Sonoma Valley is a picturesque Northern California region renowned for its vineyards, wineries, and natural beauty. Located an hour north of San Francisco in southeastern Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley runs 17 miles between the Mayacamas Mountains (to the east) and the Sonoma Mountains (to the west).
Sonoma Valley is the birthplace of California's wine industry, home to over 100 wineries and some of the state's oldest vineyards. It is also one of the premier wine-producing regions in the world, and its rolling hills and scenic landscapes make it a popular destination for tourists and wine enthusiasts. Within the valley, the town of Sonoma offers an excellent base for exploring everything this part of California wine country has to offer.
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Tasting Rooms in Sonoma Plaza
The historic Sonoma Plaza is the largest in California and is in the town center. It was designed in 1835 by General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the founder of Sonoma. Numerous Sonoma Valley wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, and shops line the streets around the beautifully landscaped town square.
It's easy to leave the car at your hotel and enjoy great wine-tasting experiences on foot. During my stay, I visited two of the many tasting rooms around the Plaza in collaboration with Sonoma Valley.
Caddis Wines
My first of two stops was Caddis Wines, a boutique winery at the southeast corner of the Plaza. I arrived at 11 a.m. on a Monday, just as the tasting room opened for the day. Dick Perman, a friendly retiree from the East Coast who previously managed two Sonoma vineyards, was there to greet me.
Owner and winemaker Chris Sorensen is focused on producing small-batch wines using grapes from high-quality vineyards in Sonoma Valley and Livermore Valley (east of San Francisco Bay).
I was surprised that they only produce about 700 cases annually—the business primarily benefits from its Wine Club. As Dick informed me, Caddis is named after a fishing lure (the caddisfly), reflecting Sorensen's passion for fly fishing.
Related: Restaurants in Sonoma Plaza
Wine Flight
The tasting menu featured five wines and costs $30 per person. We began with a 2021 Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast with notes of lemon and caramel, which I enjoyed.
Next was a 2019 GSM blend (50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Mourvedre) with a taste of spiced berry and anise that wasn't for me. As Dick and I continued to chat, in equal parts about the wine and my world travels, he poured a 2019 Syrah from Livermore Valley, of which only 30 cases are produced annually.
The fourth wine was a tasty 2019 Merlot, a varietal that always reminds me of the 2004 movie Sideways. (I've felt inspired to re-watch it since my trip to Sonoma). They saved the best for last, at least as far as my palate is concerned. My favorite wine of the tasting was a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of vanilla and toasted coconut.
109 E Napa St, Sonoma, CA, caddiswine.com
La Prenda Wines
Later the same day, after a fantastic lunch at El Dorado Kitchen, I walked to La Prenda Wines in the southwest corner of Sonoma Plaza. La Prenda, founded in 2008 by Ned and Erika Hill, is family-owned and operated. Ned began working in Sonoma vineyards at age nine after his parents moved there and began farming.
After a long career working with his father, he and his wife began La Prenda Vineyards Management to assist local farmers and produce their own labels.
The new tasting room for this Sonoma Valley winery is spacious and attractive. It offers several seating options, including a bar, sofa, and high-top tables. Another affable gentleman, George, greeted us and shared the menu.
Wine Flights
Visitors have three options to choose from, all of which include five wines:
- Sonoma Valley Tasting (95476 labels) - $20
- Signature Tasting (La Prenda label) - $25
- Reserve Tasting (Fifth Hill) - $35
I opted to try the Signature Tasting, and George began pouring as country music played in the background.
The first wine was the La Prenda 2020 Brut Rose from the Sonoma Coast, which Kel enjoyed. Next was a new release, La Prenda's 2022 Pinot Grigio from Napa Valley.
Our third sample was one of La Prenda's award-winning wines, their 2022 Rose of Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast). I liked this one more than the sparkling rose that began the menu.
My favorite was La Prenda's 2021 Pinot Noir, a smooth red wine from Sonoma Mountain. Our Signature Tasting ended with a 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley that was a bit too strong for me.
535 1st St W, Sonoma, CA, laprendawines.com
Vineyards in Sonoma Valley
If the weather is nice and vineyard views are on your mind, dozens of Sonoma Valley wineries are within a short drive of downtown Sonoma.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
One such winery is Gundlach Bundschu (Gun Bun), a 3.5-mile drive east of Sonoma Plaza at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains. Established in March 1858 by Bavarian-born Jacob Gundlach, Gundlach Bundschu is California's oldest continuously family-operated winery.
