Tour the Russian River Valley Wine Region

"The approved viticultural area of Russian River Valley resembles a roughly drawn square nearly exactly in the center of Sonoma County. The region surrounds about a third of the 120-mile long river and its flood plains, sweeping from Monte Rio to western Santa Rosa and from Sebastopol to northern Healdsburg. Within the boundaries of the AVA are 96,000 acres, or 150 square miles, and close to 50 wineries, though several use one of the valley's two sub-appellations, Green Valley and Chalk Hill. Excluding these, there are about 39 wineries, scores of vineyards and more than 10,000 acres planted to grapes. The appellation became official on Nov. 21, 1983, though the designation was used for years -- Foppiano Winery was first to put it on a label -- before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms formalized it. Although there is plenty for the visitor to see -- the river itself is, of course, the main feature -- much of Russian River Valley has a wild feel to it, with sparsely traveled country roads shaded by bay, manzanita and gnarled oaks garlanded with delicate Spanish moss. The region is classified as "coastal cool" and defined by almost nightly intrusions of fog, a feature that influences viticulture, agriculture and quality of life. When inland valleys are sweltering, you can count on this natural air conditioning to keep nights pleasant in the Russian River Valley".

Taste Wine in Western Sonoma County

• Blackstone Winery, 9060 Graton Rd, Graton
• Davis Bynum, 8075 Westside Rd, Healdsburg
• Dehlinger Winery, 6300 Guerneville Rd, Sebastopol, tasting room
• DeLoach Vineyard, 1791 Olivet Rd, Santa Rosa (this is near Forestville)
• Dutton Estate Winery, 8757 Green Valley Rd, Sebastopol
• Gourmet au Bay, 913 Highway One, Bodega Bay
• Hanna Winery, 5353 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa,
• Joseph Swan, 2916 Laguna Rd, Forestville
• Korbel Champagne Cellars, 13250 River Road, Guerneville, tours of cellar and gardens
• Martini & Prati, 2191 Laguna Rd, Santa Rosa, tasting room
• Marimar Torres Estate,11400 Graton Rd, Sebastopol, 823.4365
• River Road Vineyards, 5220 Ross Rd, Sebastopol, 887-8130
• Taft Street Winery, 2030 Barlow Rd, Sebastopol
• Topolos At Russian River Vineyards, 5700 Gravenstein Hwy, Forestville
• Wild Hog Vineyard, on Coast north of Jenner, Call 847.3687
• Wine & Cheese Tasting of Sonoma County, 25179 Hwy 113, Duncans Mills

Tour a Winery

• Arrowood Vineyards & Winery, 14347 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen 938-5170 Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, L H Riesling, Viognier, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
  Hours: 10 AM to 4:30 PM daily
  Drink in the full panorama of Sonoma's Valley of the Moon from Arrowood's beautiful vineyard veranda, excellent concentration of handcrafted, award winning wines within the Arrowood salesroom.
Benziger Family Winery, 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen 935-4046
Wines: Viognier, Chardonnay, White Burgundy, Pinot Blanc, Zinfandel, Barbera, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Zinfandel Port, Blanc de Blanc Sparkling
Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily
Benziger Winery, located on the side of Sonoma Mountain, offers unsurpassed vineyard views, a fantastic tram tour, and outstanding varietal wines.
• B.R.Cohn Winery, 15140 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, 938-4064
  Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
  Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM
  Also renowned for award winning Estate bottled olive oils and vinegars.
• Chateau St. Jean, 8555 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood 833-4134
  Wines: Viognier, Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, White Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet, LH Riesling
  Hours: 10 AM to 4:30 PM M-Th / 10-5 F-Sun. At Chateau St. Jean, time-honored wine making traditions have been blended with the latest techniques to produce critically acclaimed wines of exceptional quality. Picnic on the beautiful grounds, take a self-guided tour and enjoy a complimentary tasting.
• Stone Creek Winery, 9380 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood 833-5070
  Wines: Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer
  Hours: 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily
  Wide variety of award winning wines which have rapidly won over wine consumers and critics alike. The tasting room is housed in an old historical schoolhouse that dates to the late 1800s. During your visit enjoy the incredible views of the valley from the picnic area.
• Valley of the Moon Winery, 777 Madrone Rd., Glen Ellen 996-6941
  Wines: Pinot Blanc, Chard, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sangiovese, Cuv'ee De La Luna, Port, Cream Sherry, Brut
  Hours: 10 AM to 4:30 PM daily
  Visit beautifully restored historic Valley of the Moon Winery & Vineyards (circa 1863). Sample premium handcrafted wines with our congenial staff or browse for unique wine country gifts. Enjoy panoramic views and picnic along Sonoma Creek.
• Wellington Vineyards, 11600 Dunbar Road, Glen Ellen 939-0708
  Wines: Zinfandel, Merlot, Rhone Varietals, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet, Criolla,
  Hours: 11 AM to 5 PM daily
  Wellington Vineyards is a small, 6,000 case, family operated vineyard and winery specializing in bold, flavorful red wines from unique vineyards.
• Kenwood Vineyards, 9592 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood 833-5891
  Wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vintage White, White Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, Vintage Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
  Hours: 10 AM to 4:30 PM daily (except major holidays)
  Founded in 1970, site of an historic winery, family-owned Kenwood Vineyards has become one of California's most respected wineries. Founders John Sheela and Mike Lee, together with fourth generation vintner Gary Heck, continue to find challenge in creating wines.
  Kunde Estate, 10155 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood 833-5501
  Wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Claret, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Late Harvest Muscat
  Hours: 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily.
  Tour the half-mile caves Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• Landmark Vineyards, 101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood 833-1144
  Wines: Overlook Chardonnay, Damaris Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
  Hours: 10 AM to 4:30 PM daily
  Elegant grounds complete with fountain and views.
  Ledson Winery & Vineyards, 7335 Sonoma Highway 833-2330
  Wines: Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Orange Muscat, Merlot
  Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily "The Castle" features wine tasting, a gourmet market, and gift center. Enjoy oak-laden picnic areas adjacent to the Merlot vineyard.
• St. Francis Winery, 8450 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood 833-4666
  Wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Old Vine Zinfandel, Reserve Pagani Zinfandel
  Hours: 10 AM to 4:30 PM daily
  St. Francis Winery was established in 1979 in the Valley of the Moon. Bring along a picnic feast to enjoy in our enchanting Wine Garden picnic grounds.
• Family Wineries of Sonoma Valley, 9200 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, 833-5504
  Wines: Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Petit Sirah, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot, Sangiovese, Blends
  Hours: 11 AM to 6 PM daily
  Come visit 7 family wineries all in one space. Mayo, Sable Ridge, Nelson Estate, Deerfield Ranch, One World, Noel and Tantalus. Lots of Gold Medal Winners at this year's Sonoma Harvest Fair.
  Glen Ellen Winery Tasting Room, 14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen 939-6277
  Wines: Chardonnay, White Riesling, Muscat Canelli, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel Port, Sparkling, Brandy
  Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM daily
  
• The Glen Ellen Tasting Room is located in Jack London Village in the heart of historic Glen Ellen. Sample renowned wines and browse through the history center and gift shop.
  KAZ Vineyard & Winery, 215 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood 833-2536
  Wines: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Lenoir, Sangiovese, Cab-Merlot-Cab Franc, Petit Sirah, Zinfandel, Alicant & Ports
  Hours: Open daily. Call for appointment
  Cellar & Vineyard tours. A cozy, fun, home-based 1,000 case winery. Organically grown grapes with 2 special French/American hybrids and truly amazing varietal blends. Smallest winery open to the public.