Drink Wine Like a Local in Sonoma County, California

Wine tasting: The number-one reason you go to visit wine country! You cannot go wrong with all of the amazing options in Sonoma County. See more below.

Golf: Sonoma has some beautiful golf courses, and some are located at great hotels as well! Take advantage of the gorgeous, sunny weather and fit in a round of golf on your trip. I love the courses at The Lodge at Sonoma and the Fairmont.

Hiking: California has no shortage of hiking spots, and Sonoma has some gorgeous hikes and historical parks. Head to Jack London State Park and check out its 29 miles of trails. There is something for all fitness levels here! Sugarloaf Ridge is another great option for waterfall hikes (especially from January through April!).

Visit a spa: Sonoma is not just about wine tasting, but it is also a top choice for wellness retreats and spas. Why not unwind with a massage at The Cottage Inn and Spa, or if you have time, I suggest visiting the hot springs in Calistoga! These are naturally occurring hot springs, and the Calistoga Hot Springs Spa is beautiful and offers many different services.

Ram’s Gate: Ram’s Gate is one of the first stops when you leave Marin County and enter Sonoma. The view from Ram’s Gate is absolutely stunning, with floor-to-ceiling glass, and you enjoy a beautiful view of the hills of Sonoma in a sunny but cozy tasting room equipped with a fireplace and lodge décor. They also have an exceptional wine list and charcuterie-style small bites menu. This is a popular spot, so I would make a reservation about a month beforehand, and/or express to your tour guide that you want to add this to your list of wineries to visit!

Gunlach Bundsuch ("Gun Bun"): I have been a member of this winery since 2018. I can’t say enough positive things about them. The wine is delicious (you must try their award-winning Gewurztraminer!), their outdoor tasting area is spacious with a view of their vineyards, and their indoor tasting room is intimate and warm. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive, and will customize your wine tasting to your liking. Gun Bun also has many different tours, including ones of the vineyards and the wine caves. They also have an old army tank from Austria, and can take you in it to tour the vineyard for an extra cost. I never miss visiting Gun Bun when I take my friends and family to Sonoma.

Meadowcroft Wines: Meadowcroft’s tasting room is separate from their vineyard, but do not let that deter you from visiting them. Meadowcroft has some of the best red wines in Sonoma. They have a wide variety of wines to choose from, and I promise everyone will leave here with a few new favorite varieties of wine. This is another winery that I have been a member of for years. They are very accommodating for wine tours (especially large groups), and their staff is friendly, fun, and dedicated to their craft. Many of them have worked for Meadowcroft for years, and I see the same faces frequently when I visit.

Sunflower Café: Situated right in Sonoma Square, Sunflower Café has yummy sandwiches, soups, salads, and breakfast items to offer its customers. You can enjoy their sunny stone patio out back or eat inside this adorable café. My move? I like to pre-order my lunch and have a picnic on the square or eat at Roche Winery next door (they allow it!) and order a glass of wine from them.

Roche Winery: Right next door to Sunflower Café is the Roche Winery Tasting room! Roche has a separate tasting room at their vineyard (which is also great), but I love the location of their Sonoma Square tasting room. Once you have your sandwiches from Sunflower Café (or any food you choose to bring), order some delicious wine from Roche (their pinot noir is my favorite), and grab a spot on this outdoor patio with picnic tables, fairy lights, and upbeat music. You can sit in the sun or grab a shaded table under the beautiful oak trees.

Buena Vista Winery: I will start with the fact that Lady Gaga filmed a music video inside this castle/tasting room, which should be enough to get you excited on its own! Buena Vista is a fun, eclectic tasting room that is set inside a “castle” filled with large chairs, suits of armor, and more kingly/queenly accessories. The man who started Buena Vista had quite a life story, ending with him being eaten by an alligator in South America. As you can imagine, he had a wild imagination and a sense of adventure. You can feel and see that in the wines and the aesthetics at Buena Vista Winery.

Girl and the Fig: Another great option in Sonoma Square, Girl and the Fig is a great spot to grab a more substantial sit-down lunch, or book a table for a nice dinner. Girl and the Fig has many fresh options like smoked trout salad, duck confit, or butternut squash risotto. They also have a cocktail list full of fresh, fun concoctions like the pomegranate mezcal margarita. Girl and the Fig is a winner every time!

Hopmonk: Hopmonk is a pub and brewery with locations in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Their location in Sonoma is centrally located, and has both a great indoor space and a large patio. I personally love the patio because it is shaded by beautiful trees and it allows me to comfortably enjoy the Sonoma sun. Hopmonk has elevated pub food with options like tomato soup and grilled cheese, a fried chicken sandwich, and fresh salads. Being in Sonoma, they have a great wine list, but if you’re looking for something different, I would suggest one of their beers or a cocktail (they make a great margarita) if you need a break from wine!

Sebastiani Winery: This is one of the oldest wineries in Sonoma, and I love its elevated rustic aesthetic and its proximity to Sonoma Square. You wouldn’t know you are only blocks from the square when you are nestled in the beautiful gardens within the winery, having your tasting. My favorite is the merlot, but all of their wines are delicious and beautifully made.

Keiu Hoang Winery: Mr. Hoang is a wellness enthusiast and former chemist. He spent his time studying the benefits of red wine, so the wines produced here are made to be as beneficial to your health as possible. The winery also gives back—Keiu Hoang gave and raised almost $5 million for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Not only is the wine delicious with health benefits, but you are also donating to a good cause by purchasing from Keiu Hoang.

Duckhorn: Duckhorn Winery in Napa is a classic and delivers every time. I am more partial to Sonoma over Napa, but Duckhorn has me heading over to Napa County! Every single one of their wines is wonderful, their staff is great, and I personally like seeing where the wine I can buy in the store at home is made. Visiting Duckhorn provided me with a full-circle wine experience, and it is one of my favorite Napa wineries.