The 10 Best Wineries in Sonoma Valley

Overview: This little gem located in Sonoma County is a must-try, especially if you love Syrah. Owner and winemaker, Steve Law, uses his accumulated experiences and skills from France to produce fantastic wines. A lot of his inspiration hails from Northern Rhône, creating classically styled wines that are fruit driven and beautifully balanced.

It’s always special when you get to taste wines with the winemaker themselves, which is exactly what MacLaren offers. Steve personally hosts the tastings, guiding you through a magnificent flight of Syrah, Pinot Noir, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Overview: While wine is an obvious art of it’s own, Donum Estate combines stunning visual art with the art of winemaking. Boasting over 40 large-scale, open-air sculptures dotted throughout their land, the winery combines nature and art to give each visitor a whole new experience of sense and imagination.

Donum Estate offers several tastings of their excellent wines from Carneros, Anderson, and Russian River Valleys. Enjoy them, all while taking a stroll through the stunning private sculpture collection and breath-taking lavender fields that stretch over the land.

Overview: B Wise Vineyards has several location options for tastings, including the caves on their estate, a tasting lounge in Kenwood, a tasting loft in Napa, and a location in Amapola Creek (a small winery in Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District and part of the B Wise estate). Most of these are limited to private tastings with prior arrangement.

While visiting, expect to taste a variety of Cabernet Sauvignons, Pinot Noirs, and more, many of which are crafted from estate grapes.

Overview: Corner 103 was named the best wine tasting room in America by USA Today two years in a row, and with good reason. The stylish and comfortable tasting room is located right on Sonoma Square in downtown Sonoma and is open daily from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Guests will enjoy a flight of five award winning wines ($30). Corner 103 produces a number of less common wines for the area, including Albarino, Grenache Blanc, and Malbec.

Overview: While Two Amigos Winery takes winemaking and hospitality very seriously, they are not afraid to approach it with a sense of humor. When visiting, expect an educational and highly entertaining experience. 

Private tours and tastings (led by one of the two amigos themselves) are available by appointment. Featured wines include rosé of Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viogner, and more – they produce a ranging and eclectic mix of red and white wines.

Overview: Annadel Gap Vineyard, the estate vineyard at Westwood Estates Wines, is certified organic and biodynamic, and Westwood is very proud to produce and serve sustainable wines. They produce a number of estate Pinot Noirs from different clones, as well as a collection of Rhone varietal wines and more.

The modern tasting salon is located right in downtown Sonoma and includes outdoor seating options. There are two different tasting options to choose from, and reservations are required. 

Overview: Eric Ross Winery focuses on terroir driven, food friendly wines that are elegant and approachable at the same time. The cozy tasting room is open Friday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM and includes both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Tastings are $20 each, and they are happy to waive this fee with a minimum two bottle purchase. A prior appointment is required. Cabernet, Zinfandel, and dessert wines are among your choices when visiting. 

Overview: Hamel Family Wines uses organic and biodynamic practices in their vineyards and considers themselves to be ‘stewards of the land.’ Their estate wines include a Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Bordeaux-style blend.

Taste these and more when visiting; tasting options include an estate experience, reserve experience, and collector’s experience. Each is guided by an educated host and has optional food pairings. These are available at select times throughout the week with a reservation.

Overview: Winery Sixteen 600 practices organic, biodynamic, and sustainable farming. They utilize these high-quality organic grapes in their winemaking, producing both white and red Rhone-style blends along with a few single varietal wines.

Their unique wine labels were designed by musician and artist Stanley Mouse, symbolizing the union of music, art, and wine. The Sixteen 600 Tasting House is open by reservation and offers one on one seated tastings inside a lovely historic farmhouse.

Overview: Laurel Glen’s estate vineyard is situated at 1,000 feet up Sonoma Mountain, where the focus is on Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is now certified organic, and the Laurel Glen team strives to capture a true sense of place in their wine by gently treating the fruit while in the cellar.

Their tasting room, located in the town of Glen Ellen, offers both a current release and a library tasting option. Visitors should make sure to experience their one of their signature Cabernet Sauvignons, with a velvety mid-palette and a spine of minerality, or enjoy a glass of their Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc (if you’re looking for something different).

They’re open daily from 11 AM to 4 PM, and reservations are required.

Viator.com (a TripAdvisor company) is our recommended vendor for finding unbelievable local experiences to complement your time visiting wineries.

Guided tours, hot air balloon rides, and scavenger hunts are just a few of the types of excursions you can find to book on Viator.

Expedia.com is our recommended travel vendor for booking flights, hotels, rental cars, and more.

Great deals and discounted packages are just the start. Expedia will allow you to tailor your trip to fit your needs and preferences.

Whether you’re looking to book a first class flight, to stay at a 5 star hotel, or to book a quaint bed and breakfast, Expedia can help to secure your perfect travel arrangements across their vast network of travel and accommodation providers.