Platypus Wine Tours

SONOMA VALLEY WINERY DIRECTORY

TOP SONOMA VALLEY WINERIES

Sonoma Valley is often considered Napa’s historic neighbor, being the birthplace of California’s wine industry. People from all over the world are attracted to Sonoma Valley for its gorgeous scenery, authentic wines, and rich history. Sonoma wineries trace their story back to roughly 1823, when the first grapes were planted. With over 10,000 residents, Sonoma Valley retains its quaint but lively energy, fostering an appreciation for cuisine, the arts, and nature. It’s no wonder Sonoma is home to a population that appreciates its surroundings, preserving many historical sub towns as well as its state parks.

The town of Sonoma houses charming hotels, high end boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and multiple tasting rooms for Sonoma wineries. Sonoma Square or “the Plaza” features a wonderful park with the historic city hall in the center, hosting many community events throughout the year including the Valley of the Moon Vintage every September, California’s oldest tradition of celebrating the area’s wine since 1897. Wineries in Sonoma are often family-owned and small production. Traditions are alive in Sonoma and guests are always thrilled to see them come to life.

With well over 400 wineries located in the North Bay and over 40 Sonoma Valley wineries, we hand-pick from the best to create wine tours that avoid the crowds and find the more intimate side, and the real charm, of our beautiful wine country. We focus on smaller, family-owned wineries and Sonoma wineries of historical significance while trying to avoid larger, more heavily visited wineries, providing you with a memorable experience. We’re thrilled that Trip Avisor consistently ranks our Sonoma Wine Tours as top-rated activities in the region, giving guests access to some of the most amazing hidden gem Sonoma wineries.

Make a Platypus Wine Tour reservation online now or call (707) 253-2723 . Learn more about wineries in Sonoma Valley.  Have any specific Sonoma wineries you would like to visit? Plan a private tour with us and let’s create the perfect trip for you!

Here is a handy directory of many of wine country’s best wineries.  You can use this directory while creating a custom, Private Tour.  Please note that Join-in Tour wineries are selected by our experienced guides.

Winery Name
Winery Description

A small, family-owned enterprise making limited-production wines from their certified organic vineyard in the Napa Carneros.

Winery Phone Number
707-721-1914
Winery Address
5 E Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476
Winery Website Address
Winery Description

Iconic winemaker Richard Arrowood, whom has made acclaimed Sonoma County wines for 50+ years, founded Amapola Creek in 2010. Nestled in the Myacamas Mountains, guests are privately hosted at the rustic, barn-styled winery on the Arrowood family estate. The focus is on ultra-premium, small batch wine including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, and Russian River Chardonnay. The tastings are private and personal and have a laid back feel at the home property of the winemaker.

Winery Phone Number
707-938-3783
Winery Address
392 London Way, Sonoma, CA 95476
Winery Tags
Winery Website Address
Winery Name
Winery Description

Anaba Wines, was the first Sonoma Valley winery to be wind-powered, and their name originates from cool, upward-flowing anabatic winds that soar and swirl through their sustainably-farmed vineyards. With two generations involved, Anaba is family operated winery nestled at the base of stunning rolling hills in the Carneros Region. Strong, cooling breezes blow in from the Pacific Ocean and make the varietals of The Rhone and Burgundy regions right at home with Viognier, Grenache Blanc, and Chardonnay offered for whites and elegant Syrah, Pinot Noir, Rhone Blends, and Petite Syrah for reds.

Winery Description

Iconic winemaker Richard Arrowood, whom has made acclaimed Sonoma County wines for 50+ years, founded Amapola Creek in 2010.  Nestled in the Myacamas Mountains, guests are privately hosted at the rustic, barn-styled winery on the Arrowood family estate. The focus is on ultra-premium, small batch wine including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, and Russian River Chardonnay. The tastings are private and personal and have a laid back feel at the home property of the winemaker.

Winery Tags
Winery Name
Winery Description

Brion Wise founded B Wise Vineyards in 2002 seated on top of a ridge in the Moon Mountain District of the Sonoma Valley. A Mediterranean style mansion/bungalow estate and home to the owner has incredible views and is known specifically for their comfortable and tastefully decorated wine cave. While you are in the cave tasting and looking at fermenting and aging tunnels, you will learn about their red blend wines while taking in the décor from 1920’s Paris with wild-west themed bronzes and vintage furniture.

Winery Description

A charming estate steeped in history, Bartholomew had the first recorded vineyard in Sonoma and was part of California’s first commercial winery in 1857. Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and red blends are made in extremely limited quantities and sell out quickly. Tastings can be outdoors beneath stunning mature oak  trees or in the gorgeous, newly renovated historic Hacienda winery. Experience Sonoma history and natural beauty at this tucked away gem a few minutes from the Sonoma Plaza.

Winery Name
Winery Description

Under the sun in the Valley of the Moon, B.R. Cohn Winery has been making small lot, vineyard designated wines since 1984. Nestled between Sonoma Mountain and the Mayacamas Mountain range, the winery offers an inviting, relaxed environment for discovering new wines. Enjoy our memorabilia room that showcases founder Bruce Cohn's 45 years of rock-n-roll managing The Doobie Brothers. Saddle up to the wine bar or sit outside to enjoy the sunshine, our heritage Picholine olive grove and rolling hillside vineyards.

