! Phone Number: 431-8667 – Website: www.toadhollow.com
Trattore Farms Winery and Tasting Room is located at 7878 Dry Creek Rd in the northern part of the Dry Creek Valley. Located on a hill with a picturesque panoramic viewpoint of the Dry Creek Valley. Weather permitting, the place to taste is outside on the terrace. Translates to tractor in Italian – appropriately named for owner Tim Bucher’s passion for tractors. An old tractor sits next to the entrance to their driveway.

In addition to the wines, this is also home to the Dry Creek Olive Company. In addition to both olive oil and wine tastings – guests my choose to pair the wines with a variety of culinary options including paninis, salumi, a locally sourced charcuterie and cheese plate and wood fired pizza Sundays (call for availability). Guests looking for a more intimate experience can reserve their 90 minute tour through the vineyards followed by a tasting of both their olive oils and wines. Visit: www.trattorefarms.com
Truett Hurst Winery is located at 5610 Dry Creek Rd. Extremely popular a times for a variety of reasons including their excellent wines and their picturesque location with access to the Dry Creek (river). Steelhead and salmon make their run up this creek in the winter months. Founded only in 2007 – by two couples, each having worked in the wine industry for several decades.

The property is 26 acres of which 15 are planted to vines (Zinfandel and Petite Sirah). Offers a healthy selection of wines to choose from. Walkins welcome. Great place to enjoy vineyard views as well as rare and up close views of the Dry Creek riparian zone. Beautiful gardens. Often on the weekends a food truck will be parked on site. Cars line the vines at times. Visit: www.truetthurst.com
West Wines is located at 1000 Dry Creek Rd a few minutes drive from downtown Healdsburg and one of the first wineries you reach as you make your way into the Dry Creek Valley. Produces a number of white wines including Viognier and a late harvest wine from this same varietal. Also produces several red wines.

Pull in off the highway, park near the vineyards and walk to the small tasting room. Very boutique feel. Picnic tables on site for a seated tasting. Visit: www.westwines.com
Wilson Winery is located at 1960 Dry Creek Rd and was founded in 1993. The winery is housed in an old tin barn (more then 100 years old). This is one of the oldest structures in the Dry Creek Valley. This barn has been restored by the founders, Ken and Diane Wilson.

While located almost on the highway, their picnic grounds offer a relaxing place to enjoy the wines and the views overlooking the vines of Dry Creek Valley (looking west). Also offers various charcuteries paired with the wines. For a more in depth wine experience reserve their Sensory tasting. Known for their Zinfandel. Visit: www.wilsonwinery.com
Yoakim Vineyard & Winery is located at 7209 Dry Creek Rd. This tiny tasting room is highly worth seeking out for both the wines, the setting and the personalized experience. Co proprietor David Wood is often on hand pouring wines and chatting with guests. The property is only on 4 acres of land (some fo the oldest vines – what look like mixed blacks are planted directly near their gravel parking lot. Located at the northern end of Dry Creek Valley. The property features an 1886 Victorian farmhouse and a rustic tasting room. The focus is on Zinfandel and other red wines. Visit: www.yoakimbridge.com

RUSSIAN RIVER

Bagicalupi Vineyards is located at 4353 Westside Rd This winery has significant history pertaining to both Sonoma County and Napa County. Originally founded with the family purchase of 121 acres in the Russian River Valley in 1956. Still very much family owned and operated. The first documented plantings of Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley were at their vineyard.

Also a well known name because 40% of the Chardonnay grapes from their vineyard were used in Chateau Montelena’s wine that won in the Paris Tasting of 19756. Tastings are available by walk-in, a cheese and small snacks ‘Baci board’ can be added and private seated tastings can be reserved in advance. Visit: www.bacigalupivineyards.com
Battaglini Estate Winery is located merely 10-15 minutes from the western part of Santa Rosa. A visit is by appointment only. This is truly a family run winery in all senses – Founder Giuseppe is the winemaker and his wife and three children are all actively involved with various aspects. A tasting is low key and is held at the bar in a very cool room full of award winning medals, articles and other wine memorabilia. All fruit sourced from their own vineyards – with some of their Zinfandel coming from vines that date back to 1885. Now that can definitely be called “old vine zin!” They focus on Zinfandel – often older releases are current vintages so the wine has had some time to age in the bottle. Their stomp event is always very popular during harvest. Website: https://battagliniwines.com
De La Montanya Winery is located at 999 Foreman Lane right between the Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. They are located on the west side of the valley.

