Sonoma Carneros

The wineries are all located within an easy 20 minute drive of the town of Sonoma.

Recommended Wineries

Anaba Vineyards & Winery
Phone707-996-4188
Tasting RoomOpen daily. Special tasting options.
ProductionPinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rhone and dessert wines
WinemakerRoss Cobb and Katy Wilson
OwnerJohn Sweazey
CommentsLovely tasting room in a converted farmhouse at intersection of Highways 121 and 116 just outside town of Sonoma. Wines from the estate MJB Vineyard and other Sonoma Coast and Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards.
PoP coverageAnaba Wines
Buena Vista Winery
Phone800-926-1266.
Tasting RoomHistoric tasting room close to Sonoma town square open daily 10-5.
Production55,000 cases
WinemakerJeff Stewart
OwnerBoisset
CommentsThis winery has recommitted itself to producing ultra-premium Pinot Noir. 800 acres owned. Established in 1857. The Buena Vista Ramal Vineyard and Winery on Ramal Road are not open to the public. Note: winery was owned by Constellation Wines and sold to Boisset in 2011.
PoP coverageBuena Vista Winery
Donum Estate and Robert Stemmler
Phone707-939-2290
Tasting RoomPrivate estate tasting and tours by advanced reseration.
Production10,000 cases, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
WinemakerDan Fishman
OwnerWinside, Inc.
CommentsEstablished in 2001 when Buena Vista was sold to Allied Domecq and Anne Moeller-Racke split off 147 acres of the Buena Vista Estate. Sculpture garden now compliments the estate vineyards with renowned sculptures from around the world.
PoP coverageDonum Estate
Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Phone707-996-7256
Tasting RoomOpen daily 10:30-5:30. Tours by appointment.
Production140,000 cases
WinemakerRobert Iantosca
OwnerFreixenet
CommentsThe sparkling wines are consistently fine. Small lots of interesting still Pinot Noirs are also produced.
PoP coverageGloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Roger Roessler Wines
Phone707-933-4440
Tasting Room11-6 daily
Production6,500 cases Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
WinemakerDrew Huffine, Roger Roessler
OwnerRichard and Roger Roessler
CommentsExcellent Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Also Chardonnay and Rhone-style wines. Owners are extremely personable and well worth meeting. Established in 2000.
PoP coverageRoger Roessler Wines
Schug Carneros Estate Winery
Phone800-966-9365
Tasting RoomOpen daily 10-5. Tours by appointment. Picnic area.
Production35,000 cases
WinemakerMichael Cox
OwnerWalter and Axel Schug
CommentsA Carneros original producing quality Pinot Noir in Sonoma since 1980.
PoP coverageSchug Carneros Estate Winery
Talisman Wines
Phone707-258-5722
Tasting RoomBy appointment at tasting room in Glen Ellen.
ProductionSmall lots of Pinot Noir from Sonoma County.
WinemakerScott Rich
OwnerScott and Marta Rich
CommentsPinot Noir specialist of highest quality.
PoP coverageTalisman

Recommended Lodging

Les Petites Maisons
Phone707-933-0340
Comments4 new cottages 1 mile from Sonoma Square. Firepits, deck chairs in your own garden. Romantic. Wake up to egg-and-cheese croissants from the Adjacent Fig Pantry, then wine-taste the day away.
MacArthur Place
Phone707-928-2929
Comments4 blocks from Sonoma Plaza. 64 luxurious rooms. Saddles Steakhouse Restaurant in the hotel is fine.

Recommended Restaurants

Cafe Citti
Phone707-833-2690
CommentsSmall Italian roadhouse. Order at a window and take a seat - nothing fancy. Lousy wine list but corkage is waved if wine is local.
Cafe La Haye
Phone707-935-5994
CommentsVery small, great prices for the high quality. Reservations suggested.
Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar
Phone707-931-2042
CommentsOutstanding wine list. American cuisine.
El Molino Central
Phone707-939-1010
CommentsThe best Mexican food you can find in wine country is at this tiny cafe in Sonoma's Boyes Hot Springs District. Order the greatest chips and guacamole ever, some of the authentic street food items, and walk through the kitchen to the picnic tables outside. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Fremont Diner
Phone707-938-7370
CommentsRetro-cool roadside cafe with countrified classics, outdoor dining. Reasonably price. BLD.
Glen Ellen Star
Phone707-3434-1384
CommentsChef Art Weiswasser and his spouse, Erinn Benziger-Weiswasser, re-created a friendly farmhouse restaurant that features rustic wood-fired pizzas and classics such as grilled flat-iron steak and lamb meatballs. Very casual, outdoor dining, terrific service and fantastic food. A wine country favorite of mine.
Heirloom Restaurant & Lounge
Phone707-930-6955
CommentsLocated in the historic Sonoma Hotel on Sonoma Plaza. American food with a French touch. Chef is Michael Dotson, formerly Plumpjack in San Francisco.
The Fig Pantry
Phone707-933-3000
CommentsCasual, good take out for picnics
The Girl and the Fig
Phone707-938-3634

Recommended Wine Stores

Grange Sonoma Tasting Room
Phone707-933-8980
CommentsDerbes Wines, Dutch Bill Creek, Enkidu, Harrington Wines, Eno Wines. Inside The Wineries at Cornerstone where wines from every appellation in Sonoma County are offered.

Picnic Supplies

Farmer's Markets
Sonoma Market & Glen Ellen Village Market
CommentsBest gourmet grocery store in Sonoma Valley. Extensive selection of cheeses, olives, local seafood and meats. Paninis, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, taqueria, sushi. Big wine selection.

Appellation Websites