A Visitor's Guide to Sonoma
Hanzell Winery, Sonoma Valley, CA, photo by Matt M.
Planning a visit to wine country is on many a bucket list. There’s really nothing quite like seeing firsthand where the magic happens, and Sonoma County is a great place to experience the magic. Both Sonoma Valley and the Russian River Valley are known for their fertile soil and perfect climate conditions for growing wine grapes, making this the perfect destination to visit when you want to have the full wine production experience.
Sonoma Valley is the birthplace of the California wine industry. There are over 100 wineries in this valley alone. The area is easily accessible for tourism because of its close proximity to San Francisco- a short 45 minute drive north of the bustling metropolis.
The Russian River Valley is a little farther north, making it the perfect place to grow cool-climate grapes. New world pinot noir, chardonnay, and old vine zinfandel do particularly well in this region of Northern California.
Both of these regions are brimming with wine tourism opportunities, but that’s not all there is to this treasured American landscape. As the wine tourism industry has grown over the last several decades, accompanying businesses have grown up with them. After all, you can only drink so much wine! Wine connoisseurs still want to start their days off with a great cup of coffee. Flying Goat Coffee is a local favorite in the Russian River Valley which features seasonal and organic coffee offerings in a cozy café setting.
After your morning cup of coffee you might want to head over to local favorite Goat Rock Beach for some whale spotting. Visitors can hike along the bluffs and enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific, but be aware the ocean is cold through much of the year. Other notable tourist attractions in the area include the Jack London State Historic Park and The Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in northwest Sonoma County. Both of these places offer visitors an opportunity to learn about the local history as well as enjoy the outdoors.
Serious foodies will want to visit the Vella Cheese Company in the Southern part of the county. Since 1931 Vella has been making natural artisan cheeses and has also earned the distinction of becoming the first solar-powered business in Sonoma. The Big Bottom Market is another foodie paradise where shoppers can have mimosas with lunch or buy specialty ingredients to take home with them.
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If your bucket list includes a visit to giant redwood trees, you’ll have to stop by Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve where the oldest tree is estimated to be over 1400 years old and the tallest tree is over 310 feet tall. Surfers, including beginners, can visit nearby Doran Beach to ride the waves.
But if you really just want to hit the wineries, places such as Korbel, Ravenswood, Sebastiani, J Vineyards, Gloria Ferrerand Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards should be on your must-visit list. There’s no time like the present, so start planning your wine country getaway now, and remember there’s more than just wine to Sonoma County!