19 Essential Wineries & Tasting Rooms to Visit in Sonoma County, California

As a San Franciscan, I’m lucky enough to live within driving distance of several incredible wine-growing regions. But when I want to spend a day (or even weekend) tasting wine among the vines, more often than not I head to Sonoma County’s wine country. The 1,575-square-mile county is home to world-renowned wine and Michelin-starred restaurants, yet its laid-back vibe is perfect for ambling along a dirt road flanked by farms or cruising down a windy, redwood-lined highway as you drive to your next tasting.

Compared to neighboring Napa Valley, Sonoma wine country is much more expansive and spread out, with 18 distinct AVAs and dozens of detour-worthy small towns (including Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Guerneville, Glen Ellen, and Sonoma) within its bounds. This range is part of the fun: At a single winery, you might sample a pinot noir grown along the region’s foggy coast, followed by a robust zinfandel from farther inland. But it also means you’ll want to pay attention to location if you plan to schedule more than one tasting—which we highly recommend you do.

Whether you want to taste several of the region’s best wines guided by an experienced sommelier or simply open a bottle and picnic among the vineyards, these are 19 of our favorite wineries to visit in Sonoma.

Carneros

Courtesy of Donum Estate

Donum Estate

• Great for: wine and world-class sculptures
• Open daily, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Reservations required

If you love art, a visit to Donum Estate is a must. From start to end, visitors are surrounded by more than 50 sculptures from one of the world’s largest—and most impressive—private art collections open to the public, with standout works by the likes of Yayoi Kusama, Ai Weiwei, Keith Haring, and Fernando Butero. In 2024, the winery also welcomed a new sound sculpture called Hyperspace by sculpture-composer, Yang Bao. To see it all, visitors can book a tasting which includes a guided tour among the art (starting at $100 per person) any day of the week.

Known for its pinot noirs and chardonnays, Carneros is the wine region that’s closest to San Francisco, making it ideal
for day trips or as a first stop before heading into greater Sonoma or Napa Valley. —Jessie Beck, associate director of SEO

Sonoma (town)

Don’t get confused: Sonoma is both the name of the county and a small town within the county. These wineries are all close to the town of Sonoma.

Courtesy of Gundlach Bundschu

Gundlach Bundschu Winery

• Great for: beautiful views and the occasional jam band
• Open daily, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Reservations required

Operated for 165 years across six generations, Gundlach Bundschu is the oldest family-owned winery in California. But what we love about it (other than the stellar cast of red wines) is just how laid-back it is. Guests can sit on the outdoor patio—which sits on a hill overlooking picturesque fields and a reservoir filled with ducks—and be served tastings by tie-dye-shirt-wearing staff, while local jam bands play cover songs and the winery dogs laze in the shade. —Bailey Berg, Afar contributor

Sangiacomo Family Vineyards

• Great for: a laid-back tasting and beautiful views
• Open Thursday–Monday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations required

A farming ranch since 1927, Sangiacomo has sold its fruit to everyone from Decoy Wines to Meiomi Wines over the years. It wasn’t until 2020 that Sangiacomo started selling wines under its own label—and we’re glad it did. Tastings happen from the comfy couches on a beautiful rock terrace overlooking 110 acres of chardonnay grapes on century-old vines.—B.B.

Glen Ellen

Photo by Briana Forgie

Imagery Estate Winery

• Great for: a crowd-pleasing winetasting
• Open Thursday–Monday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations recommended, but walk-ins welcome

Whether you sit at the outdoor picnic tables, belly up to the bar, or do a tasting with a gallery tour (some of Imagery Estate’s notable artwork has made its way onto the bottles), you’ll enjoy this hip and busy winery in Glen Ellen. Second-generation winemaker Jamie Benziger—whose expertise won her the 2019 Best Woman Winemaker in the International Women’s Wine Competition—of Benziger Family Winery helms this property, which makes some fairly uncommon wines, such as Italian varietal teroldego. Keep an eye on its events calendar as well, as Imagery occasionally hosts excellent dinners and live music.—B.B.

Schermeister Winery

• Great for: nerding out on wine
• Open Thursday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations recommended, walk-ins accepted upon availability

Winemaker Robert Schermeister has a degree in biochemistry, so it might come as no surprise that Schermeister Winery takes a scientific approach to its wines. But don’t think the tasting will go over your head. He not only conducts all of the tastings himself but also does a good job of distilling complex winemaking themes with guests in a way that’s easy to understand. You can get a taste of the winery’s products in its creekside tasting room, but supply is limited: The husband-and-wife-owned winery produces just 600 cases per year; all are native fermented and unfiltered wines.—B.B.

