13 Must-Visit Sonoma County Wineries
As wine lovers, we are always on the lookout for the best wineries to visit. Sonoma County is home to some of the best wineries in the world, each offering unique experiences that showcase the region’s diverse wine culture. In this article, we’ll be sharing our top 13 must-visit Sonoma County Wineries.
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Croix Estate – Santa Rosa
5700 River Rd. Santa Rosa, CA 95401 – (707) 887-2703
Purchase Wines – Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Red Rhone Blend, Chardonnay
Croix Estate began with the founding vintage of 2012, followed by the opening of our winery in 2018, and the steadfast continuance to achieve perfection in the glass annually.
The initial concept of Croix was a quixotic collage of random ideas and wines: shock art labels, uncommon grape varieties, uncommon wine regions, no wine made more than one vintage, and on it went from idea to idea, most of which were done, being done, or being re-conceptualized by many others in search of repurposed uniqueness within the winemaking community. Rather than chase a creative, newly used concept, we determined to distill the purpose of Croix Estate into a fundamental pursuit of perfection.
Gamba Vineyard and Winery
2912 Woolsey Rd. Windsor, CA 95492 – view on map – 707) 542-5892
Specializing in – Cabernet Sauvignon, Rose, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignan, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc
Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, Gamba Vineyards and Winery is known for its award-winning wines and rustic vineyard views. Visitors can tour the property, taste some of their best wines, and explore the vineyards.
The Gamba Family wine growing legacy began six generations ago in Northern Italy, not far from the rolling hills of the famous wine-growing regions of Barolo and Barbaresco. Their family’s Sonoma County chapter began with Gus’ father, Agostino Luigi Gamba, left his home in Northern Italy in search of the American dream. Speaking no English, and with little money, he immigrated to the United States. He was drawn to beautiful Sonoma County, California, because of its rolling vineyards that reminded him so much of his native home. He soon met a vineyard owner named Cesare Barbieri who was looking to retire and sell vineyard land he planted in 1900 in the Russian River Valley. In 1947, on a handshake, Cesare agreed to sell the property to Gus Sr., with the understanding that payment would be made with each harvest. In 1983, Gus Sr. passed away, leaving his son, Agostino Gamba Jr., then 17, to manage the vineyards. In 2000, our family brand, Gamba Vineyards and Winery was launched, the culmination of a lifelong dream.
In the hills of northern Italy, seven generations ago, began Gamba’s winemaking legacy. Today, we are still family owned and operated, with a strong sense of the past and an eye on the future. Gamba proudly offers small production, hand-crafted wines from our 120-year-old Estate vineyard and other vineyards in the famed Russian River Valley.
Gamba Vineyards and Winery is a destination that should be on every wine lover’s bucket list. With a commitment to sustainability, world-class wines, and a variety of unique experiences, it’s easy to see why they’re one of the most popular wineries in Sonoma County.
Comstock Wines
1290 Dry Creek Valley Rd. Healdsburg, CA 95448 – (707) 723-3011
Specializing in – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel, Blend-Sparkling, Merlot.
Comstock Wines was inspired by the fundamental passion to grow and source only the best Sonoma County grapes and transform them into wines that are as delicious as they are memorable.
Located in Dry Creek Valley, just outside of Healdsburg, CA, Comstock Wines prides itself on producing varietals that reflect the diversity of the region and specializes in small-lot handcrafted wines that can only be found here at the winery.
Insider Tip – Comstock Wines has 4 unique tasting experiences – Wine Flight + Mezze Platte, Wine & Wood Fired Pairing, Wine & Assorted [GRILLED] Chees Flight and Classic or Red Flight.
Ram’s Gate Winery
28700 Arnold Dr. Sonoma, CA 95476 – view on map – (707) 721-8700
Specializing in – Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir
Ram’s Gate Winery is a boutique winery located in Sonoma, California, just north of San Francisco. The winery was founded in 2011 by a group of wine enthusiasts who wanted to create a unique and memorable wine tasting experience.
