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With over 500 wineries in Sonoma County, you may be overwhelmed with the decision of which ones to visit during your stay, I know I was! Sonoma wine country is vast and there's no wrong way to explore it. I’ve been on guided wine tours and explored my own and in all honesty, I recommend booking a wine tour if it’s your first time visiting. You’ll be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy wine from some of the best wineries in Sonoma County without worrying about reservations and logistics. But this article isn’t about tours - we’ll save that for another day. This article is a list of Sonoma wineries that I personally love and recommend! 

Some wineries on this list accept walk-ins, but it’s always best to make a reservation in Sonoma and Napa counties if you’re going wine-tasting. Some of the wineries in Sonoma County are very close to one another making it easy to choose one area and stay in all day. I’ve found that about 3 wineries per day is the perfect amount. You’ll need to give yourself plenty of time between wine tastings so that you can make it to the next location without feeling rushed. Typically, you’ll stay anywhere from 1-2 hours at a winery and you want to make sure you have a bread basket or food pairings throughout the day so that you don't overdo it. 

Sonoma Valley wine is made up of some of the best Reds and Chardonnay and I was never a fan of either before visiting this area. But two trips, numerous tastings, and two wine memberships later - I’m happy to declare my love for all varietals! Whether you enjoy Whites or Reds, this list has something for everyone! 

1. Winery Sixteen 600

The Sixteen 600 tasting house is a downtown Sonoma favorite! It was recommended to me by the owner of the rental home I stayed in during my second visit and I quickly fell in love and became a member. Here, you’ll feel like you’re walking into an old friend’s house and the staff make you feel like family. The tasting house has eclectic decor and each room can host a different group for wine tasting. The wines here are delicious and we loved choosing a vinyl record to play for the duration of our time there. Winery Sixteen 600 is not your typical wine tasting experience but it was by far one of my favorites! You can make a reservation online for an hour-and-a-half tasting that costs $42. During the tasting, you’ll have the opportunity to taste five of their outstanding wines from whites to reds!

2. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

I love when I visit a place on vacation and it makes me feel like I’m on a whole other vacation - that’s what you can expect at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. You’ll walk up to the host stand enjoying your vacation to Sonoma County and then when you’re at the wooden table in the stone courtyard, you’ll feel as if you’re on vacation in Italy. The wines at Jacuzzi are some of my favorites and all were tasty and smooth. The Rosato happened to be on sale the day we visited so I of course had to buy a case to bring home with me! A one-hour tasting ranges from $30-$40 and it comes with a complimentary basket of bread and some of their very own olive oil. You can also book an olive oil tasting during your visit and sample a variety of their pressed olive oils.

3. Dutton Estate

Located in Sebastopol, Dutton Estate Winery offers a great mix of whites and reds, as well as their newly released canned hard cider. The majority of the grapes are grown in the Russian River Valley and consist of about 1,200 acres of grape vines and an additional 200 acres of organic apples. Yes, this means that the main vineyards are not on site, but don’t let that deter you from visiting, they do have a smaller number of vines on site. Once you arrive at Dutton Estates Winery and walk into their garden patio, you’ll be blown away by how stunning the garden is and how perfectly each table is set up. Dutton Estate offers multiple tasting and wine pairing options with their classic tasting starting at $40 per person. My favorite wines here were the Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc and the Fumé Blanc. Also, be sure to try their new Hard Apple Cider, it was so refreshing, light, and delicious!

4. Sangiacomo Vineyards

Sangiacomo has a property just as beautiful as their wines. This family vineyard has had ties to the land for over 100 years and it’s a winery you should visit. During the late summer months, they offer sunset drinks on the terrace, which is what I did and it was the perfect way to end one of my days in Sonoma. Throughout the year, Sangiacomo offers a variety of events from Paint & Sips to harvest celebrations and even pop-up pilates on Sundays. At all other times, you can experience their Signature Terrace Tasting which includes a vineyard tour which is something I plan on booking for my next trip. This tasting costs $55 per person but if you want to opt out of the tour, you can book their Terrace Bar Tasting for $40 per person. I was on a Rosé kick when I visited and their Vin Gris of Pinot Noir Rosé was pure perfection. 

