Allright already! Who won! I'm still available to go!!!

Oh one of faves is Stryker Sonoma in the Alexander Valley region. Beautiful picnic setting, views to die for, and the winemaker and owners are warm, fun, and friendly. Oh wait, the wine. Outstanding. Some big juicy cabs, and zinfandels that are rich and plumby. A quality winery!

We went to Paradise Ridge Winery last night for a fabulous evening of Wines & Sunsets. The winery does this event every Wednesday evening from 6pm until dusk and it is a terrific time. The rules are simple. Bring your own food, find a table, sit, relax and enjoy the magnificent view of the entire Russian River valley during sunset. Last night, the sunset was spectacular! It was also very warm and nice. You can purchase wines by the glass or bottle and wine club members can reserve a complimentary table. Many people bring lavish spreads of gourmet foods prepared ahead of time. Of course, if you don’t have time to put together something, it’s easy enough to stop at the store and pick up some picnic staples. It’s very kid friendly (and dog friendly as well). We had our 1 and 3 year old and they had a blast running around the terrace. There’s not much for them to get into trouble. The tables are adequately spaced apart, so even though there may be 200 people there, it doesn’t feel crowded. The staff was great and kept the wines flowing effortlessly. They will continue to run Wines and Sunsets throughout the fall until daylight savings time. It’s a great place to unwind on a Wednesday evening. As for the wines, Paradise Ridge has some unbelievable wines. I personally recommend either a glass or bottle of the Bride’s Blush Rose early in the evening while it’s still warm. It’s a perfect Rose for an early evening outside. Our group then purchased a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, which is an outstanding complement to the Bride’s blush. We topped off the evening with a bottle of the “Convict” Zinfandel. This is my favorite Zin in all of Sonoma County – it’s a perfect Zin. We then were treated to a small tasting of Blanc de Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Estate Zinfandel and the Cabernet Sauvignon. But the topper was a special tasting of the Sparkling Shiraz which was out of this world. Please visit the winery during Wednesday’s Wines and Sunsets. And then come back again and again! http://www.prwinery.com/index.php/Home.html

Michel-Schlumberger Wine Estate located in Dry Creek Valley but situated in the Dry Creek Highlands has it all! Gorgeous wines, a beautiful setting and informative, friendly staff. Organically grown, 15 wine varietals producing 12 different wines on only 85 acres. Its truly an unbelievable place. They don't have a bar, instead you have a civilized sit down tasting in salon. They also donate 50% of the tasting fees to the Healdsburg Education Foundation. Superb!

Hope I win!

There are so many fabulous wineries, but my favorite is B.R. Cohn because in addition to their incredible wines, most notably thier estate cabs, they also sample 140 year estate french picholine olive oils as well as other delectable items. They also host charity music events in their beautiful amphitheatre overlooking the vineyards. Awesome... and all for local childrens charities. It's all good!

Sbragia Family Vineyards located at the end of Dry Creek Road...The tasting room has an open and airy feeling about it thanks to the unbeatable views from atop the hill they are perched upon...the decor gives off an "at home" feeling coupled with a staff that makes you feel like family. The wine is excellent and just adds another layer of being home when you take your glass and the "light deli item" that you have just purchased and sit outside on their terrace and take in gorgeous views of the entire Dry Creek Valley below you.

BIG ASS wines caught my eye when driving through Kenwood so we had to stop at Adler Fels Winery. Our first impression of the property was that this is a great place to have a picnic because of a huge lawn area and, as we found out, it is dog friendly. The staff was knowledgeable and entertaining and wines were excellent. We are big fans of Gewürztraminer and the Adler Fels 2007 Russian River Gewürztraminer is simply the best we have tasted in California wine country, and they have the awards to prove it. The Adler Fels 2008 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc and the Adler Fels 2006 Eagle Rock Red were exceptional as well. However, we came to taste the BIG ASS wines. All three, the Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay were not so big but they were well balanced wines that tasted great. The reason why they did not taste so big is mainly because they don’t slam you with the high alcohol. All were under 14% which is great for us old school wine drinkers. More importantly, is that they sell these Big Ass wines for only $15 a bottle which is well worth it. In fact they don’t sell any wine that is over $25. This is a winery makes exceptional wines at affordable prices which is great in this economy. We recommend wine drinkers or people who just want to picnic to visit Adler Fels Winery in Kenwood.

My favorite winery to visit is the Kunde Winery Estate! Its located in kenwood, Ca. on Sonoma Hwy. They have amazing wine aging caves and my favorite is there port with a mini spoonful of there chocolate!

Hop Kiln on Westside Rd. Very good wine, beautiful building, great spot for a picnic outside.

My favorite is HOP KILN on Westside road. The wine is very good and the building is incredible. The grounds are beautiful. A perfect spot for a picnic.

My favorite winery by far is De La Montanya in Healdsburg. My husband and I have been wine club members for a few years and we love it!!! You always feel welcome when you go into the tasting room.

My husband is in love with their pino and their "1776" wine. I love their solstice white blend.... so yummy on a hot sonoma county day!!

Michel-Schlumberger is my favorite winery in Sonoma County for reasons beyond the great wine and beautiful grounds. Anyone who has taken the tour can really appreciate the unique farming practices that make some of the best fruit in Dry Creek Valley. They take the time to tell you their story from the days of Chateau Michel to the connection with Schlumberger Oil, all while sipping chilled Pinot Blanc by the Lake.

BAR NONE my favorite winery is WILSON. Dianne has been consistently making the best Zyns, I LOVE ZYNS! Back to back wins as the Medley winner at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair! The staff at the Winery are the best, so friendly and Knowledgable. If you are lucly enough to get Donna to pour for you your infor a treat, she is awsome. The view from the new deck is wonderful. They do music and food on Fridays, such a nice relaxing way to end the week. Yes indeen WILSON is my favorite winery! Now can I have my tickets!?