The winery is situated on a picturesque 28-acre estate that includes a vineyard, a tasting room, a production facility, and a culinary garden. The estate is surrounded by rolling hills and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Ram’s Gate Winery produces a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are made using grapes sourced from some of the finest vineyards in Sonoma County, and the winemaking process is focused on minimal intervention to allow the grapes to express their natural flavors and aromas.
Hamilton Family Wines
8860 Sonoma Hwy. Kenwood, CA 95452 – view on map – (707) 408-3090
Specializing in – Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux Red Blend, Grenache, Merlot, Rhone Red Blend
Hamilton Family Wines is a small, family-owned winery located in Sonoma County, California. Lindsay and Greg Hamilton, the winemakers, have been making wine together since 2011. They started out in their garage, but after moving to Sonoma in 2016, they were able to realize their dream of opening their own winery.
In 2017, the Hamiltons’ home and vineyard were destroyed by wildfires. But they didn’t give up on their dream. They scraped together their savings and released their first vintage of Hamilton Family Wines in 2019.
The Hamiltons’ wines are made from sustainably-harvested grapes from some of the best vineyards in Sonoma. They believe in letting the grapes do the talking, so their wines are minimally processed and made without chemicals or additives.
Hamilton Family Wines offers a wide range of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Rosé, GSM, and Merlot. Their wines are all handcrafted and limited production, and they are sure to please any wine lover.
The Hamiltons are passionate about sharing their love of wine with others. They offer tastings at their winery in Kenwood, California, and they also ship their wines.
If you are looking for delicious, sustainable, and handcrafted wine, then Hamilton Family Wines is the perfect choice for you.
Benziger Family Winery
1883 London Ranch Rd. Glen Ellen, CA 95442 – view on map – (888) 490-2739
Specializing in – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Port, Rose, Syrah
The Benziger Family Winery is a certified biodynamic winery that offers tours and tastings in a beautiful setting. Visitors can learn about biodynamic farming practices and taste some of the best wines in Sonoma County. Be sure to do the tractor tour and explore the entire property. It’s quite impressive.
The winery is known for its award-winning, estate-grown wines that are produced using only organic, biodynamic and sustainable farming practices. The Benziger family believes that the health and vitality of the land and soil are crucial to producing high-quality wines. As such, they use techniques such as cover crops, composting, and natural pest management to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
Benziger Family Winery produces a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Their signature wine is the Tribute, a Bordeaux-style blend that is made from the best barrels of the estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes.
Iron Horse Vineyards
9786 Ross Station Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 – view on map – (707) 887-1507
Specializing in – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling
Iron Horse Vineyards is a family-owned winery that specializes in sparkling wines. Visitors can take a tour of the vineyards, taste some of their best sparkling wines, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area.
Chateau St. Jean Winery & Vineyards
8555 Sonoma Hwy Kenwood, CA 95452 – view on map – (707) 257-5784
Specializing in – Cabernet Sauvignon, Sparkling, Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Malbec, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Red Blend
Chateau St. Jean Winery & Vineyards is known for its exceptional wines and beautiful setting.
The winery is known for its award-winning wines that are produced using only the highest quality grapes from their estate vineyards. The winery produces a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, with a focus on Bordeaux-style blends. Chateau St. Jean is also famous for their award-winning Cinq Cépages blend, which is a Bordeaux-style blend made from the five classic grape varieties of the region.
One of the things that makes Chateau St. Jean Winery & Vineyards unique is its beautiful grounds. The winery is located on a historic property that was originally a vineyard and winery in the 1800s. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and include a formal garden, a koi pond, and a picnic area that offers stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains.
Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards
4401 Slusser Rd. Windsor, CA 95492 – view on map – (707) 528-1181
Specializing in – Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Rose
Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards is a must-visit for Chardonnay lovers. The winery specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and offers tastings and tours in a picturesque setting.