Winery Name
Winery Description

A historical icon in Sonoma, Buena Vista was the first commercial California winery founded in 1857 and is currently owned by legendary wine aficionado Jean Claude Boisset. Buena Vista blends old world elegance and a rustic charm with a splash of French style. The range of wine is vast with incredible sparkling wines and delightful still wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to bold red blends. Buena Vista has style beyond measure--from stunning historic wine buildings and caves to the opulent crystal-filled rooms of the Champagne Cellars, the experience is wonderfully immersive.

Winery Description

Welcome to Canihan Family Winery where phenomenal wines are hand-crafted from cool, dry-farmed and certified organic vineyards. Our three varietals, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, have achieved critical acclaim since our first vintage. We were thrilled to learn that the first wine we produced won the top honor, “Best in Show Red Wine,” in the largest and most prestigious wine competition in the country (The San Francisco International Wine Competition 2007). Current vintages continue to receive Gold medals and 90 to 96 point ratings from the Beverage Testing Institute, the World Wine Competition, San Francisco Chronicle, and San Francisco International Competitions.

Winery Description

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Sonoma Valley, the Chateau St. Jean estate offers wine lovers an idyllic getaway to soak in the Sonoma wine lifestyle. With incredible vineyard views, a dramatic mountain backdrop, lush gardens and the elegant 1920s chateau, our guests are invited to experience the award-winning Chateau St. Jean wine collection at their leisure, while enjoying the breathtaking ambience of the estate.Founded in 1973, Chateau St. Jean was conceived as a true fine wine estate in the European style, where wines from individual vineyards were kept separate to fully capture individual character of each site. The wines received immediate critical acclaim, and Chateau St. Jean was soon recognized as a leader in single vineyard designated wines.Today, our winemaker Margo Van Staaveren calls upon 35 years of vineyard and winemaking expertise at Chateau St. Jean to highlight the stunning vineyards we work with.

Winery Name
Winery Description

Cline Family Cellars is a family-owned and operated winery in Sonoma, California, built on a passion for winemaking and rooted in respect for the land.

Winery Description

Family-owned and operated for over 37 years, Deerfield Ranch is a unique underground “cave” winery with a warm ambiance and a wide range of wines. Customizable flights of Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and even a sparkling wine create a personalized experience. Deerfield is known for its “clean wine” with low histamines and sulfites and its ecological practices. Taste in the underground cave, learn about the barrels stored in their 20,000sqft underground facility, and see all of the production Crush Pad as you walk into your tasting.

Winery Name
Winery Description

The Donum Estate is an exquisite wine estate in Sonoma. Spread across three vineyards namely Donum Ranch, Nugent and Anderson Valley, it is owned and curated by Anne Moller-Racke. Oenophiles can tour the picturesque property with their winemakers on appointment only and indulge in a sampling of their limited edition and heritage wines. They specialize in several varieties of Pinot Noir with a selection of Chardonnay as well.

Winery Description

In 1986, Squire and Suzy Fridell packed up their three-year old daughter and all their worldly goods to trade the freeways and the sand of Southern California for the back roads and fertile soil of Sonoma Valley. They purchased twenty-six acres of raw land, just north of the Village of Glen Ellen. The gentle rolling hills were covered with poison oak, oak trees, manzanita trees, madrone trees, bay trees, and a few redwoods. They cut a few of the trees and put in a road, got poison oak, dug a well and brought in power, got more poison oak, built their Cottage, hand-planted two acres of grapevines, and got a lot more poison oak. After a year of Calamine lotion, itching, and cottage living, they got rid of most of the poison oak, built their new home on top of the hill, started building their winery, planted a second vineyard and created a new life for themselves.

Winery Description

Inspired by a centuries-old understanding of the balance between earth and wine, we pursue winegrowing with a respect for each vine and for each person in our extended family. Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards implemented the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices and became certified in 2016.

Winery Description

Gundlach Bundschu is California’s oldest continuously family-owned winery, originally founded in 1858 by Jacob Gundlach. It is located 5 minutes from the historic Sonoma Plaza.. Today it is owned and operated by the 6th generation of Bundschu’s and known for being a place to bring families and to have fun. They specialize in making distinctive estate grown wines and typically showcase music on their property so you and your family can enjoy a fun-filled family experience. Beautiful grounds to picnic areas and plenty of places to walk around to see the history of the property are encouraged. They specialize in their red wines, but also showcase their chardonnays and roses. Many different tour offerings can be selected from a Pinzgauer tour to the historic winery tour. A lot is here to sample and see for the visitor and all ages.