They began business in 1995, and the Winery and Tasting Room opened in 2003. Located almost under the bridge on Foreman Lane. They have a very nice selection of wines. Phone Number: (707) 433-3711 Website: www.dlmwine.com
De Loach Vineyards is located at 1791 Olivet Road between River and Guerneville Roads, just west of Santa Rosa – maybe a 12 minute drive from western Santa Rosa. This has consistently been voted one of the top wineries in Sonoma County. Their production is much larger than the nearby wineries and they have good national distribution including Costco. Pinot Noir is their specialty.

Founded by the same owner as who started the nearby Hook & Ladder Winery. Today is owned by flamboyant Jean Charles Boisset (married to Gina Gallo). For many years the tasting room in the ‘front’of the property was used to taste wines for visitors (this was a combination bar and tasting experience). However tastings are now conducted in the estate house in the back of the property and all tastings are now seated (choose from indoor or outdoor). Shows glimpses of Jean Charles’ “handprints” on the property but not to the extent that Raymond Vineyards shows in the Napa Valley. Phone Number 526-9111. Website: www.deloachvineyards.com
Gary Farrell Winery For a refined tasting experience that showcases a variety of elegant Pinot Noir pull up the long steep driveway to Gary Farrell. Gary first started making wine commercially in 1982. He is no longer the winemaker here, but they continue to turn out some fantastic Pinot’s (this varietal is 50% of their total production). This is the first winery you will reach on the southern part of Westside Road. The winery and tasting room are perched on the edge of a hillside with spectacular views looking across the wooded hills through the long window behind the tasting bar. Appointments are now necessary – for winery tours advance notice is required. Their Hallberg/Russian River 2007′ is an excellent wine, balanced with just the right flavor profile. Visit: www.garyfarrellwinery.com
Harvest Moon Winery focuses on Zinfandel – this is a small family owned winery just west of Santa Rosa. Personable tasting room and friendly staff. Randy Pitts is the owner – check out his “Randy Zin”! They produce a wide variety of wines from sparking to dessert. Some tasty grapes line the edges of the parking lot. Always a fun and intimate experience.
Website: www.harvestmoonwinery.com
Inman Family Wines is located at 3900 Piner Rd. Founded by Napa Valley native Kathleen Inman in 2002 (with the planting of the Olivet Grange Vineyard – 10+ acres of vines. She released her first wine in 2002 and today focuses on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. These are food friendly wines, balanced with good acidity. She practices what she calls a “naturalistic” style of wine making – and this approach is seen throughout her vineyards and winery. She uses all Stelvin closures on the wines (screwcap, no cork).

The winery opened in 2010 and is completely powered by solar cells – including the first privately owned, publicly available electric charging station in the North Bay.While they used to be open by walk-in, they are now appointment only. Kathleen is usually on site and often conducts the tastings herself. Visit: www.inmanfamilywines.com
Korbel Champagne Cellars is located at 13250 River Road (right next to the road) near Odd Fellows Road near Guerneville. This is an impressive looking winery. A name synonymous with champagne for over 120 years. A very informative tour is available.
Phone Number 887-2294. Website: www.korbel.com
Landmark Vineyards at Hop Kiln Estate is located at 6050 Westside Road.Originally established in 1974 by a group of individuals including Damaris Deere Ford, the great-great-granddaughter of John Deere. Damaris later became the sole proprietor. Today the winery is owned by Stewart & Lynda Resnick,founders of what now is a 5 billion dollar company, The Wonderful Company based in Los Angeles. In 2016 Landmark Vineyards acquired the old Hop Kiln winery and this is their second tasting room (along with their primary winery on Highway 12 in Sonoma Valley.