Abbot’s Passage Winery

• Great for: wine tasting among the vines—and next-level cheeseboards
• Open Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Reservations recommended

At Abbot’s Passage, you can sit between rows of vines more than 80 years old while enjoying a tasting. Winemaker Katie Bundschu (of Gundlach Bundschu) focuses on small production, organic Rhône-style wines that are worth the trek—but hungry visitors won’t want to miss the next-level cheeseboards featuring locally sourced cheese, seasonal spreads, and house-cured meats. What you want to get out of the experience is entirely up to 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.

Sebastopol

Merry Edwards

• Great for: a chill, woman-owned winery near the Russian River
• Open daily, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Reservations required

At the start of her career in 1974, Merry Edwards was one of California’s first women winemakers. In 1997 she began her own label, Merry Edwards Winery, which now operates under the leadership of winemaker Heidi von der Mehden. Also a certified sustainable winery, Merry Edwards is worth a stop for a flight of Russian River Valley wines while going off the beaten wine path in western Sonoma County. After your visit, meander over to nearby Willow Wood Market Cafe or Underwood Bar and Bistro to fuel up before your next tasting.—Ami Kealoha, branded and sponsored content director

Littorai Wines

• Great for: collectors and cult wine fanatics
• Open Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations required

Ted Lemon of Littorai got his start as a winemaker in Burgundy, although he has been making critically acclaimed pinot noirs and chardonnays in California since 1993. Littorai’s wines are highly sought after, but a visit to its tasting room is a guaranteed way to sample them—while also touring the winery’s self-sustaining farm and learning more about how it has been pioneering regenerative winemaking methods since the early ’00s.—J.B.

Furthermore Wines

• Great for: pinot noir lovers
• Open daily, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; until 5 p.m. on Saturdays
• Reservations required

With its location in the Russian River Valley, it should be no surprise that Furthermore founders Bob Zeches and Chad Richard focus their tastings exclusively on pinot noirs—one of the most popular grapes in this AVA. If you too love this varietal, head to their Sebastopol vineyard to explore the subtle differences in pinots from throughout the region, including the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, and Petaluma Gap. Picnics and rounds of bocce ball are encouraged at Furthermore’s shady, dog-friendly courtyard.—J.B.

Dehlinger Winery

• Great for: an intimate wine tasting experience
• Open Thursday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Reservations required

Founded in 1975, Dehlinger is an independent, family-owned vineyard in the Russian River Valley that produces wines exclusively from its estate vineyards. As you might expect from the location, the brand bottles excellent pinot noirs and chardonnays, but also two less expected varietals: cabernet sauvignon (more common in warmer Napa Valley) and syrah. Tastings here are small and intimate, giving visitors a chance to ask as much as they want about the wines from the warm and welcoming staff.—J.B.

Graton

Iron Horse Vineyards

• Great for: bubbly wines with a storied past
• Open daily, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Reservations required

If your idea of a perfect afternoon is sipping a glass of bubbly alfresco, then head to Iron Horse, a family-owned, certified sustainable winery whose hilltop perch offers stunning views of the valley and vineyard below. Of course, we’re not here just for the views: Iron Horse is renowned for its sparkling wines—which have been served in the White House since 1985—as well as its pinot noirs and chardonnays.—A.K.

Windsor

Photo by Paige Green

Bricoleur Vineyards

• Great for: groups with kids and/or dogs, and wine tastings with a meal
• Open Thursday–Monday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations required

Entering the sprawling 40-acre estate at Bricoleur Vineyards feels like you’re being transported onto a serene nature reserve, with the plant-lined ponds and flower gardens that surround its rustic modern tasting room. It’s an idyllic setting for tasting pinot noirs and chardonnays—especially if you love food. All of the wine tastings at Bricoluer come with a food experience—be it a plated picnic with a bottle of rosé in the rose garden, or a chef-led pairing featuring dishes like roasted squash grown on its farm or fritters from local abalone.

Dogs and kids are more than welcome at this family-friendly winery as well. Not only are there kid tested-and-approved menu items (like their take on an uncrustable with farm-grown jam), but the large grounds give littles plenty of space to run around while the adults indulge.—J.B.

