As a San Francisco citizen, I’m lucky enough to live within driving range of lots of unbelievable wine-growing regions. However when I wish to spend a day (or perhaps weekend) tasting red wine among the vines, usually I head to Sonoma County’s white wine country. The 1,575-square-mile county is house to world-renowned white wine and Michelin-starred dining establishments, yet its laid-back ambiance is ideal for ambling along a dirt roadway flanked by farms or travelling down a windy, redwood-lined highway as you drive to your next tasting.Compared to neighboring Napa Valley, Sonoma red wine nation is differed, expansive, and expanded, with 18 distinct AVAs and dozens of detour-worthy villages(including Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Guerneville, Glen Ellen, and Sonoma)within its bounds. This variety belongs to the enjoyable: At a single winery, you might sample a pinot noir grown along the area’s foggy coast, followed by a robust zinfandel from more inland. However it also suggests you’ll wish to take notice of place if you plan to schedule more than one tasting– which we extremely suggest you do.Whether you wish to taste a few of the region’s best wines assisted by a skilled sommelier or simply open a bottle and picnic amongst the vineyards, these are 20 of our favorite locations to drink white wine in Sonoma County.Best for scenery and taking in the views Aperture Winery deals with west over a vineyard and low mountains.
Aperture Cellars (Healdsburg )A five-minute drive
beyond Healdsburg’s town center will take you to the brand-new vineyard-adjacent tasting
room at Aperture Cellars; the tasting space opened in 2020 although the brand name has been producing white wine given that 2009. Here, visitors can sample the winery’s Bordeaux-style wines while relaxing on the terrace’s oversized couches or inside the bright, photography-lined tasting room (a tribute to Aperture wine maker Jesse Katz’s professional photographer daddy, Andy Katz).– Jessie Beck, senior manager of video & SEO Truett Hurst(Healdsburg)In Dry Creek Valley, Truett Hurst is a charming area to drink a glass of punchy zinfandel– but also a design of sustainable viticulture. Here, a natural and biodynamic approach led by the passionate director
of winemaking Ross Reedy results in a winery that runs in a holistic manner. The home likewise works as a self-contained, self-sufficient farm that is house to goats, sheep, an insect environment, and a restored creek filled with coho salmon.– Tim Chester, deputy editor Iron Horse Vineyards(Graton)If your concept of an ideal afternoon is sipping a glass of bubbly alfresco, then head to Iron Horse, a family-owned, certified sustainable winery whose hilltop perch uses stunning views
of the valley and vineyard below. Naturally, we’re not here simply for the views: Iron Horse is renowned for its sparkling wines– which have been served in the White House since 1985– along with its pinot noirs and chardonnays.– Ami Kealoha, branded and sponsored content director Merry Edwards( Sebastopol )At the start of her profession in 1974, Merry Edwards was among California’s first ladies wine makers. In 1997 she started her own label, Merry Edwards Winery, and now runs under the management of wine maker Heidi von der Mehden. Likewise an accredited sustainable winery, Merry Edwards is worth a stop for
a flight of Russian River Valley red wines while going off the beaten white wine course in western Sonoma County. After your visit, meander over to close-by Willow Wood Market Cafe or Underwood Bar and Restaurant to sustain up prior to your next tasting.– A.K.Best for white wine enthusiasts The style at Marine Layer Wines’tasting space is nearly (practically)as great as its white wines. Littorai Wines(Sebastopol )Ted Lemon of Littorai got his start as a wine maker in Burgundy, although he has been making critically acclaimed pinot noirs and chardonnays in California since 1993. Littorai’s wines are highly demanded, but a
check out to its tasting room is a guaranteed way to sample them– while likewise exploring the winery
‘s self-sustaining farm and discovering
more about how it has actually been pioneering regenerative wine making approaches because the early ’00s.– J.B. Marine Layer White Wines (Healdsburg)Open daily, 11:30 a.m.– 7 p.m.Reservations not needed, however available At the brand-new Marine Layer tasting space in downtown Healdsburg (which opened in 2021), visitors are treated to both a visual and olfactory experience while tasting red wines sourced from the Sonoma coast. In its fresh and vibrant tasting space– designed by L.A.-based company Hommeboys– stylish customers drink on delicately well balanced,
a little saline pinot noirs while lounging in yellow velvet chairs. As an included bonus offer, it’s open till 7 p.m. (most tasting spaces close at 5 p.m.)for red wine by the glass.– J.B.Gamba Vineyards( Windsor )Gamba Vineyards is a historic estate located in the Russian River Valley AVA and an exceptional example of Sonoma white wine nation’s heritage. The estate was first planted in 1900 by Cesare Barbieri however sold to Agostino Luigi Gamba shortly after Agostino immigrated from northern Italy– joining a variety of Europeans who brought their love and custom of red wine to California. Now under the ownership of Agostino’s child Gus, Gamba Vineyards is known for charming and popular old vine zinfandels, which you can sample in its Windsor tasting room.– J.B.Schermeister Winery(Glen Ellen)Schermeister Winery takes a scientific method to its wines( which makes sense, thinking about wine maker Robert Schermeister has a degree in biochemistry). But do not think the tasting will discuss your head. Schermeister not only conducts all of the tastings himself, however he also does a great task of distilling complicated winemaking themes with visitors in a manner that’s easy to understand. You can get a taste of the winery’s items in its creekside tasting room, however supply is restricted: The husband-and-wife-owned winery produces simply 600 cases each year, all of which are native