Winery Name
Winery Description

Hamel Family Wines was founded in 2006 when George and Pamela Hamel bought this property in Kenwood that happened to come with an acre of vines. Eventually they bought another six acres which included more vines with the intent to get into the winemaking business. Located at the intersection of Madrone Road and Hwy 12 in Kenwood just outside Boyes Hot Springs near Sonoma, this winery is set back behind private gates with a long driveway leading to the main building of the winery where incredible views, massive windows and a modern terrace beckon you to explore the land. On a cool day they provide blankets to wrap around your legs as you watch the sunset and look down at their beautiful vineyards on the hillside. Serene and quiet you will relish in their cabernet sauvignon, Bordeaux varietal blends, zinfandel, Grenache, sauvignon blanc, and late harvest sauvignon blanc wines. The 12,000 foot cave features a private dining and tasting room. Very classy and private – this is an experience not to be missed!

Winery Name
Winery Description

Hanzell Vineyards was founded by James David Zellerbach in 1943 when he acquired 200 acres in the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma. Zellerbach had a vision to produce the finest wines in the world. Today the wine can be matched with the finest in the world. The Brye family purchased the winery in 1975 and still own it today. This property is a winery but also a working and active farm with sheep, pigs, chickens, geese, turkeys, vegetable gardens, and fruit orchards. Hanzell specializes in Chardonnay and Pinot’s. You can take a ride around the rolling property or go to the cellar for a tasting – either choice is a good one!

Winery Name
Winery Description

Homewood Winery is as close to a one man winery as David Homewood can keep it. Step by step through the vinification process he does as much of the work as he can. It is, therefore, a small operation limited to about 3,000 cases annual production. In a typical year we bottle up to ten separate batches and most of them are 300 cases or less.The mission of Homewood Winery is to remain small enough to maintain the hand-crafted approach to winemaking, and keep it fun. ENJOY!!

Winery Tags
Winery Name
Winery Description

Joe Benzinger founded Imagery Winery in the early 1980’s which is located in Glen Ellen just outside of Sonoma. The uniqueness of this winery is in the label – there is special artwork on every label from some of the most notable contemporary artists. There are over 500 artworks by over 300 artists, and about 60 on display in the winery. They are known for experimenting with new varietals while creating the perfect blend. Try their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon on their green grass picnic areas or in one of their intimate tasting room settings on the property.

Winery Description

The Jacuzzi trek to America started in 1907, when Valeriano and Francesco Jacuzzi, the second- and third-born sons of Giovanni and Teresa Jacuzzi, immigrated to Washington to work on the railroad. A warmer climate beckoned and the pair eventually made their way to southern California. Years later, they were joined by four other brothers and eventually all went to work in the aviation industry. Soon they would make American history

Winery Description

Initially the fruit grown at Kamen Estate was sold to premium Sonoma wineries. In 1996, a devastating fire tore through the property destroying half of the vines along with Robert’s home. Where others would see this as a tremendous setback, Robert’s credo, “Everything happens for a reason”, held sway. The fire forced him to focus not on what had been lost, but on what could be gained. Out of the experience he decided to stop selling grapes and began to make his own wines. A major replanting began as soon as the ground cooled. Cutting edge viticultural techniques were employed, new selections of Cabernet clones were chosen and different rootstocks were used. The first release of Kamen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was in 1999.

Winery Name
Winery Description

A rich history paved the way for their philosophy and craft today. Established in the 1970s in the heart of Sonoma, they began winemaking long before the region’s AVAs were created. Their philosophy and craftsmanship are extensions of our rich history.

Winery Name
Winery Description

La Rochelle Winery was founded in 2005 by Steve Mirassou of the Mirassou family which is the oldest winemaking family in North America. It is located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley in Kenwood surrounded by rolling hills, big trees, and beautiful vineyards. A small family owned winery, they are known for their single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals. Become educated on their small lot Pinot Noirs from ground up, including vineyard practices, site and clonal selection, fermentation, barrel aging strategies, blending, and the benefits of bottle aging.

Winery Name
Winery Description

Located at the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains on the corner of Highway 12 and Adobe Canyon Road in Sonoma Valley, we offer daily tasting featuring Landmark’s signature wines as well as small-production, winery-only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A romantic cottage & an airy suite with free in-room breakfast, wine at check-in & a tour & tasting.

Winery Description

John Lasseter from Pixar and his wife Nancy founded Lasseter Family Winery in 2000. The estate property is located in Glen Ellen just outside the town of Sonoma. Nestled among beautiful trees and set into the hillside, the Lasseter’s have tried to incorporate all the elements of nature into their setting for unique wines. There are colonies of honeybees on the property, an eco-friendly winery building, beautiful revitalized pond, and organic farming practices alive and well in their vineyards. They are known for producing wines with a French accent encompassing a rich array of Bordeaux and Rhone-style grapes. They will provide you with a behind the scenes tour into the tank rooms, the crush pad, and even the winemaker’s laboratory if you want, or simply enjoy the views from their comfortable patio as you sample what they have to offer.

Winery Name
Winery Description

Little Vineyards Family Winery produces award winning Sonoma Valley wines. Our team is our family and our core purpose is a shared passion for our wine, music, and a sense of place we call home. We create world class wines with a Little Family feel.