Guide to Sonoma County Wines
It used to be that Sonoma was the ugly stepchild to acclaimed Napa Valley. Not anymore however. Sonoma has come into its own as a powerhouse wine region and rightfully so.
While Sonoma may grow into the Disneyland-esque tourist scene that Napa has become, there are still plenty of small producers making great wine. Follow our wine guide to Sonoma County below to get the best picks.
Geography and Climate of Sonoma
Diverse: The word that comes to mind when we think of Sonoma’s varied Geography and Climates. Valleys, forests, ocean coastlines, riverbeds and a large amount of microclimates in between.
The largest standout features are the rolling Russian River and 60 miles of coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The river pulls fog in through Healdsburg and The Alexander Valley, making Sonoma ideal for cooler-climate-style wines. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay excel here and the reputation and price tag know it.
Because there are so many subregions, you will likely need several days to properly tackle the area. Our favorites are Sonoma Coast, Moon Mountain and Carneros. The downtown area of Sonoma features a square with many restaurants, tasting rooms and is roughly a 1.5 hour drive from San Francisco.
Where to taste
Occidental Wines
Our first stop takes us to the coast, where vibrant, lighter style Pinots are king. We absolutely love the winemaking style that Steve Kistler implements here as well as the finished product. Native yeasts, sparse pumping, low % new oak, slow ferments, no fining, no filtration, and no pressing.
We tasted through the single vineyard Pinot Noir lineup: Each glass offering bright and generous aromas with distinct and unique taste profiles and long, gracious finishes.
The slow, gentle winemaking style pays dividends and the result here is one of the best Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs we’ve ever tasted. Only two tasting appointments are held per day, so definitely book in advance.
B Wise
Next we head inland to Moon Mountain, near the downtown Sonoma square. Moon Mountain spans over 17,000 acres with elevations ranging from 400 to 2200 feet. Soils are red volcanic and ash, yielding grapes that are intense and flavorful.
Bordeux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grow extremely well here and B Wise takes advantage of it. By employing prestigious winemakers like Massimo Monticelli (Silver Oak) and Mark Herold (Joseph Phelps), there’s a wealth of knowledge and experience that are designing the wines to be exceptional.
The tasting experience is transformative and breathtaking. Each tour is privately held in the intimate wine cave on the vineyard estate, lasting around 1.5 hours. During which you’ll taste a wide range of the offerings including Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux blends with Merlot and Cab focused variances. Make sure to call ahead for an appointment.
Saintsbury
Heading south and due east is another favorite microclimate known as Carneros. Started in 1981 by two Burgundy aficionados, Saintsbury grew to become one of the highest regarded Pinot Noir producers in California.
The label has since grown to export to Supermarkets, but their single varietal collection remains boutique in size and exceptional in quality. The winemakers utilize plenty of whole clusters which means the wines are meant for aging–we enjoyed a 2003 recently that tasted as if it still had some years on the clock.
Appointments are required and are recommended on sunny days to take advantage of the garden patio.
Joseph Swan
We loved the expressive aromas jumping out of the glasses at Joseph Swan. Several different pinots–all very reasonably priced–along with some other funky French varietals like Tannat, Viognier and Grenach Blanc.
The tasting experience is very unassuming and welcoming. No fancy estate rooms with plush chairs–just a folding table inside the wine storage room. There’s also a good chance you’ll get to meet and chat with Rod Berglund, the winemaker. Appointments are not required, but encouraged.
Littorai
Exceptional Pinot Noirs covering Anderson Valley and Sonoma Coast subregions. The winemaker was trained in Dijon, which is likely why the aromas and flavors resemble Burgundy (more earthy and dusty vs. fruit-forward).
Production clocks in at a nimble 5500 cases/yr. Our favorite Pinot was the 2017 One Acre: musty forest floor mixed with crunchy rose petals. We also got to try a 2013 Library and noted how well they held up to age. Littorai also produces a lovely Burgundian-style Chardonnay (pictured above) and a crisp Chenin Blanc.
Small Vines
A small family-owned winery that has received a lot of accolades from high-end restaurants in the area like Singlethread. Kathryn and Paul are extremely welcoming during the tasting and provide a full walking tour of their vineyard and winery. Both are big fans of Burgundy and studied with the famed DRC team from Burgundy.
The wines were delicious and farming practices fascinating. Our highlight was the 2014 TBH Sonoma Coast Chardonnay–blistering with acidity, making it a fine pairing with most seafood and light meat dishes.
More favorites to check out
- Kistler – For Chardonnay lovers, this is one of the best options. Bursting aromas and strong minerality, giving a very Burgundian feel. After selling the brand, Steve Kistler started Occidental, mentioned above.
- Repris – Back on Moon Mountain with excellent Bordeaux blends.
- Brooks Note – A fun small winery / tasting room offering up some great Pinot, especially for the price. Lots of fruit sourced from Petaluma Gap, which packs a ton of flavor but not the price, as it is technically not counted in Sonoma County.
Where to eat
El Molino Central
Quick and easy authentic Mexican eats located in the downtown area. Perfect for a late lunch after tasting or an early hungover brunch.
Girl and the Fig
A locals favorite in the downtown Sonoma square. Food is high quality and the extensive wine list features many local producers.
Singlethread
The first restaurant in Sonoma County to be awarded 3 Michelin stars. Food and wine pairing is outstanding (featuring a new and old world option). Price is not cheap, so save this one for a special occasion.
Angelo’s Deli
With every wine region comes a local’s favorite sandwich stop. See Hye Market in Fredericksburg, St Helena Bakery in Santa Barbara and The Cheese Shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Angelos is the Sonoma version, but sandwiches are not the only asset here: Don’t miss their award-winning beef jerky and the homemade garlic salsa.
Where to stay
Marriot Sonoma
Cash in those Marriot rewards and stay in close proximity to the downtown area. The hotel is dog friendly, has a pool and offers free shuttles to the square.
Carneros Resort and Spa
For a more luxe option, check out the Carneros Inn, located conveniently close to Saintsbury. This boutique hotel serves up some great amenities while you wind down your wine weekend: bocce ball, fresh cocktails, fire pits, and live music.
