Many Sonoma County wineries see fewer visitors during winter and can offer more personal attention and, in some cases, significant discounts on wine purchases.
Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen: Benziger was one of the first wineries in Sonoma County to embrace biodynamic farming. To explain this method of green farming to visitors, a 45-minute tram tour is offered several times daily ($30), and a more exclusive tasting and vineyard tour is also available ($50) — reservations recommended for both. Wine tasting is always available for walk-ins for $20. The winery produces Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and several red blends; Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay round out the selection of whites. This property was off-limits for many days because of its close proximity to a fire zone, but it sustained no damage. 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-9318389, benziger.com. (Courtesy photo)
Chateau St. Jean, Kenwood: The beautiful hospitality center was closed temporarily after minor cosmetic damage related to the wildfire. It’s now freshened up and better than ever as a worthwhile destination to try delicious reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, a reserve Malbec, a reserve Merlot and splendid Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also exceptional. A premium tasting is available all day for $15 without reservations. The winery recommends appointments for a wine-and-cheese pairing ($35), a reserve tasting ($25), or a private, custom wine experience (offered Fridays through Mondays for $50). Visit during the annual case sale on Presidents Day weekend in February, when discounts are given on selected wines. 8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-257-5784, chateaustjean.com. (Courtesy photo)
Davero Farms & Winery, Healdsburg: Located a short drive west of downtown Healdsburg, Davero offers a variety of experiences, from wine tasting to self-guided walks through fields of vegetables, flowers and fruit trees. Don’t miss the heritage pigs and flocks of chickens, too. A walk-in wine tasting is $20, or book a reservation for Davero’s biodynamic farm tour and seated tasting for six ($50). The winery produces Carignano, Primitivo and Moscato — and locals love the Pollo Rosso jug for refilling with a secret red blend. 766 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-2345, davero.com. (Courtesy photo)
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, Healdsburg: This winery livens things up a bit in winter by hosting Uncorked Mondays in January, February and March — a complimentary tasting of two wines that changes monthly. On February 10 and 11, drop in for Love at First Sip, a Valentine’s Day-themed dessert and wine pairing ($30) — no reservations needed. On any day you can taste five wines in the tasting room for $10 without an appointment. A reserve wine tasting in the underground cellar is $25, and other tastings range from $30 to $50. Ferrari-Carano is known for its many reds and whites, including Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The expansive gardens change with the seasons, so expect pansies, violas and calendulas blooming in January and February, with tulips not far behind — all 18,000 of them. Call the Tulip Hotline (707-433-5349) for updates. 8761 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 800-831-0381, ferrari-carano.com. (Courtesy photo)
Visitors walk through the flower garden at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery, Jenner: When Bodega Bay and Jenner are shrouded in fog, this tasting room is always sunny above the clouds, perched at 1,500 feet just inland from the Sonoma Coast. The winery sits closer to the Pacific than any other in the state. The rustic building is designed to blend with the surrounding madrone trees and is always walk-in friendly (groups of six or more should call ahead for reservations). The Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinotage are produced from nearby vineyards at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,700 feet. Buy a case and shipping is complimentary. 15725 Meyers Grade Road, Jenner, 707-8473460, fortrossvineyard.com. (Courtesy photo)
Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery in Jenner before a garden party. (Courtesy photo)
Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Geyserville: The film director’s showplace, complete with must-see movie memorabilia, is a popular stop when locals are hosting friends and family from out of town. In the quieter months of winter, it’s possible to enjoy it even more. The wines are excellent, and two tasting bars offer flights beginning at $20 (ask to try the Director’s Cut Pinot Noir, or any of the Director’s Cut varietals) without reservations. Additional experiences are available by booking ahead, including a private tour of the grounds and a tasting flight of small-production wines ($50). 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, 707-8571471, francisfordcoppolawinery.com.
Freeman Winery, Sebastopol: Two cool-climate varietals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, are the stars at this winery. Owners Ken Freeman and his wife, Akiko, the winemaker, welcome visitors for a $30 tasting of their best (appointments required), conducted in their cave. It’s an intimate spot, which is why the Freemans ask to limit groups to six or fewer. Weather permitting, guests are welcome to stroll the grounds and have a picnic after their tasting. 1300 Montgomery Road, Sebastopol, 707-823-6937, freemanwinery.com. (Courtesy photo)
Frick Winery, Geyserville: At the end of a rural lane sits Bill Frick’s cozy, welcoming tasting room and the many wines he pours for visitors on weekends. (“I’m a tiny, personal place,” he says.) Bill is the owner/ winemaker/storyteller who creates Rhône-style wines, including Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Tasting is complimentary and no appointment is necessary, but Bill asks groups of six or more to call ahead. Frick is open from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 23072 Walling Road, Geyserville, 707-857-1980, frickwinery.com. (Courtesy photo)
Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma: Billed as California’s oldest family winery, Gun Bun — as it is commonly known — is also thoroughly modern. It’s not only solar powered and following sustainable farming techniques; it’s also a Bay Area Green Business that recycles its glass bottles and corks. Last October’s wildfire threatened the site, but when the smoke cleared there was little damage. Gun Bun is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tastings start at $20, with seated courtyard tastings available on weekends for $30. Go underground on a cave tour, a 90-minute excursion through vineyards that concludes with an in-cave barrel tasting ($40). 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma, 707-938-5277, gunbun.com. (Courtesy photo)
Korbel Champagne Cellars, Guerneville: There’s a lot of history at this winery, which is why it’s one of the most popular locations in Sonoma County for tours — and it’s less crowded in winter. Korbel was founded in 1886 by three Czech brothers who emigrated from Bohemia. Best known for a full line of sparkling wines, it also produces many still wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with brandy, port and sherry. Tasting is complimentary, as are the tours. 13250 River Road, Guerneville, 707-8247000, korbel.com. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
La Rochelle Wines, Kenwood: A wildfire came uncomfortably close to this tasting room, but the wine was never in any danger. La Rochelle specializes in Pinot Noir, and also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. (Its sparkling wines are available on a limited basis.) An introductory tasting of five wines is $20, waived with purchase of two bottles (no reservations necessary). A reserve tasting ($50) and the Po-lyph-o-ny experience ($75), to taste the winery’s limited-production Pinot Noir, are more in-depth and educational. 233 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-302-8000, lrwine.com. (Photo by Jeremy Portje)
Loxton Cellars, Glen Ellen: This winery was in one of the evacuation zones during the October fire, but there was no damage to the facility or the wines. Yet winemaker Chris Loxton remained at his post during the crisis to ensure the grapes and wines still in production were not affected. Loxton makes Syrah, Port, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Shiraz, a nod to his Australian heritage. A reserve tasting is $20; a more in-depth “walkabout” tour is $25. 11466 Dunbar Road, Glen Ellen, 707-935-7221, loxtonwines.com.
Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery, Sebastopol: Marimar Torres offers varied tasting experiences at her Russian River Valley organic and biodynamic estate. Visitors can choose a simple flight of the winery’s elegant, vineyard-designated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir selections or enjoy a seated tasting, wine and food pairings, tours and more ($25$95; reservations required). Don’t miss the lush, well-balanced 2014 “Cristina” Pinot Noir, named after Marimar’s daughter. 11400 Graton Road, Sebastopol, 707823-4365, marimarestate.com. (Courtesy photo)
Mayo Family Winery, Glen Ellen: The wildfire came close to this tasting room and Mayo’s nearby winery facility, but it’s now business as usual for this producer of Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Petit Verdot, among others. In January the tasting room holds its annual Love Our Locals sale for one weekend (call for details). Stop in for the premium tasting ($10) or the adventure tasting ($15). Mayo’s wines are available for purchase only in the tasting room and online. 13101 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, 707-938-9401, mayofamilywinery.com. (Courtesy photo)
Merry Edwards Winery, Sebastopol: Edwards has been making wine for more than 40 years, first for other winery owners and then for her own line of varietals, most notably Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc from grapes grown nearby in the Russian River Valley. The winery Edwards built in 2006 bears her name and her signature style of premium wines. Stop by for a walk-in tasting of four wines, or make an appointment for an in-depth seated tasting of six wines (for a maximum of eight guests). 2959 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol, 707-823-7466, merryedwards.com. (Photo by Ben Miller)
Preston Farm and Winery, Healdsburg: Driving up the road to Preston feels like arriving at your grandparents’ farm, complete with livestock, vegetable gardens, fruit and olive trees, and freshly baked bread. Lou Preston has been the owner and steward of this property since the 1970s, and he farms it organically and biodynamically. Lou’s wines include Zinfandel and Carignane, in some cases coaxed from 100-year-old vines. Call ahead to arrange an in-depth tour and tasting ($30), or walk in for a regular tasting ($10). 9282 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-3372, prestonfarmandwinery.com. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma: Fewer places are more inviting and more comfortable than Ram’s Gate. Relaxed indoor and outdoor spaces are designed for several tasting experiences (all by reservation), ranging from $40 for a four-wine flight to a portfolio tasting at $200. Plan to enjoy excellent Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Blanc de Noirs, together with ample custom food pairings, for $95. Open from 11 a.m. Thursdays through Mondays. 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-721-8700, ramsgatewinery.com. (Courtesy photo)
Ram's Gate winery in Sonoma. (Courtesy photo)
Robledo Family Winery, Sonoma: The patriarch of the Robledo family, Reynaldo, left his native Mexico as a teenager to find work here in the wine industry. He toiled for years in the vineyards, steadily advancing from manager to winery owner. Reynaldo and his young family founded their winery in 2003 to produce many varietals, from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and Barbera. The setting on Bonness Road is lovely, with tasting options that include an estate wine flight, reserve wine flight and Cabernet flight (ranging from $20 to $30). 21901 Bonness Road, Sonoma, 707-939-6903, robledofamilywinery.com. (Courtesy photo)
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Santa Rosa: Despite being in a fire evacuation zone for a couple of weeks, St. Francis avoided damage. The spacious tasting room has lovely views in a serene setting. St. Francis is known for its excellent Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay, with tastings starting at $15. A seated multicourse wine-and-food pairing, featuring award-winning food in generous helpings, is offered Thursdays through Mondays with reservations recommended ($68). Want to sweep your loved one off his/her feet? Check into the winery’s annual Valentine’s Day dinner in February, a special event requiring reservations. 100 Pythian Road, Santa Rosa, 888-675WINE, stfranciswinery.com. (Courtesy photo)
Winter in Wine Country means less crowded rural roads and bright-yellow mustard blossoms starting to unfurl in the vineyards. After ringing in a new year, many wineries see fewer visitors and can offer more personal attention — and, in some cases, significant discounts on wine purchases. Click through the gallery above for local tasting rooms for the post-holiday season. Always call ahead or check websites for the latest information. (Tasting prices are per person.)