fermented and unfiltered white wines.– Bailey Berg, associate editor Best for picnics or easygoing hangs Furthermore Red Wines(Sebastopol )With tastings that focus solely on pinot noirs and a Russian River Valley location, it should be no surprise that Moreover creators Bob Zeches and Chad Richard want pinot. If you too enjoy this varietal, head to their Sebastopol vineyard to check out the subtle distinctions in pinots from throughout the region, including the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, and Petaluma Space. Picnics and rounds of bocce ball are motivated at Additionally’s shady, easygoing courtyard(dogs welcome).– J.B. Images Estate Winery(Glen Ellen)Whether you sit at the outdoor
picnic tables, belly up to the bar, or do a tasting
picnic tables, belly up to the bar, or do a tasting
with a gallery trip (Imagery Estate has some extraordinary art work, some of which has made its method onto the bottles ), you’ll enjoy this hip and hectic winery in Glen Ellen. Second-generation wine maker Jamie Benziger– whose know-how won her the 2019 Best Ladies Winemaker in the International Women’s Red wine Competition– of Benziger Household Winery helms this property, that makes some relatively unusual wines, such as Italian varietal teroldego.– B.B.BloodRoot( Healdsburg )Open daily, 1 p.m.– 7 p.m.(12 p.m.– 7 p.m. on weekends )Reservations not needed, however offered A short walk from Healdsburg’s downtown plaza, BloodRoot is a casual, walk-in-friendly tasting room putting both glasses and tastings of premium, cost effective wines made from grapes sourced throughout Sonoma County. Although the somms won’t expose exactly where the grapes originate from (the secrecy is part of why BloodRoot can keep rates down), you won’t be dissatisfied.– J.B.Best for a tasting with food Don’t forget the snacks while tasting at Flowers Winery: It offers charcuterie boards along with small-bite food pairings. Flowers Winery( Healdsburg)While the chance to try delicate pinot noirs and crisp chardonnays may be the main reason to invest an afternoon at Flowers Winery, the environment and food are definitely
- close competitors. At its tasting space, which has an intentionally pleasant design, visitors can relaxing up on a plush couch next
to the fireplace in the winter season or delight in sunlight and vineyard views from the large balcony when the weather condition is warm. Don’t skip the food pairings, which include seasonal items like apple and leek soup and heart of palm fritters to accompany each pour.– J.B. Bricoleur Vineyards(Windsor) Going into the stretching 40-acre estate at Bricoleur Vineyards seems like you’re being transported onto a peaceful nature reserve,
with the plant-lined ponds and
flower gardens that surround its rustic modern-day tasting space. It’s a picturesque setting for tasting pinot noirs and chardonnays– or perhaps a Sunday
morning yoga session for an additional bit
of zen. Food fans will not wish to miss the three-or six-course food and white wine pairings, which feature artfully plated meals like tempura nori tacos topped with sustainably sourced caviar.– J.B.St. Francis Winery & Vineyards(Santa Rosa )You might currently be familiar with St. Francis wines, which are widely distributed throughout the United States, but a see to its estate simply east of Santa Rosa offers tasters the possibility to sample bottles not commonly sold in other places. The very best factor to check out( in our opinion )is for the food and wine experience: Led by well-informed wine educators, guests get an opportunity to not just
savor a five-course lunch but also learn more about how to combine food and wine, and the ways in which food can boost the wine-drinking experience.– J.B.Abbot’s Passage Winery (Glen Ellen)At Abbot’s Passage, wine drinkers can sit in between rows of vines more than 80 years old while drinking organic red wine. Winemaker Katie Bundschu(of Gundlach Bundschu winery)focuses on small production Rhône-style red wines that deserve the trek– however hungry visitors won’t wish to miss the next-level cheeseboards featuring in your area sourced cheese, seasonal spreads, and house-cured meats. What you want to get out of the experience is totally approximately you, be that a tasting, a food pairing, or the opportunity to pop
a bottle of zinfandel to drink while playing shuffleboard on a Saturday afternoon.– B.B. Finest for doing more than drinking wine Bella Winery( Healdsburg )Found in the Dry Creek River AVA, Bella Winery is best understood for its small-batch zinfandels. But a check out here frequently means getting a possibility to do more than drink wine. From adventurous vineyard trips (including one that starts your viticultural experience with a guided hike )to seasonal occasions (such as romantic candlelit tastings in the white wine cave in winter season or summertime pop-ups on the lawn with regional restaurants, like Diavola
Pizza), Bella uses a wide variety of methods to go beyond the conventional tasting.– J.B.Wine with a little bit of history Gundlach Bundschu has actually been making white wine considering that the 1800s. Courtesy of Gundlach Bundschu Dehlinger Winery(Sebastopol) Founded in 1975, Dehlinger is an independent, family-owned vineyard in the Russian River Valley that produces red wines specifically from its estate vineyards. As you might get out of the location, the brand name bottles outstanding pinot noirs and chardonnays, but also two less anticipated varietals: cabernet sauvignon( more typical in warmer Napa Valley) and syrah. Tastings here
are small and intimate, giving visitors an opportunity to ask as much as they desire about the
wines from the warm and welcoming personnel.– J.B.Sangiacomo Household Vineyards (Sonoma)A farming cattle ranch because 1927, Sangiacomo has actually sold its fruit to everybody from Decoy White wines to Meiomi Wines over the years. It wasn’t until 2020 that Sangiacomo started selling white wines under its own label– and we’re glad it did. Tastings take place from the comfy couches on a lovely rock terrace overlooking 110 acres of chardonnay grapes on century-old vines.– B.B.Gundlach Bundschu Winery( Sonoma )Run for 165 years throughout six generations, Gundlach Bundschu is the earliest family-owned winery in California. However what we enjoy about it (besides
the stellar cast of red white wines)is simply how easygoing it is.
Guests can sit on the outside patio area