While Zinfandel is made all over the Golden State, it is most closely associated with Sonoma County.
Here, warm days and cool nights during growing season allow winemakers to produce some of the best Zinfandels in the world. The region’s varied terrain, terroir and climate also allow for a variety of expressions of the grape — from light, refreshing rosés to bold, jammy reds.
We rounded up 17 wineries that offer a great introduction to Sonoma County’s Zins. (Remember to call ahead to make reservations as these wineries are popular with visitors.)
Bedrock Wine Co.
Morgan Twain-Peterson, son of Joel Peterson (aka the Godfather of Zin), has big shoes to fill. Thankfully, he and his business partner Chris Cottrell source grapes from renowned, historic vineyards to craft glorious Zinfandels. Among them is Carlisle Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, a 90% Zinfandel vineyard planted in 1927 that lends to bold, warm Zins. The estate’s spicy, deep-fruited Old Vine Zinfandel is made from a blend of grapes sourced from various vineyards. 414 First St. E., Sonoma, 707-343-1478, bedrockwineco.com
Nalle Winery
This family-owned Dry Creek Valley winery is known for Zins thanks to the old-vine Zinfandel planted in 1927 by winemaker Andrew Nalle’s great-great grandparents at the family estate. The elegant Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel features complex notes of dark berries layered with subtle French oak. The Zinot Noir is a fun blend of Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, using grapes from the organically farmed Hopkins River Ranch in Russian River Valley. 2383 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-1040, nallewinery.com
Ridge Vineyards
One of the pioneers of California Zinfandel, Ridge Vineyards first planted the grape in Sonoma County in 1892. Today, the winery continues to produce some of the finest Zinfandels in the world from its historic Lytton Springs and Monte Bello vineyards. The winery has successfully grown three Zinfandel clones, discovered in Croatia’s Dalmatia region, that were key to pinpointing the origin of the grape variety. 650 Lytton Springs Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-7721, ridgewine.com/visit/lytton-springs
Kokomo Winery
Founded in 2004, Kokomo Winery is named for owner/winemaker Erik Miller’s hometown in Indiana. Miller’s wines showcase Sonoma County’s diverse growing regions, predominantly the Dry Creek Valley, which is famous for producing noteworthy Zins. Single-vineyard wines (wines made with grapes from only one vineyard), like the Pauline’s Vineyard or Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandels, are the name of the game here. 4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-0200, kokomowines.com
Dry Creek Vineyard
This winery is set right in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley and is known not only for its superb Zins but also for its Sauvignon Blancs and gorgeous grounds with picnic tables and bocce courts. Tastings take place outdoors on the lawn or inside in a tasting room modeled after a Loire Valley chateau. 3770 Lambert Bridge Road, Healdsburg, 707-433-1000, drycreekvineyard.com
Seghesio Family Vineyards
This family vineyard has been making Zinfandels since 1895 and is one of the most respected producers of Sonoma County Zin. The winery’s Old Vine Zinfandel, sourced from vines that are over 70 years old, is a particular standout. Guests can taste Zins and Italian varietals inside or in the outdoor lounge. They can also bring their own picnic blanket and enjoy Seghesio wines by the bottle on the lawn. 700 Grove St., Healdsburg, 707-433-3579, seghesio.com
Limerick Lane Winery
This 30-acre winery estate is located in the northeast corner of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley (just south of downtown Healdsburg). The wines are made from grapes grown on the property, including Zinfandel. In addition to tasting wines, visitors can tour the vineyards and production facility. The winery also has a picnic area with views of the surrounding vineyards. 1023 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg, 707-433-9211, limericklanewines.com
Mauritson Wines
The Mauritson family has been farming grapes in the Dry Creek Valley for over six generations. Their tasting room is open daily and pours a wide selection of Zinfandels from vines that are more than 100 years old. These ancient vines produce concentrated fruit flavors and aromas that are the hallmark of old-vine Zinfandel. 2859 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-0804, mauritsonwines.com
Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves
This family-owned winery, located at the western edge of Dry Creek Valley, is best known for Zinfandels that are made from grapes that were planted more than a century ago. The wine caves, built in the early 2000s, are used for aging the wine and are a popular attraction. Visitors can tour the caves and taste wine there. 9711 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-473-9171, bellawinery.com
Quivira Vineyards & Winery
This winery and farm in the Dry Creek Valley is committed to “holistic farming,” which includes organic and biodynamic practices such as dry farming, which minimizes water use. The result of these efforts are delicious Zinfandels (and other wines) that also are eco-friendly. Guests can sip wines by the gardens or take an Estate Tour through the sustainable farm, vineyards and garden. 4900 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-431-8333, quivirawine.com
Alexander Valley Vineyards
This tasting room north of Healdsburg has been pouring excellent Zins since the early 1970s. The vineyard is home to some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in California and the family-owned and operated winery focuses on producing small lot, handcrafted wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Alexander Valley. The winery offers complimentary tastings on Fridays as well as daily vineyard hikes with lunch and wine tasting for $85. 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-433-7209, avvwine.com
Acorn Winery
This small lot winery is located in one of the warmest sections of the Russian River Valley. It offers private tastings and tours (by appointment only) and is a must-visit for its Italian grape varietals and old-vine Zinfandels. The winery is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Betsy and Bill Nachbaur and the tasting room is located in their home. 12040 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 707-836-3099, acornwinery.com
Hartford Family Winery
Hartford’s main tasting room in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley viticultural area is the perfect place to enjoy the winery’s cooler climate Zinfandels. This is where the winery estate is located and tastings are offered by appointment. For a more urban tasting experience, head to the winery’s tasting room in downtown Healdsburg where you can sample Zinfandels (and other wines) seven days a week. 8075 Martinelli Road, Forestville, 707-904-6950; 331 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-904-6960, hartfordwines.com
Pedroncelli Winery
A family-owned and operated winery since 1927, Pedroncelli focuses on producing premium wines from sustainably farmed vineyards. This Dry Creek Valley winery is committed to making quality wines at an affordable price and, for this, it has gained a loyal following. In addition to using sustainable farming practices, the winery also has been certified for its efforts to protect waterways and fish habitats. 1220 Canyon Road, Geyserville, 707-857-3531, pedroncelli.com
Martinelli Winery & Vineyards
One of the oldest family-owned wineries in Sonoma County, Martinelli is known for its cool-climate Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays — but they also make Zinfandels. The picturesque Russian River Valley estate features a historic stone winery building, centuries-old oak trees and manicured gardens. Visitors can take in stunning views of rolling hillsides blanketed with vines while wine tasting on the patio. 3360 River Road, Windsor, 707-525-0570, martinelliwinery.com
Kunde Family Winery
This winery, located among rolling hills in the heart of Sonoma Valley, is a favorite destination for many first-time visitors to Sonoma County. After tasting Zinfandels, guests can tour the grounds, which include a vineyard, a lake in front of the tasting room, an olive grove and a garden with native California plants. The winery also hosts tours of its caves. 9825 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, 707-833-5501, kunde.com
Once & Future Wine
When Joel Peterson, winemaker and founder of Ravenswood Winery, closed his Sonoma tasting room in 2019, it was a blow to fans of his bold Zins. Peterson went on to work at several prestigious wineries and eventually founded the wine label Once & Future Wine, which quickly gained a cult following for its Sonoma Valley Zinfandels. Peterson doesn’t have a tasting room but his wines can be purchased through his email list at onceandfuturewine.com.
Shana Bull, Sarah Doyle and Maci Martell contributed to this article.