Wineries
Sonoma County is home to over 495 wineries spread out over 18 unique appellations. With over 60 different varietals available, the question is not should I come to Sonoma Wine Country, but where should I go?
Russian colonists first planted grapes along the Sonoma Coast in 1812 and since then we've won too many international awards to mention. Of course, with one of those awards being the wine region of the year, you cannot go wrong with what winery you pick or where you choose to sip your wine.
![](https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/wine-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=40bd740cc68b37bc3fe8ecb5b8bf9240 320w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/wine-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=09d266d6553db5a4fbd0cf2bf7efe355 540w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/wine-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3a6cc53e81e5ce249205099db8a792ba 768w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/wine-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e3c4bf19ff237611ec537d1122ae2afe 1024w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/wine-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c252a0d4dbb50c13fc2d56c5095b3aa7 1200w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/wine-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=97f96ea1844366c75d23a94558871784 1440w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/wine-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9e6f95cbdb9361019bd83900b074d358 1920w)
Location, Location, Location
From the Pacific Coast to the inland valleys, Sonoma County has multiple microclimates that can be defined as terroir. Our 18 AVAs (American Vinicultural Areas) offer diverse and distinctive styles that make each destination fun to explore. Visitors can feel the climate and touch the soil to see how different each AVA really is.
![](https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/Notre-Vue-Estate-Winery-and-Vineyard-Rows-of-vines.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=15b69715f71066f50b16aef85e6710d4 320w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/Notre-Vue-Estate-Winery-and-Vineyard-Rows-of-vines.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ce2e433ea4e052e1dba2202cdbc5067d 540w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/Notre-Vue-Estate-Winery-and-Vineyard-Rows-of-vines.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&bg=%23ffffff&fit=max&fm=jpg&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=52205fd20bd5e74a0c797f0a0ee26c4d 600w)
Varietals
With different growing conditions come numerous varietals that thrive in each location. From hot rocky soil, to the mountains to the cool, foggy coast, you will find a varietal that thrives and that you like. Try old favorites like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon or be adventuress and sip something new from an Alicante Bouschet to a Viognier. With over 60 different choices you're bound to find a new favorite to share with friends.
![](https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/Visit-Santa-Rosa-Wineries-Up-Close-Grape-Harvest-Stock-Image.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b2735e5dd483f0e36193142574a6e60a 320w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/Visit-Santa-Rosa-Wineries-Up-Close-Grape-Harvest-Stock-Image.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=dfacb6e2e39700b60c103bc74ac38c6c 540w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/Visit-Santa-Rosa-Wineries-Up-Close-Grape-Harvest-Stock-Image.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6563d963d6e29d24870a9ed9347ae8e1 768w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/Visit-Santa-Rosa-Wineries-Up-Close-Grape-Harvest-Stock-Image.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=7d20c9daa50c960de7bf0662e05507e3 1024w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/Visit-Santa-Rosa-Wineries-Up-Close-Grape-Harvest-Stock-Image.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=6f149cb556a608e11a37a31e53b4c66f 1200w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/Visit-Santa-Rosa-Wineries-Up-Close-Grape-Harvest-Stock-Image.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=13d53bebbba3fa3fb646119d08d51370 1440w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/main-images/VSR/Visit-Santa-Rosa-Wineries-Up-Close-Grape-Harvest-Stock-Image.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=cf74e43d1bbf19b8676148632b95b4c7 1920w)
Wine Tasting
The first step is to figure out what type of experience you are looking for. Is it a tour and tasting, trying something new that you might not be able to find at your local store, or sticking with an old favorite that always brings you back to the good times? Maybe a behind-the-scenes wine education or perhaps one of our famous food and wine pairings? Whatever you choose many of our smaller wineries and unique experiences require advance reservations. Of course, if you just want to get up and go, many wineries offer walk-in wine tastings where you are free to choose your tastes.
![](https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/VSR-Wine-Tasting-in-Vineyard.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8d621227c54f144de75c80313b02122d 320w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/VSR-Wine-Tasting-in-Vineyard.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=454ac55ea2224804821d27d528cec1bd 540w, https://visit-santa-rosa.imgix.net/images/blog/VSR-Wine-Tasting-in-Vineyard.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a6de78e1f90237c91c873e9735be9859 600w)