The tasting room is located in an old hops kiln building. They produce a number of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They offer indoor and outdoor tasting experiences – it is a gorgeous property rich in history. Food can also be a part of an experience here – choose a local cheese and charcuterie plate and or their build your own picnic options. Also next door to the well-known J Rochioli Vineyards & Winery. Visit: www.landmarkwine.com
Lynmar Estate is located in the Russian River Valley Appellation just west of Santa Rosa. Its maybe 10 – 15 minutes from Santa Rosa. Sometimes you find a winery in which the majority of the wines fit your palate like a glove and this one certainly qualifies. Lynn Fritz is the owner – his brother also runs Fritz Winery in Dry Creek. Lynmar’s specialty is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from several vineyards. The winery is located in a bucolic location looking up at hillside covered vineyards in one direction and in the other towards the Santa Rosa plain. The tasting room is posh and well laid out. Website: www.lynmarwinery.com
MacRostie Winery is located at 4605 Westside Road. Founded in 1987, the tasting room opened in 2015. This is a gorgeous spot for wine tasting – airy and full of windows overlooking the scenic vistas of vineyards and Mt. St. Helena in the far distance. Also outdoor seating weather permitting. Visitors to the center are greeted by a host offering a welcome wine. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends – if not to busy, visitors can pop in and they will seat you. Very knowledgeable and well-trained staff. Visit: www.macrostiewinery.com
Martinelli Winery is located at 3360 River Road between Fulton and Olivet Roads in Windsor. Phone Number 525-0570. In operation since 1896. Not to be confused with the apple juice producers, although they used to have many apple orchards on their property. They offer a variety of tasting options on their historic property including (weather permitting) an outdoor tasting on their terrace above the waterfall, a walkin tasting at their wine bar or a Lunch & Wine Tasting. Still family owned. Website: www.martinelliwinery.com
Moshin Vineyards is a boutique producer located towards the southern part of West Dry Creek Road. Their focus is on Pinot Noir; with great wines and a friendly staff, a stop here is definitely worth your while. The Pinot’s are certainly a highlight of a visit here – Moshin makes 13 different Pinots, each one very unique. A standout is their Bacigalupi vineyard designate. This winery was started by San Jose State Math teacher, Rick Moshin in 1989. Rick’s passion for wine is clearly evident on one of his tours – for 15 years he would commute over 2+ hours one way between his teaching job and the vineyards in Sonoma County. He designed the entire gravity flow winery himself – tours are given by advance reservation only. A tasting is low key, relaxed and very personable. Visit: www.moshinvineyards.com
Porter Creek Vineyards are located at 8735 Westside Road, 1/2 mile north of Wohler Road near Healdsburg. Tiny little tasting room gets very crowded at times. Gravel parking lot, walk up the hill a short ways to the tasting room. Fun place to hang out and meet interesting wine drinkers from around the world. Offers a wide variety of reasonably priced wines. Owned by father and son. They farm their vineyards certified Biodynamic. Phone Number 433-6321. Website: www.portercreekvineyards.com
Rochioli Vineyards and Winery is located at 6192 Westside Road, just south of Sweetwater Springs Road in Healdsburg. Phone Number 433-2305. Long history in Sonoma County – initially as grape growers for decades until they released their first vintage, a 1985 Pinot Noir that won ‘The Best Pinot Noir in America’ by the Wine Spectator. Today they produce both estate wines and single vineyard wines.

Conveniently located only 10 minutes from Healdsburg – while this driving distance is so short, feels workls away here from the hustle and bustle of the Healdsburg central square. Their tasting room offers beautiful views of the Russian River Valley floor – with vines spread out in many direction. Their own vineyards are planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and old vine Sauvignon Blanc. Picnic lunches can be brought on site and enjoyed from their patio. Visit: www.rochioliwinery.com
Sunce’ Winery is located at 1839 Olivet Rd – a short drive from Santa Rosa. This is what one perceives a small winery to feel like – with a cozy tasting room and very welcoming staff. Established in 1991 they focus on hand crafting small lot wines – often 200 cases or less (a number of their wines are pre-sold through barrel futures). They also produce wines from somewhat uncommon varietals.