So many favorites- so hard to choose. My current favorite is Mutt Lynch Winery. What they do for animal welfare aside, they have some really excellent wines at affordable prices. The wine maker, Brenda lynch favors an elegant, old world style instead of the "over the top" big reds you find in vogue these days. So, her wines go great with good food. Surely great to have with all the great food at the WINE COUNTRY WEEKEND!

Kachina Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. A very small winery that produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and a super-yummy Cab/Syrah Port. They're just finishing their new digs on Dry Creek Road (just south of Family Wineries), and tasting is by appointment only.

HARTFORD FAMILY WINERY ~ Our Staff took a limo wine tasting and this was our first stop. The beautiful view is only surpassed by the wine! my personal favorite 2006 Hartford Court Pinot Noir, Velvet Sisters, Anderson Valley!

Michel Schlumberger because it is gorgeous, delicious and fun!

Papa Pietro's family wineries is a great place to go in Healdsburg. We recently found out about this place in Dry Creek area. What is great about it is that you can pack a picnic, park and taste several wines from different wineries all in one place. Fun, inexpensive day out. Would love to go to MacMurray Ranch!!!

Stryker Winery would be my favorite. Being a red wine junkie, Stryker just seems to have the best of the medium priced wines. I love how you can go to the winery and have the tasting room person point out the vines that were used to make the wine you are drinking. They have great events, an amazing location, and a great garden for a wine contry lunch. Don't miss this one.

Kastania Vineyard practically in my backyard. Here's to the little guys making fine wine in Petaluma - particularly the Kastania Proprietor's Blend, remarkable combination of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, truly special. Extremely limited production, unfortunately. Well worth the drive to Petaluma.

V. Sattui is (one of my) favorite winery not only for its great wine, but because of the experience...about 20 years ago the whole family (parents, children and grandchildren) went there for my dad's birthday in August. The adults tasted wine and we all enjoyed a picnic at the winery. Fastforward to 2009, the son-in-law of a high school chum is the finance guy for V. Sattui...what a small world. ...please put me in the running for the TASTE ticket...please.

Best drink that I can remember is @ Cena Luna. It's a house made Sangria, made from local wines and a little extra. I had two and I hate myself for not having a third. The food is awsome aswell, something for everyone.*****

Pick me pick me. My birthdays coming up.
I love Sapphire Hill Old Vine Zinfandel from Healdsburg. Every sip makes my palate happy.
Yummy wines, love the history of the vineyards.

Dutcher Crossing--great reds (and whites too), friendly staff, great parties, beautiful location...what more could you ask for.

KAZ KAZ KAZ
The wine, the people, the labels the mustard...and the LIGHTSAVERS!! You have to visit to find out:)

My favorite is Mayo in Glen Ellen, Courtney & gang are the best, no just because we are club members, but they all remember you. My husband & I are red wine fans, never have had a bad bottle. Their sparkling is great also.

We are fond of visiting David Caffaro. Big events there are fun but on a quiet day, it is also pleasant to enjoy a picnic lunch along with a bottle of one of their consistently good, reasonably priced (especially for futures) varietals. We always feel welcome and so make a special effort to introduce visitors to California to this winery. The environment shows the winemaker's personality. This is no slick corporate impersonal winery, but rather quite the opposite.

My favorite Sonoma winery is Rafanelli for their outstanding wines at reasonable prices, although they do not have a tasting room (at least last time I was there). The wines have a real sense of place, of terroir, unlike many overly polished wines.

My favorite is Moon Mountain Winery.

It is a beautiful winery with incredible vistas and a fantastic view of Danny Glovers home!

Excellent wine as well!

The Blackstone Winery in Kenwood is my current favorite because of it's relaxed atmosphere & great staff.

Imagery is my favorite Sonoma county winery not only because of the wonderful and unique varietals that would rival anyones but the interesting artwork on every bottle. Joe Benzinger also knows how to throw a great party for his club members and it is so much fun to talk to him during these events as it is obvious how much he enjoys sharing his passion with others. There are many great wineries in our county but one I always suggest is Imagery.

I've been to almost all the wineries in sonoma county. Yes, there is a lot of good wine in So. Co. but everyone has their personal favorites and these are mine.

My favorite winery which i'm also a member of is Kendall Jackson. All the wines are good but my favorite is the chardonaay's although they have very good pinot's and awsome cabs. If you like sweet wines they have a few you may want to try. The people are also very friendly and they have a nice garden you can walk through and look at the grapes from up close. They also use all the vegatables in their garden for food and wine pairings. Kandall Jackson is the best!

Here are a couple of other wineries you need to go to. I already did the work of trying them for you.

1) Deloche (behind Fulton Rd. in Santa Rosa)
2) Murphy-Goode (going up towards River Rock Casino)

These two places are small but have great tasting wines with reasonable prices.

It's hard to pick 'one' favorite but we recently visited Montemaggiore, off West Dry Creek. They're family owned and operated, organic and biodynamic, with a stunning view. They specialize in syrahs and make olive oil as well.

Quivira is a very inspiring winery. Organic and Green - they run solar panels and a small farm alongside all the wonderful wine-making. Family owned and operated they help make the local community a better place to live while keeping their eye on the prize of producing world-class wines. We love Quivira!

I've been to a lot of wineries and events,(Barrel Tasting, Harvest Fair, etc.), and my favorite winery, without a doubt, is Stryker Sonoma, 5110 highway 128, Geyserville. The wines are stellar, the grounds are gorgeous, the wine maker and staff are friendly, courteous and knowledgeable and the gift items are great. Friends and I love to take some cheese, bread and olives, buy a bottle of Cab or Zin there and sit on their great deck and enjoy the view.

Papapietro Perry is my favorite. Besides excellent Pinot Noirs and Zins, they now have a great Chardonnay. And the staff is the most friendly, humorous and knowledgeable of any winery.

