While Sonoma County is a wine-producing region like neighboring Napa, the similarities end there. Where Napa wineries are housed in grand buildings, Sonoma County wineries are often found in old hops barns and geodesic domes. The Napa visitor can lose time (and patience) in busy traffic while the Sonoma County visitor drives down uncrowded country lanes. Money seems to fly out of the wallet in Napa, the cost of a bottle or two of wine spent just to taste, while many Sonoma County tastings are free. The differences remind me of the difference between food in France and Italy - equally delicious in both places, but the Italians don't make a fuss about it.
If you'd like to have a more relaxed California wine-tasting experience and an opportunity to sample our agricultural bounty as well, Sonoma County is the place to go. If you don't drink wine, don't dismiss Sonoma County as a destination. There's plenty to do and see for everyone in Sonoma County.
To help you enjoy your Sonoma County trip to ifs fullest according to your personal tastes, this article describes three different tours, all following the same route. In the interest of time (and sobriety) each of the Sonoma County wine tours is limited to four wineries.
Recommended Sonoma County Tour
(R) A collection of four Sonoma County wineries chosen to give a broad cross-section. You'll visit a sparkling (champagne) winery with a microbrewery, a laid-back winery that typifies the California lifestyle at its best, a winery with new varietals and excellent food items, and a beautiful chateau-style winery with meticulously landscaped grounds.The Famous Names Sonoma County Tour
(F) You've heard of these Sonoma County wineries and you want to visit them. Four of the most well-known wineries in Sonoma County are Korbel Champagne Cellars, Geyser Peak, Chateau Souverain and Kendall-Jackson. Visiting these wineries gives an opportunity to sample still and sparkling wines in a variety of settings.Non-alcoholic Sonoma County Tour
(N) Visit a winery to sample its specialty food items, and another to enjoy its history. Pick fruit, visit specialty nurseries and sample the agricultural diversity of the Sebastopol area.
Many travelers won't be satisfied with their Wine County visit unless they've been to Napa and visited the name-brand wineries. If you're one of them, read Day Trip to Napa for some suggestions.