The name Sunce means “sun” in Serbo Croatian. A visit here is a bit like going back in time, a slower pace and if not to busy, a more personalized experience then one often finds at the more touristy/larger wineries. Also note the surrounding 100+ year old head-pruned vines. Guests can bring picnics – a bocce ball court is also located on site. One of the very few wineries in the county that has not website!

SANTA ROSA

Carol Shelton is located in an industrial park off of Coffee Lane on the north western side of Santa Rosa. For those that are used to normal winery buildings this is somewhat of a change! There are several wineries located here and quite a few labels are made on site. Carol has a long history of wine making especially at Buena Vista Winery on the Sonoma side of the Carneros region. Fortuntaltey she branched out and is making her own wine. And we must say, doing a damn good job at it!

You come here for Zinfandel – a number of different vineyard sources are used for her wines ranging from Southern California up to Mendocino County. Some of her Zinfandels are sourced from extremely old vineyards. The Zinfandel Late Harvest is a beautiful wine. This is an appointment only winery. Website: www.carolshelton.com
Chateau Adore/JW Vineyards is located at 4080 Old Redwood Hwy. Focus is on Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir from their JW Vineyard. Purchase a case of wine and receive free shipping anywhere in the Continental USA. Maybe. They also focus on private label wines.

Very unfriendly staff, almost to the point of threatening. We’ve been to hundreds of wineries and this is the first time we have experienced this. We do NOT recommend a visit here.
D’Argenzio Winery is a family owned and operated winery in Santa Rosa, California. In their seventh-year they are currently producing Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, in the Russian River/ Dry Creek Appellations. They offer free shipping within the United States with a full case order and special discounts on their 1998-2000 vintage wines. For more information please call them at: 546-2466 Website: www.dargenziowine.com Email: dargenziowine@aol.com
Martin Ray Winery is located 2191 Laguna Road in Santa Rosa. Website: www.martinraywinery.com
Kendall-Jackson is located just north of Santa Rosa off of the 101 Freeway. It is remarkable to think this winery got it’s start here. Today it is an international powerhouse of vineyards and brands – with sizable ownership in Sonoma and Napa County along with a large distribution and winery ownership in select wine regions around the world. They also used to operate a tasting room in central Healdsburg. Phone Number 433-7102. Website: www.kj.com
Matanzas Creek Winery is located at 6097 Bennett Valley Road just east of Grange Road. Mere minutes drive from the Bennett Valley part of Santa Rosa – feels worlds away from the city out here. Pretty views from the property looking across the valley. Known for being a picturesque estate with lavender fields (part of a self guided tour of the grounds). They produce a number of lavender products from these fields. Known for Merlot and Chardonnay. The oldest and one of very few physical wineries in the Bennett Valley appellation. Phone Number 528-6464. Website: www.matanzascreek.com
Paradise Ridge is one of the few wineries within the Santa Rosa city limits not in located in a warehouse/industrial type setting. This is a real treat. They are located in the expensive real estate part of Santa Rosa in the hills of Fountaingrove not far from the Fountaingrove resort.

Due to their terroir and geographical location, they only grow Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay on site and source the remainder of their wines which are all from Sonoma County.

A couple of our favorites are their Rockpile Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon and their late harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Let this wine age a few years if possible before drinking as time does wonderful things in the bottle. NOTE: the winery and hospitality center in Fountaingrove burned down in the Tubbs Fire of October 2017. We will revisit once they have fully rebuilt the winery and hospitality center.

This winery also operates an open by walk-in tasting room in Kenwood along Highway 12 next to Kenwood Village. Website: www.prwinery.com