My favorite winery is Alexander Valley Vineyards at 8644 Highway 128 in Healdsburg. Every wine they make is consistantly well made, they are all excellent values (most in the $20 range, retail) and their top red - "Cyrus" @ $55 - is a meritage that competes with others in this style at a price point of about half!

Their wine club has terrific events, including wine stomping contests and bocce ball tournaments, complete with live music, good food and great wines. The winemaker's dinner in the cave is a special treat and every year they release a wine created by the wine club itself. Friendly staff, great wines, terrific prices and a terrific wine club.

Whenever we have visitors who want to experience the feeling of the Tuscan countryside, we bring them to Ferrari-Carano on West Dry Creek in Healdsburg for their delicious wines, views, gardens and frescoed cellar.

Hope you`re not too late on the wine blog. "Sonoma Sommelier" on facebook has been putting out lots of wine and restaurant ratings. Can not pick only one when so many are good. Imagery and Sojourn are among the best in my book. Now may I please have the tickets ? ; )

I'm still learning about all the local wines (just moved here a year ago), and finding favorites. But I can say for sure that I love Bella Vineyards and their wine cave. Their Lily Hill Zin is the best, and the cave is (literally) the coolest place to taste :)

There are so many wonderful wineries in our area. We are truly lucky to live here. One of my favorites is Moondance Cellars in Sebastopol. They have a few labels besides Moondance. They bottle under Friendly Dog and Orchard Station. They are a small 500 case winery with fabulous wines. David and Priscella are wonderful hosts and the wines are to die for. Give them a call and they will open up their hearts and tasting room to you.

To be honest I have only been to three wineries, crazy huh. Out of the three I have visited I must say I enjoyed Korbel, even though they make champagne not wine. They had great history, nice tour. very friendly staff and it was all free. I would like to visit more local wineries some with not such a big name. I will be turning 25 on Sept 5th and winning these tickets would be the all time birthday gift. Good luck with your new blog, I look forward to reading it.

I don't have any plans for this weekend so I'm hoping to win these tix!!! It's hard to pick a favorite when there are so many fabulous wineries in our backyard. I'm a pinot lover and my current top 3 are Moshin, Nalle and Woodenhead. Cheers!

Johnson's Alexander Valley.
Grounds: OK.
Wines: Good
Character: Absolutely tops. The Basset hounds on the lawn. Nice people. Always the best BBQ loin in Taste of Alexander Valley. But most of all, THE PIPE ORGAN. An amazing accumulation of tubes ranging in size from a piccalo to a telephone pole, scattered in clusters mostly not visible inside the tasting room building, its centerpiece an amazing organ keyboard array worthy of a fine chappel.

That alone is begging for its story to be told.

My favorite winery is Landmark Vineyards in Kenwood.

The Bomb Diggity: Rochioli, Seghesio, J vineyards, Matanzas Creek, Lyndmar and Chalk Hill!

I would say: Imagery, Glen Ellen. Not only do they have great wines, organic and biodynamic, they are so friendly with beautiful grounds for picnics and bocce.

My three favorite wineries are are relatively small.
1) Peterson Winery - if you do nothing else, you MUST visit it in the fall when the leaves turn. One of the most incredible settings I've ever seen. And the wines are quite delicisous. Plus personal service!
2) Matanzas Creek Winery. The Sauvignon Blanc is worth the price of admission. But the reds especially the cabs & pinots are also wonderful. Visit or picnic here when the lavendar comes in. They have some of the most beautiful lavendar fields anywhere.
3) Think just outside the SoCo box. When we first moved here and took a drive north to Mendocino County, we stumbled onto Navarro Winery just outside Boonville in the dazzling Anderson Valley. The reds and whites are equally delicious. Whether it is one of the finest Gewirtz' around, the wonderful pinots or the chards & SB's - all are winners. The setting quite spectacular for picnics or just to sip and daydream.

Sonoma wineries present such an embarrassment of riches it is nearly impossible to choose only one. But few have all the things Joseph Swan Winery have: History (one of the true Sonoma pinot noir pioneers), great wines, friendly staff, and a great rustic and comfortable atmosphere that is not about window dressing but about the passion for the grape.

My favorite is Seghesio Winery in Healdsburg. Although the Winery and Tasting Room isn't expansive as the other wineries that you have to drive up to with views that reach across the vineyards atop a hill...I love it because of it's intimate family atmosphere. I love the Seghesio story and the little events that they hold. The best event I attended was when a group of us stood in their kitchen where Peter prepared pasta with truffles! Delizioso!

It's true- we have so many wonderful wineries around here! But, to visit, I'd have to say my favorite is the Francis Coppola Winery in Geyserville. They are in construction mode right now, but their views are breathtaking and they used to have great food in the restaurant there (I think it's closed for renovations?) Nice wines, too.

So many to choose from but if I had to pick I would say Stryker Sonoma. I love wineries that have tasting rooms that do not cut you off from the beautiful landscape that surrounds. At Stryker, you walk in and feel like you are still in the vineyards. The wines are absolutely phenomenal and the staff definitely knows how to have a good time!

I would have to say my favorite is the Napa Valley Castello di Amorosa Winery. We were privileged enough to be apart of a personal tour/lunch and it was beautiful and the sights breathtaking from atop the castle. The beautiful medieval settings and props are something to behold; The wines were free flowing and generous and delicious. The whole atmosphe of the winery is captivating and your imagination runs wild when in the dungeon and torture chamber!

Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma. The amazing experience begins from the moment you park your car. You walk down a tree lined path where there are dozens of blackberry bushes and head past a few cute wooden chairs and into the tasting room. The staff are inviting and get you laughing right away. They make you feel right at home weather you are an experienced wine taster or just out for a nice day of wine tasting with minimal experience or knowledge under your belt. They know everything about the wine and the history of the winery. They have a fabulous Pinot! After tasting buy a bottle and head to one of their picnic tables for a nice lunch - hopefully you packed one - you don't want to miss out on the beautiful surroundings - its a great place to just sit and take it all in. They also have food and wine pairings on Saturdays.
Never have I been anywhere else and felt to welcomed and laughed and had so much fun!!

