B2TheDay
Winery Recommendations
A little on Sonoma - with more than 250 wineries spread out over 13 distinct American Viticultural Areas, it’s little wonder that this corner of California has become synonymous with its wine. Delicate Pinot Noir, zesty Chardonnay and robust Cabernet Sauvignon flourish in these fertile soils, and the result is an oenological blend that’s placed Sonoma County at the top of wine lovers’ bucket lists. Here are a few of our favorites in the immediate area. Please ask if you have a particular type of wine you want – I bet we can point you to a winery!
Matanzas Creek Winery
6097 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
We have not visited this winey but it is super close to the house and has a variety of red and white wines and a beautiful garden you can hang out in. Looks like a nice way to relax if you get into Santa Rosa before 6pm on Friday!
Distance to house: 5 miles or less!
Iron Horse Vineyards
9786 Ross Station Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
http://www.ironhorsevineyards.com/
Iron Horse is known for its sparkling wines. They also make pinots. Iron Horse sparkling wines are the go-to sparkling wine for the White House and you will understand why when you try them. Even better than the wines may be the tasting “room”, which is actually a bunch of table setup on a hill overlooking the vineyards. This time of year it will be spectacular first thing in the morning with the sunrise or at sunset. Tastings are $20 per person.
Distance to house: approx. 12 miles / 20 minutes
J Vineyards and Winery
11447 Old Redwood Hwy, Healdsburg, CA 95448
J is another great sparkling wine in Sonoma which also has great pinots and chardonnay. They have a nice tasting room that is pretty sleek. J is a woman owned winery! The tasting fee is $30 but if you plan in advance you could reserve a tour too. The fee for the tasting is waived with wine purchases.
Distance to house: approx. 12 miles/ 20 minutes
Lynmar Winery
3909 Frei Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Top rated Pinot Noir wines and really good chardonnay wines too. The gardens are amazing here. Please note – you need to call ahead and make a reservation for a tasting, which cost $20 per person but it is totally worth it. Great wines in a beautiful garden setting. Although the wines are high quality, it is not stuffy or pretentious.
Distance to house: approx. 10 miles / 15 minutes
Castello di Amorosa
4045 St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515
http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/
It’s not every day that you get sip wine in a 13th century styled Tuscan castle in California but you will at Castello di Amorosa. There is plenty to see in the castle besides a huge variety of wines and then there’s a lot of wild life outside. The winery gets crowded so get there early. Please note there is an entry fee of $25 per person that includes tasting of five wines. This winery probably has the best gift store if you are liking for souvenirs to take back home!
Distance to house: approx. 20 miles / 40 minutes
Taft Street Winery
2030 Barlow Ln, Sebastopol, CA 95472
https://www.taftstreetwinery.com/
Taft Street is not your normal winery! Taft Street started with a family making wine in their garage and grew into a small family owned winery. The grapes are all bought from local vineyards and then crafted into wines by Taft Street winemakers. Taft Street produces a variety of wines, both red and white. The place is very casual with the most reasonably priced tasting fee of $5, which is waived with purchase. They also have a nice patio to sit with a glass of wine or play bocce.
Distance to house: approx. 10 miles / 20 minutes
The Barlow
6780 Depot St #110, Sebastopol, CA 95472
The Barlow is a collection of tasting rooms, shops, restaurants, coffee shops and even a distillery, Spirit Works that makes tasty gins and vodkas. We really like the barrel aged gin that tastes more like a bourbon or the sloe gin which makes a great cocktail base!
Distance to house: approx. 10 miles/ 15 minutes
Olive oil tasting
Figone's Olive Oil, 483 1st Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476
Distance to house: 20 miles/ 35 minutes
https://www.figoneoliveoil.com/
Here’s a more extensive list of wineries located close to the house that we found on line:
