Add These 25 Legendary Sonoma Wineries to Your Bucket List!

by Anthony Zhang

California’s wine country has a lot to offer - from the oldest winery in the state to ones that bring the beauty of French wine to the US!

Napa Valley may be more famous, but that simply means Sonoma is more laidback!

Sonoma County wineries are separated by long distances, allowing wine enthusiasts to take in the entire region during a visit.

To help you out, we’ve listed the top 25 Sonoma wineries you must visit during your next trip to Northern California. And if you can’t, you can always try their amazing wines!

25 Spectacular Sonoma Wineries To Visit in 2023 (Including Best Wines & Prices)

As one of California’s largest wine-growing regions, Sonoma County offers enthusiasts a variety of wineries to visit.

You’ll typically find Cabernet Sauvignon reigning supreme, with other red grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Pinot Noir grown in a lesser amount.

For whites, you’ll find Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, although Rhone varieties like Syrah and Viognier are growing in popularity.

Let’s tour the 25 wineries that are spread across Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Los Carneros, Russian River Valley, and the Sonoma Coast.

A. Alexander Valley

Alexander Valley is the second-most important region (after Napa Valley) for California Cabernet Sauvignon and is home to many old Zinfandel vineyards.

1) Francis Ford Coppola Winery

The eponymous winery of Francis Ford Coppola, the director of The Godfather trilogy, is now under the Delicato Family Wines umbrella.

Their flagship wine, the Archimedes, is a Cab Sauv from the Archimedes Vineyard. The portfolio otherwise includes wines made from Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Best Wines:

2014 Francis Ford Coppola Archimedes ($90)
2014 Francis Ford Coppola Eleanor Red ($81)

2) Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Making just two wines - a Cab Sauv in the Alexander Valley and a Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley - the Jordan Winery is committed to excellence.

Their love for French wine is evident everywhere, from the winery’s picturesque tasting rooms to the wines aged in French oak.

Best Wines:

1979 Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon ($249)
2014 Jordan Winery Chardonnay ($38)

3) Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates

One of California’s largest wine producers, the KJ Estate covers many regions.

Their flagship Sonoma County wine, the Stature, is a red Bordeaux Blend made from Napa grapes, while their Chardonnay grapes come from the Camelot Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley.

Best Wines:

1997 Kendall-Jackson Stature Red ($102)
2004 Kendall-Jackson 'Jackson Estate' Camelot Highlands Chardonnay ($82)

4) Ridge Vineyards

While Ridge Vineyards have vineyards in various regions, they're primarily based in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is also where their flagship wine, the Monte Bello, hails from.

Since the winery's inception in 1974, Cab Sauv and Chardonnay have been its primary varieties. However, they also make Merlot, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir wines.

Best Wines:

1974 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Zinfandel ($785)
1985 Ridge Vineyards Geyserville ($302)

B. Dry Creek Valley

Best known for growing Zinfandel on the Creek hillsides, you’ll also find many Sauvignon Blancs here.

5) Ferrari Carano Vineyards

Best known for their Cab Sauv wines, the Ferrari Carano Vineyards was bought by Foley Family Wines in 2020.

Their flagship Classics collection features single grape varieties commonly found in California. But their Siena range includes Sangiovese, while the Tresor is a premium Bordeaux red blend.

Best Wines:

2009 Ferrari Carano Prevail West Face ($175)
1988 Ferrari Carano Reserve Tresor ($150)

6) Reeve Wines

Reeve Wines is a relatively newer estate that’s quickly making a name for itself by bringing you the best of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Constantly innovating and experimenting, their portfolio includes varietals like Sangiovese and Falanghina.

Best Wines:

2017 Reeve Wines 'Rhoda' Pinot Noir ($60)
2017 Reeve Wines 'Prism' Riesling ($38)

7) Sbragia Family Vineyards

The Sbragia Family Vineyards boasts some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in the world.

Naturally, due to its location, it focuses predominantly on Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.

