With over 400 wineries in Sonoma County, it can be daunting to decide where to take your wine-loving guests. This summer, be prepared with this list of the best tasting rooms for first-time visitors.
Or, use this roundup for your own selfish needs. (We won’t tell.)
Abbot’s Passage Winery + Mercantile, Glen Ellen
Go: for something unconventional
The first female winemaker in her six-generation California wine family, Katie Bundschu dares to be different at Abbot’s Passage, her winery and boutique in the heart of Glen Ellen, where she crafts small-lot wines from Rhône varieties grafted onto the shoulders of 80-year-old vines.
While sipping, enjoy an elaborate grazing board or check out the retail shop, which highlights artisan home goods, jewelry and clothing from local women-owned businesses. Tastings are $45. For an additional $25, book a shuffleboard court among the vines. Open 11 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Friday — Sunday; reservations encouraged. 777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen, 707-939-3017, abbotspassage.com
Bricoleur Vineyards, Windsor
Go: for the food
Bricoleur Vineyards is located on 40 expansive acres in the Russian River Valley. Here, a robust culinary program, worthwhile wines and pastoral beauty combine to delight your senses. An immersive food and wine experience (a collaboration between James Beard Award-winning chef Charlie Palmer and the winery’s executive chef Todd Knoll) delivers six wines paired with seasonal dishes from the estate’s culinary garden and regional purveyors. Additional tastings are also available.
Make time to peruse the property’s picturesque olive groves, rose garden, bocce ball court, ponds and historic milk barn. Tastings from $40. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations preferred. 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma
Go: For a taste of history
Founded in 1857 by Agoston Haraszthy, Buena Vista Winery is the second-oldest winery in California and a worthwhile destination for history buffs. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the winery is currently owned by the Boisset Collection and underwent a major renovation in 2012.
Choose the tour and you’ll catch a glimpse of the renovated Champagne Cellars and historic wine caves, followed by a wine flight. Tastings from $25. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday — Friday; and 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, 800-926-1266, buenavistawinery.com
Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg
Go: for a taste of the Sonoma Coast
Flowers fans rejoiced in 2019 when the famed producer of ethereal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Sonoma’s high-elevation coast opened a tasting room near downtown Healdsburg.
At House of Flowers’ 15.5-acre estate, guests can taste winemaker Chantal Forthun’s highly expressive wines in the architecturally impressive hospitality house or in the lush gardens beneath the redwoods.
Wines are paired with seasonal bites. Tastings from $75. Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations required. 4035 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-723-4800, flowerswinery.com
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery, Jenner
Go: for the thrilling drive
If you haven’t experienced the thrill of driving up Sonoma’s dramatic coastline to Jenner, a trip to Fort Ross Winery is an event you’re unlikely to forget (and entirely worth it once you relax your grip on the steering wheel).
Once you’re safely seated above the fog, sample cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the estate’s steep, coastal vineyards, which are closer to the Pacific Ocean than any other vineyard in the state. (Fort Ross is also one of just a handful of California producers to offer Pinotage, a red variety developed in South Africa.)
For a leisurely visit, book a guided redwood forest walk that finishes with a food and wine pairing. Tastings from $50. Open 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. Friday — Tuesday; reservations required. 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-847-3460, fortrossvineyard.com
Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma
Go: for the day
Established in 1858, Gundlach Bundschu is one of the oldest family-owned wineries in California, with a sprawling 320-acre property at the intersection of four appellations: Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast, Carneros and Napa Valley. Today, the winery combines tastings of their sustainable, small-lot, coastal-influenced wines with a laid-back vibe that encourages extended lounging. Rest assured, the winery offers an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie, so you won’t go hungry.
Wine cave and vineyard tours are available, too. Before you go, check their events calendar for upcoming live music performances held in their outdoor amphitheater. Tastings from $25. Open 11:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Monday — Thursday; 11 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Friday — Sunday; reservations encouraged. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-938-5277, gunbun.com
Hamel Family Wines, Sonoma
Go: for the dramatic view
At the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, Hamel Family Wines offers dramatic views of Sonoma Valley, where the Hamel family grows organic, certified-biodynamic grapes for their estate wines. Three available tasting experiences vary in complexity. All include a private tour of the Hamel Family Ranch vineyard, the 7,000-square-foot winery and an impressive wine cave.
Don’t miss the Reserve Experience ($125), a series of reserve Cabernet Sauvignon blends paired with seasonal snacks from executive chef Thomas Mendel. Tastings from $95. Open daily for appointments at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; reservations required. 15401 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-996-5800, hamelfamilywines.com
Inman Family Wines, Santa Rosa
Go: for the personal touch
Winemaker-owner Kathleen Inman is known for her classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (including the always-charming Endless Crush rosé), along with her Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and sparkling wines.
The interactive Sip and Stroll experience ($95) — which is led by Inman herself — includes a walk through the estate vineyard with a glass of wine in hand. Along the way, you’ll sample wines made from estate grapes while learning about the winery’s regenerative farming practices.
