The best wineries in Sonoma offer everything from fancy food and wine tasting experiences, to breathtaking lavender gardens and ultra elegant Pinot Noir. If sipping delicious California wines surrounded by vineyard views sounds like your kind of day, this is the winery guide for you.
A quick note: this list covers the best wineries in Sonoma County. There are tons of fantastic tasting rooms throughout the region, but if you want the whole vineyard experience, use this guide as your reference.
Need a little extra help with your trip to Sonoma? I have some great Healdsburg restaurant recommendations for you, winery outfit ideas (with lots of winery dresses!), and a ton of wine captions for your Instagram for when you’re ready to share your adventures!
Littorai Wines
Littorai Wines is famous for their ultra elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and owner and winemaker Ted Lemon is a legend in the organic wine community. Not only is this one of the healthiest vineyards in California, but Littorai was one of the first wineries to practice regenerative agriculture.
When it comes to health and wellness in the vineyard, regenerative agriculture is essentially like a 5 star wellness resort for vines. You can really taste a difference in the wines that come from vineyards that practice these farming methods.
Ted Lemon’s approach to winemaking has garnered fans around the world, and has landed Littorai Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on wine lists at dozens of Michelin star restaurants.
TIP: Planning a trip to Sonoma wineries in the fall? Littorai is a must visit. The vineyards are gorgeous that time of year.
LOCATION
788 Gold Ridge Rd
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Flowers Vineyards & Winery
Flowers Vineyards & Winery produces some of the best coastal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Sonoma. One of the reasons that Flowers Winery landed on this list of the best wineries in Sonoma: their Healdsburg winery is stunning. Lush landscaping, flowering plants, and dreamy vineyard views await. Basically, you’re going to love wine tasting at Flowers.
TIP 1: Wine tasting at Flowers is an intimate experience seeped in serenity. With that in mind, the winery does not allow pets or children.
TIP 2: Flowers is a 3 minute drive to the Madrona Manor restaurant; it’s one of the best restaurants in Healdsburg!
LOCATION
4035 Westside Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
MacRostie Winery
What makes MacRostie one of the best wineries in Sonoma? That view! It’s absolutely heavenly. If you happen to visit MacRostie during the fall, you’re in for a treat, because this winery is surrounded by vineyards and you can literally see for miles. Picture endless autumn leaves on the vines, a crisp blue sky, and textbook Sonoma wine. Sounds pretty good, right?
TIP: MacRostie and Flowers are minutes from each other on Westside Rd. I recommend doing these the same afternoon.
LOCATION
4605 Westside Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Reeve Wines
Reeve Wines are excellent, and their idyllic tasting room in Healdsburg is everything you want in a trip to Sonoma. Set amid old, moss-covered oak trees, the indoor tasting space drips with old world charm mixed with a modern California sensibility. And, as The Eagles sang, you get a peaceful, easy feeling sipping wine on the patio at Reeve.
The Vermentino and the carbonic Pinot Noir are killer.
TIP: Reeve’s Healdsburg tasting room has wood-fired pizzas! They come fresh out of the oven with yummy melted cheese. The seasonal peach pizza made with fresh Dry Creek (from an orchard right down the road!) is amazing.
LOCATION
4551 Dry Creek Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Overshine Wines
Do you love sipping wines while snacking on yummy salty chips and creamy local cheeses? What about hanging out on a patio with one of the best vineyard views in Healdsburg? How does a DJ spinning soulful music on vinyl sound?
If unpretentious, laidback California cool is your vibe, you’re going to feel right at home at Overshine Wines. These wines are crafted to be approachable, easy drinking, and the mission here is for everyone, regardless of where they’re at in their wine journey, to experience the “good life” that comes with enjoying wines with friends.
Full disclosure: I have friends involved in this winery, but putting that aside, this Sonoma winery is on its way to being one of the most talked about wine experiences in Healdsburg.
TIP: Overshine Wines is brand new, but they’re already putting together a great line-up of fun wine events and pop-up food experiences at the winery. Check out their website for the current list.
LOCATION
2201 Westside Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
I visited Sonoma’s Gundlach Bundschu Winery for the first time this year (2024) and I was blown away by the hospitality – not to mention the cute patio. If you want a Sonoma winery that has great food options (check out the pictures of the cheese and salami!), picturesque views, a picnic area, super friendly servers, and is organically farmed, go to Gundlach Bundschu.
TIP: This Sonoma winery offers SIX different wine tasting experiences. The Vineyard Cave Tour even allows you to see their Babydoll sheep! If you’ve never heard of Babydoll sheep, prepare for cuteness overload. They are teeny-tiny cute and so precious.