Best Wines:

2002 Sbragia Family Vineyards Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($150)
2009 Sbragia Family Vineyards Gamble Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay ($64)

C. Los Carneros

Since Los Carneros is split between Sonoma and Napa Valley, this unofficial designation is commonly called “Sonoma - Carneros” or “Sonoma - Napa,” depending on the winery’s location.

8) Buena Vista Winery

Considered the oldest winery in California, the founder Agoston Haraszthy de Mokesa is called the Father of California Wine.

Today, the winery is focused on producing high-quality wines made using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah.

Best Wines:

2019 Buena Vista Winery Carneros Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($175)
2014 Buena Vista Winery 'The Sheriff of Buena Vista' ($78)

9) Larson Family Winery

The Larson Family Winery may have started as a rodeo back in 1928, but today, they’re well-known for combining their passion for winemaking and farming.

Best Wines:

2005 Larson Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
2006 Larson Family Winery 'Millerick Road' Meritage ($23)

10) Robledo Family Winery

Another family winery, Robledo mixes its founders’ migrant roots with innate winemaking expertise to create breathtaking wines.

They grow a wide range of varietals, including some uncommon ones such as the Spanish Tempranillo and Grenache Noir with the Italian Barbera!

Best Wines:

2011 Robledo Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon ($110)
2007 Robledo Family Winery Syrah ($75)

D. Russian River Valley

Influenced by the Petaluma Gap's cool fog, the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley is best known for cool-climate Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

11) DeLoach Vineyards

Established in 1970, DeLoach has a well-established reputation for its Burgundian varietals of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.

In recent years, they’ve partnered with winegrowers in the region to produce high-quality, eco-friendly wines.

Best Wines:

2015 DeLoach Vineyards Forgotten Vines Zinfandel ($374)
2017 DeLoach Vineyards Estate Collection Pinot Noir ($80)

12) Iron Horse Vineyards

A small, family-owned winery in the Green Valley, founders Barry and Audrey Sterling bought the property as it looked like Camelot.

Today, Iron Horse is best known for its sparkling wine - which is so good they’ve been served in the White House for six consecutive presidencies!

Best Wines:

2012 Iron Horse Vineyards Blanc de Blancs ($187)
2017 Iron Horse Vineyards Deer Gate Pinot Noir ($88)

13) J Vineyards & Winery

J Vineyards aims to bring the distinctiveness of each Russian River Valley estate to the bottle.

Sourcing the best grapes across the county, their Sonoma County wine offers natural, crisp acidity and fruit-forward flavors.

Best Wines:

2011 J Vineyards & Winery LD Late Disgorged Brut ($110)
2016 J Vineyards & Winery Barrel 16 Pinot Noir ($90)

14) Joseph Swan Vineyards

From its very first 1968 vintage to the present day, Joseph Swan Vineyards has embraced the effervescent artisanal spirit of the Russian River Valley.

While their portfolio boasts of different wines, their old vine Zinfandel as well as estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay remain their best.

Best Wines:

2012 Joseph Swan Vineyards Mancini Ranch Zinfandel ($524)
1974 Joseph Swan Vineyards Zinfandel ($350)

15) MacRostie Winery & Vineyards

One of Sonoma’s defining wineries, MacRostie works with over 15 Pinot Noir sites and 30 Chardonnay sites to create wines of incredible complexity.

Additionally, over 130 fermentations in each bottle also bring a unique wine tasting profile to every vintage.

Best Wines:

1997 MacRostie Merlot ($130)
2017 MacRostie 'The Loch' Pinot Noir ($95)

E. Sonoma Coast

The largest subregion in the county, Sonoma Coast is ruled by the Burgundian varietals, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir accounting for over 75% of the planted vines.

16) Fort Ross Vineyard

Situated right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the Fort Ross Vineyard utilizes the cooling ocean breezes for its three varietals - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinotage.

In 2012, the vineyard became part of the new Fort Ross-Seaview AVA.