Gotta be Harvest Moon - It's just such a fun and quirky place. The wine maker is usually pouring (and a true kook in a great way)and they almost always have extra stuff open. Where else do you get sparkling gewurztraminer?

Skip the big wineries; the best wine is poured at the small mom-and-pop wineries. My 3 favorites:
1. Yoakim Bridge Winery in Dry Creed Valley, where the winemaker pours wine and the owner/chef serve meatballs in there signature Zinfandel sauce;
2. Kaz Winery in Sonoma Valley, where the whole family joins in - and don't forget to try the chocolate sauce!
3. Mutt Lynch Winery, where Chris, Brenda and their dog Patch will greet you with there canine-inspired wines. The 2006 Canis Major Petite Sirah is one of my favorites. By appt. only unless they are hosting an event.

Oh man.. Think "P"..

Papapietro Perry!

Pinot!

Perfect!

The Best Damn Tasting Room near Kenwood. This is as far from the Napa snobbery as possible, featuring wines from four or five different excellent boutique wineries. Dogs are welcome, and may in fact end up with a wine named after them.

I, for one, love this place as a celebration of Sonoma County in particular. There is no fuss, no snobbish snorting of Sylvaner- just actually friendly people who love wine and who enjoy introducing newcomers to it. Sonoma County couldn't ask for a better ambassador in the wine world. The Best Damn Tasting Room highlights the difference between the high style of Napa and the welcoming vibe of Sonoma County.

Plus, try the port.

Ferrari-Carano is my favorite winery. Set in the shadow of the Lake Sonoma Dam on Dry Creek Rd. the estate is magnificent with it's gardens and buildings. Not to mention the wines. My favorite is the Cabernet from Alexander Valley.This is a must see vineyard when in the The Dry Creek Area.

We love Garden Creek in the Alezander Valley. This young couple has a great winery. Great wines, great rural location, little kids running around, mkes me feel young again!

To be fair and honst there are many favorite wineries and wines in Sonoma County. That is why we live here. I am submitting Jordan Winery in Healdsburg for four distinct reasons all of which is what wine making and wine tasting is about. The wines are excellent...rich is every way. Food is superb and thoughtfully paired with each wine. The unprententious yet elegant architecure with acccompanying landscaping in an alienated location is matched by none. The management and staff are knowledgeable, pleasant and professsional. Jordan Winery is an outstanding representative of "the winery experince" any place in the world yet it's right in Sonoma County.

I Love J Vineyards and Winery! The staff in the tasting room makes even a novice feel at home. They are friendly and knowledgeable but not pushy about memberships to their wine club like some other wineries I've been to lately. I've brought guests to their Bubble Room twice and both times we have had the most memorable experience. The food and wine pairings in their beautiful setting are divine! Their visitors center is simple yet elegant and isn't cluttered up with lots of merchandise that doesn't have anything to do with wine. Now for the wines...their sparkling wines are exceptional, especially their Rose. The Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are always delicious. In the Bubble Room, after tasting all the wines, they serve you Rattafia and then you are HOOKED!

KOKOMO Winery on Dry Creek Rd gets it hands down. Cool winemakers and a rockin' staff that pour great wines, music in the background, and you are tasting in the middle of a real life, working winery. The barrels that line the tasting room are for real and the juice fermenting in the back provides genuine aromas. They have reds, whites and one of the most interesting rose wines to be tasted in Dry Creek if not in all Sonoma. And there's even a late harvest wine for those with a sweet tooth. All of that with only about a 6,000 case production--a true small winery. And the prices don't break the bank!

One of my favorite wineries is Truett Hurst on Dry Creek Rd. They farm biodynamically and make several distinct gorgeous jammy zinfandels. Red Rooster is the best! You can take a picnic through the vineyards down to Dry Creek and bask in the beauty that is Sonoma County.

Russian Hill Winery on Slusser Rd.! The beautiful view to the west makes it the perfect place for a nice glass (or 2)of wine and a picnic lunch !

I think everyone commenting here would enjoy Kokomo Winery on Dry Creek Road. They make a wide variety of excellent wines, and even better, they don't put big dents in your bank account.

I think everyone commenting here would enjoy Kokomo Winery on Dry Creek Road. They make a wide variety of excellent wines, and even better, they don't put big dents in your bank account.

If you hae never been to Sausal in the Alexander Valley, you are missing out. It is one of the few family wineries left. The staff is wonderfula and the history so interesting. I have lived in Sonoma County 25 years and never had a better wine tasting experience than the private tasting I took my visiting family on. As a wine writer, you need to check it out. Gretchen is fabulous. She'll teach you how to properly taste wine, all about old vines and zinfandel. She even knows more about dirt than anyone I have ever known!

White Oak winery. Love the setting, the wine and the friendliest people anywhere. The place is big enoough to accomadate the whole family caravan when we head out for our Thanksgiving weekend wine tasting. It has become part of our tradtion every Thanksgiving weekend. Cheers to White Oak...

Thumbprint Cellars in Healdsburg! All of the wines are fantastic but the ones that stand out the most for me are Three Some, Four Play, and Climax...with names like that, who wouldn't be just a little bit curious? To top it off, the grapes are organic and the wine is vegan.

I gotta give Seghesio props for: 1. Producing great Zins. 2. Surviving prohibition. 3. Best BBQ ribs in Soco. History + BBQ + Zin = Best winery experience anywhere... Ever.

Stryker in Alexander Valley. Great wine, beautiful views, and a friendly, knowledgeable tasting room staff.

Ledson Winery is my favorite destination. I enjoy visiting with my out of town guests and they are very impressed with the castle ambiance. Excellent wines, great shops for delicious cheese, olive oils, etc. It is worth a try!

