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Sonoma is another wine region in California that produces some of the best wines in the world. Same with Napa, this region is also an American Viticultural Area. This means that this is an area designated as a wine grape growing region. There are so many vineyards and wineries that produce beautiful grapes and great wines in this region whose quality are comparable to Chateau Margaux wines in France and other world-renowned wineries.

With the abundance of wineries you can choose from in Sonoma Valley, I’m sure you have trouble picking which one to visit. There are so many wineries to visit, yet with limited time and resources, it’s almost impossible to visit all of them.

So why don’t we pick the top five best wineries in Sonoma County that provide the world with the best wines?

The Five Best Wineries

Each winery in Sonoma has a different approach in winemaking, thus producing unique wines with a distinct taste. Aside from the various wines they produce, other wineries also offer activities for their visitors to do. This list will be your guide to choosing which vineyard to visit in Sonoma during your next getaway.

Buena Vista Winery:

The Buena Vista Winery is located in Sonoma, California. Being the oldest winery in the region, they offer quite a lot of varieties in their vast collection of wines. They also have an extensive vineyard in Napa Valley.

The winery grows each variety of their grapes in a specific area where the vines develop and produce the best juice. Their founder Agoston Haraszthy, a Sheriff of San Diego County in 1850, started the wine business in 1857. All wines made in this winery honours their founder.

Westwood Estate Winery:

Carl Stanton and his friends started the Westwood Estate Winery in 2001, intending to grow excellent Rhone and Burgundian varieties. Today they offer a lot of variety of wines, not just Rhone and Burgundy. Handcrafted by its world-class team, Westwood Estate offers a wide selection of fine wines. Their wines are made from organic, biodynamic grapes.

Patz and Hall Winery:

Specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this small family-owned winery has been in the business for over three decades. With the leadership of James Hall, Patz and Hall Winery produces one of the best fine wines. His partnerships with the best growers in Sonoma County led James to produce exceptional wines and develop lasting relationships.

Cline Cellars:

A family-owned winery, Cline Cellars offers a wide selection of wines. With a deep passion for winemaking, Fred Cline founded the winery in 1982 in Oakley, California.  In 1989, he transferred the winery to Sonoma. From then on, Cline Cellars produce one of the most extraordinary wines in Sonoma.

Aside from selling wines and hosting wine tasting events for visitors, they also offer wine lovers another deal. Cline Cellars have a wine club with activities centred on growing their collection of wines. Members will also receive the best wines in their selection, which will be delivered directly to their homes.

Gundlach Bundschu Winery:

With over a hundred years in winemaking, the Gundlach Bundschu winery is one of the winemaking pioneers in Sonoma. It is the second oldest winery in the county and offers a vast collection of wines. You can choose your preferred wine in their selection, mostly consisting of white and red wines.

Over six generations of the Bundschu clan has continuously exerted effort to run the winery business. They excel in their field, consistently producing great wines and keeping the legacy of their founder alive.

Difference Between Napa Valley and Sonoma Wine

Both counties have outstanding reputations in winemaking and grape growing. However, their different methods distinguish them from each other. People say Sonoma is less commercialized compared to Napa. This means the wines from Sonoma are cheaper than the ones produced in Napa. Sonoma also has a more substantial land area.

Napa Valley is far more popular than Sonoma. But when it comes to production, both regions create magnificent wines. Each region has its own specialization.

Napa produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot. Many wines are sold online, so wines from other esteemed Napa wineries can be ordered without leaving your home.

However, if you’d rather want the best of Zinfandels, Pinot Noir, unoaked Zesty Chardonnays, and sparkling wines, then Sonoma has a lot to offer.

Sonoma excels in terms of wine variety that are high-quality yet affordable.  To better understand the difference of each region, it’s better to visit both and experience for yourselves.

However, it doesn’t matter whether the wine is from Napa or Sonoma. The most important thing someone must consider is their wine preference. You can’t please everyone, we have our own tastes, and we mostly stick to what we enjoy the most.

Takeaway

There are a lot of wineries in California, but there are some that stood out the most. Visiting these wineries will be the best thing to do if you are in search of new wines to taste from the best wineries in California. However, at the end of the day, where the wine came from isn’t necessary. What matters most is you enjoy the wine you’re drinking.