Additional tasting options include simple patio flights, Meet the Maker sessions and more. Tastings from $30. Open 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Monday; reservations recommended. 3900 Piner Road, Santa Rosa, 707-293-9576, inmanfamilywines.com
Iron Horse Vineyards, Sebastopol
Go: for the bubbles
Located in Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, this family-owned winery has been producing standout sparklers since 1976. Though Iron Horse bubblies have been served at the White House through several administrations, the winery vibe is anything but formal. The all-outdoor tasting patio is relaxed and rustic, overlooking scenic rolling hills carpeted in vines.
Iron Horse is best known as a sparkling wine house, but it’s also well worth a visit to sample the winery’s estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tastings cost $35. For $50 ($25 on weekdays) grab a few friends, reserve a picnic table and make a lazy afternoon of it. Open daily 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.; reservations required. 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, ironhorsevineyards.com
Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg
Go: to be impressed
Set on 1,200 sprawling acres in Alexander Valley, Jordan Vineyard & Winery evokes the impressive wine estates of France. Founders Tom and Sally Jordan designed the Bordeaux-inspired winery château more than 50 years ago. Today, the estate is focused on land preservation and sustainability, while providing guests unmatched hospitality, unique culinary experiences and delicious wines.
The Winery Tour and Tasting includes a tour of Jordan’s historic oak tank room and winery garden. The French-inspired Chef’s Terrace Tasting features light bites from executive chef Jesse Mallgren. Tastings from $60. Open for appointments at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday — Sunday. (Closed Sundays in December.) 1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Santa Rosa
Go: for a classic
Established in 1982, Kendall-Jackson may be best known for its iconic Chardonnay (the bestselling in the U.S. for more than 30 years), but its Santa Rosa tasting room and gardens offer much more. A highlight here is the top-notch culinary program and organic culinary gardens, which offer guests a variety of unique tasting experiences.
Among our favorites is the Chef’s Five-Course Menu Pairing ($125), which features local, seasonal ingredients and a flight of estate wines. There’s also a classic Estate Wine Tasting ($35), Small Plates Pairing ($75) and the (seasonal) highly recommended Garden Tour & Tasting with Master Culinary Gardener Tucker Taylor ($55).
Open 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday — Sunday; reservations recommended; 5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, 707-571-8100, kj.com
Medlock Ames, Healdsburg
Go: for the audio
Founded in 1998, Medlock Ames continues to impress with its commitment to sustainability and organic, Bordeaux-varietal wines. At its 338-acre Bell Mountain Ranch in Healdsburg, a unique “Immersive Sound Experience” ($75) invites guests to meander through the vineyards, olive grove and California oaks while headphones provide narration about the winery’s commitment to land preservation.
Vineyard tastings at Bell Mountain Ranch (13414 Bell Mountain Ranch: Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg) are $65, while signature flights at the winery’s Alexander Valley tasting room are $45.
Alexander Valley tasting room (3487 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg) open 10:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Friday — Monday; reservations recommended; 707-431-8845, medlockames.com
Preston Farm & Winery, Healdsburg
Go: for a true taste of Sonoma County
Preston Farm & Winery exemplifies the best of Sonoma County: natural beauty, passionate land stewardship and thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation — which all culminate in your wine glass. In other words, don’t miss a visit to this diverse 125-acre farm and winery in Dry Creek Valley, where standout Rhône varietal wines are available alongside the farm’s organic produce, olive oil, brick-oven sourdough bread, eggs and pickles.
Picnics at Preston Farm are highly recommended (it’s also one of our favorite kid-friendly wineries). Tastings are $35. Open for tasting Thursday — Tuesday; reservations required. Farm store open 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Tuesday. 9282 West Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-3372, prestonfarmandwinery.com
Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma
Go: for the aesthetic
The cool breath of San Pablo Bay will greet you at Ram’s Gate Winery in the Carneros appellation, where renowned architect Howard Backen and interior designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy joined to create the winery’s sleek farmhouse aesthetic. A visit here is made even more worthwhile thanks to winemaker Joe Nielsen’s single-vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other varieties.
An array of tastings is available, from simple flights to five-course seasonal food and wine pairings from executive chef Michael Diaz de Leon. Tastings from $60. Open 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. Thursday — Monday, by appointment only. 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-721-8700, ramsgatewinery.com
Unti Vineyards, Healdsburg
Go: for something new
At this intimate and beloved winery in Dry Creek Valley, visitors can explore wines made from varieties more commonly found in Italy and southern France, including Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, Fiano and Montepulciano.
Those new to wine tasting or unfamiliar with some of Unti’s esoteric grape varieties will find comfort in the friendly staff who are great at explaining the wines and the stories behind them. Don’t miss: Unti’s truly spectacular dry rosé, which always sells out.
Stand-at-the-bar tastings are $25 and waived with any bottle purchase. Open daily 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.; reservations required. 4202 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-5590, untivineyards.com
Tina Caputo contributed to this article.
You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Doyle at 707-521-5478 or sarah.doyle@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Sarah on Instagram at @whiskymuse.