SONOMA/SONOMA VALLEY

Anaba Vineyards & Wineryis located south of the town of Sonoma at 60 Bonneau Road (on the same road leading to Schug Carneros Estate). Website: This small tasting room focuses on Burgundian and Rhone based varietals. Walk-ins welcome but they also offer more educational and personalized private tastings by appointment only. Their grapes come from Carneros, Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley appellations. www.anabawines.com
Arrowood Vineyards and Winery is located at 14347 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12) between Arnold and Madrone Road in Glen Ellen. Shares the initial same driveway as Imagery Estate. Good views of the Sonoma Valley from the deck outside the tasting room. They produce a nice Late Harvest Riesling. Phone Number 938-5170. Website: www.arrowoodvineyards.com
b.wise Vineyards maintains a tasting room located next to Highway 12 in Kenwood. Named after the founder, Brion Wise. Their vineyard property is located in the hillsides of the nearby Moon Mountain appellation. Works mostly with Sonoma County fruit from their estate vineyard and from fruit purchased from other vineyards. Like their neighboring tasting room, En Garde, b.wise also works with grapes from the Napa Valley. Private tastings can be arranged by appointment at their cave on their estate property. Phone Number 433-7209. Website: www.bwisevineyards.com
B.R. Cohn Winery is located at 15140 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12), north of Madrone Road in Glen Ellen. They are just as famous for their music festivals as they are for their wine! The founder of this winery is the manager for the Doobie Brothers, and has his roots in the music and entertainment business. What a great combination with the winery. Phone Number 938-4064. Website: www.brcohn.com
Benziger Family Winery is located at 1883 London Ranch Road at Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen. They maintain a popular tasting room as well as a sophisticated selection of wines in their usually quieter reserve room. A very popular Benzinger experience is a tour of part of their vineyards by a tractor pulled tram. Champions of biodynamic farming – a self guided trail near the parking lot provides one general information about this type of farming. On the way to Jack London State Park (at the end of the road, which makes a nice pre or post winery stop). Phone Number 935-3000. Website: www.benziger.com
Buena Vista Winery, Only a 10 minute drive from downtown Sonoma, this historic winery is California’s oldest winery – dating from 1857 (although there were earlier wineries in Los Angeles county but are no longer around). Founded by Hungarian immigrant Agoston Haraszthy (he employed Charles Krug at one point – the founder of now Napa Valley’s oldest winery). Agoston met his untimely death in 1869 in a Nicaraguan river while exploring the jungles of that country. Owned by the ever creative-flamboyant, Jean Charles Boisset, Jean Charles added his own touch to the winery – with the historic cellars completely restorated and rennovated in 2012. Website: www.buenavistawinery.com
Chateau St. Jean is located at 8555 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12) near Adobe Canyon Road in Kenwood. This is very tastefully decorated winery with beautiful buildings located on gorgeous estate grounds. Their main driveway entrance and sign is on highway 12 – drive for about 1/2 mile until you reach their parking lot.

We have enjoyed picnicking on the grounds – picnic tables are available for free – but if you are to drink any wine during your lunch, it must be Chateau St. Jean wine. This is a general rule in effect by most of the wineries. At last update, the tasting fee charge is applied towards a purchase of wine if you decided to purchase. Features a large gift shop and a more private reserve room tasting. Phone Number 833-4134. Website: www.chateaustjean.com
Cline Cellars is located at 24737 Arnold Drive (Highway 121), 5 miles north of Highway 37 near Sonoma. This is one of the first wineries you will reach if you are driving north from San Francisco. Always a popular spot with tourists including buses at times. Picturesque grounds. Phone Number 935-4310. Not into wine tasting but intrigued by early California history? Check out the California Missions Museum on site – which contains 21 scale models of each of California’s missions from San Diego to Sonoma. Also some mission era relics. The Cline’s are involved in many wine, food and hospitality ventures – including Jacuzzi Winery (located almost across the highway). Website: www.clinecellars.com
Deerfield Ranch Winery is located off of Highway 12 (near Kenwood). Look for the two giraffes grazing in the field near the entrance. No this is not Africa nor did you mistake the location for Sonoma County’s Safari West – rather these are two metal sculptures. Known for advertising it’s cave – the hospitality experience here is entirely inside their cave. Walk through a long tunnel (past barrels, or if during harvest, fermenting t bins of grapes) until you arrive at the plush part of the cave. Here there are couches, chairs, a small tasting bar and plenty of space to spread out an enjoy your tasting. One cannot always visit a cave winery without needing an appointment – here walk-ins are welcome. Makes a wide variety of wines from sparkling, whites, reds to dessert wines. Website: www.deerfieldranch.com
En Garde Winery maintains a tiny tasting room in Kenwood next to Highway 12. Founded and owned by a 4th generation Hungarian winemaker. The focus here is highly geographically targeted – Pinot Noir from Sonoma’s Russian River Valley and red varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon from prominent hillside appellations in the Napa Valley including Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder. Open daily a bit later then most area wineries – until 6pm. Website: www.engardewinery.com
Eric Ross Winery was founded with ‘roots’ in the Russian River but now are located in the Sonoma Valley. Their cute tasting room is tucked off of 14300 Arnold Drive just outside of central Glen Ellen. Founder Eric Luse used to be a photojournalist for the San Francisco Chronicle. Photography is still one of his passions (along with wine of course).

