Sonoma Plaza Tasting Rooms

AT A GLANCE: In-town tasting room and mountain vineyard tour featuring Moon Mtn. estate wines.

HIGHLIGHTS: If you have time for only one Sonoma wine adventure, choose the mountain vineyard tour and tasting. A jaw-droppingly beautiful setting; excellent wines; thrilling ATV ride; and a good story.

BEST FOR: Perfect for serious wine tasters willing to drop big bucks for those delicious mountain cabs. Views of the Golden Gate from the top of the 300-acre estate. Or, drop into Plaza tasting room.

AT A GLANCE: Large, rustic yet elegant tasting room and lounge located directly on the Sonoma Plaza.

HIGHLIGHTS: Pangloss is the sister winery of high-end Repris Winery. Same winemaker; solid quality Bordeaux varietals and Pinot Noir. Plenty of space for comfortably accommodating multiple small groups in intimate settings. Or better yet, ask about the Speakeasy where you knock on the door in the side alley for entrance to a hidden world behind closed doors.

BEST FOR: Fantastic option for last minute drop-in wine tasting. Have a single glass of wine at the bar or splurge on the wine and food flights beautifully served in what feels like someone's classy living room. Or reserve in advance for a private back room tasting.

AT A GLANCE: Fun, casual wine tasting room just a half block off Sonoma Plaza, right next to Girl & the Fig Restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS: Roche is tucked into a Craftsman house that feels more like a home than a tasting room. It features both an indoor tasting bar but our favorite is the sunny, casual outdoor patio where you can sit for hours by the fire or in the shade sipping wine and chatting with your friends. You can even order nibbles which they call into the Sunflower Cafe around they corner who bring the food right over! Or you are welcome to bring your own picnic.

BEST FOR: Nice venue to drop in, sit outside and enjoy a glass of Carneros Chardonnay. Arrange in advance for a barrel tasting. Added bonus is that they are open until 7 p.m. most days.

AT A GLANCE: Cozy, private tasting room a half block off Sonoma Plaza featuring top-tier, vineyard-designated wines.

HIGHLIGHTS: Tired of crowded tasting rooms? Enjoy an hour-long, small group tasting of artisan Pinot, Chard and Cab seated at a dining room table in a house-like setting.

BEST FOR: Vineyard-designated wines including Sangiacomo Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and Beckstoffer George III Cab. All wine is sold either thru the tasting room or wine club.

AT A GLANCE: Three Sticks features top-notch wines served in an historic setting a half step off the town square.

HIGHLIGHTS: Although there is no actual winery to visit, the sheer beauty of both the wines and the Vallejo–Casteñada Adobe and its gardens more than make up for it. If you have time for just one wine stop in town, this should be the spot. Annual production is limited to 2,500 cases of Pinot, Chard and Cab from Sonoma Valley and Santa Barbara. Don't miss the the Gaps' Crown Pinot and the Durrell Chard.  

BEST FOR: Three Sticks is hands-down the classiest wine tasting experience on the Plaza. The wines --- most of which are small lots of single vineyard designates -- are superb and the recently renovated 1842 adobe building is stunning.