Northern California Wineries
-Sonoma-

If you are looking for another great California experience, Sonoma is producing wines second to none of its neighboring counties. The advantage for Sonoma comes in the way of a great variety of soils and microclimates. Add different elevations to the equation and you will get an extensive list of and wines and wineries, ranging from teeny wine boutiques to vast spreads of vines and large winemaking facilities.

Sonoma has potential for growth as it still has land fitting for vine planting, while some other famous California wine regions have run out of suitable vineyard ground.

Chardonnay grapes from Sonoma can be the origin of remarkable wines and everyone agrees Pinot Noir wines from the Russian River Valley are exceptional.

Sonoma grows Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to a great extent, but because of its climate other grape varieties, like Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, also shine.

Alexander Valley

A very hot area with many vineyards growing on the higher land. You will find Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Merlot is increasing and Zinfandel grows happily on the valley lower lands. Go for a wine tour of the Alexander Valley wineries.

Knights Valley

Red wines on the lower parts and very good Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc also. Peter Michael is the best know winery here.

Dry Creek Valley

Zinfandel is the grape growing here for longer, but Dry Creek Valley shows the same versatility of all Sonoma territory and also grows good Caberne Sauvignon. There are many small estates and wineries, mainly along Dry Creek Road, but Gallo of Sonoma wineries have their main base in Dry Creek Valley. They produce high quality wines. See also Ferrari-Carano

Russian River Valley

Source of the best Pinot Noir in California and also Chardonnay, Zinfandel and sparkling wines. Sonoma Green Valley and Chalk Hill are subregions within the Russian River Valley. Green Valley grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines, you will find Marimar Torres -sister to Miguel Torres, the Catalan wine producer. Chalk Hills is renowned for its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. See also Gary Farrell and Gloria Ferrer sparkling wines

Sonoma Valley

Grows Chardonnay mainly. The best known producers of Sonoma have their wineries here. See Cline, Kendall Jackson, Kenwood Vineyards, Landmark Vineyards , St. Francis and Winery, Chateau St Jean, and Ravenswood.

Sonoma Mountain

There are not many wineries estalished in this area. Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape variety mostly grown and Laurel Glen is the best know winery.

Sonoma Coast and Northern Sonoma

Sonoma coast is a vast extension of land along the western Sonoma coast, there are not many wineries here and the fruit is sold to other Sonoma estates. Northern Sonoma or Northern Coast are names that encompass land from other viticultural areas, and usually mean wines blended with grapes from various districts within Sonoma.