Gamba Vineyards

• Great for: sipping zinfandels on a historic estate
• Open by appointment
• Reservations required

Gamba Vineyards is a historic estate located in the Russian River Valley AVA and an excellent example of Sonoma wine country’s heritage. The estate was first planted in 1900 by Cesare Barbieri but sold to Agostino Luigi Gamba shortly after Agostino immigrated from northern Italy—joining a number of Europeans who brought their love and tradition of wine to California. Now under the ownership of Agostino’s son Gus, Gamba Vineyards is known for exquisite and sought-after old vine zinfandels, which you can sample in its Windsor tasting room.—J.B.

Healdsburg

Photo by Jessie Beck

Aperture Cellars

• Great for: indoor/outdoor tastings among a photography exhibit
• Open Thursday–Monday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations required

A five-minute drive outside of Healdsburg’s town center will take you to the new vineyard-adjacent tasting room at Aperture Cellars; the tasting room opened in 2020 even though the brand has been producing wine since 2009. Here, visitors can sample the winery’s Bordeaux-style wines while lounging on the terrace’s oversize sofas or inside the bright, photography-lined tasting room (an homage to Aperture winemaker Jesse Katz’s photographer father, Andy Katz).—J.B.

Bacchus Landing

• Great for: sampling a variety of vineyards in one place
• Open daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations recommended for most tasting rooms but walk-ins welcome

Want to taste from a variety of wineries without getting in your car? Then make a stop at Bacchus Landing, a new Tuscan-style complex that features five different tasting rooms. Visitors won’t want to miss a chance to taste California and Oregon wines at the Setting Wines, a collaboration between Jeff Cova, Noah McMahon and winemaker Jesse Katz (yes, the same Katz from Aperture). Also notable is Smith Story, run by a husband-and-wife team; it showcases wines from Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Be sure to say hi to their friendly winery dog, Lord Sandwich. If you can, time your visit for an event in the complex’s central courtyard, where it hosts live music and other events, adding to the lively atmosphere between tastings.—J.B.

Truett Hurst

• Great for: experiencing sustainable viticulture
• Open daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations required

In Dry Creek Valley, Truett Hurst is a lovely spot to sip a glass of punchy zinfandel—and also a model of sustainable viticulture. Here, an organic and biodynamic approach led by the passionate director of winemaking Ross Reedy results in a winery that operates in a holistic manner. The property also serves as a self-contained, self-sustaining farm that is home to goats, sheep, an insect habitat, and a restored creek full of coho salmon.—Tim Chester, deputy editor

Flowers Winery

Photo by Jessie Beck

• Great for: food pairings and year-round, indoor/outdoor seating options
• Open Thursday–Monday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Reservations required

While the chance to try delicate pinot noirs and crisp chardonnays might be the main reason to spend an afternoon at Flowers Winery, the ambience and food are certainly close contenders. At its tasting room, which has an intentionally homey design, guests can cozy up on a plush sofa next to the fireplace in the winter or enjoy sunshine and vineyard views from the large terrace when the weather is warm. And enjoy the food pairings, which feature seasonal items like apple and leek soup and heart of palm fritters to go along with each pour.—J.B.

Bella Winery

• Great for: pairing your tasting with a hike
• Open daily, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Reservations recommended (advance reservations required for tours)

Located in the Dry Creek River AVA, Bella Winery is best known for its small-batch zinfandels. But a visit here often means getting a chance to do more than drink wine. From adventurous vineyard tours (including one that kicks off your viticultural experience with a guided hike) to seasonal events (such as romantic candlelit tastings in the wine cave in winter or summertime pop-ups on the lawn with local restaurants, like Diavola Pizza), Bella offers a multitude of ways to go beyond the traditional tasting.—J.B.

Marine Layer Wines

Photo by Jessie Beck

• Great for: a tasting in town in a stylish venue
• Open daily, 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Reservations not required, but available

At the new Marine Layer tasting room in downtown Healdsburg (which opened in 2021), guests are treated to both a visual and olfactory experience while sampling wines sourced from the Sonoma coast. In its fresh and youthful tasting room—designed by L.A.-based firm Hommeboys—stylish patrons sip on delicately balanced, slightly saline pinot noirs while lounging in yellow velvet chairs. As an added bonus, it’s open until 7 p.m. (most tasting rooms close at 5 p.m.) for wine by the glass.—J.B.

This article was originally published in 2023. It was most recently updated on September 27, 2024 to include updated information.