For more information, visit: www.ericross.com
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves are located at 23555 Arnold Drive (Highway 121) just north of Meadowlark Lane, near Sonoma. This was the first sparkling winery built in the Carneros region. Long driveway off of Highway 121 which leads up to the winery. Excellent views overlooking the southern part of Sonoma from their outside deck. Gets very popular – especially on the weekends. Offers a variety of tasting experiences including tours of their iconic caves (first come first served) and several culinary options. Phone Number 996-7256. Website: www.gloriaferrer.com
Gundlach-Bundschu Winery is located at 2000 Denmark Street, 1 mile southeast of 8th Street East in Sonoma. This is California’s oldest continuously operating family owned winery – dating back to 1858 (although vintages have not been made every since since 1858). The driveway is long helping build anticipation for first time visitors to a property so historical as this one. Founded by Jacob Gundlach in 1858 – the Bundschu comes from Charles Bundschu who married his daughter Francisca.

The old stone winery (built in the 1870’s) houses the tasting room and gift shop. A small pond is located on site next to an outdoor picnic area – the views are calming. A trail leads up the side of the nearby hill – to several picnic tables as well as additional views of the southern Sonoma Valley. Unfortunately the family home was destroyed in the widespread fires of October 2017 but the winery was saved. Website: www.gunbun.com
Imagery Estate Winery is located at 14335 Sonoma Highway near Glen Ellen. Over 130 pieces of original wine art in their gallery. Very nicely landscaped gardens. Also a bocci ball court for visitors. A insectary/garden is located next to the parking lot. Great place to hang out with friends or family for a few hours. Phone Number: 877-550-4278 – Website: www.imagerywinery.com
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards is a sizable winery and hospitality center located south of the town of Sonoma along Higway 121 almost across the highway from Cline Cellars. Very popular with visitors from the San Francisco Bay Area – including often large tour buses. This winery is setup to see many visitors at the same time – with a large tasting bar, courtyard, gift shop and picturesque grounds. Owned by the Cline Family – they have numerous business ventures in the wine, food and hospitality world. Offers a variety of tasting options. Website: www.jacuzziwines.com
Kenwood Vineyards is located at 9592 Sonoma Highway (Highway 12) at Warm Springs Road. They are truly an international winery as they ship all over the world as well as throughout the United States. They have a spacious tasting room with an excellent variety of wines. Phone Number 833-5891 Website: www.kenwoodvineyards.com
Kunde Estate Winery is located at 10155 Sonoma Highway. This is an old winery founded in 1904 – the Kunde Family still owns it. Picnic grounds available and or cave tours. Offers their popular ‘mountaintop’ tasting at an elevation of 1,400 feet. Phone Number: 833-5501 – Website: www.kunde.com
Landmark Vineyards is located at 101 Adobe Canyon Road at Highway 12 in Kenwood. They are known for their Chardonnays and Pinots. In the summer you can take their horse drawn carriage through their vineyards. Bocce Ball court also on site. Phone Number 833-0053. Website: www.landmarkwine.com
La Rochelle Cellars is located at 233 Adobe Canyon Rd. in Kenwood (a very short drive from Highway 12). This property was the former home of Kaz Winery (they focused on a number of port styled wines). La Rochelle focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. None of these varietals are grown on site – rather they are purchased from select growers from the Santa Lucia Highlands up to the Russian River Valley. Offers a variety of tasting options including the reserve only all day educational experience led by the owner Chuck Easley. Website: www.lrwine.com
Larson Winery is in the town of Sonoma. This is a small family owned winery. Very tight knit feel.
Phone Number: Website: www.larsonfamilywinery.com