I love Sonoma Cutrer, it's world class wine, fabulous breathtaking scenery, and wonderful staff.
One of the best in Sonoma County.

I would love to win the tickets! It's my birthday this weekend! My favorite is the Wilson Winery barns on Dry Creek Road. It is great fun to bring out-of-towners here because the place is so surprising. My guests see big, plain, tin looking, kinda dumpy looking barns that sit right on the highway and they wonder where I'm taking them. We park and go in the back and the most mind-blowing view of the Dry Creek Valley vineyards and hillsides sweeps you off your feet. The interior of the tasting room is beautiful, but sit out on that patio and take in that view. And drink fabulous Zins ! All their reds are superb, in fact. I hope they never spiff up the outside of those wonderful barns. Okay, Wilsons? Do you hear me???

My choice is sentimental; on my 21st birthday I treated myself to my first LONG awaited Sonoma County tasting at Gloria Ferrer. I literally typed "wine tasting sonoma county" into google and the name grabbed my attention. I went by myself to the winery, and drove that long driveway up to what I still consider the best view in So Co. Royal Cuvee was my first legitiment glass of sparkling wine and to this day the taste takes me back. I go back frequently for the sparkling wine, the still wine and the toasted almosnds with Paprika (I hate almonds in every other capacity)Their chardonnay is brilliant and there isn't a sip I've hated since that moment. I couldn't appreciate the 10 minute wait for my pour then, but I do now. . .

Viansa Winery would be my favorite. Great tasting room and beautiful picnic area with a hilltop view of beautiful Sonoma County. Great Wine, Great View and best of all they have the best kept secret, which is their seasonal warehouse sales (not a secret anymore). Awesome wines from $60/Case and premium wines that are 1/2 off! Time to stock up!!!

Trentadue Winery. The Trentadue Chocolate Amore Port and the Old Patch Red are well woth the trip to this winery.

I have a bunch of favorites. This year, the best I've tasted was at the DuMOL open house. The single vineyard pinot noirs and chardonnays were excellent. But I was blown away by the barrel samples of the single vineyard syrahs; just so interesting, different, complex and wow. Andy Smith is going to make me drink syrah again with these two.

I would have suggested Preston for all of those same wonderful reasons that everyone gave! It is my first stop with visitors and I always call ahead to reserve a loaf of whatever wonderful bread is baked that day!

Another of my favorite stops with visitors is J Vineyards and Rodney Strong. J is a nice way to start the day with a little bubbly in a very fancy but inviting atmosphere. Then the contrast of the more casual tasting room at Rodney Strong adds another layer to the experience. Rodney Strong is in such a unique building and the self-guided tour around the outside of the tasting room is a nice way to gain a little wine education without taking too much time away from actually enjoying the wine!

Arista Winery in Russian River is a great family owned winery with great dry whites; gewurtztraminer and pinot gris and spectacular Pinot Noirs. The best thing other than the wines and the warm tasting room are the picnic grounds with a water fall amongst the oaks.

If you're ever out in the west
Larson Family Winery's the best
No wine can compare
To what they sell there
"Drink what you can, sell the rest!"…

was a limerick that I wrote for the Larson Family Winery’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Limerick Contest, just one of the many fun things about the winery. Set in Sonoma, the winery has a picturesque view and plenty to do. While it’s quite a trek down a dirt road to get there, it’s certainly worth it. (Plus they have really hilarious road signs like “save the squirrels; drive the speed limit” and “keep goin’ for good wine”) It’s one of the few FAMILY wineries in the area. For the kids, they have horseback rides, three friendly winery dogs (Sunny, Bubba and Pete), a covered wagon, a bocce court, a petting zoo (with goats and all) and a huge picnic area. For adults, they have great deals, fantastic wines, amiable service, and knowledgeable staff. During the winter season, the winery participates in Sonoma Valley’s Gingerbread House contest and has “Photos with Santa” days. I would highly recommend this little-known family winery as a fun, friendly and festive place to go.

It does not get much better than Ramazzotti Wines

My hands-down favorite is Preston of Dry Creek. Lou and Susan Preston are doing it all - winery, vineyards, farming, raising livestock and a commercial bakery. All aspects of their operation are done on a small, holistic, and environmentally responsible way. Everything they produce is of outstanding quality. In addition Preston offers a lovely picnic area. If you want to know what Dry Creek Valley is all about, Preston is the winery to visit.

Benziger Winery is my favorite winery to tour and taste. Aside from their Biodynamic farming philosophy the staff is wonderful due to the great care provided by the Benziger family , the wine variety spectacular, and the history of the land is intriguing.
Benziger really walks their talk in promoting sustainability. Not only do they demonstrate it in their farming practices but also to the incentives that they offer their team members. Their staff is rewarded when they carpool, etc.
Benziger also puts on great tasting parties throughout the year and has reasonably priced wine club member fees that include their best wines.

I love Benziger!

Hi Heather,
Ravenswood is my favorite winery. They've got great Zins and great people with a good sense of humor. This is a fun and relaxed winery! I love sitting outside on their rustic terrace and sipping wine in the shade. Cheers!

I have 2 favorites - Zichichi in Dry Creek (yummy zin and a beautiful spot in Dry Creek) and Grey Stack in Bennett Valley (Sauv Blanc and Syrah - tasting by appointment, though).
thx.

My favorite winery is Chalk Hill. I know it is pricey, but the wines, to me, are outstanding! Also, the people are friendly and the grounds are beautiful. It is a great place to spend time on the few days I get to go wine tasting in between working and living in this beautiful county.

For me, it's got to be PappaPietro Perry Winery on Dry Creek Road in Healdsberg. The make the best Pinot Noirs I have ever tasted and you can buy the half bottles at the winery if you don't want to pop for a whole bottle of wine! Also, they are easily accessible from Dry Creek Road. It's hard not to leave the tasting room without buying at least one bottle!

