Sonoma County
Napa's larger, more laid-back neighbour — 18 AVAs from cool Russian River Valley to warm Alexander & Dry Creek Valleys, famed for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and sparkling wine.
Sonoma rewards the curious: fog-cooled Russian River Pinot with red-cherry and forest-floor lift, and century-old Zinfandel vines in Dry Creek delivering black raspberry, pepper and sweet oak.
Style: Cool-climate, food-friendly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River; brambly, spice-driven old-vine Zinfandel from Dry Creek.
Wineries & vineyards in Sonoma County
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Alexander Valley · Est. 1972
Restrained, food-friendly Cabernet and a taut Russian River Chardonnay — French sensibility, Sonoma fruit.
Ridge Vineyards — Lytton Springs
Dry Creek Valley · Est. 1972
Brambly black raspberry, pepper and sweet oak with old-vine depth; ages beautifully.
Seghesio Family Vineyards
Alexander Valley · Est. 1895
Generous, spice-driven Zinfandel with old-vine concentration and Italian soul.
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 1982
Silky red-cherry Pinot with forest-floor lift; the Chardonnays are precise and mineral.
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards
Dry Creek Valley · Est. 1981
Crisp Fumé Blanc and rich Chardonnay; the gardens make it a photographer's favourite.
Arista Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 2002
Detailed, red-fruited Pinot with silky texture and true vineyard signatures.
Rodney Strong Vineyards
Russian River Valley · Est. 1959
Reliable, well-priced Sonoma classics across Cabernet, Chardonnay and Pinot.
Dry Creek Vineyard
Dry Creek Valley · Est. 1972
Zesty Fumé Blanc and juicy old-vine Zinfandel; a great picnic stop.
Silver Oak — Alexander Valley
Alexander Valley · Est. 1972
Signature sweet-oak, dill and cassis profile; smooth and instantly recognisable.
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Alexander Valley · Est. 2006
Crowd-pleasing, well-made reds; a family-friendly destination day.
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate
Sonoma County · Est. 1982
Ripe, tropical, lightly oaked Chardonnay; the culinary gardens are a highlight.
Iron Horse Vineyards
Green Valley of Russian River · Est. 1976
Crisp, mineral estate sparkling; the al-fresco tasting deck is unbeatable at golden hour.
J Vineyards & Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 1986
Bright, brioche-edged sparkling and juicy Russian River Pinot — go for the Bubble Room.
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Carneros · Est. 1986
Approachable, fruit-driven sparkling; the terrace views seal the deal.
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1971
Rich old-vine Zinfandel and plush reds tuned for the table.
Chalk Hill Estate
Chalk Hill · Est. 1972
Textural, mineral Chardonnay; the estate grounds are extraordinary.
Matanzas Creek Winery
Bennett Valley · Est. 1977
Crisp, herb-tinged Sauvignon Blanc and polished Merlot; visit in early summer bloom.
Scribe Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 2007
Lower-intervention, energetic wines; the hacienda-and-eucalyptus setting is a scene.
Three Sticks Wines
Sonoma Coast · Est. 2002
Precise, single-vineyard Pinot from benchmark sites; the adobe setting is unmatched.
Cline Family Cellars
Carneros · Est. 1982
Juicy, peppery old-vine Zinfandel and honest Rhône blends; relaxed and welcoming.
Buena Vista Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1857
Approachable estate reds wrapped in genuine California history.
Gundlach Bundschu
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1858
Characterful estate wines, including a rare dry Gewürztraminer; genuinely fun visit.
Kunde Family Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1904
Reliable estate range; the mountain-top tasting has a jaw-dropping valley view.
Chateau St. Jean
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1973
Polished Bordeaux-style Cinq Cépages; the manicured gardens are a highlight.
Landmark Vineyards
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1974
Ripe, balanced Chardonnay and Pinot; a laid-back afternoon stop.
Benziger Family Winery
Sonoma Mountain · Est. 1980
Clean, expressive estate wines; the tram tour is a wine-country classic.
Imagery Estate Winery
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1985
Playful, small-lot experiments — a place to taste something you can't get elsewhere.
Rochioli Vineyards & Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 1976
Vivid red-cherry Pinot with silky texture; the estate Sauvignon Blanc is a cult favourite.
Hanzell Vineyards
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1953
Age-worthy, mineral Chardonnay and structured Pinot from some of the state's oldest vines.
MacRostie Winery
Russian River Valley · Est. 1987
Bright, balanced Chardonnay and Pinot in one of Westside Road's most beautiful settings.
Best restaurants in Sonoma County
SingleThread
Californian · Japanese Farm Tasting · Healdsburg · 3 Michelin Stars
A three-star farm-to-table experience with rooms and a rooftop garden.
What to orderCyrus
Contemporary · Progressive Tasting · Geyserville · 1 Michelin Star
A reinvented, movement-based fine-dining journey through several rooms.
What to orderEnclos
Contemporary · Sustainable · Sonoma · 2 Michelin Stars
A 2025 debut awarded two stars plus a Michelin Green Star for sustainability.
What to order
Valette
Californian · Seasonal · Healdsburg
A polished, chef-driven Healdsburg favourite championing Sonoma producers.
What to orderThe Girl & The Fig
French Country · Sonoma
A Sonoma Plaza institution for country-French cooking and a Rhône-focused wine list.
What to order
Barndiva
Californian · Farm-to-Table · Healdsburg
A stylish barn-and-garden restaurant beloved for its outdoor courtyard.
What to orderDiavola Pizzeria & Salumeria
Italian · Pizza & Salumi · Geyserville
A rustic Geyserville favourite for house-made charcuterie and blistered pizza.
What to order
Glen Ellen Star
Wood-Fired Californian · Glen Ellen
A chef-driven Glen Ellen gem built around a wood-fired hearth.
What to orderEl Dorado Kitchen
Californian · Mediterranean · Sonoma
A chic Sonoma Plaza kitchen with a pretty courtyard.
What to orderKenwood Restaurant & Bar
Seasonal Californian · Kenwood
A relaxed Sonoma Valley table with a sunny vineyard-view patio.
What to orderSonoma County wine FAQs
How many wineries can you visit in Sonoma County in a day?
With a private chauffeur, most guests comfortably visit 3–4 Sonoma County wineries in a day, allowing time for seated tastings, lunch and travel between estates.
What wine is Sonoma County best known for?
Sonoma County is most famous for Pinot Noir & Old-Vine Zinfandel. Sonoma rewards the curious: fog-cooled Russian River Pinot with red-cherry and forest-floor lift, and century-old Zinfandel vines in Dry Creek delivering black raspberry, pepper and sweet oak.
Do Sonoma County wineries require reservations?
Most premium Sonoma County wineries now require a reservation for seated tastings. Chauffyr can coordinate timing so your visits flow smoothly.
Why hire a chauffeur for Sonoma County?
A professional chauffeur lets everyone in your party taste safely, avoids parking and navigation, and keeps a relaxed, door-to-door schedule across Sonoma County.
See Sonoma County the right way — chauffeured
Flat-rate, door-to-door wine days. We coordinate the route so you can taste, dine and relax.