Itineraries
Sonoma Valley & Carneros
Start off your day with a visit to Gloria Ferrer to sample world-class sparkling wine and a breathtaking vista of Carneros, followed by a stop at Schug Carneros Estate. Head into the town of Sonoma to explore the region’s history and more top wineries, including Buena Vista Carneros (California’s oldest premium winery), Ravenswood, Gundlach Bundschu, Charles Creek, and Sebastiani. Wander around the town square to enjoy eclectic shops and have lunch at one of the numerous restaurants dotting the square. After lunch, head west on Highway 12 to visit such wineries as Chateau St. Jean, Arrowood, Blackstone, St. Francis, Ledson, and Landmark.
Western Sonoma County
Start off on Olivet Lane in Santa Rosa, which boasts a nice concentration of wineries including Harvest Moon, Hook & Ladder, DeLoach, Inspiration, and Suncé, before heading to the town of Graton for a relaxing lunch at local favorites Underwood Bistro or Willowood. Take a quick detour to enjoy the wines of Dutton Estate and savor the view and sparkling wine at Iron Horse Vineyards, and then south on 116 and west on 12 to drive out to the coast and Bodega Bay, a quaint fishing village world-renowned as the location for Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds.
Alexander Valley & Healdsburg
Start off your morning in downtown Healdsburg, a charming wine country town. Visit some of the tasting rooms on the square – La Crema, Gallo, Souverain, Rosenblum, Kendall Jackson, Suncé – before taking a break to enjoy stellar boutique shopping. After lunch, with choices ranging from local taquerias to world-class eateries, head out to prime Cabernet country on Highway 128 in Healdsburg, with such wineries as Alexander Valley Vineyards, Hanna, Stonestreet, Field Stone, Sausal, Murphy Goode, and Stryker Sonoma.
Russian River & Dry Creek Valleys
Each of these could be a day in itself, but for a quick trip through both famous wine regions, start off going north on Westside Road toward Healdsburg, stopping at prime Pinot Noir producers such as Gary Farrell, Arista, and Hop Kiln. Detour to Healdsburg for lunch, or continue north on West Dry Creek Road to Mill Creek, Everett Ridge, and Lambert Bridge before arriving at the Dry Creek General Store for a casual lunch where the locals eat. After lunch, visit the Family Wineries of Dry Creek Valley tasting rooms, including Amphora, Kokomo, Papapietro Perry, and Peterson.
Farm Trails
For artisanal producers in addition to wineries, visit www.farmtrails.org. For three decades the members of Sonoma County Farm Trails have been offering a wide variety of items throughout the county to persons wanting excellent agricultural products and a wonderful "on the farm" experience. Whether you’re interested in cheese, honey, flowers, produce, poultry and livestock, or more, Sonoma County Farm Trails has it all. (800) 207-9464