Best Wines:

2017 Fort Ross Vineyard The Terraces Pinot Noir ($80)
2018 Fort Ross Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay ($65)

17) Flowers Vineyard & Winery

Utilizing the best of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, the Flowers Vineyard ages its wine in French oak barrels with wild yeast.

Recently, it also planted a small parcel of Pinot Meunier.

Best Wines:

2000 Flowers 'Camp Meeting Ridge' Chardonnay ($180)
2018 Flowers Sea View Ridge Block 19 Pinot Meunier ($99)

18) Three Sticks Wines

The Three Sticks vineyards are nestled just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, on Sonoma Mountain (between Sonoma and Santa Rosa towns) and the Russian River Valley.

This cooling breeze gives their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays a dimension that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Best Wines:

2018 Three Sticks 'Cuvee Eva Marie' Pinot Noir ($89)
2019 Three Sticks Alana Vineyard Chardonnay ($78)

F. Sonoma Valley

A warm wine region, Sonoma Valley is best known for its Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel wines.

19) Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery

A former site of the Buena Vista Winery, this winery honors the Bartholomews of the Bartholomew Foundation and Park.

Producing about 4500 cases per year, the estate focuses on Merlot and Cab Sauv wines.

Best Wines:

2018 Bartholomew Estate Press Release ($70)
2018 Bartholomew Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)

20) Gundlach Bundschu Winery

Gundlach Bundschu is one of California’s oldest wineries.

It is best known for its Cab Sauvs, Merlots, and Zinfandels with a healthy amount of Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer also produced.

The Vintage Reserve, their flagship wine, is a limited-edition Cab Sauv with a different label for each vintage!

Best Wines:

1990 Gundlach Bundschu Vintage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($200)
1988 Gundlach Bundschu Estate Vineyard Merlot ($99)

21) Hamel Family Wines

At Hamel, it’s all about having fun while making outstanding, limited-edition wine and forming long-lasting relationships with guests.

Best Wines:

2013 Hamel Family Wines Nuns Canyon Vineyard ($172)
2020 Hamel Family Wines Sauvignon Blanc ($102)

22) Ledson Winery & Vineyards

Just an hour’s drive away from San Francisco, the Ledson Winery is made in the French Normandy style, also called The Castle.

Farming their vineyards one vine at a time allows Ledson to focus on the wine, leading to high scores at international competitions.

Best Wines:

1998 Ledson Winery & Vineyards Sonoma Valley Reserve Merlot ($246)
2018 Ledson Winery & Vineyards Howell Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($120)

23) Ram’s Gate Winery

You’ll find the Ram’s Gate Winery on the San Francisco Bay, where the Sonoma and Napa counties meet.

Founded in 2011 and becoming a Certified Sustainable Vineyard in 2015, this winery is all about providing beautiful wine in a way that’s friendly to the earth.

Best Wines:

2018 Ram's Gate Winery Pinot Noir ($85)
2014 Ram's Gate Winery Durell Vineyard Chardonnay ($78)

24) Scribe Winery

Managed by fourth-generation brothers Andrew and Adam, the Scribe Winery produces vibrant wines that reflect the individual characteristics of its terroir.

Best Wines:

2014 Scribe Outpost East Cabernet Sauvignon ($103)
2016 Scribe Baker Lane Vineyards Syrah ($82)

25) St. Francis Winery

A family-owned estate, the St. Francis Winery has vineyards in both Sonoma Valley and the Russian River Valley.

They mainly focus on Sonoma Cab Sauvs, Chards, and Merlots, with some Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Marsanne thrown in the mix.

Best Wines:

1999 St. Francis Red ($113)
1993 St. Francis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($99)

Wrapping Up

No matter what your taste buds prefer, there's a Sonoma County winery and wine for you!

If you wish to invest in any of the exquisite wines we've mentioned above or other excellent California wines, head over to Vinovest, an online wine investment company!