LOCATION
2000 Denmark St
Sonoma, CA 95476
Jordan Vineyards & Winery
If I were to describe Jordan Winery in Healdsburg, I would use words like: posh, chic, fancy, and fun. This certified sustainable winery just underwent a massive remodel and the pictures are stunning! The vibe is very French chateau or English countryside manor.
Jordan winery is known for their graceful Cabernet Sauvignons and creamy, but crisp, Chardonnays. A visit to Jordan is the perfect way to try a Sonoma Cabernet, if you’re used to Napa’s richer interpretation.
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TIP 1: If you love Halloween (I sure do!), check out Jordan Winery’s Halloween party, it’s supposed to be pretty epic!
LOCATION
1474 Alexander Valley Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Copain Wines
An afternoon wine tasting at Copain Wines is a day well spent. The inside of Copain’s tasting room has a wonderful modern farmhouse feel, and the patio tasting area is just as enchanting. Not only does Copain have one of the best vineyard views, but it’s so darn cute out there! Sit in Adirondack chairs with your glass of wine, and just enjoy the moment.
With three different wine experiences to choose from – including a food pairing experience with a cheese board and charcuterie – Copain is a Sonoma winery worth visiting.
TIP: Copain is known for their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, and these are the wines you will try during your tasting, but they also produce a Rosé, Trousseau, Picpoul, and a few other bottles. If you enjoy your visit, ask your server if they have any of these bottles open to try.
LOCATION
7800 Eastside Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Matanzas Creek Winery
If you google ‘lavender winery in Sonoma’, you’re immediately directed to Matanzas Creek Winery. When the lavender is blooming at Matanzas Creek, the air is filled with one of the most intoxicating scents of summer: fresh lavender!
A lot of wineries in Sonoma have vineyard views, but just a few have expansive gardens like the one at Matanzas Creek. If you want to capture some drop dead gorgeous pictures during your time in Sonoma, this is the spot.
TIP: Come during lavender season (May – August) for a Provence-like experience in Sonoma County. Keep in mind, reservations are required.
LOCATION
6097 Bennett Valley Rd
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Hanzell Vineyards
Hanzell makes some seriously good Pinot Noir, so a trip to this winery is guaranteed to please. Founded in 1953, Hanzell Vineyards is one of the oldest (and most respected) wineries in Sonoma. Not only are the estate vineyards farmed biodynamically, but this winery is also an integrated organic farm. That means that Hanzell works with domestic animals like cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, and ducks in the vineyards, vegetable gardens and fruit orchards.
You can read more about their farming practices here. They’re pretty cool – and help create some of the best wines in California.
TIP: Hanzell Vineyards might seem like it’s located in a remote part of Sonoma, but it’s just 10 minutes from Sonoma Square. Head into town after your tasting, or continue your wine adventure at a tasting room on the Square!
LOCATION
18596 Lomita Ave
Sonoma, CA 95476
Tips for Visiting Sonoma Wineries
- A lot of wineries in Sonoma are pet-friendly, but be sure to check the winery’s website before you bring your pup. Some experiences take you out into the vineyard where dogs are not allowed.
- A good rule of thumb is to hit just two wineries a day. Any more than that and your palate is going to get burned out and, honestly, all of the wines might start to blend together and be less memorable.
- Wineries in Sonoma are not allowed to have on-site restaurants, but some do have chef-inspired tasting experiences with multiple courses. It’s kind of a loophole that allows them to serve food.
- Sonoma Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with salmon, so be sure to grab a few bottles at your favorite winery if this is your jam!
- Sonoma County is more than Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, there’s also an active community of natural winemakers in Sonoma, and their wines are absolutely incredible.
What to Wear to a Winery in Sonoma
While Sonoma wineries do not have dress codes, you will want your winery outfit to match the vibe at the vineyard – and your wine tasting experience. If you book a tasting that takes you down into a cave or out in the vineyard, wear comfortable shoes or boots (no heels, it can get messy out there!).
If you’re tasting at a fancier winery like Jordan or Flowers, pull out your favorite winery dress – the more ethereal the better! If you’re going somewhere more low-key, you can opt for casual attire. It’s also pretty common for wine lovers to wear sneakers and shorts.
FAQ
What is the difference between a winery and a tasting room?
A winery refers to a wine production facility and usually includes vineyards where the grapes are sourced. A tasting room is a place where you can try a winery’s wine, but the wine is not processed there.
It’s worth mentioning that wine tastings at tasting rooms can be just as fancy as a winery, with plush seating and elevated snacks.
How many wineries are in Sonoma County?
Sonoma County is 1,768 square miles and home to over 450 wineries! Compare this to Napa, which has roughly 475 wineries in 788 square miles.