Epicurean-focused Food & Wine magazine recently released a list of new California wineries you need to know in 2025. Among these 15 best newcomers are 11 local wineries, eight based in Sonoma County and three in Napa Valley.
The Food & Wine list encompasses a variety of wineries whose first vintage was launched within the last 10 years. Featured wines from each producer run the gamut from affordable Merlots and Rieslings to more pricey Pinot Noirs and Cabernet Sauvignons.
The local wineries you need to know
Alma de Cattleya
In its September/October 2024 issue, Sonoma Magazine featured Bibiana González Rave, the founder of Alma de Cattleya, in a winemaker portraits series (where each photograph was developed in wine). The magazine spotlighted Rave’s 2021 Cattleya ‘The Reward’ Syrah — a “mind-blowing,” small batch wine.
Rave worked at a number of top wineries around the world before starting her own in 2012 with her first label, Cattleya, the national flower of her native Colombia. Alma de Cattleya is her newest venture, featuring more affordable regional wines. Food & Wine highlighted Rave’s 2022 Cattleya ‘The Initiation’ Syrah ($70) as well as the 2023 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc ($26).
While Alma de Cattleya doesn’t currently offer private seated tastings, guests can schedule a time to purchase wines at the winery and will be treated to a complimentary pour while the order is prepared.
607 Martin Ave., Suite 111, Rohnert Park, 888-597-2297, almadecattleya.com
Carboniste
Husband-and-wife team Dan and Jacqueline Person specialize in more “unusual” sparkling wines at Carboniste, founded in 2017. Food & Wine highlighted the label’s “ruby-hued, juicy” Carboniste Rouge Brute ($32). The Brut is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Albariño for a rich and playful sparkler.
Carboniste doesn’t have a tasting room, but the winery is available for club member tastings by appointment. You can also catch them pouring at events around the Bay Area.
21684 Eighth St. E., Suite 300, Sonoma, carboniste.com
Joseph-Jibril
While working at Kosta Browne Winery in Sebastopol, winemakers Bobby Joseph Huff and Jaam Jibril Moynihan met and became friends over shared dreams of making their own wines. By 2021, their dream became reality when they started a wine brand, using their middle names for the label. Joseph-Jibril sources from organically farmed vineyards and focuses on minimal-intervention winemaking.
The Healdsburg-based Joseph-Jibril winery caught Food & Wine’s attention with its 2023 Joseph-Jibril Valdiguié ($30). An “ode to old-school ‘Napa Gamay,'” according to the winery’s website, the red wine is refreshing and juicy, with notes of pomegranate, mixed berry and violet.
Joseph-Jibril doesn’t currently have a tasting room. Email info@josephjibrilwines.com to schedule a tasting.
Healdsburg, josephjibrilwines.com
Matt Taylor Wines
This west county winery was recently featured on The New York Times roundup of most memorable wines of 2024 with its 2017 Komorebi Vineyard Chardonnay.
On a 6.5-acre vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, just outside Occidental, winemaker Matt Taylor has used organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming practices since launching his winery. The label’s first vintage was released in 2016.
Food & Wine spotlighted Matt Taylor’s 2019 Cuvée Kaela Pinot Noir ($80) for its distinctive and delicious taste, with notes of aromatic tea leaf and a spicy-tart cherry character (find it on wine-searcher.com). Fun fact: Matt Taylor’s Cuvée Kaela label is named for his wife, Mikaela.
Occidental, matttaylorwines.com
Morét-Brealynn Wines
Last year, Sonoma Magazine featured Morét Brealynn Chavez on its roundup of 15 Sonoma Winemakers You Need to Know in 2024. Her namesake winery specializes in Pinot Noirs (including her “Stray Dogs” label that supports local and national animal shelters).
Food & Wine highlighted Morét-Brealynn Wines’ 2023 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($50) for its “aromatic, intense” profile. The vibrant Pinot is only the third vintage from the young winery, which Food & Wine said “confirms [Chavez’s] impressive talent.”
Windsor, moretbrealynnwines.com
Naidu
From India to Australia to Sonoma County, winemaker Raghni Naidu pulls from a world of influences at her eponymous winery in Sebastopol, which she launched in 2020.
With a focus on Pinot Noir, Naidu wines are primarily made from grapes grown on the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley using sustainable farming practices. Food & Wine recommends the 2021 Naidu Estate Pinot Noir ($75) for its layers of juicy, red-fruit notes. The wine was a Double Gold winner in the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2024 Wine Competition.
2567 Blucher Valley Road, Sebastopol, 415-322-0565, naiduwines.com
Newfound Wines
Wine veterans Matt and Audra Naumann founded this winery in 2016, establishing a ranch and vineyard in the Sierra Foothills. From here and other vineyards around Northern and Central California, Newfound sources its grapes to produce a “range of impressive wines,” Food & Wine stated.
The magazine spotlighted the 2022 Newfound Gravels Red ($30) — a bright blend of Grenache, Carignane and Mourvèdre with notes of cherry, sage and dried rose petal.
Private tastings are by appointment only.
1200 Oak Ave., St. Helena, newfoundwines.com
Oxlee Graham
In 2022, winemaker Jennie Murphy founded Oxlee Graham, named after her grandmothers — two strong women in Murphy’s life that serve as both an inspiration and commitment for the winery. Each label at Oxlee Graham carries the name of a woman who left a lasting impression on Murphy’s life.
Food & Wine suggests seeking out the winery’s 2023 Dayle’s Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($58), named for Murphy’s mother. The berry-forward Pinot has hints of orange zest and savory spices to complement the juicy red fruits, lending to a balanced and food-friendly wine.
3171 Ross Road, Unit 1002, Graton, 707-852-4030, oxleegrahamwines.com
Plinth
Flora and Jason Chang founded Plinth Wine in 2022 after selling their former Nine Suns winery and its Houyi Vineyard in Napa Valley to their longtime partners, Realm Cellars.
Plinth maintains its relationship with Realm Cellars and produces a limited batch of Cabernet Sauvignon from Houyi Vineyard that quickly became celebrated among wine connoisseurs.
Food & Wine recommends the 2022 Plinth Houyi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($315), along with the previous 2021 vintage, which the magazine stated is well worth the cost. The Cab features notes of cocoa, coriander, dark cherry and blackberry, and has a velvety texture on the palate. Purchase online; the winery ships to 40 states.
Napa Valley, plinthwine.com
Read Holland
In 2021, Sonoma Magazine featured Ashley Holland of Read Holland Wines as one of the up-and-coming winemakers to watch. Holland, who grew up riding horses before pursuing a career in winemaking, founded her boutique winery in 2016.
Read Holland now produces about 500 cases of wine per year. The one that caught the attention of Food & Wine is the “lime-zesty” 2023 Wiley Vineyard Riesling ($30). The wine, sourced from a Riesling block planted in Anderson Valley in 1976, boasts a sweet aroma of lilac, pineapple guava and fresh ginger, followed by a refreshing mineral and citrus finish.
Santa Rosa, 707-721-2401, readhollandwines.com
Vida Valiente
According to Food & Wine, Vida Valiente was founded in 2019 primarily to help fund the Vida Valiente Foundation, which supports low-income, first-generation students throughout their college career.
Winemaker Sam Kaplan “makes top-of-the-game Cabernet Sauvignon here,” Food & Wine stated, recommending the estate’s 2021 The Movement ($250). The Cab is a blend of grapes from all the vineyards Vida Valiente sources from, producing a powerful wine with dark fruit flavor. Plus, $100 from every bottle of The Movement sold goes directly to the foundation.
St. Helena, 415-794-8102, vidavalientewinery.com