Sonoma Valley
The "Valley of the Moon" provides a vivid snapshot of Northern California's often turbulent, always fascinating history. In 1823, decades before California achieved statehood, Franciscan padres planted wine grapes in Sonoma at the last of the California missions. The notorious Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy introduced commercial winemaking to the area in the 1850s. Right across the street from the mission, local insurgents staged the Bear Flag Revolt, attempting to pry control of California from its Mexican proprietors. They won and the state of California was born.
Today, while you enjoy Sonoma's fine homemade cheeses, you'll see many ancient winery stone walls still standing as a tangible reminder of the era. Modern winegrowers enjoy the climate warmed by slanting rays of sun and cooled by airflows from both the San Francisco Bay, and most importantly, the Pacific Ocean through the Petaluma Gap. In the coolest location, overlapping the Carneros region, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are grown for both table and sparkling wines. Up valley, Chardonnay still thrives, while currant-rich Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah stake their claims for some of the valley's finest red wines. Ascending, as you approach the ridgelines, you'll find Zinfandel thriving with peppered spiciness and zingy raspberry fruitiness. Oh yes, there's plenty to savor here.
Sonoma Valley Wineries
Arrowood Vineyards and Winery
Glen Ellen
Located on a hillside just outside the town of Glen Ellen, overlooking the Sonoma Valley, Arrowood Winery is the real life dream of Richard Arrowood and his wife and partner, Alis Demers Arrowood.
Bartholomew park
Sonoma
Founded in 1994 with a vision to produce handcrafted, site-specific wines, Bartholomew Park's 37-acre Estate Vineyard is located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountain range in Sonoma Valley.
B.R. Cohn Winery
Glen Ellen
Founded by Bruce Cohn in 1984, BR Cohn Winery offers a full line of ultra-premium wines, extra virgin olive oils, handcrafted vinegars and gourmet food products.
Chateau St. Jean
Kenwood
Chateau St Jean is Sonoma's first and foremost champion of single vineyard designated wines. Founded around a concept cherished for centuries in Europe but new to California, terroir (pronounced ter-wahr).
Deerfield Ranch Winery
Kenwood
Deerfield Ranch Winery is an award-winning winery located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley in Kenwood, California. We specialize in small lots of handmade wine from select Northern California vineyards.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Sonoma
For six generations and over 150 years, our family has farmed our estate vineyard at the crossroads of the Sonoma Valley, Carneros and Napa Valley appellations.
Landmark Vineyards
Kenwood
Landmark's mission is to make great wines that enhance the joy of life. Quality and flavor begin in the vineyards. In addition to the estate vineyard, Landmark sources grapes from a range of different vineyards and those selected are among the finest in the highly diverse micro-climates of California's wine-growing regions.
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Santa Rosa
Sun-drenched mountains, breathtaking vineyards, inspiring vistas as far as you can see. Outlined against an impossibly blue sky, stands the distinct shape of the St.
Valley of the Moon Winery
Glen Ellen
Valley of the Moon Winery delivers a unique flavor of California. We produce ultra-premium Sonoma wines that embrace both time honored winemaking tradition and state of the art production.
