Top 5 Wineries to Visit in Sonoma California

Heading to Sonoma, California for some wine tasting?  When it comes to wine tasting in Sonoma Valley, it’s about not just the wine, but also the experience.

Best 5 Wineries to Visit in Sonoma, California

I love visiting each winery to just soak in the look and feel, and unique character that each one has to offer.  They’re all so distinct from one another, but in my mind there are a few that absolutely stand out.  Here’s my very favorite Sonoma California wineries that you can’t miss when you visit!

Scribe Winery

It’s hard NOT to rave about the tasting experience at Scribe Winery.  Picture olive trees, bud vases, a hundred-year-old-hacienda, linen napkins, and a fabulous bottle of rose….and that is just the beginning of your love story with Scribe.

Straight out of an Instagrammer’s dream, the winery’s main building is a hacienda from the 1850’s, renovated by Andrew and Adam Mariani, the brothers that own Scribe.  With renovations complete as of January 2017, guest tastings at Scribe in warmer weather take place outside on the Hacienda’s patio, and come complete with a family-style lunch, which showcases the produce and herbs grown in the surrounding gardens at the vineyard.

Needless to say…the food and the wine are delicious.  Plan to spend a few hours here, lingering over your lunch and enjoying the views!

J Vineyards

If you like sparkling wine, J Vineyards is a must-visit while in Sonoma County.  Sure, you might have seen their wines in your local grocery store, but the truth is that you’ve only seen (and tasted) the tip of the iceberg until you’ve visited the mother ship.

I recommend doing the Legacy tasting so that you’ve got a place to sit down – and don’t miss the cheese plate, which is specifically made to pair with the wines you’ll have in your tasting.

The cheese is expertly chosen, so delicious, and elevates the tasting experience to another level.   Truly!  And I’m not just saying that because I’m a Wisconsin girl.

Littorai Wines

Littorai is the REAL Sonoma.  Well-known among Pinot-lovers, Littorai is family-owned, rich on scenery, and practices solely sustainable farming techniques.

Visiting Littorai requires old-fashioned directions (don’t try your GPS….it will lead you astray), a gate code, and a bit of patience, depending on what the nearby creatures are up to (we were late for our appointment due to several deer standing in the middle of the windy, hillside road where Littorai sits).

The tasting includes mostly pinots, and you’ll love the subtle, elegant flavor in their wines.  The low alcohol content means you can sip away without feeling super woozy before your next tasting.

Don’t forget to grab a satchet of lavender on your way out!  Stash it in your luggage, and your dirty clothes will smell clean when you get back home.

Ram’s Gate Winery

Perched atop a hill in the southern Carneros region of Sonoma County, a tasting in Ram’s Gate is the perfect spot for the elegantly stylish.  With a modern-industrial vibe, design lovers will feel right at home in the tasting room, sipping on the winery’s finest pinots and chardonnays.

After your tasting, wander down to the pond behind the tasting room for a serene view of the surrounding vineyards.  This is absolutely a winery that I will come back to – they make you feel right at home!

Domaine Carneros

Sparkling wine fans rejoice, because there’s no better bubbly tasting experience in Sonoma than Domaine Carneros.  You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to pastoral France – just without the jet lag.

Indeed, the chateau-like setting of Domaine Carneros is part of what makes the winery unique.  Revel in the ambiance while tasting a flight of bubbles (and snacks if you’d like) on the outdoor patio.  What a great spot for a bachelorette party or a girls weekend!

READ MORE: The Perfect Napa Itinerary

READ MORE: Where to Stay in Sonoma: The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

There you have it – the best Sonoma California Wineries to visit!

If you love wine tasting in California, you’ll love visiting the central coast, too.  Check out my perfect Paso Robles itinerary for a rundown of exactly what to do in Paso!

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