5. Kivelstadt Cellars & WineGarden

This is the perfect option for both wine tasting and lunch! We didn’t have time to experience the wine tasting at their vineyard in Santa Rosa, but we did start our day here by having lunch with a glass or two of wine at their lounge and restaurant, Bloom Carneros, in Sonoma and let me tell you - they knock it out of the park! The food was way better than I could have imagined and my boyfriend and I crave their pork belly appetizer to this day. The tasting lounge in Sonoma is where the restaurant is located and it’s a casual outdoor space that will make you not want to leave. The wines are flavorful, punchy, and will make you want to keep trying more! They were also one of the first to offer orange wine in the area. Their vineyard is located in Santa Rosa in Bennett Valley and has a beautiful outdoor terrace with gorgeous views. Vineyard tastings are by appointment only and I can’t wait to visit this location next time.

6. St. Anne’s Crossing

This Kenwood winery is the premier Zinfandel producer in Sonoma Valley and carefully crafts over two dozen Zinfandels alone, along with a variety of Whites & Sparkling. The staff are super friendly, and they do a fantastic job of making sure you have a great, memorable time! You’ll know you’ve arrived at St. Anne’s Crossing when you see the giant 28-foot, 15-ton, bear sculpture made of steel and redwood out front. The tasting room at St. Anne’s Crossing has both indoor tables and plenty of seating on the outdoor patio where you’ll have great views of the vineyards. They offer a classic tasting for $25 which typically lasts 90 minutes and reservations are highly recommended. St. Anne’s Crossing is part of the Wilson Artisan Wines Family, so if you opt to become a wine club member, you’ll not only receive discounts at St. Anne’s Crossing but also at their 10 other wineries. Of all the varietals I tried at St. Anne’s Crossing, the Ami Cheri Zinfandel was my favorite.

7. Wellington Cellars

Wellington Cellars is located in the Glen Ellen area and has the Tuscan vibe down to a tee! Walk-ins are welcome here, but I highly recommend calling ahead of time to reserve their olive grove table – trust me, it really makes you feel like you’re in the rolling countryside in Tuscany, Italy. Bar Tastings take place inside the tasting room and cost $30  per person and if you want to sit in the olive grove for a special tasting, it’s $40 per person. This winery sits on 24 acres of vineyards with some vines being more than 100 years old! New ownership came in 2014 and has been working hard to rebrand, rebuild, and scale back to focus only on small-batch, hand-crafted estate wines grown and produced on property. You can find a variety of Whites and Reds at Wellington, and they even have a Zinfandel made from vines dating back to 1882! After your tasting, be sure to walk through the vineyard rows for great photo ops and to take in the beauty of the old vines. My favorite wines here were the Sparking Wine and the Estate White Rhone Blend.

8. B R Cohen

A Glen Ellen area favorite, B. R. Cohn is unique in that this winery has some rock ‘n roll in its’ history. The founder of B. R. Cohn was in fact the manager of the Doobie Brothers for 45 years! He purchased the property the winery sits on back in 1974 as a retreat for him and his family and soon enough, became very involved in growing and caring for the grapes and eventually sold his crops to other local wineries. In 1984, the owner began producing his own wines and shortly after began processing his olives on the farm as well and created the first single-estate olive oil in California in over a century. Whether you’re a rock n’ roll fan and want to peruse the memorabilia room or you just want to enjoy the perfect California weather in their lush green yard, B. R. Cohn is the perfect place to relax in Sonoma County. This winery fills up fast and reservations are required if you plan on having a tasting, otherwise, you can order by the glass and enjoy the property. B. R. Cohn offers a few different types of tastings with the basic tasting starting at $35. While you’re visiting, don’t forget to stop in the gift shop where you can sample and purchase their delicious olive oils and vinegars. You’ll also find great gifts here too, a lot of which are made by local artisans.

9. Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyard

This winery was built from the ground up by a Spanish couple from Barcelona who moved to Sonoma in 1980. They planted the first 50 -acres in 1984 and opened their doors two years later. Gloria Ferrer is the first sparkling winery in Carneros, and it is truly a must-see when visiting Sonoma County. Today, the vineyards at Gloria Ferrer have grown to a whopping 207 acres and their property is absolutely stunning. Once you turn off the main road, you’ll start your winding journey on their long driveway with rows of grapevines on either side as you make your way uphill to the tasting room. You can find numerous tasting options at Gloria Ferrer ranging from $60-$135 per person. The classic tasting includes four different types of sparkling wine, and the pours were very close to a full glass of bubbly, so I didn’t mind the fact that this was the most expensive tasting of our trip, it was well worth it! My favorite was the sparkling pinot noir, and I loved it so much I had a half-case shipped home. If you’re still craving more bubbly after your tasting, the staff will happily help you choose a variety offered by the glass. Our tasting was outside under the covered patio and then we moved into the sun to one of the many seating areas and took in the view overlooking the vast grapevines.

10. Viansa Winery

Viansa Winery is the perfect place to start your day in Sonoma! This family-owned winery focuses on Italian varietals and you’ll feel as if you stepped into a Tuscan dream once you’re on the property. The tasting room, marketplace, and terrace sit on top of a hill overlooking Sonoma Valley and provide sweeping views for a wine tasting you’ll be sure to remember. I booked their Wine Tasting on the Summit and it was fantastic! This wine tasting costs about $40 per person and it’s worth it for the views alone. If you’re looking for something more private, they offer a Private Outlook Tasting that still offers the same panoramic views, but is in a secluded structure. After your tasting, take some time to wander around the property and explore the marketplace for locally sourced gifts and food items.

11. Auteur Wines

This gem in downtown Sonoma is passionate about Pinot Noir and they also had the best Chardonnay I’ve ever tasted - and I usually hate Chardonnay. Angie guided us through a tasting when we visited and she explained why I usually dislike Chardonnays so much which the reasoning now escapes me so I guess I’ll just have to go back! Auteur offers tastings and bottle service and their tastings start at $40 per person. You can have your tasting either inside the early 1900s bungalow or out on the patio like we did. You’ll take a deep dive into each varietal as you make your way through the tasting and learn what the small but mighty team behind Auteur Wines is most passionate about.

12. Kunde Family Winery

This huge Kenwood winery sits on 1,850 acres and is actually one of the oldest bonded wineries in the entire state of California. Kunde Family Winery offers a range of tastings starting at $20. The classic tasting option is located at the outdoor standing bar and the top-tier tasting will take you all the way up to their stunning mountain top for a tour & tasting which goes for $100 per person. If you’re opting for the entry-level tasting at the outdoor bar, then you don’t need to worry about making a reservation beforehand, but reservations are recommended for the Mountain Top Tour & Tasting as it’s typically with a small group. Kunde usually has weekend events including live music so plan on arriving early in the day if you’re visiting on the weekend. The wines at Kunde are all unique and consist of Chardonnay varietals and a nice range of Reds including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel. My favorite wine at Kunde Family Winery was the Summer’s Blush Rosé and I look forward to booking their Mountain Top Tour & Tasting for my next visit to Sonoma County!

Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious novice eager to explore the complexities of wine, Sonoma County delivers with open vineyards and brimming glasses. Sonoma County is one of my favorite places to visit in the United States and I can’t wait to experience new tasting flights next year to add to the list. Cheers to the unforgettable journey through one of wine country's most beloved regions!

Happy travels! 

-Tess

Tess Arnold

Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip!  If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!