To taste wine while soaking in the autumn colors in the vineyards is a far more interesting — and delicious — form of leaf peeping. October is the ideal time to witness Sonoma County’s colorful transition from summer to fall in the field, so start making plans now.
Read on below for a few favorite Sonoma wineries for taking in the fall colors.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
In fall, the buttercup-colored Jordan chateau, covered in Boston ivy, is as iconic a place as any in Sonoma. The ivy morphs from vibrant green to red, then orange to pale yellow. Beyond those walls, the 1,200-acre Alexander Valley estate includes approximately 120 acres planted to Bordeaux red grape varieties.
1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg. 707-431-5250, jordanwinery.com
Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery
Hiking through vineyards is a fine way to see fall colors. But a ride on horseback offers a higher-level, ever-changing perspective. In conjunction with Sonoma Valley Trail Rides, the winery hosts 45-minute rides through the 375-acre estate and its vineyards, with a bottle of wine to take home ($150). There’s also a 3-mile hiking trail past oaks, madrones and vines.
1000 Vineyard Lane, Sonoma. 707-509-0540, bartholomewestate.com
Viansa
Long known for its Tuscan-style tasting room and marketplace, Viansa also affords an impressive 270-degree sweep that takes in the autumnal palette across the valley, as well as views of nearby wetlands that harbor migrating waterfowl. Wood-framed hillside outlooks — the winery describes them as grown-up tree houses — can be booked for groups of up to six and come with service of four wines, cheese and charcuterie ($75). The Summit Tasting ($40) has broad views from a hilltop terrace.
25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. 800-995-4740, viansa.com
Keller Estate
From this Petaluma Gap vineyard perched at 500 feet, the view to the south encompasses glowing grapevines, trees and fall foliage stretching across southern Sonoma and northern Marin. Tastings here include a walking tour of the stunning property.
5875 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma. 707-765-2117, kellerestate.com
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens
Kendall-Jackson’s four-acre culinary gardens provide fresh produce for tasting experiences as well as a feast for the eyes during harvest season. The best way to enjoy both is at the estate’s upcoming Come Over October Harvest Hangout from 1-3 p.m. on Oct. 19. The free event includes live music, garden tours and wine tastings paired with fall bites, featuring expert culinary gardener Tucker Taylor along with special winemaker appearances. If you can’t make the harvest hangout, the estate also offers a Garden Tour & Tasting ($55) April through October.
5007 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa. 707-571-8100, kj.com
Kunde Family Winery
There are few Sonoma wineries that show off autumn colors as gloriously as this Kenwood winery and vineyard estate. The 1,850-acre ranch, established in 1879, is enveloped by terraced vineyards and oak woodlands. The effect is one of a blanket of marigold, pumpkin and rust — especially when seen from 1,400 feet up during the Mountain Top Tasting ($100). Kunde’s vineyard views lend to it being among our favorite winery patios in the county.
9825 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. 707-833-5501, kunde.com
Bricoleur Vineyards
The estate at Bricoleur Vineyards is beautiful any time of year, and autumn is no exception. With Bricoleur’s Essentials Picnic ($75), guests can enjoy an alfresco picnic either on the pavilion lawn, under a trellis by the pond, or at the picnic tables in the culinary and rose gardens. The picnic package includes a chic red wagon to cart around while exploring the estate grounds as well as a chilled glass of wine and a wicker basket filled with gourmet picnic items.
7394 Starr Road, Windsor, 707-857-5700, bricoleurvineyards.com
Trattore Farms
The hillside tasting room at Trattore Farms (named for the Italian word for tractor) affords sweeping views of Dry Creek Valley to the west and Geyser Peak and Mount St. Helena to the east, all awash in fall color. Various experiences are offered, including wine and olive oil tastings and the Get Your Boots Dirty Tour ($95) — a drive through the vineyards and olive orchard in a Kawasaki utility vehicle, with a stop at the olive mill center and a tasting of wines and olive oils.
7878 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville. 707-431-7200, trattorefarms.com
Maci Martell contributed to this story.