Winter in Sonoma County

Thinking about visiting this winter? What are the pros and cons of traveling to Sonoma County at this time? This info applies to our next door neighbor, Napa, btw.

We'll start with the big one ...

A vineyard near the Russian River
after a heavy rainstorm
image from orfila.com

Weather

If you look at tourism sites, they will give this a quick glance with something like "cool and maybe some rain." And this is often the case, but it can at times rain like hell, making travel a bit tough. Some roads in low-lying areas can be flooded. Flooding in Sonoma County is usually in parts of the Russian River Valley near the river and south of the town of Sonoma.

This isn't meant to scare anybody, just realize it's possible. If you're coming from somewhere like Minnesota, you are probably laughing at the thought of rain instead of snow blowing sideways. Typically, you'll find a few days of sun and temps reaching the 60s, a couple cloudy days in the 50s, and a couple of days of on-and-off rain. So the weather is mild compared to most of the country.

Winter outdoor dining is available in many places
This is Matheson in Healdsburg on the rooftop patio
Outdoor propane heaters are popular!
image from sonomamag.com

Lodging and Restaurants

With tourism low at this time of year, you'll find plenty of choices for sleeping and eating and better prices for lodging. A few restaurants might close for a week or two, typically in early January. Same for smaller wineries.

When going out for dinner, watch for the local Dungeness crab because this is when it's in season. There are also crab feeds put on by various organizations. Restaurants are more likely to have a daily special in the slower season.

No snow here! Winter Wineland event in January
image from artandenterainme.blogspot.com

Events

There are a few things going on at this time of year. Winter Wineland, the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, Barrel Tasting, California Artisan Cheese Festival, and the Pliny the Younger release at Russian River Brewery. A brewery event? Yes, this two week event brings more people into the county than any of the others listed here.

Drone's eye view of Iron Horse Vineyards,
Russian River Valley, in winter
image from vintus.com

Wineries

With fewer people visiting, you'll get better service and have more time to chat in a relaxed environment. It's a slow time for winemakers, too, so they'll often be in the tasting room of smaller wineries. Lots of tasting rooms in Sonoma County use a reservation system, but most will be slow enough to be able to handle drop-ins if you want to make a last-minute decision on a new place to try wines. Someone may even have time for an impromptu cellar tour.

A single worker pruning old vines in Dry Creek Valley
January 2022
image from pressdemocrat.com