Fodor's Expert Review Patz & Hall

Sophisticated single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are the trademark of this respected winery that hosts tastings at a fashionable single-story former residence 3 miles southeast of Sonoma Plaza. A Wine Country adage holds that great wines are made in the vineyard—the all-star fields represented here include Hyde, Durell, and Gap's Crown—but the wine-making team routinely surpasses peers with access to the same fruit, proof that discernment and expertise play a role, too. You can sample wines on the vineyard-view back patio in good weather. One tasting focuses on current releases, and the other incorporates older vintages. Appointments are highly recommended; walk-ins are possible, but call first.