we are planning on spending 3 days in SF, then renting a car to drive up to the Napa Valley, mostly Sonoma from what I've read - need tips on good wineries to visit - ones to stay away from and definite good ones. we will have 2 days in Sonoma -Thanks - KT

I don't think there are any "BAD" wineries. Personally, I prefer the smaller ones, those that I'm not likely to be able to by at the grocery store, or the liquior store. That's just me, but it makes me feel like they're more "special" somehow. A good wine is one YOU like.

I went on the winter wine tour a few years ago with my brother and some friends of his. We stopped at one winery and to me the wine tasted like I was drinking turpentine and it burned all the way down. However, one member of our party loved it and bought two bottles.

You will soon get some really good suggestions here. I don't pay much attention to where I'm tasting franky. There are so many wineries that I seldom go to the same place twice and if I find something I want more of, I just tell my brother, who lives in the area, and he'll get me what ever it is I want and bring it with him when he come up to visit me.

Have a nice visit. That area is just so drop dead gorgous, I just love it there.

There are several thread - search the forum for sonoma.

It will all depend on what you are looking for

Linda

At last count, there were a reported 391
brick & mortar wineries in Napa County
and 260 in Sonoma County. So, you will need to do some research and tell us what you like to drink or would like to explore.

Do you want to be near Sonoma town ?
Healdsburg ? What kind of experience are you looking for ? How many do you think you want to visit a day ?
White ? Red ? Bubbly ?

There are numerous threads here for a start-put "Napa","Sonoma",
"Wine Country" in the Search box and you'll be reading for days, LOL !

You might consider grouping them geographically-say near Healdsburg/Dry Creek/Alexander Valley/ Russian River
and then
Sonoma Valley/Kenwood/ Glen Ellen

So, get a start on your itinerary and
post back with a more defined list of questions so we can be of more help to you.


R5

thanks for the tips - I'm new to this website - tried using the search feature for sonoma and found lots of info. The trouble w/picking which winery to go to is there are soooo many! But I am working on my itinerary and will post for review when complete. We leave in about a month - am very excited - it all sounds beautiful.
kt

We live in Healdsburg. We always suggest that our guests visit Ferrari Carrano winery in Dry Creek and then for a contrast, Preston Winery which is located just behind FC over the creek. There are also lots (too many) winery tasting rooms located around the town Square in Hbg. Where are you planning on staying when you are in the wine country?

If you had 4 days in Napa/Sonoma what would be your itenery ?? We have never been before and this needs to be very special.. would we fly into San Fran from the East Coast ??

Just returned from 4 days in Sonoma - spent a day in Napa and much preferred Sonoma. Favorite wineries there: Raymond Burr (low-key, free tastings, great views), Ferrara-Carano (beautiful gardens, $$ tastings), Hop Kiln (free tastings, small deli, picnic area, historic building), and Clos de Bois (nice showroom, had a $1 shipping deal on case of wine). Just drive around the area (especially River Rd. and Dry Creek Rd.) and stop where and when you want at wineries. They're all great. Enjoy!

Kleroux - we are planning on possibly staying in the Thistle Dew Inn - want to keep around $200 per night range. It's in Sonoma and we'd like the bed & breakfast feel. Any feedback on that Inn or any suggestions on others?
KT

I've never heard of that inn, but its in the town of Sonoma, so that's about 45 minutes from Santa Rosa... and about an hour from Healdsburg. There is the hotel Healdsburg which is lovely, or the Madronna Manor, an old Victorian house/hotel with lovely grounds, both in Healdsburg. I would suggest you check out www.HealdsburgRentals.com and see what they have to offer.........

We haven't stayed there for several years, but loved Madrona Manor and the food was superb. They had a very small dining room and guests had preference for dinner reservations. If it hasn't changed (or gotten better--if that's possible LOL) you will love it.

We've been to 165+ wineries there in the last 5 years. With map in hand, we usually find a few we like and ask THEM where to go. For instance, we like bold reds and found Meeker on our first trip (Geyserville) The gal working there was a hoot. She knew what kinds of wines we liked and steered us to Rick at Amphora, who told us about Wilson Winery (fantastic) and Limerick Lane. Papapietro-Perry is right there with them- some outstanding pinot. We also have enjoyed Foppiano for a consistently good Petite Syrah and Rosenblum in Healdsburg square for some of the best Zins plus a fun time...lots of variety and no tasting fees. We're members of their wine club and they just don't make a bad bottle.

If you do check out HealdsburgRentals.com (Vacation rentals), check out Country Garden cottage. Its charming with a lovely garden and view out over the Russian River.

Sonoma has such wonderful options. Personally, I've enjoyed Pride Vineyards, Roederer Estate (which is a little farther north), Matanzas Creek, Rodney Strong, Korbel, and Gloria Ferrer. Have a great time!

Linda, we had a great time with Rick at Amphora on our last trip. He certainly was born to be a host, wasn't he? It was the end of the day so he took us to the back for barrel tasting and storytelling. We also really like the Rosenblum Zin's.

Very cool, Suki! I love how they yell "LADY in the house" whenever a woman arrives, lol! At Amphora, that is. Rick is a hoot- we met him the first time we went out there and were at his cellar spitting on the ground. That was fun, but I suspect he'll do better at the new location.Ask Rick for some recommendations, too.

Rodney Strong, always good wine and check out Foppiano. From the large to the intimate.
Have a great time.