Visiting Sonoma County gets you out of the San Francisco area – the downtown area is great for a bit of dining and sightseeing, but Sonoma is laid back and allows you to truly relax. I’ve heard again and again, don’t do too much. While it can be tempting to choose 10 wineries to gulp through, choose at max 3 or 4, and enjoy a much more leisurely pace. There is such a dizzying array of wineries, it can be hard to know where to start. I’ve compiled a list of three great wineries I’ve found while looking into travel planning – these ones are at the top of many “best of” lists and are favourites of both Sonoma locals and thirsty visitors.

Gundlach-Bundschu Winery
2000 Denmark Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-938-5277

Gundlach-Bundschu Winery is said to be one of the most beautiful and authentic wineries in California – and perhaps the world. Lush and green, on the 400 acre property is an olive grove, an ampitheater, wooded hillside with picnic tables, and over 10,000 square feet of wine caves.

They are best known for their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each wine has a specific barrel program, but the Pinot, Chardonnay and Vintage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon see French oak only. Zinfandels see American oak only, and the rest of the red wines are mixed: approximately 75 percent French and 25 percent American oak. Around 70 percent of the winery is planted to Bordeaux or Burgundian varietals, the remaining 30 percent is planted to other varietals such as Zinfandel, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and a Tempranillo.
Tip: Avoid this winery on the weekends as it’s elbow-to-elbow in the tasting room.

Ravenswood Winery
18701 Gehricke Road
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-938-1960
888-669-4679

Ravenswood Winery started out small, but now produces over 1.3 million cases of wine per year (I think I drink a few of those). Tucked into the Sonoma County hillside, it’s got a quirky, upbeat atmosphere that fits with their mission to produce wines that are accessible to everyone. There is a rock-walled tasting room to sample some of the more than 40 wines they produce, a range of mostly reds: Zinfandels, Merlots, Bordeaux blends, a Petite Sirah, a Cab Sauvignon and Rhone-style blends. Overall the flavours are full and bold, largely because they don’t sterilize the juice with sulfur, use aromatic vineyard yeasts and allow the fermentation temperature to rise quite high to extract more flavour. Wine stays in contact with its skins for weeks, and is then aged in French oak barrels.
Tip: If you really prefer white wines, you might want to skip this one.

Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves
23555 Highway 121
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-996-7256

I had to include a champagne tasting. The Ferrer family hails from Spain, and planted vineyards with sparkling wine grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay when they bought the 250 acres of property. You really see the Spanish influence in the architecture: tile floors, wood-beamed ceilings, and a lovely “Vista Terrace.” The warm fireplace, rich tapestries and lounging area make this an ideal spot to relax and taste their magnificent sparkling wines – they produce six sparklers, as well as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay.
Tip: Call ahead to book.