My overall favorite (and I have a lot of favorites in each city) is Preston Vineyards. The setting is just so relaxing and unpretentious. For their wines, they have a great Zindandel and off the beaten path (rhone) varietals which are always fun to try. And lastly, their bread that is baked on the property is out of this world!

Rafannelli Winery in Dry Creek Valley! Beautiful location, private tastings, great tour, family owned, and outstanding wines!

With such a wide range of great wines and fabulous tasting rooms choosing my favorite is virutally impossible... a different winery for the mood of the day!
Desire for the royal treatment...
Lynmar provides beautiful gardens, delectable pinot noirs in a five star tasting room! With wine service provided you feel like true royalty!

A day with your love or close friends...
Bella gives you a sense of a family winery that treats their grapes with love and care! The cave sets the mood for romance and the grass area with live music is a fantastic place to relax with friends! Not to mention the wines are fabulous!

The ultimate wine and food pairing...
Williamson on the square in Healdsburg brings an international flair with Australian owners. Every wine is paired with food that enhances its spectatular flavor. The wines are divine and the food brings out the best characteristics! They have numerous varities to choose from all with fantastic flavors.

Robert Young Vinyards. Beautiful location and amazing wines! Nestled in Alexander Valley, their Scion is to die for! A bit pricey but worth every penny.

I forgot a couple of important points about Williamson's - 1) No charge for tasting. 2) The tasting room is open until 7:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Williamson Wines on Matheson St just east of the plaza in Healdsburg. The owners are almost always behind the bar telling tall tales, pouring outstanding wines and each wine is paired with a morsel of food. Bill & Dawn Williamson are originally from Australia but have been in Dry Creek Valley for a long time now. Their wines are only available in the tasting room. They have the best wine club events as well. Try Williamson Wines!

Valley of the Moon. Beautiful location and great wines.

My favorite winery in SoCo is Preston Vineyards. Organic wines and relaxing picnic area. Their Madame Preston is a beautiful amalgam of white Rhône varietals—Rousanne, Viognier, and Marsanne—that is rich, ripe, and golden as the hills of northern Sonoma County. I also go there to buy organic vegetables.

Sheldon tasting room in Sebastopol is not only owned and operated by the most lovely of couples but happens also to reside in a converted train car. The Sheldon's make pinot noir, syrah, chardonnay and viognier all in limited quantities, i believe, with a ton of love and fun fun fun. Their tasting room is small and intimate and she or he are always on hand to pour and chat.

I've just reviewed other posts and realized that "NT" feels the same....i agree wholeheartedly with her/his comments.

Bella Winery & Wine caves in Dry Creek Valley. On the smaller side but their Rose is perfect for summer time heat. And their late harvest Zin is wonderful. All the staff there are friendly.

I can't believe no one has said La Crema yet! It is absolutely the best!

Ferrani Carano is absolutely outstanding - both in the wine and environment departments. Gorgeous, lush grounds, and many outstanding wines - both red, white and late harvest varietals. Definitely worth the drive!!

Definitely Lynmar Estate in Sebastopol. Beautiful grounds, great food and wine pairings, wonderful staff. And the owner, Lynn Fritz won the first ever Humanitarian Award given by USF. The total package.

One of my favorite Sonoma wineries is Buena Vista. The historical aspect of the winery is as lovely as the Chardonnay. I prefer red wines, but when a winery can produce white wines that I love to drink just as much, they deserve a lot of MY attention. Finally, I just LOVE standing in front of the opening to the champagne cellar on a warm day to feel the natural coolness escaping.

Dutcher Crossing.

We joined this winery when they were small and only had a few varietals. We love the winery because they bend over backwards to make you feel special, take the time to explain their wines, have a great setting, aren't mass produced, aren't pretentious, good discount on the wine club, and throw good events.

I don't love every wine the produce, but the ones I do are very good and priced very well! They have wines for all palet types, and produce exceptional Cabs, Zins, and Chardonnays.

Taft Street in Sebastopol! Really good merlot, very interesting tasting room.

I agree about Ray's Station. It's marketed as red wine for men - hearty and they have great recipes on their website too.

My favorite Winery is Lambert Bridge, for so many reasons. Fabulous Cab Franc, #1 in hospitality, absolutely beautiful picnic area and the best wine
club events. If you visit say hello to thier yellow
Lab. best wine dog I've come across.

Joseph Swan Vinyards has excellent pinot noirs poured by great folks in a totally unassuming tasting room.

Got to be Armida! for a young, mid 20's, born and raised sonoma countian, and wine pleasurer, no winery is more fun and friendly. The events for us wine club members are fantastic and no one can beat their wine. period.

Rays Station in Alexander Valley for reds. It's not the most popular winery and you can't find it everywhere, but when you taste it, you will understand.

With such a wide range of great wines and fabulous tasting room choosing my favorite is virutally impossible... a different winery for the mood of the day!
Desire for the royal treatment...
Lynmar provides beautiful gardens, delectable pinot noirs in a five star tasting room! With wine service provided you feel like true royalty!

A day with your love or close friends...
Bella gives you a sense of a family winery that treats their grapes with love and care! The cave sets the mood for romance and the grass area with live music is a fantastic place to relax with friends! Not to mention the wines are fabulous!

The ultimate wine and food pairing...
Williamson on the square in Healdsburg brings an international flair with the New Zealand owners. Every wine is paired with food that enhances its spectatular flavor. The wines are divine and the food brings out the best characteristics! They have numerous varities to choose from all with fantastic flavors.

Balletto Winery - I have belonged to numerous wine clubs - not only are the wines rated high (esp..Pinot) but the staff and owners do the most for their wine-club members...Jerry

Easy!! Bella Vineyards in Dry Creek. Great wine (love their Lily Hill Zin....and their late harvest is to die for!) Great people, beautiful grounds, love the cave, and great parties!! This is the only winery that I belong to their club!