Ledson Winery is located at 7355 Sonoma Highway – you cannot miss this winery. It is a huge castle like looking building on the north side of Highway 12. Benches in the back for enjoying the sunshine. They also have a gourmet market. The “castle” before the “castle” was built in Napa Valley.
Phone: 833-2330 – Website: www.ledson.com
Little Vineyards while a small producer (around 2,500 cases as of our last update) is a name that doesn’t refer to it’s production but rather to the last name of the owners, Joan and RichLittle. Joan’s brother, Ted Coleman has been their winemaker since the first vintage in 2002. Located next to BR Cohen Winery, they share similar landscape in the Sonoma Valley as well as similar musical interests. Driveway leads well off of Highway 12 past a number of grapevines until you reach their dirt parking lot. Note the guitars hanging above the tasting bar. Tasting is either inside at the bar, the tables our outside overlooking their bucolic and private vineyard landscape. Makes a diversity of wines including whites as well as some heavier reds including Cabernet Sauvignon. Website: An estate tour can be arranged by advance reservation. Also a small cottage on site can be rented. www.littlevineyards.com
Loxton Winery is located in Glen Ellen and has a tasting room tasting room (called The Cellar Door located in the Lodge at Sonoma at the corner of Broadway and Leveroni roads. This winery makes an awesome port. They are located right next door to Wellington Vineyards. Often the winemaker Chris Loxton (originally from Australia) will be at the counter serving wines. Chris used to be one of the head winemakers at Wellington Vineyards before he started Loxton. If you buy a bottle of wine, you can request he sign it for you with his fancy gold pen. Website: www.loxtonwines.com
Madrone Estate, Valley of the Moon Winery is located at 777 Madrone Road between Highway 12 and Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen. Wine making on the current winery site dates back to the 1860’s with vineyards first planted in 1863. The father of William Randolph Hearst once owned this Winery. Gorgeous grounds with picnic tables among a small olive grow in front of the winery. Phone Number 996-6941. Website: www.valleyofthemoonwinery.com
Mayo Family Winery is located 13101 Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen. They also maintain a Reserve tasting room in Kenwood – only a few minutes drive from their primary tasting room. Began producing in the early 1990’s.

Today they produce a diversity of wines ranging from sparkling wine to dessert wines. Their primary tasting room is next to their production facility. Their Reserve tasting room focuses on food and wine experiences. Website: www.mayofamilywinery.com
Meadocroft Wines operates a tasting room in the Cornerstone wine country marketplace south of the town of Sonoma. Plenty of parking and as you pull into the parking lot, Meadowcrofts stand alone building greets visitors near the entrance to Cornerstone. Meadowcroft owns a vineyard high on the slopes of on Mount Veeder in the Napa Valley (source of the grapes for one of their Cabernet Sauvignons). Focus is on a variety of white wines, Pinot Noir and a number of reds including Cabernet Sauvignon. Also offers vineyard tours and some culinary options. Walk-ins welcome. Website: www.meadowcroftwines.com
Muscardini Cellars is at the corner of Highway 12 and Warms Springs Road in Kenwood. Originally founded as a Sangiovese producer. Named after founder Michael Muscardini. They offer a variety of walk-in tastings – also they accept appointments for private tastings. Despite being so close to the highway, it feels a bit removed from the traffic. Picnics are allowed on their patio – also a good place to taste their wines if you don’t want to be seated inside. Website: www.muscardinicellars.com
Repris Wines (formerly named Carmenet, formerly Moon Mountain) is one of our favorite wineries in the Sonoma Valley. It is built right up against the Mayacamas mountains that form that eastern side of the Sonoma Valley. Tasting is by appointment only – a wonderful tour of their storage caverns is also given. If you own some of their stock – you will be invited to their annual “shareholders” meeting! Note – the winery is under new ownership again and the property is now open for tastings by appointment.