Kosta Browne Winery
200 Morris St. Sebastopol, CA 95472 – view on map – (707) 823-7430
Specializing in – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Blend Sparkling
Kosta Browne Winery is a California winery that was founded in 1997 by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. The winery is located in Sebastopol, California in Sonoma County, and has gained a reputation for producing some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in the region.
The winery is known for its small-lot, vineyard-designated wines that are made using traditional winemaking techniques. Kosta Browne sources its grapes from some of the top vineyards in California, including the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Santa Lucia Highlands. The winery’s focus on single-vineyard wines allows them to showcase the unique character and terroir of each site.
Kosta Browne Winery produces a variety of wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Their Pinot Noir wines are particularly renowned and have been awarded numerous accolades and high scores from wine critics. Kosta Browne’s Pinot Noirs are known for their rich, complex flavors and aromas, with notes of dark fruit, earth, and spice.
Arista Winery
7015 Westside Rd. Healdsburg, CA 95448 – view on map – (707) 473-0606
Specializing in – Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Zinfandel
Arista Winery is a small, family-owned winery located in Healdsburg, California, in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The winery was founded in 2002 by the McWilliams family, who have a deep passion for creating exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.
The winery is known for its commitment to sustainability and organic farming practices. The McWilliams family believes that the health of the vineyard is essential to the quality of the wines, and they strive to create a healthy and vibrant ecosystem for their grapes to thrive. They practice sustainable farming methods such as cover cropping, composting, and using natural predators to control pests. One of the unique features of Arista Winery is its art collection, which is on display throughout the property. The McWilliams family has a deep appreciation for art, and they have curated a collection of contemporary works that reflects their love of nature and the land.
Lynmar Estate
3909 Frei Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 – view on map – (707) 829-3374
Specializing in – Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir
Lynmar Estate is a boutique winery located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. The winery was founded in 1990 by Lynn Fritz and his wife Anisya, who fell in love with the beautiful, rolling hills and ideal growing conditions of the region.
Lynmar Estate is known for its exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, which are produced from the finest grapes grown on the estate’s sustainably farmed vineyards. The winery’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is evident in every aspect of its operations, from the vineyard management practices to the winemaking techniques.
MacRostie Winery & Vineyards
4605 Westside Rd. Healdsburg, CA 95448 – view on map – (707) 473-9303
Specializing in – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rose and Cabernet Sauvignon
MacRostie Winery & Vineyards is a boutique winery located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. The winery was founded in 1987 by Steve MacRostie, a winemaker with a passion for creating exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.
MacRostie Winery & Vineyards produces a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a few limited-edition wines. Their Chardonnay wines are particularly renowned, and have received numerous accolades and high scores from wine critics. These wines are characterized by their balance, complexity, and elegance, with flavors and aromas that reflect the terroir of the region. The Pinot Noir wines are also highly regarded, with a focus on balance and structure.
Martinelli Winery
3360 River Rd. Windsor, CA 95492 – view on map – (707) 525-0570
Specializing in – Cabernet, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose
Martinelli Winery is a family-owned and operated winery located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. The winery was founded in 1898 by Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli, who immigrated to California from Italy.
Today, the winery is run by the fourth and fifth generations of the Martinelli family, who continue the tradition of crafting exceptional wines from some of the finest vineyards in Sonoma County. The winery’s portfolio includes a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, and other varietals.
Martinelli Winery is known for its commitment to quality and its attention to detail in every step of the winemaking process. The winery’s grapes are all hand-picked and hand-sorted to ensure only the highest quality fruit is used in the wines. The wines are then aged in French oak barrels, which add complexity and depth to the wines.
The winery has a number of estate vineyards, including the legendary Jackass Hill Vineyard, which is one of the steepest vineyards in Sonoma County and produces some of the winery’s most highly-regarded wines. The winery also sources grapes from other top vineyards in the region.
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