Comparing Napa and Sonoma

Thinking about visiting?
   Many people can't decide between these two premier Wine Country locations. I've got a little help for you, and I'll try not to be biased. Too much.  :)

image from fermentationwineblog.com

Name confusion

   There is the world-famous Napa Valley, it's an officially designated grape-growing region. There's also Napa County and the town of Napa in the southern part of the county. So if you just say "Napa" people might not know which Napa you're talking about.

   Then we have Sonoma County, the historic town of Sonoma, and the grape growing region of Sonoma Valley (which includes the town of Sonoma, btw). If you just say "Sonoma" people will be really confused. Such as, "We are looking for a nice restaurant while we're in Sonoma."  Okkaaayy. That might mean the town, but I'm not really sure.

How many wineries?

   In Napa County, there are over 400 "actual" wineries and about 90 urban tasting rooms. These are storefronts in towns, mostly the town of Napa. They are popular for their convenience. Some of these are secondary outlets for an existing winery and tasting room elsewhere in the county; sometimes it's their only tasting room, with the wine made elsewhere.

   There are about 425 wineries in Sonoma County. There are also numerous urban tasting rooms located primarily in the towns of Sonoma and Healdsburg (each has about two dozen), but it seems almost every town has at least one or two.

   Not every winery has a tasting room, usually because they are just too small to support one. However, you can often make an appointment with the owner/winemaker to visit his/her cellar or maybe their house to sample the wines.

Geography

   Napa Valley is 30 miles long and up to five miles wide, and is traversed by two main roads. The wineries are often in the valley proper, but many are up in the nearby hills and mountains on both sides of the valley.

   Sonoma County is more than twice as large as Napa County. When you're plotting winery visits and meal stops, you have to take the size and potential distances between locations into consideration. The north-south artery for the county is US 101 freeway. Most of the other roads will be two-lane, often winding.

   Napa County's wine towns are Napa (pop 75,000) plus the smaller burgs of Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga, all running along Highway 29. Sonoma County has the major city of Santa Rosa (pop 180,000), the wine-centric towns of Sonoma and Healdsburg, plus many, scattered towns including Petaluma, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Sebastopol, Occidental, Forestville, and more.

  Napa and Sonoma share a border. Sonoma County is just west of Napa. Sonoma's western border is the Pacific. So, yes, you can visit both counties in one trip.

Traffic

   Because of Napa Valley's popularity and density of wineries, traffic can be an issue in the valley. The drive to mountain wineries can be a bit slow-going, so allow for this.

   Sonoma County, because of its size, will be more spread out. Weekend traffic in and around the towns of Sonoma and Healdsburg can be heavy and parking difficult. US 101 does have heavy rush hour traffic.

Cost

   Napa Valley is the most famous and most costly American wine area to visit. On average, wine tasting fees and wine prices are less in Sonoma County. The same is true for lodging and eating out, though there are still high-priced wineries, hotels and restaurants if that's in your budget.

Wines

   Sonoma produces more wine than Napa, but it's not like you will run out in either location.  :)

   Napa is best-known for Cabernet Sauvignon, and that's 80% of the wine made there; Chardonnay is number two. If you're looking for other major wine types, you'll still find them. 

  In Sonoma, the top wine varietals, in order, are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Merlot. Because much of the county is under the influence of the chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean, this summer cooling effect gives the area many microclimates, allowing for growing pretty much any grape variety.

   Pinot Gris/Grigio and Riesling are popular wines, but there is little of either available in Napa or Sonoma. Why? It's part climate, part economic.

Appellations / Grape-growing areas

   The Napa Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) covers almost all of Napa County (yes, even hillsides). Most other AVAs in Napa County are part of Napa Valley. A few of the better-known ones are Rutherford, Oakville, Spring Mountain, Howell Mountain, and Altas Peak.

   Some of Sonoma County's AVAs are Alexander Valley, Sonoma Vly, Russian River Vly, and Dry Creek Vly. Some of these are well-known, but not limited to, one varietal. For instance, Alexander Valley for Cabernet, Dry Creek for Zinfandel, and Russian River for Pinot Noir

Viva La Difference

   Napa is the glitzy Disneyland (or Las Vegas?) of wine. It's an experience. There are many famous names and wineries you've maybe only seen in pictures. It's maybe a little more formal, or you might say stuffy, but not everywhere is like that. It really is all about Cabernet first, and when people think of American Cabernet, they think Napa.

   Sonoma is considered laid back, spread out, more agricultural, with varied microclimates, topography, and grape varieties. Both counties give you a wine experience, but the feel is different. It's easier to find something else to do besides taste wine in Sonoma County when you need a break. Did I mention all the great breweries in Sonoma County?

  Then there's where the local eat. Sure, Napa has Buster's BBQ and Gott's Roadside, and some Mexican restaurants. Sonoma County, however, excels at great Mexican food whether it's a restaurant, taqueria, or food truck. As a wise man once said, "Nobody has ever been sad in a Mexican restaurant."

Those are tacos! Sonoma style.