Russian River Area
A bracing alternative to wine tasting, Spirit Works crafts superb small-batch spirits – vodka, gin, sloe gin and whiskey – from organic California red…
Must-see attractions in Napa & Sonoma Wine Country
Russian River Area
Charles Schulz, creator of Peanuts cartoons and Santa Rosa resident, was born in 1922, published his first drawing in 1937, introduced Snoopy and Charlie…
Sonoma Valley
The name fits at this family-owned small-scale winery surrounded by grapes, with a lazy dog to greet you and a weathered, old-timey wooden bar, at which…
Sonoma Valley
Sonoma Valley’s feel-good winery, Robledo was founded by a former migrant worker from Mexico who worked his way up to vineyard manager, then land owner,…
Russian River Area
Pull up an Adirondack chair and picnic creekside at Truett Hurst, one of Dry Creek's biodynamic wineries. Sample terrific old-vine Zinfandel, standout…
Calistoga
Across from the picturesque 1902 City Hall (originally an opera house), the Sharpsteen Museum was created by an ex-Disney animator (whose Oscar is on…
Russian River Area
Inside a vintage-1920s garage, Porter Creek’s tasting bar is a former bowling-alley lane, plunked atop barrels. Porter is old-school Northern California,…
Napa Valley
Co-owned by Bill Clinton’s former ambassador to Austria, Hall specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, crafted in big-fruit…
Sonoma Valley
If you’re new to wine, make Benziger your first stop for Sonoma’s best crash course in winemaking. The worthwhile tour (reservations recommended) includes…
Russian River Area
This tiny winery, tucked amid vineyards, is known for 17 small-batch varieties made with estate-grown fruit. Viognier, Primitivo, Pinot and Cabernet are…
Sonoma Valley
This family-owned winery on a historic ranch has vineyards that are more than a century old. It offers mountaintop tastings with impressive valley views…
Russian River Area
Atop a hill with drop-dead views over the county, Iron Horse is known for sparkling wines, which the White House often pours. The outdoor tasting room is…
Sonoma Valley
Formerly Bartholomew Park Winery has transformed into Bartholomew Estate, set to open in its new form in spring 2019, ushering in a change of ownership,…
Sonoma Valley
Just when you thought the vineyards would stretch as far as the eye could see, out of nowhere comes a world-renowned botanical garden specializing in the…
Russian River Area
Surprisingly upscale for West County, Hartford sits in a pastoral valley surrounded by redwood-forested hills, on one of the area’s prettiest back roads…
Napa Valley
Titus has a modern tasting facility with windows for days, surrounded by 40 acres of vineyards. It's best to book well ahead to sample the winery's good…
Napa Valley
Like a modern-day Persian palace, Darioush ranks high on the fabulosity scale, with towering columns, Le Corbusier furniture, Persian rugs and travertine…
Russian River Area
Inside a vineyard-view tasting room, Unti pours all estate-grown varietals – Châteauneuf-du-Pape–style Grenache, compelling Syrah and superb Sangiovese –…
Sonoma Valley
Say g’day to Chris the Aussie winemaker at Loxton, a no-frills winery with million-dollar views of the grapes you'll actually be tasting. The tasting room…
Calistoga
In downtown Calistoga, this tasting room run by a long-time winemaker specializes in extremely small-production wines produced with wild yeast. The big…
Calistoga
A mile-long trail leads from Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park to adjacent Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, where there’s a swimming pool ($5) and camping,…
Russian River Area
Sunflowers, lavender, beehives and crowing roosters greet your arrival at this winery and biodynamic farm, with self-guided garden tours and a redwood…
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
Calistoga
This park features a 36ft-high water-powered mill wheel dating to 1846 – the largest still operating in North America. The best part: you can actually see…
Russian River Area
Middle-of-nowhere Marimar Estates specializes in all-organic Pinot – seven different kinds – and Spanish varietals. The hacienda-style hilltop tasting…
Russian River Area
Abutting oak-studded hills, Hanna’s tasting room has lovely vineyard views and good picnicking. At the bar, find estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec,…
Russian River Area
Pinot Noir is a finicky grape that withers in sun and mildews in fog, yet it thrives in Russian River Valley, including at solar-powered Moshin Vineyards…
Sonoma
When you’re in downtown Sonoma and don’t feel like fighting traffic, Hawkes' refreshingly unfussy tasting room showcases meaty Cabernet Sauvignon from…
Sonoma Valley
Barn cats dart about at this down-home winery with several different tasting areas and a $20 wine and chocolate pairing. The winemaker crafts standout…
Sonoma Valley
Balmy days are for pondside picnics and rainy ones for fireside tastings of old-vine zinfandel and Mourvèdre inside an 1850s farmhouse. Stroll out back to…
Russian River Area
Specializes in ports (ruby, not tawny); the chocolate port makes a great gift. The tour is good fun and includes tastes of sparkling and still wine as…
Landmark Vineyards at Hop Kiln Estate
Russian River Area
This photogenic historic landmark has a busy tasting room inside a former hop kiln; we especially like the Flocchini Chardonnay. You can build your own…
Napa Valley
The furniture and design chain Restoration Hardware took over this 1904 stone house and garden recently. It's now part wine tasting room, part art gallery…
Sonoma Valley
This 42-acre estate sits in the newly dubbed 'Petaluma Gap,' where pinot noir and chardonnay grapes are tormented by wind and fog, urging them to produce…
Russian River Area
Coming to life on the downtown plaza, this farmers market brings in a delightful mix of vendors from basket weavers to goat's cheese producers. A fine…
Russian River Area
Gorgeous rose gardens (April to October) and a stellar on-site deli make Korbel worth a stop for a free tasting, but the sparkling wine’s just OK. Try the…
Napa Valley
Meets at Crane Park, half a mile south of downtown. The vendors come and go with the seasons, but expect plenty of fresh produce, fresh-cut flowers and…
Occidental Bohemian Farmers Market
Russian River Area
Meet the whole community at Occidental's detour-worthy farmers market, with musicians, craftspeople and – the star attraction – Gerard’s Paella (www…
Russian River Area
Outside Occidental and up on a ridge off Fitzpatrick Lane, Grove of the Old Trees is a peaceful, 28-acre forest of old-growth redwoods. The forest and its…
Russian River Area
Drop in to this little tasting room in downtown Occidental for free swigs of dry Chardonnay, earthy Pinots and a big Syrah, all from the cooler climes…
Russian River Area
Sample multiple varietals at this cooperative, which showcases six boutique wineries too small to have their own tasting rooms. Tasting fee is refundable…