Hop Kiln Winery is one of my favorites. It has lots character and history. It's fun to walk around the grounds.

Heather:
Matanzas Creek, Bennett Valley:
Close to home
Nice setting, beautiful winery, beautiful valley
Lush grounds of lavender fields and old growth oaks
Bocce ball court
Nice deck to hang on
Picnic area
Friendly staff
Cool events and treat the wine club very well
Nice wines to boot!
Send me a ticket or two please!

My favorite winery that I visited recently is Quivira in Dry Creek Valley.

My favorite wine from them is their Wine Creek Ranch Zinfandel. I've always liked their wine but I only visited the winery recently. What I liked about them is that they have a very knowledgeable staff and they are very nice. They do something called Biodynamic farming and also they are more environment friendly than most other wineries that I've visited. I loved their chicken coups and their vegetable garden also. Quivira is great for tourists as well as locals to enjoy.

My favorite three are Unti, Unti and Unti! To me, Unti is the epitome of the artisinal winery. Intimate tasting room (aka small) and family run operation. Mick is a wealth of friendly knowledge and, OMG, the Cuvee Foudre could be my favorite wine ever!

My absolute favorite winery in Sonoma County is St. Francis. The employees there are so friendly and dedicated to customer service. I love when people make the effort to learn your name and remember it on the next visit. They have a fantastic food and wine pairing, held in either their dining room or on a lovely outside patio. The wines are fantastic. I appreciate when a winery pays homage to the various regions or growers by offering multiple versions of the same varietal. Having 4 different zins can encourage people to experiment more with wines they thought they didn't like previously. Maybe they thought all zins were fruity/jammy but then could do a side-by-side taste and discover a peppery/spicy zin. The wines are great and not overpriced. On a similar note, with regards to the multiple versions of a varietal, I wholeheartedly agree with the prior notation of Siduri/Novy. Numerous delicious pinots, and definitely not the typical wine country/stuffy/snootiness.

Iron Horse in Sebastopol. Beautiful grounds and a superb product!!

Hmm, favorite winery in Sonoma County, there are so many; favorite with gardens, favorite near home, favorite to bring guests, favorite to visit in the rain, etc.

I'm with Suzanne, my favorite is Iron Horse. Their history, the view, the wines and the friendly people who work there.

Pezzi King Vineyards, by appointment. Their selection is vast and wines are outstanding, prices are so spot on. Try the 2005 Pinot Noir at $30. There is a certain je ne sais qua in this magical potion. Hint, hint: a type of tree. 3225 West Dry Creek Rd. Healdsburg.

I second Heather Best's post about Harvest Moon. Just taking a few minutes to listen to Randy talk about his winemaking style is worth the visit. Everything else beyond that is gravy. Great events. Great staff. Great wine. Great property. Best wine dog ever. I also hear they like blueberry pie.

Paul was his name!! he is fabulous!

My favorite is Graton Ridge. When we stoped by during our day of wine tasted we were greated by a really nice guy (I forget his name) they had cheese and crackers a lovely tasting room and let us try all types of dlicious wines it was fabulous, Also everyone in our group got to spin the wheel and we all won something. I got some vinegar that is amazing.

Harvest Moon Winery on Olivet Road!

I've never walked into that tasting room and not received an incredibly warm greeting. A warm and non-pretentious atmosphere each and every time.

Some of the best Zinfandel I've tasted--try the Pitts Home Ranch Estate. It's sooo goood, and they just finished bottling their new vintage. I got the privilege of tasting it before it was bottled--more gracious hospitality, thank you Randy--and we'll be heading back soon to pick up our case!

The Randy Zin is a great 'drink with everything' wine and the Late Harvest Zin is PERFECT with my husband's homemade apple crumble pie and also pairs wonderfully with a simple chunk of dark chocolate.

The ice wine is some of the best dessert wine I've ever tasted, and even though Harvest Moon is known as a zin house they make one of my favorite cabernets EVER.

There are so many other great wines made there, not to mention some wonderful events--can you say lobster feed?!!--and a fabulous wine club that never dissapoints, but I'm at work right now and can't ramble on much longer!

Oh, and Charlotte Brown is just furry awesomeness and the nicest winery dog I've ever met--sometimes I stop by just ot see her! Lastly, I've never met anyone who loves making wine as much as Randy.

The Pinot, the views - none better than Russian Hill Estate Winery - bring a picnic and enjoy one of the best "wine country" views in the county. You may want to make it one of your last stops because once you hit that patio it's hard to move!

It's so hard to just pick one but I'd have to say my favorite winery is Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma. The view from the Deck is fabulous. You can bring a picnic lunch and sip sparkling wine or still wine if you prefer while nibbling on your treats or the almonds and Spanish cheese provided. GF has a wonderful staff that provides tours and wine education. A must see in Sonoma Valley.

I love Iron Horse in Sebastopol. It has great little garden areas to hang out, a beautiful view and the best champagne in the world (or close)!

OOPS!!! Didn't mean to post twice.....Sorry!

Love Cline Ancient Mourvedre. Also, REALLY love Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red. Alas, they don't have a tasting room but they are a winery. Of course Rochioli's is superb, but pricey. Guess we favor old vine stuff the most. Personally I can't stand chardonnay, or most whites, to be honest, except a for few viongiers (sp?). Am most happy to see all the comments posted so far. Lot's of wineries that we must visit. Of course if we win tickets, all the better, my dear.

Love Cline Ancient Mourvedre. Also, REALLY love Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red. Alas, they don't have a tasting room but they are a winery. Of course Rochioli's is superb, but pricey. Guess we favor old vine stuff the most. Personally I can't stand chardonnay, or most whites, to be honest, except a for few viongiers (sp?). Am most happy to see all the comments posted so far. Lot's of wineries that we must visit. Of course if we win tickets, all the better, my dear.

