The Definitive
Sonoma Guide
15 wineries. 5 restaurants. 8 AVA regions. Russian River Pinots, Dry Creek Zins, and Sonoma Coast Chardonnays.
Sonoma Wineries
Williams Selyem
Russian River Valley · Est. 1981
Legendary Pinot Noir producer with allocation-only wines sought by collectors worldwide.
Kistler Vineyards
Sonoma Coast · Est. 1978
Masters of single-vineyard Chardonnay with Burgundian elegance and California richness.
Peter Michael
Knights Valley · Est. 1982
Sir Peter Michael's volcanic mountain estate producing world-class Bordeaux and Burgundy varieties.
Jordan Vineyard
Alexander Valley · Est. 1972
Elegant French château-style estate producing refined Cabernet and Chardonnay.
Flowers Vineyard
Sonoma Coast · Est. 1991
Extreme coastal estate on the true Sonoma Coast with ocean-influenced Pinot Noir.
Ridge Lytton Springs
Dry Creek Valley · Est. 1966
Historic pre-Prohibition vineyard producing benchmark Zinfandel from century-old vines.
Silver Oak
Alexander Valley · Est. 1972
Iconic LEED Platinum winery pioneering 100% American oak-aged Cabernet.
Scribe Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 2007
Hacienda-style estate producing vibrant, terroir-driven wines from old-vine Sonoma Valley fruit.
Bedrock Wine Co.
Sonoma Valley · Est. 2007
Morgan Twain-Peterson's celebration of California's heritage vineyards, some over 130 years old.
Iron Horse Vineyards
Green Valley · Est. 1976
Estate sparkling wine house served at White House state dinners, with stunning hilltop views.
Kosta Browne
Russian River Valley · Est. 2001
Luxury Pinot Noir producer with cult following and years-long allocation waitlist.
Hirsch Vineyards
Fort Ross–Seaview · Est. 1980
Remote ridgetop estate 3 miles from the Pacific, producing wines of extraordinary terroir specificity.
Littorai Wines
Sonoma Coast · Est. 1993
Ted Lemon's biodynamic estate crafting Burgundy-inspired Pinot Noir of remarkable purity.
Dutton-Goldfield
Russian River Valley · Est. 1998
Collaboration between legendary grower Dutton and winemaker Goldfield, showcasing terroir-driven wines.
Ramey Wine Cellars
Russian River Valley · Est. 1996
David Ramey's Burgundian-styled wines, considered benchmarks of California Chardonnay.
Sonoma Restaurants
SingleThread
Alexander Valley
Three Michelin-star farm-restaurant-inn with a Japanese-influenced, 11-course kaiseki tasting menu.
The Girl & The Fig
Sonoma Valley
Beloved Sonoma Plaza bistro serving French-inspired country cuisine with an all-Rhône wine list.
Valette
Alexander Valley
Chef Dustin Valette's refined Healdsburg restaurant with seasonal tasting menus and local wine pairings.
Cafe La Haye
Sonoma Valley
Intimate Sonoma Plaza gem with a tiny open kitchen producing extraordinary seasonal small plates.
Barndiva
Alexander Valley
Art-meets-agriculture in a converted barn with inventive cocktails and garden-to-table cuisine.
AVA Regions
8 distinct appellations — each with unique soil, climate, and character.
Russian River Valley
Cool, foggy climate producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from ancient Goldridge sandy loam soils.
Sonoma Coast
Extreme coastal vineyards with dramatic ocean influence, producing wines of mineral intensity and laser-like acidity.
Alexander Valley
Warm Mediterranean climate ideal for bold Cabernet Sauvignon, with alluvial bench lands along the Russian River.
Dry Creek Valley
Heritage zinfandel capital with century-old vines and warm, dry conditions perfect for bold reds.
Sonoma Valley
Birthplace of California wine (1857), with varied microclimates from cool Carneros to warm Glen Ellen.
Green Valley
Coolest Sonoma AVA, with persistent fog producing exceptional sparkling wines and crisp Chardonnay.
Knights Valley
Warmest Sonoma AVA with volcanic soils from Mt. St. Helena, producing powerful Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc.
Fort Ross–Seaview
Extreme coastal AVA above the fog line with ocean-view vineyards producing wines of uncommon intensity.