We recently spent a day exploring all the Sonoma’s wine country has to offer. After a number of trips to Napa Valley (you can read our guides here: How to Spend The Perfect Day in Napa), we wanted to visit its less pretentious wine region. So, we got in an Uber from Sa Francisco and headed out to Sonoma for a day filled with wine tasting, cheese eating and lots of adventure. Read on for all of the vineyards we visited in Sonoma.
Ridge Vineyards: We started the day at Ridge Vineyards, a beautiful award-winning winery known for its Monte Bello wine. Ridge has won the esteemed Paris Accord and Thomas Keller even said it’s the wine he’d have during his last meal.
After taking a tour through Ridge’s cellars, we headed out to its patio overlooking wild flowers and rows of grapes. We sipped a number of different wines from their delicious dry Chardonnay to their Zinfandels and a savory Syrah while taking in the scenery and learning about the estate’s rich history. The highlight was a pour of the famed 2015 Monte Bello, which the tasting had built up to. It totally lived up to the hype. It was a great way to start our day.
Copain: Our next stop was Copain, on a stunning hillside overlooking the Russian River Valley. The aesthetic here was just top notch, and we totally made the most of their exquisite grounds. Luckily for us, their wine is just as wonderful.
We sat down to a picnic table overlooking the Valley and were immediately given a pour of their rose while cheeses and other bites were placed in front of us. The vibe here is distinctly French. The winner here was their Pinot Noir, which was complex and dry and just absolutely delicious. After the tasting, we got a full pour and walked over to their hillside adirondack chairs to enjoy it. We also tried their Chardonnay and Syrah.
VJB Cellars: If Disney World met Italy and poured wine on top, you’d have VJB Cellars. VJB was unlike anything I’d ever been to in wine country. We pulled up and heard Italian tenors complete with accordions serenading the crowd of wine drinkers. It was kitchy and fun and anything but pretentious.
We had a wine tasting and lunch at VJB and embraced the atmosphere. The pizzas were delicious as were the cheeses. We sampled lots of their red wines before getting gelato for the ride to our final stop!
Kunde Family Winery: Our final stop of a jam-packed day was Kunde Family Winery. this vineyard has the most adorable shop when you enter that is incredibly well curated with everything from wine accessories to candles and chic gifts. We totally suggest spending some time here before heading out to the back for your tasting.
After doing some retail damage, we headed to their picnic tables overlooking their grounds and sat in the sun to enjoy our wine and cheese board. We adored their Signature Rose, which was nice and dry and the perfect shade of pink. The cabernet sauvignon was another highlight and had notes of pepper in it. Their cheeses were rich and delicious and the sommelier’s suggestions were spot on. We’ll definitely be visiting again!
More Vineyard Travel Guides:
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