For more information call Phone Number 996-5870 or visit their web site at: Website: www.repriswines.com
Roche Carneros Estate Winery is located at 28700 Arnold Drive (Highway 121), one mile north of Highway 37 in Sonoma.
Phone Number 935-7115. Website: www.rochewinery.com
St. Francis Vineyards and Winery is located at 8450 Sonoma Highway at Adobe Canyon Road in Kenwood. They have a beautiful new Visitor’s Center. An in house chef serves food at their several wine and food educational seminars. Phone Number 833-4666. Website: www.stfranciswine.com
Schug Carneros Estate Winery is located at 602 Bonneau Road, one mile west of the junction of Arnold Drive and Fremont Drive (Highways 116 and 121) near Sonoma. Picnic areas are available for guests. The tasting room is very small. Long time Napa and Sonoma family (Walter Schug was instrumental in Joseph Phelps Winery’s early beginnings). We saw his daughter Claudia speak in Budapest once. Excellent views over the southern part of Sonoma. Phone Number 939-9363. Website: www.schugwinery.com
Scribe Winery is located about 10 minutes east of downtown Sonoma. Visitors will see no signs to the winery, because there aren’t any. Pull in on Nicolas Road off of Napa Road and follow it until becomes gravel/dirt – stick to the left and park – look for the old looking Spanish style hacienda. Great place to chill and relax. Nice vibe to the property.

Wine tasting is a description one should never use when attempting to explain the experience here. It is way more then that. It is an inviting space where friends come together to enjoy each others company, the property, the overall feel combined with both food and wine. There is a diversity of tasting spaces both indoor and outdoor – the property has a ranch style feel – planted to vineyards and gardens. All visits are strictly by appointment. For more information and to request a visit, see: www.scribewinery.com
Sebastiani Vineyards is located at 389 4th Street in Sonoma. Phone Number 938-5532. Website: www.sebastiani.com
St Anne’s Crossing is located in Kenwood next to Highway 12. This was the original location for original St. Francis Winery. Ownership has changed over the years from private to corporate to now private again. Current proprietors are Ken and Diane Wilson. This is one of ten small wineries they currently own (as of our last update) in Sonoma County. Used to be home of a Naked Wines tasting room – supposedly they are still making their wine at the winery on site. Website: www.stannescrossing.com
Viansa Sonoma is perched on top of a hill overlooking the Sonoma Valley, San Pablo Bay and the southern edge of the Mayacamas Mountains (the range the divides Sonoma and Napa Valleys). Located at 25200 Arnold Drive (Highway 121), 5 miles north of Highway 37 near Sonoma. The property is planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Offers plenty of experiences for guests including the coveted Private Outlook Tasting helpd in a small covered deck built into the side of the hill – featuring excellent views of the landscape below. Also known for the Marketplace – a small deli where you can purchase lunch and then enjoy the food outside on their terrace. Weddings and private events can also be arranged. Phone Number 935-4700. Website: www.viansa.com
VJB Cellars is located directly next to Highway 12 in Kenwood. This “Italian” experience offers freshly made pizzas, wine, an Italian style deli, gelato and equally as important – a cozy stone wall surrounded courtyard in which to enjoy these products. And sometimes as you approach the courtyard during good weather and on summer weekends you will hear Italian tenors belting out inspiring Italian songs to listening patrons.

Grapes planted in front of the hospitality center provide a nice buffer against the traffic of Highway 12. Produces some wines from Italian varietals seldom seen in California. Owned by the Belmonte Family (known locally for what was a popular restaurant in downtown Santa Rosa, Caffe Portofino – now closed. Website: http://vjbcellars.com
Wellington Vineyards is one of our favorite wineries in the Sonoma Valley. This is how a winery should be – small, no hype – they focus on their core business….their wines. They are located just off of Highway 12 on 11600 Dunbar Road near the town of Glen Ellen. They have an inauspicious driveway, small sign and you walk through the actual vineyards to enter their tasting room. If you like desert or sweet wines, be sure to try both their white & red ports. These wines often win silver or gold medals at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. Website: www.wellingtonvineyards.com