If you're planning a visit here are some things to consider.
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| Sonoma County AVA map. Click on image to enlarge image from sonomawine.com |
The Size
Sonoma County is about 1,700 square miles; that's larger than Rhode Island, admittedly the smallest state. The county is about 30–40 miles wide with the Pacific Ocean to the west and Napa to the east. It's about 50–60 miles from north to south, bordered by Mendocino and Marin Counties and the bay.
The major thoroughfare is US 101 running north to south and has significant commute traffic. Everything else is two-lane.
Remember to include travel times in your schedule.
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| Cool summer fog rolling into Bennett Valley |
Climate and Microclimates
The region has a Mediterranean climate heavily influenced by the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean. The rainy season is November through March. That doesn't mean it won't rain in other months, or that you will get rain during a winter visit. Mid-May into mid-September rain is very unlikely. December through February are the wettest months when you can get a deluge during this time.
Expect high temps in the 50s during the winter and in the 80s during the summer, but it can vary, of course. Yes, there is a wide range in daily temps during a single day. Cool mornings and evenings with very warm afternoons is typical. Dress in layers and don't complain because the grapes love this weather!
Microclimates are most noticeable during the summer. This means it can be hot in one place and cool somewhere else in the county. Average summer high temps are about 90 degrees in Cloverdale, 83 in Santa Rosa, and 62 in Bodega Bay.
Your weather app is your friend. Remember the microclimates. San Francisco weather will not be the same as Sonoma weather.
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| Francis Ford Coppola Winery One of the few to have a restaurant -- and a swimming pool! |
The Wineries
Many, but not all, are open daily to the public. Some, usually the smallest ones can be closed a couple of days midweek. Some require a tasting appointment, others don't. There are literally hundreds of wineries to choose from. Typically, they open at 10 or 11 am and close between 4:30 and 6 pm. Tasting rooms are open most holidays though most are closed New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Most will charge a fee to taste, but many will not charge you if you purchase wine. A tasting flight consists of about five wines. Currently, tasting fees seem to be in the $30 to $45 range. A full day wine tasting goes something like: One winery stop, lunch, then one or two more winery tastings. The reasons for limiting the number of wineries for a day is not just the obvious one with watching your alcohol intake, but also you're no longer really able to taste the wine after two or three wineries. Your palate gets fatigued. That is, your nose and taste buds have been a bit overwhelmed and need a break.
Most wineries, other than intown tasting rooms, aren't near any retail establishments that have food. When you plan your day of tasting figure out where you will eat.
Most tasting rooms do not have a restaurant or deli. Some will carry a few picnic items. Quite a few have picnic areas. It is not okay to bring outside alcoholic beverages. If you wish to bring food to a winery for a picnic call first to be sure they are okay with that.
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| Outdoor concert at the Green Music Center image from sonomacounty.com |
The Summer
Summer months are busy, with high traffic volumes, and the temps can be hot. Reservations for tasting and dinner are more important when there are lots of visitors. Most people are concentrated in and around the towns of Sonoma and Healdsburg.
The busy season kicks off after the 4th of July and goes into October. Saturday afternoons are the busiest times of the week in the winery tasting rooms. Holiday weekends will be more crowded, of course. Napa Valley will have bigger crowds than Sonoma County.
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| Grapes just coming into the winery image from platypustours.com |
The Harvest
Also called the crush. Grapes are a fruit and like other fruits have a single harvest season during the fall. Generally, September into October are the busiest times for the harvest. There are also quite a few visitors this time of year, especially on weekends.
If you want to see the harvest action it's easy to see the grape picking because it's out in the vineyards though most happens very early in the morning.
As far as seeing the cellar action that's more difficult as it requires a winery giving tours when there's a lot going on with potential risks to guests. Some wineries that have the tasting room and cellar at the same location may have the crush pad and cellar doors open where you can walk up and see the action from outside. Keep a safe distance. If you want to be near the workers, equipment, or forklifts ask permission first!
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| Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley image from sonoma.com |
Wine Tasting Without Driving
There are limos, small tour buses and other means of visiting the wineries without the hassle of driving. You can also find everything from bicycle to horse carriage tours. I recommend taking one of the smaller tour buses that hold about 8 or 10 people rather than the full-size 40 passenger bus as your experience will be so much better in a smaller group.
The towns of Healdsburg and Sonoma have plenty of downtown tasting rooms so you can just walk between them. If you prefer not to drive I'd recommend staying in one of these towns. You can spend a day or two wandering the town on your own then sign up for a day out with a tour company.
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| image from wineroad.com |
Winery Associations
These association web pages are one-stop-shopping for getting information on wineries. This is a good place to start your travel planning.
For northern Sonoma County covering the Russian River, Dry Creek, Alexander Valleys
For Sonoma Valley from the town of Sonoma north towards Santa Rosa
For Carneros at the south end of Sonoma and Napa counties
We hope to see you soon!
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