That year, Gundlach acquired 400 acres of land in Sonoma. He briefly returned to Germany to get married and buy rootstock there, and then he went to France to grow his vineyard.
Note: The nearby Buena Vista Winery was established in 1858 and predates Gundlach Bundschu by only a few months.
Today, Rhinefarm, as he originally called it, operates 320 acres of vineyards and is run by Jeff Bundschu, a sixth-generation heir and vintner. Gundlach Bundschu is committed to sustainable farming. Already Certified Sustainable by CCOF, they're also on a path for Regenerative Organic Certification by August 2023.
Our Experience
Given its proximity to Sonoma, Kel and I made a quick side trip to Gundlach Bundschu Winery to see it ourselves. The drive up Bundschu Road was gorgeous. Rows after row of wine vines were beginning to bud in the warmth of early spring. After parking the car, we checked out the tasting room before returning to the tree-covered courtyard to sample a glass of wine.
I enjoyed Caddis's Chardonnay, so I ordered Gundlach Bundschu's 2021 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast). Two Rhinefarm tastings are available daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The 90-minute experience costs $50.
To learn even more, sign up for the Vineyard and Cave Experience, an estate tour that includes their organic vineyards and a wine tasting in the cave dining room. Cheeseboards, charcuterie, and local bread are available if you'd like to buy something fresh to nibble on.
The courtyard leads to a hiking trail and picnic area, but the rattlesnake warning sign gave me pause. We saw similar snake signage when we visited Jack London State Historic Park.
2000 Denmark St, Sonoma, CA, gunbun.com
Viansa Winery
The last Sonoma winery we visited on our first trip to the region was Viansa, about seven miles south of Sonoma Plaza. Modeled after a Tuscan villa, it's the perfect place for an Italian wine lover.
I picked this one based on its hilltop location, overlooking the vineyards, olive trees, and 97 acres of adjacent wetlands. It was even more stunning in person. The landscaping was lovely, and local birds provided a natural soundtrack.
The outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy their terroir-driven wines, offers panoramic views. If you're there on a blue-sky day like we were, umbrellas can block the sun.
Wine Tasting
My tasting of their delicious wines began with a 2022 Terra Collection Rose of Barbera with notes of white strawberries. However, their 2022 Chardonnay from the same collection was my favorite. The chilled white wine tasted of white peach and tropical fruits. While Kel wasn't partaking in the tasting with me, she enjoyed a glass of Viansa's Muscat Canelli (Moscato in Italian).
Given the heat, we skipped the red wines on the printed tasting menu in favor of two more white wines, including a 2022 Bianchetta Trevigiana and a 2021 estate-grown Chardonnay. Other whites they produce include Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and a Brut sparkling wine.
The generous pours were welcome on such a beautiful day. I was reticent to leave Viansa in Sonoma for the San Francisco Airport and savored every sip.
Lunch
We also sampled a few of their lunch offerings. I ordered the turkey sandwich, while Kel tried the ham and brie on a croissant (though she had to sub turkey for ham as they were out of the latter). Additional bites include a cheese and salumi board, fresh burrata, and seasonal salads.
Coffee, tea, and snacks like craft chocolate are also available. For dessert, I bought a box of Italian hazelnut and chocolate shortbread cookies.
Related: Wine Tasting in Southern California
Before departing one of the most beautiful wineries I've visited, I took a quick lap around the main grounds. White picnic tables and a metal vine-covered gate with the winery's name were on the lawn behind the terrace.
An attractive private tasting room with a wood-burning fireplace was near a secondary entrance and former wine cellar. Given the gorgeous grounds, Viansa makes for a great wedding venue.
25200 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, CA, viansa.com
Conclusion
My brief visit to Sonoma wine country satisfied a long-held desire to experience one of the best American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). I was impressed by how much there is to see and do (and drink) around Sonoma Plaza, let alone the estate vineyards in the surrounding area. It left me wanting more. It's only a matter of time before I return to explore more of Sonoma Valley's best wineries.
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My wine tastings at Caddis, La Prenda, and Viansa were complimentary during a trip hosted by Sonoma Valley.
