Sonoma Wineries Open to Public

AT A GLANCE: Grab your kids, dogs, boots and blue jeans and come on down for a relaxed afternoon of wine tasting, picnicking, horse shoes, or bocce ball.  

HIGHLIGHTS: Rich with history, the winery is the former site of the famous Sonoma Rodeo and also the former Embarcadero of Sonoma where passengers from San Francisco debarked from steamships for the wagon ride to Sonoma Plaza.

BEST FOR: Casual, down-home wine tasting in an off-the-beaten path tasting room. Very family friendly; kids will love the petting zoo.

AT A GLANCE: Small, family-owned winery located in a private, vineyard setting.

HIGHLIGHTS: Set off from the main road, the winery offers an intimate experience in a gorgeous vineyard setting. Wines are mainly blends of estate-grown red grapes, primarily zin, syrah, and cab. Max production of 2,500 cases sold only at winery and thru wine club.

BEST FOR: A relaxed tasting and lunch seated at a picnic table on the patio with vyd. views and dogs eager to befriend you. Check calendar for regular evening live music and wine events.

AT A GLANCE: Small, family-owned winery located off the beaten path.

HIGHLIGHTS: Come here for a no frills but 100% authentic wine country experience. This quality boutique winery features a personalized tour and tasting, often with the fourth-generation winemaker, Chris Loxton.

BEST FOR: Lovers of syrah and zinfandel who are craving a conversation with a real winemaker. Reserve a space in the Sat/Sun 10:30 a.m. "Walk About with the Winemaker Tour." Production limited to 3,000 cases.

AT A GLANCE: Shine your shoes, put on your most casual GQ clothes and saunter in for a romantic afternoon of wine and food. It's a class act with a tad of attitude.

HIGHLIGHTS: Cozy up by the fire on a cold winter afternoon or sit on outside under the pavillon on a sunny afternoon to drink in the stupendous views while you are nursing a bottle of wine.

BEST FOR: Best choice for young couples looking to splurge for a romantic moment. Shoot, it's great for old farts too!

AT A GLANCE: First winery established by a former Mexican migrant worker.

HIGHLIGHTS: A true rags to riches story, Reynaldo Robledo rose from humble beginnings to become an important Sonoma viticulturist and winery owner.  The large family manages 650 acres of vineyards, selling most of their grapes to other wineries but also crafting 20,000 cases of wine.  

BEST FOR: A relaxed tasting at the tasting bar, served by a member of the Robledo family.

AT A GLANCE: Located just a few blocks from the town square, Sebastiani is one of Sonoma's most visited tasting rooms, in large part due to the tour groups that are easily and hospitably accommodated.

HIGHLIGHTS: The tasting room is VERY big and can get crowded. Be sure to check out the large historic carved casks and also the picnic grounds. Look for the summertime musical performances.

BEST FOR: This is a good stop for a large group or if you want to see the carved casks or taste their award-winning Cherryblock cab.

AT A GLANCE: You might think you were in Tuscany judging from the villa-like tasting room, cypress and olive trees, and large courtyard. But don't expect to see a functioning winery here as this is a tasting room only, along with a robust marketplace for all sorts of food, home decor and art.

HIGHLIGHTS: The views are spectacular, so grab a glass of wine and a plate of food and put your feet up for awhile.

BEST FOR: Stop for wine tasting and a picnic lunch on the way into town.

AT A GLANCE: Well funded, family-run, winery tasting room and deli with a distinct Italian flair.

HIGHLIGHTS: In one stop you get it all: Italian wine, food and entertainment. Belly up to the tasting bar for Prosecco or Barbera then settle down for classic Italian deli offerings or pizza.

BEST FOR: Grab a glass of Barbera and a table in the piazza-like patio and order up a prosciutto panini or a pizza fresh from the wood-fired oven. If you are lucky, you might catch live accordion music. Benissimo!