The idea of California sun may evoke feelings of summer, but it’s here to lift your spirits year-round. Winter is a special time in Sonoma Valley, where Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel reign supreme. Cooler temps and frosty mornings conspire to slow one’s pace. Locals will tell you that the landscape is particularly beautiful this time of year.
Taking a winery tour of Sonoma in winter of year means fewer crowds, lower prices, and more personalized attention. There’s an extra sense of ease and relaxation in the air. With that in mind, here are a few of my favorite Carneros wineries…
Roche Winery
Imagine sitting at an outdoor bar around a fire pit sipping on a Sparkling Brut Rosé or Carneros Chardonnay while bright orange umbrellas and chairs offer cheerful pops of color against the quilted patchwork of rolling hills beyond. Or maybe you’d prefer the comfy indoor bar where vintage French advertising posters line the walls. Whatever your preference, the Roche family prides themselves on welcoming, unpretentious tasting experiences. This robust vineyard produces upwards of 12,000 barrel a year. The sweet wines are a particular favorite. Visitors can tour the property or enjoy a picnic for an extra fee. Weekends can be busy, so plan accordingly. Children and pups welcome.
Bartholomew Estate
If you want a sense of romance, Bartholomew is the place to be. Really, what’s not to love about a sustainable winery nestled inside a 375-acre park? You can savor their Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel inside a dreamy, historic tasting room with rustic post and beam construction and warm Saltillo tile floors. Or you can take it outside under the gorgeous, mature trees around the property. There’s even a forest immersion tasting with a certified nature therapy guide and horseback riding. The 3 miles of trail around property are protected space open to the public - and the hiking is spectacular! This is another great winery if you’re traveling with a four-legged friend.
Donum Estate Winery
Donum is my pick for modern art lovers. The winery has one of the world’s largest accessible private sculpture collections. There are more than 60 works - including site specific sculptures - throughout 200 acres that boasts famous artists like Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, Robert Indiana, Louise Bourgeois, and Ai Weiwei. You can’t go wrong with Chardonnay in Sonoma Valley, but the flagship Carneros Pinot Noir is a work of art in itself. The clean, crisp aesthetic of the glass-enclosed tasting lounge is the perfect spot to watch the afternoon sun cast shadows across acres of vines.
Dunstan Wines and Toje Wines
For folks who want a more intimate or private experience, I recommend Dunstan Wines and Toje Wines. At Dunstan, you can sip on delicious Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé under the farmhouse porch in a country garden setting. Their Pinot is notable as it showcases the terroir of the famed Durrell Vineyard. Inquire about ATV tours of the property. Toje Wines offers wonderful, proprietor-led 1-on-1 experiences booked in advance. They’re family-owned and have a lot of soul. Their rustic and elegant tasting room will make you feel like you’ve been transported to Europe. It’s a great spot to enjoy a variety of wines, including Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé and Cab Franc coming in February! (Image credit L: Dunstan Wines; Image credit center and R: Toje Wines)
Nibbles Nearby
My pick for those who wish to nosh on some nibbles before or after their tasting is Sonoma’s Best Modern Mercantile. It’s got everything - gourmet sandwiches, stellar customer service, a sweet little wine shop, and a delicious coffee bar not far from downtown Sonoma.
All these wonderful places are within 15 minutes of each other, which means we’ll keep driving to a minimum allowing more time to relish a relaxing winter experience in the heart of California’s wine country. If you were thinking of booking a winter winery tour, consider this your sign.
Cheers!
Jill
Are you ready to book a tour? Reach out to Jill and get the convo started!
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