Wineries come in all sizes and while many feel that Sonoma is all about the small wineries, you can't fully experience Sonoma without stopping in at some of the big name wineries. Take a tour through one of the big production wineries, try a wine and food pairing, maybe even indulge in a little caviar to go with your tasting.
But don't just stop in at any big winery. Follow me to the best of the big name Sonoma wineries!
AT A GLANCE: A family winery that's certified sustainable and organic. Beautiful grounds and tasting room, excellent outdoor picnic area, gift shop.
WHAT'S COOL: Climb aboard the tram ($15) pulled by a tractor through the vineyards and see the entire winemaking process from grapes to wine caves.
TOURS: Pinot Noir Experience ($30) where you'll sample current vintage and then 6 others.
BASIC COST: $10 for six wines, $20 for reserves.
Benziger Family Winery, 1883 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, 95442 (888) 490-2739 (map)
AT A GLANCE: Owned by rock band Doobie Bros' manager Bruce Cohn, a mid-sized winery that also features olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Picnic grounds, annual music festival, popular wedding destination.
WHAT'S COOL: Lots of Doobie Bros. memorabilia and music, don't miss the Classic Cars Charity event on the 4th of July.
SPECIAL OFFER: Local Wally Two-fer-One Coupon!
COST: $10 for four tastes
B.R. Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, CA 95442 (800) 330-4064 ex. 124 (map)
AT A GLANCE: Founded in 1857, it's California's oldest premium winery with beautiful grounds and a self guided tour. Pinot Noir and chardonnay their specialty.
WHAT'S COOL: One of Sonoma's best picnic spots, bring your lunch and buy a bottle to enjoy a shady spot under the trees.
TIP: Not exactly the easiest winery to find, be prepared to walk down a tree lined road alongside a creek to get to the historic buildings.
COST: $10 but here's a free Two-fer-One coupon!
Buena Vista Carneros Winery, 18000 Old Winery Road, Sonoma, CA 95476 (800) 926-1266 (map)
AT A GLANCE: About as close as you're going to get to a giant Napa Valley winery, Chateau St Jean offers beautiful gardens inspired by Italy and the South of France, tastings on the patio, bocce ball, a retail store, and a premiere picnic spot.
WHAT'S COOL: Many wines available by the glass, get some nibbles from their deli and stake out your picnic spot in the gardens.
TOURS: Plenty of tour options, from box lunches with reserve wines to a chardonnay seminar to a blending experience.
COST: $10 for basic tastings - but wait, here's a Two-fer-One coupon!
Chateau St Jean Winery, 8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, CA. 95452, 707-833-4134 (map)
AT A GLANCE: Located between Napa and Sonoma, Domaine Carneros specializes in sparkling wines and pinot noir.
WHAT'S COOL: Wines are served at a tableside in an elegant salon or outside on the terrace where the views couldn't be better. Order a flight to taste it all, or get a glass or bottle to share of your favorite. Cheese, smoked salmon and yes, caviar make for the ultimate experience.
TOURS: Art of Sparkling Wine tour at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. $25, reservations required.
COST: Get a glass for $6.75 or a flight for $15.
Domaine Carneros, 1240 Duhig Road, Napa CA 94559 (707) 716-2788 (map)
AT A GLANCE: The oldest family-owned winery in CA, they specialize in making distinctive estate-grown wines and sharing them in a warm, fun, unpretentious manner.
WHAT'S COOL: Classic Sonoma setting with lovely grounds, a woodsy tasting room and nice picnic area. Bring some snacks and grab a bottle to enjoy outside by the small lake.
TOURS: Go barrel tasting in the caves, an incredible experience, or during growing season take a ride through the vineyards in a 12 person Pinzgauer vehicle.
COST: $10 for six tastings
Gundlach Bundschu, 2000 Denmark Street, Sonoma, CA 94576 (707) 938-5277 (map)
AT A GLANCE: Family owned winery with lush grounds, the backdrop for many of the vineyard scenes in the movie Bottle Shock. What? Yes, the movie about Napa was mainly shot in Sonoma. See all the scene locations here.
WHAT'S COOL: How about a free wine cave tour? Every Fri, Sat and Sun, no reservations required.
TOURS: Get away from the crowds and taste on top of a mountain, 1,400 feet above sea level, stunning views and a unique experience.
COST: $10
Kunde Family Estate, 9825 Sonoma Hwy. Kenwood, CA 95452 (707) 833-5501 (map)
AT A GLANCE: In the southern foothills of Sonoma, Nicholson Ranch is located on a hill with sweeping views, a small lake, and a fun tasting room experience.
WHAT'S COOL: Pick up some cheese, bread and a bottle inside and head out for a relaxing afternoon on the patio or by the lake. Inside there's an art gallery featuring local artists.
TOURS: $15 gets you tastings and an hour and a half tour though the entire winemaking process. Good deal!
COST: $10 gets you six tastings.
Nicholson Ranch, 4200 Napa Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476 (707) 939-8832 (map)
AT A GLANCE: With their motto "No Wimpy Wines", expect big and bold wines and a winery that's anything but boring. Big zins their specialty.
WHAT'S COOL: A walk through the vineyards followed by a wine and cheese pairing among the grapes.
TOURS: Reasonably priced barrel tastings ($15) and a blend-your-own Zin experience that doesn't break the bank ( $50).
COST: $5 for four tastings
Ravenswood, 18701 Gehricke Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476 (707) 933-2332 (map)
AT A GLANCE: Beautiful winery, beautiful tasting room with nicely done gift shop, sofas to lounge on and plates of cheeses to nibble on. Picnic tables make this a great lunch stop.
WHAT'S COOL: They actually pour wines from two wineries here, Valley of the Moon and Lake Sonoma. Try them both side by side to taste the difference.
TOURS: Free tours at 10:30 and 2:00 daily.
COST: $5 for standard, $10 for reserve.
Valley of the Moon, 777 Madrone Rd, Glen Ellen, CA 94552 (707) 939-4500 (map)
WHERE TO NEXT?
LET'S FIND SOME HIDDEN GEM WINERIES!
Hotel Deals
- Romantic Fairmont
- Carneros Inn 5 Star
- MacArthur Place
- Best Best Western Deal
- Bungalows 313
- TripAdvisor Reviews
Google Ad
Free Wine Coupons
- B.R. Cohn
- MacRostie Vineyards
- Buena Vista
- Schug Carneros
- More Sonoma Coupons
- Napa Coupons
- Napa Coupons
Random Pics
Wally News
SPRING 2012: I love visiting Sonoma in the Spring. The vines are starting to bud, the bright yellow mustard plants, and it's cheaper! Lovely!
And who doesn't like to save some money? My free coupon page has more free wine and coupons than you might think in Sonoma.
Want even more Sonoma info? Search out hotel and restaurant reviews via my TripAdvisor links, compare rates, even book the best deal there. Nice, very nice.
Don't miss my other guides! Napa Valley / San Diego