My current favorite winery is Moshin Vineyards.

It's a gravity fed facility that makes "food friendly wines" - light in style but, bright in flavor, not heavily oaked and, balanced.

They specialize in Pinot Noir but, also make a lovely dessert wine called Moshin Potion. Check them out at:http://www.moshinvineyards.com/

There are so many great wineries, it's hard to narrow it down to just one!

I really enjoy visiting Rodney Strong. Its a beautiful setting and very nice peopel working there.
Plus the merlot is one of my favorites!

Seghesio Family Vineyards in beautiful Healdsburg. Great people, great zinfandel.

Hi Heather,

I'd have to say my favorite winery is Benziger over in Glen Ellen. Biodynamic, nice folks in the tasting room and of course, great wines!

Matt

My favorite winary is Imagery on Hwy 12. Not only do they have a fabulous wine selection, but they have great staff, beautiful grounds for strolling and picnics, and great artwork on their labels. They also sell items with the artwork on them or the pieces of art themselves, as well as picnic foods and wine. They have something for everyone in their art selection and it is difficult to leave there without purchasing wine and some piece of artwork. I had a 1998 Cabernet at Sassafras restaurant in 2002 that I loved from Imagery. This made me go seek out the winary and I have loved them ever since.

Peterson Winery has to be one of the best. Owner, Fred, call himself a winegrower, while his son, Jamie, is the wine maker. With Fred's extensive experience in the vineyard and the winery, coupled with Jamie's enthusiasm, they create some of the most delicious Zinfandels in Dry Creek Valley. I enjoy the varity of vineyards utilized, especially the Bradford Mountain fruit, Fred's vineyard, and the Tradizionale which is a field blend from an old vineyard that is primarily Zin with some other reds. The othe reds produced are also delicious and a good value. I also like the fact that both Fred and Jamie are very approachable in answering questions about their wines. They definitely have a passion.

Imagery in Glen Ellen. Joe Benziger makes the best wines you've never (or rarely) tasted... lagrein, mourvedre, cinsault. A few are biodynamic, some are organic and all come from vineyards that are at least sustainably farmed. Plus, there's an art gallery, bocce and horseshoes. Bring a picnic and spend an afternoon.

So many to choose from!! I really enjoy Nicholson Ranch - a little farther from home, but worth a stop by! You just feel "nestled" there on top of the world! Great atmosphere and the staff are quite wonderful - engaging, knowledgable and just plain fun!

Thomas George, Hartford Court, Dutton-Goldfield but really, what's not to like everywhere you look?

My absolute favorite is J Winery. Fabulous bubbly, perfect for summer picnics and a rose to die for. Beautiful surroundings, great wine and true committment to making fine wines.

Heather-
My favorite winery is Siduri Winery in Santa Rosa. First, it's close, and a great way to start or end the day. Second-- it doesn't look like much, as it's in a warehouse. BUT, the wines you find there are amazing, and they make so many different kinds of pinot noir, you're almost certain to find one that pleases pretty much all palettes when you're with a group. They also make great Grenache, Rose an Syrah under their Novy label. You can make an appointment and taste anytime you like, but when there's an event such as Passport, or Barrel Tasting, you definitely want to make Siduri a stop, since they usually have at least 30 wines open for tasting AND they provide food.

Owners Adam and Diana Lee are the most friendly, down to earth people, who started this winery more than 10 years ago. I love that it's small, family owned, and it shows that you don't HAVE to have millions of dollars to start your dream of owning a winery and making really good wine.

I'm partial to Kosta Browne Winery in Sebastopol because I work there! :) We truly have fabulous pinots!

There are way too many great wineries in Sonoma Co: Rochioli, Littorai, Dutton-Goldfield Balletto, Marcassin, Paul Hobbs, Merry Edwards, Freeman winery, etc. All of these wineries pay close attention to the winemaking process from grape to glass.

If I had to pick one of my top favorite places though, I would choose Lynmar on Frei Rd The staff is very friendly, and the wines are elegant. They also have a lovely garden and picnic area. But the main kicker is I met up with my honey there!! A very romantic place! :) We would love to win tickets and taste some other fabulous wines! Cheers!

Preston of Dry Creek, Foppiano of Healdsburg, Davis Bynum of Forestville,WoodenHead-all have a wonderful family atmosphere and great wine

Favorite winery?? Sheldon in Sebastopol, right next to Starlight Restaurant and Wine Bar. Sheldon is run by the same two people who own it, work at it, market it, sell it, make it, etc. It's a husband and wife who are very young, very passionate, and exactly what we mean when we say "small business." They do everything themselves, and took a huge leap of faith to get the winery started. They are the ones you'll talk to if you go in or email, since they don't have any employees. On top of all that, the wine is fantastic.

Sterling Vineyard in Calistoga. Just $20 bucks for an awesome aerial tram ride, self-guided tour, 5 delicous wines to taste, and a gorgeous view. I take all of my visiting friends and relatives here for a taste of the wine country.

Hi Heather, I'd like to win tickets.

My favorite Winery is Ferrari-Carano Winery on Dry Creek road.

It is my favorite due in part as it is family owned. But most of all because they have the BEST Chardonnay in Sonoma county. The Melot is also really good.

My favorite winery is, by far, Mauritson. They're located on Dry Creek Road and make some of the best red wines I've ever had. Plus you can't go wrong with a winery who obviously loves its yellow labs so much that they're a very friendly part of the overall winery experience.

I'm a red wine lover, and their zins, syrahs and petite syrahs are all excellent wines. My favorites are from the Rockpile Ridge vineyard. This vineyard has been in the Mauritson family since the 1880s and, if you can visit it, you should. It's located up behind the Sonoma Dam and is stunning.

From the family to the dogs to the winery to the vineyards and the wine, Mauritson is one of the best that the Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma County have to offer. Worth a visit, worth tasting, worth buying and bringing home to drink.