Please tell me what months would be best to go to Wine Country - Sonoma.

We don't mind cooler weather, hate hot weather and don't want to go in rainy season. We don't want to go when it's swamped with tourists either.

We were thinking April, May, Sept. or October. Which of these months would have weather @ 70s with the least amount of rain?

I've spent many a hot October day in Napa. And the crowds!

May or October. No rain but realize that the reason the grapes grow so well is that it can get a bit toasty during the summer. This is a good thing for the grapes and they are more important than the tourists! :~)

Agree with the lovely kam on May.

Mrs Kal's b'day is in the 3rd week and we've been pretty lucky with no rain the past few years.

Bike rides...walks at night a bit chilly though but still very comfortable.

Just about any weekend is crowded in Sonoma and Napa Valleys.

What's the weather like in April and November?

Debbie, those are the months when you roll the dice. It could be sunny and warm (high 60s, low 70s) or it could be rainy and cold. Much less traffic, though. In April the vines are green and in November they are bare. I'd think April will be warmer, but you could get lucky and have great weather either month.

The wine country is very charming even in the colder months. Many accomodations have fireplaces. If you are going for more than two or three days you would probably outlast whatever bad weather they were having, in other words, it's changeable.

Personally, I love the wine country on rainy days. It's got its own beauty then and it's so uncrowded.

Went to Sonoma on the last weekend in Feb 2002. Beautiful and warm weather on Friday and Sunday and beautifully drizzly on Sat. Perfect for wine tasting. You'll never have the wine country to yourself, but it was fine as far as crowds.

I have been to the wine country twice, both times on the 3rd week of Sept. The weather was wonderful, no crowds at all. Enjoy!

I've been in April, May and October. In April we had two days of torrential rain and then two beautiful, picutre-postcard perfect days. In May we had beautiful weather, but it was slightly warmer than I like (it was mid-80s.) The first time I went it was the first week of October and it was PERFECT!! I went on a weekday for a day trip from SF and didn't find it too crowded at all, so perhaps just pass on the weekends? Good luck!!

Michele:
When in April did you go and when in May?

I assume the May trip was late May due to the hot weather (or is it always that hot in May?)

and the April trip was early - due to the rain (or is it always raining in April?)

I had friends that visited Napa in Oct. and they found the temperature stifling! Guess you never know. I'm happy with temps between 65 and 70, so I'm still not sure what would be best...

I have been to wine country 3 times, September, May, August. Late August through September would be my advice. The grapes are ready to be picked and it adds a nice touch to bee so many grapes on the vines.