Where the Cool Kids Go: 5 Hot Wineries in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino

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Scribe Winery, Sonoma: Consistently listed among the "hippest" wineries in Wine Country, Scribe has developed a cult following. Travel+Leisure recently called it "the place to go to try California's new wave wines," and celebrities like Amy Schumer and Ayesha Curry flock here to sip wine on the patio. Tastings of Scribe's coveted wines, which include a rare Sylvaner, take place at the historic Hacienda overlooking rolling hills covered in vines and olive trees. (Courtesy photo)

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Owned and operated by brothers and 4th generation farmers Adam (left) and Andrew Mariani, Scribe Winery often hosts chefs for weekend residencies during which they prepare farm-to-table, seasonal cuisine at exclusive on-site parties. Appointment only. 2100 Denmark St, Sonoma, 707-939-1858, scribewinery.com. (Photo by Chris Hardy)

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Wine to try: Scribe 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir ($38): Guaranteed to sell out fast, Scribe's rosé is made from estate pinot noir grapes. A beautiful, pastel pink shade, it's the result of an early, fast harvest that has created bold and flavorful pinks. It's a fruit forward wine, perfect for picnicking or for a backyard barbecue. Want to impress your fellow partygoers? Pick up a magnum. (Courtesy photo)

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Kivelstadt Cellars, Glen Ellen: On tap at this Glen Ellen tasting room is one of the hottest ways to enjoy wine right now: poured straight into your glass from a small stainless steel barrel. 35-year-old founder and winemaker Jordan Kivelstadt is also the man behind Free Flow Wines, a local keg system company that pioneered wine-on-tap in the U.S. According to Free Flow Wines, their way of preserving and serving wine maintains superior quality and results in a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional bottle packaging. "Saving the world, one keg at a time," is the company tagline. (Courtesy photo)

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To make sure old-schoolers and wine progressives are equally pleased, the Kivelstadt Cellars tasting room offers a taste of both in-bottle and on-tap wines. They fill wine growlers to the brim with tasty red wines made for immediate drinking, preferably paired with pizza from nearby Glen Ellen Star (where Seth Rogen was spotted recently). The tasting room has a cool, industrial feel with original artwork on the walls, cozy couches in nooks, and a welcoming wine bar. On warm days, guests can play cornhole on the sidewalk. 13750 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, 707-938-7001, kivelstadtcellars.com (Courtesy photo)

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Wine to try: Kivelstadt Cellars 2015 Father's Watch ($25): Rhône varietal wines are the stars of the show at Kivelstadt and this hearty red wine blend is primed to become the new "house red" at your adobe. It comprises estate syrah, carignan, grenache and mourvedre and it's a dark and fruity wine with notes of raspberry and blackberry, a touch of tobacco and earth. Consider decanting if you find it too tannic, or just pair it with rich tomato sauce based pasta. (Courtesy photo)

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Red Car Wine, Sebastopol: The West Sonoma County scene is a hipster's dream: quirky, independent shops around every corner, artists and alternative remedies in abundance, and more farm-to-fork eateries than you can shake a stick at. In the heart of all this is Red Car, a Sebastopol winery that has been creating small lot chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah and a much beloved rosé for as long as most Millennials can remember. In addition to great wines, Red Car also has an Instagram-worthy tasting room, complete with boldly patterned vintage couches and a vinyl record player. (Courtesy photo)

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Red Car Wine's estate vineyard is located a mere 3.7 miles from the Pacific Ocean in one of the most acclaimed grape producing regions, Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. On any given day, wine lovers journey through the countryside of west Sebastopol to taste Red Car's super limited wines at their tasting room. If it's nice outside, pop out on the patio with a bottle of pinot and play cornhole or a board game, or spread out with a picnic on the manicured grounds. 8400 Graton Rd., Sebastopol, 707-829-8500, redcarwine.com (Courtesy photo)

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Wine to try: Red Car Wines 2014 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($38): A blend of chardonnay grapes from mainly Occidental and Freestone (south of the tasting room), this chardonnay is one that will convert chardonnay-sayers into chardonnyay-sayers. It's an acidic wine with savory flavors, and despite being fermented in French oak, it's not an oak-bomb of a wine. It's crisp, clean and well primed to pair with fresh oysters from Tomales Bay. (Courtesy photo)

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Ashes & Diamonds, Napa: The talk of Napa Valley right now is Ashes & Diamonds, a mid-century modern wine lover's retreat located at the gateway to the famed wine region - and Sonoma's friendly neighbor to the east. It's the brainchild of Kashy Khaledi, a former marketing and record executive (he worked for MTV), who hired two acclaimed winemakers (Steve Matthiasson and Diana Snowden Seysses) to create new school wines inspired by old school Napa. Think: Bordeaux varietals that are lower in alcohol and age worthy, with a stylish, modern design. (Courtesy photo)

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With its zig-zag roof, living room-style tasting spaces, and colorful, cool furnishings, Ashes & Diamonds feels more like Palm Springs than Northern California. Guests can taste through four wines while lounging on the patio or by the tasting bar inside. Ashes & Diamonds also offers winery tours paired with multi-course meals prepared by in-house chefs. The winery donates a portion of certain wine sales to global activism nonprofits and all their wines are sourced from estate and various vineyards throughout Napa Valley. The winery also offers cooking and art classes. 4130 Howard Ln., Napa, 707-666-4777, ashesdiamonds.com

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Wine to try: Ashes & Diamonds 2014 Cabernet Franc №1 ($75): While cabernet sauvignon is king at Ashes & Diamonds, it's the cab franc that first came across our radar. Made by Steve Matthiasson, who has made a name for himself under his own Matthiasson label, it's a lovely, deep red wine that is old school by design: floral notes and the scent of freshly tilled farmland hit the nose, while cranberry, raspberry and a touch of leather grace the mouth. At a mere 13.9%, it's unlike anything you'll find in Napa Valley. (Courtesy photo)

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Smith Story Wine Cellars: Head north to Mendocino County to explore one of the hottest wine regions in the world - Anderson Valley. Here, the hip and chic spend secluded, romantic weekends at The Madrones resort. This is where you'll find Smith Story Wine Cellars, founded by husband and wife team Eric Story and Allison Smith-Story. The couple also has a tasting room in The Russian River Valley and one of the most famous dogs in Wine Country, Lord Sandwich, a gigantic goldendoodle who gained fame on Instagram.

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The Smith Story tasting room features comfortable couches and a small area by the bar, as well as a retail space that sells stylish home accessories. Guests taste through a handful of Anderson Valley wines, which may include pinot noir, rosé, riesling, chardonnay, and the Lord Sandwich Table Red, from which part of proceeds go toward buying socks for those in need. 707-494-5575; 9000 CA 128, Philo. smithstorywinecellars.com 

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Wine to try: 2016 Riesling Rheingau Germany ($20): When at Smith Story one must try the riesling. It is sourced directly from a sustainable vineyard in Rheingau, Germany and will dispel any fears you may have of riesling being "too sweet." It's dry, a mere 11.5% ABV (drink up!) and crisp, with a delicate, minerality that one can only find from a Rheingau riesling. A perfect match for spicy food, it's price point makes it case-purchase-worthy for daily sipping.