what are the best wineries to visit in the sonoma valley
Pinnacle Wineries for Showtime-time Visitors
First time visiting Sonoma County wine country, or on the wine-tasting trail? Whether yous want to make a limousine-driven beeline for the most luxurious house of Cabernet Sauvignon, or adopt the non-intimidating setting of a trivial wine shack in which to talk about Zinfandel with the person who made it, relax: Sonoma Canton wineries have got y'all covered.
Buena Vista Winery
Begin the journey where it all began. All-time known every bit California's get-go premium commercial winery, Buena Vista was founded in 1857 past Hungarian entrepreneur Agoston Haraszthy, the self-proclaimed "Count of Buena Vista." More recently, this California Historic Landmark winery in Sonoma has been restored and revamped by wine impresario Jean-Charles Boisset.
Outdoor tastings on the cobblestone patio include four BV wines, the fascinating story of this Sonoma County treasure, and if you choose, a boxed luncheon or cheese tasting for ii. Note that access to the vino museum, press room, and barrel room hither are temporarily unavailable, pending Covid-19 protocols.
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens
Go beyond this famed winery's best-selling Vintner's Alloy and find Kendall-Jackson's top reserve wines, also as more unusual varietal offerings, in this chateau-style setting surrounded by formal gardens.
Inspect the demonstration vineyard to learn nearly grape varieties, selection a leaf of lemon verbena in the sensory experience garden, or savour pocket-sized plate gourmet food pairings made with fresh ingredients from the culinary gardens.
You lot tin can fifty-fifty spend some time wandering effectually their winery's garden yourself, looking at all the unlike varietals of edible plants on the property.
Korbel Champagne Cellars
The only place in Sonoma County where you can say "champagne" and not be corrected with,"sparkling wine," Korbel is the granddaddy of local bubbly.
Founded in 1882 past three Czechoslovakian brothers, Korbel chosen its Methode Champenoise-manner wines champagne earlier the eponymous French wine region put the kibosh on using that designation outside its borders - and thus, was able to keep the name.
Korbel today offers gratis winery tours, tastes of a wide array of its California champagnes, and the on-site Korbel Delicatessen & Market for a nice sandwich, pastry or java nether the shade of the property'due south redwood trees.
Atomic number 26 Equus caballus Vineyards
These sparkling wines have been served past the White Business firm for decades: the classic Russian Cuvée was uncorked at the Reagan-Gorbachev superlative, and the Rainbow Cuvée was served by the Obamas at their annual LGBT reception.
But the winery'due south rustic walk-up tasting bar, tucked abroad in the Green Valley subregion of the Russian River Valley and overlooking a rolling swath of vineyard, is every bit funky as ever. This makes Iron Horse an ideal place to experience real Sonoma County wine state.
Chateau St. Jean
Beloved as i of Sonoma County's wine castles, the namesake chateau actually started out as a 1920 vacation home.
Gear up below a dramatic backdrop of volcanic peaks, this elegant winery is styled subsequently a monastery in the French Alps, evoking the monastic tradition of winemaking in French republic. Stroll in the courtyard citrus garden and taste reserve Malbec and the flagship Cinq Cepages Bordeaux-styled blend.
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
The villa of Dry Creek Valley, Ferrari-Carano is the place for walking, wine tasting, and dreaming amongst the vines.
The stately rose-pinkish villa architecture plus the wide selection of estate-grown wines and options to taste them make this winery a hit with first-fourth dimension visitors. And a quiet walk through the shaded pond gardens provides a respite from all the touring and tasting.
Medlock Ames
Among the newer breed of "rural hipster" wineries, Medlock Ames, founded by ii higher buddies in 1998, is a bully identify to connect with modern-day Sonoma County.
Tastings are hosted beneath an old olive tree or in a century-old, newly remodeled rustic space, which formerly housed a saloon. The belongings's award-winning mural includes a bocce court and organically farmed edible gardens; you'll find estate-pickled vegetables too as well-baked Sauvignon Blanc at their rustic-chichi Alexander Valley tasting room.
DeLoach Vineyards
DeLoach is just i of the icons of the wave of new wineries that changed the Sonoma Canton wine scene back in the 1970s, but earns its place in this limited lineup because of its expanded wine educational activity programs. With a characteristic affect of whimsy and fun courtesy of the new authorities, Boisset Family Estates, y'all can detect vino appellations, stroll through their outdoor Theatre of Nature garden to learn about Biodynamic farming and greet sheep and goats, or just sip Pinot or Chardonnay by the fireplace.
Harvest Moon Estate & Winery
Finally, it'south an absolute must for the first-fourth dimension visitor to drop in on at least one of Sonoma County's many lesser-known pocket-sized, family unit wineries — you never know where you lot'll notice a new favorite. Specializing in Russian River Valley Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, Harvest Moon offers the kind of tasting and learning experience that is intimate and unscripted at the same time.
No tour needs to be booked at this backroads bodega, where the activities of the crush or other winery operations are on brandish in a courtyard setting that may remind some of the village wineries of Europe.
For more info see the Guide to Sonoma Wine Country for Your First-Time Visit.
Written by Sonoma Insider James Knight.
Source: https://www.sonomacounty.com/articles/top-wineries-first-time-visitors
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